Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-06
THE CHURCH AND THE LAW.


That is an old Islander which gains
nothing of truth by frequent repeti-
ton. 1t has no facts to support II.
The history Of what Is called Nor
monism" does not furnish anything by
way Of proof that the charge against
It has any foundation.
Every incident which has been re-
ferred 10 in the way OF evidence to give
color TO the accusation, when traced
10 its origin shows rather that the
Mormon" people have been obedlent
10 law. and that their enemies have
been the lawbreakers.
There is one apparent exception to
this rule; that Is, the course pursued
by the Latter-day Saints In relation TO
the contest over plural marriage. That,
OF course, has been decided and ought
TO be regarded as a buried contention.
But It Is perpetually revived and the
"Mormons" are charged with endeayor-
ing 70 hold themselves above law, and
TO be determined to do as they please
In spite of any legal enactments. This
requires little investigation.
II Is true that statutes were passed
by the Congress Of the United States
TO which a number Of people. prominent
in the Church OF Jesus Christ OF Lat
ter-day Saints, did not yield obedience.
Whatever Of wrong may be attached
TO that course by the rational inyestiga-
tor ought TO be modified by the mo-
tiyes, intent and belief Of those who
are classed as offenders. The system OF
marriage into which they entered was,
as they sincerely believe, Of divine orr
gin. II was an establishment Of their
religion. They sought no sanction for
II or any recognition from the civil
law. They did not seek to make II an
institution OF the state 1t was purely
a religious rite, under religious aus
pices and direction They believed It
was protected by that clause of the
Constitution Of the United States which
provides that Congress shall pass no
law respecting an establishment of re-
liglon OF prohibiting the free exercise
thereof"
In resisting the laws OF Congress on
this matter, they exercised what they
deemed to be their Constitutional rights.
They therefore, contested the execution
Of those laws step by step, in every
variety Of litigation until the Supreme
Court Of the United States affirmed the
constitutionalty of the antl-polygamy
attachments. The methods Of procedure
OF the lower courts were frequently Of
such an extreme character as TO pro-
woke contention rather than compliance,
and In number Of instances
were condemned and set aside by the
court Of last resort.
The sufferings, trials, and terrible or
deals through which a large number
of the Mormon" people passed during
that period OF litigation, we will not
stop TO consider. But they demon-
strated the sincerity and integrity OF
those who endured them and showed
that they were submitted to for a prln-
ciple and not with any criminal or law
less intent. However mistaken many
people may have regarded them, their
fidelity 10 what they believed to be
religious duty, won the admiration OF
Intelligent and high-mnded men and
women.
When the court Of last resort finally
decided against them, they bowed to
the rulings OF the judicial body. which
the Constitution clothes with power to
define It's meaning and settle as 10 its
application. Plural marriages were dis
continued. The head Of the Church is.
sued his Manifesto. and the body en-
dorsed his declaration. This recapitula.
latlon of facts is necessary to determine
the question whether the Latter-day
Saints seek to heccme "a law unto
themselves" We maintain that the
contrary of the proposition is the mani
fest truth
Now as TO the doctrine and teachings
OF the Church on this subject. In the
Articles OF Faith OF the Church Of Jesus
Christ Of Laiter-day Saints will be
found this paragraph;
H. We believe In being subject 10
kings presidents. rulers and magls- |
trates. In obeying, honoring and sus-
tanning the law.
In the Book OF Doctrine and Cove.
nants, which contains revelations from
God to the Church, this ecclesiastical |
law is given:
Let no man break the laws Of the |
land. for he that keepeth the laws OF |
God hath no need TO break the laws of |
the land. Wherefore. be subject 10 the
powers that be, until He relgns whose
right II Is 10 reign and subdues all
enemies under His feet Behold. the 1
laws which We have received from my
n "a are the laws Of the Church aud In !
TINS light ye shall hold them forth Be
hold here is wisdom. Sec, IS. 2l-23.
In connection with the foregoing read
the following.
And now, verify | say unto YOU con-
cernlng the laws OF the land. il Ia my
VIII that my people should observe In
do all things whatsoever / command
them. And that law Of the land which
Is constitutional, supporting that princi-
pie Of freedom In maintaining rights
and privileges belongs % an mankind
and Is tusufable before me- There
fore, j. the Lord, justify you, and your
brethren OF my Clutch IN defending
that law which Is the constitutional
law Of the land And as pertaining to