The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1899-11-01
PRESENT ASPECTS
MORMONISM
REV. R. q. McNIECE, D. D.

2. In reference to the teaching of
polygamy. 1t may be that the
church is not just now, in formal
way, giving instruction in behalf of
this doctrine. But we know that the
official representatives of the church
are publicly teaching poligamy over
the state. To be specific, at a con-
vention of Mormon young peoples
societies on the 18th of June, 1898,
one Of the twelve apostles, in an ad-
dress, as reported in two daily papers
in Salt Lake City the next morning,
stated that "belief in polygamy is rs
much part of the Mormon faith to-
day as it ever was" and that the
young people could not deny this
part of the Mormon belief without at
the same time deny the prophet
Joseph Smith"
At another young peoples confer
ence in Logan, Utah, on November
18th, another apostle, a notorious
polygamist, who did all that he could
to secure the election to Congress of
the polygamist, Roberts, is reported
in the papers as saying in his adj
dress that he felt ''to sustain the
principles OF the Gospel even to the
extent of taking more wives if nee
cessary."
A magazine called The Improve
ment Era, the organ of the young
Mems Mutual Improvement Associa-
tion," is edited by the polygamist, b.
H. Roberts, who has just been elected
TO Congress. In the May number of
that magazine for 1898, Mr.. Roberts
had an elaborate article, of nearly
eleven pages, advancing and defend
ing the rightfulness of polygamy.
The article closes with these words:
l"And the fact of Gods approval OF
plural marriage in ancient times, is a
complete defense of the righteousness
OF the marriage system introduced by
revelation through the prophet Jos
eph Smith"
In addition, we know that the
church officials in the smaller towns
over the State are teaching and adj
vocating polygamy in the Mormon
tdDeTudCleb, at Tue Ouuudy sCINlCCh'
The best way, therefore, to ascer-
tain the position of the Mormon
Church on the subject of polygamy
is by studying the persistent man
ner in which the church officials, by
example and direct teaching, are
urging upon their own people in Utah
the rightfulness of polygamy as a
divine institution, and vital part OF
their religion, rather than by such
smooth aud plausible statements as
that which President Snow recently
published in the New York World
for outside effect.
Furthermore, we know that poly
gamy is a fundamental doctrine of the
Mormon Church just as much as hap
tism, or any other doctrine. And the
rejection of it as a doctrine exposes
one TO the terrible penalty Of damna
/ ton. The alleged revelation on which
plural marriage rests declares to each
one that he must and shall abide the
law. or he shall be damned, saith the
Lord God" doctrine and Cove
nants, Sec. l32, Paragraph as.
The law here referred to is that up
holding plurality of wives. And nc
church official ever pretends that it
has ever been set aside as doctrine
Of the church. Besides, general prac-
tice of polygamy since Statehood was
secured is quite notorious in Utah.
Ill. In regard TO the present
strength of Mormonism there is some
difference of opinion. II is true that
there is strong minority in the
church made up largely ofthe young.
or men and women who are opposed
10 church domination in civil affairs,
and in polygamy. And this is an en-
couraging fact. On the other hand