The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-02
ELDER JOSEPH SMITH.
Son of Founder of MOrmOnism Always
Opposed to Polygamy.
Detroit News.

Detroit News.
1--WE are known as Josephites, while the
people of Utah are called Brighamites,
Elder Joseph Smith, president of the re-
organized Church of Latter-day Saints, told
the News. He is in Detroit to proselyte
for his church, and says the batter-day
Saints are the descendants of the original
church. 1--WE differ from the Mormons in
that we do not believe in polygamy, ne
explained to News reporter. In ths
doctrine of covenants ii states: We de-
clare that we believe that one man should
have one wife, and one woman but one
husband This was the original Mormon
belief, and was accepted by all until aug.
%, 1852, when Brigham Young declared Ior
polygamy. The first sermon was preached
in its favor the same day by Orson Pratt
None of my family accepted this teach
ing, and / soon began to work as mis-
sionary against the spread OF the OBNOXIOUS
creed ,ooo
81 was born at Kirkland, o., Nov. 6. 1882
Ny family moved TO Illinois in 1853. l was
educated in the public schools. In 1874 my
father, the originator OF the mormon Ialtn'
was killed. press was destroyed at Maui
VOC. and father, with sixteen others, was
arrested for riot. They obtained pail put
were soon after arrested Tor treason. Iney
were confined in the Carthage jail. Be-
fore being tried, a mob assembled, and both
Joseph Smith and his brother were shot.
When / came of age, took up tpe crusade
against polygamy MY foiows o 600 ,n S
believers. / live at Lamont. Ia. where
rave been editor of the Saints Herald for
thirty years / have been in titan -FOUR
times as a missionary against polygamy.
Politically, / am a Republican, though
take no active part In such things. My
only public offices have been justice OF the
peace and trustee in my own town. ana
all my followers were opposed TO Congress
man Roberts. Personally he was not
bad man, but the idea of polygamy is con-
trary to the principles of this country and
of our belief.
In speaking OF history Of the Mormon
Church. Mr. Smith says: MY father was
the originator of the faith. He received the
visitation of an angel. who revealed to him
where the plates of Mormon were con-
cealed. Mormon was a Jewish prophet liv-
dred wears ago there were two migrations
to South America. The people wandered
rorthward and settled in New York state,
where they finally became extinct. The
place where the plates of Mormon were
hidden was in the hill Of Cumunah, near
Palmyra, N. Y. Their whereabouts was re-
yealed by the angel. Those plates were de-
posted there by Moroni, leader OF the
tribe They were written in reformed Egyp-
tan and were translated by Joseph Smith.
The book which is known as the Mormon
Bible was published in 1923. This book Is
directly opposed 10 polygamy. IL was pub
Ished until 1876 in the original FORM Then
the Mormon branch in Utah left out the
section on marriage which expressly for
bids polygamy."
The church has missionaries in England.
Australia, Hawaii and Canada There are
400 congregations. The sect in Detroit rs
composed of $50 baptized members They
meet every Sunday at 344 Grand River ave-
nue. Joseph Smith will preach there twice
on Sunday He will discuss the differences
between the church OF the Latter-day
Saints and the Mormon belief