Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-10-21
UNFoUNDED RUMoRs.

We publish today particulars OF the
dedication Of the Empire Of Japan to
the opening Of the work of the latter
day dlspensation in that region. Apos-
tie Heber J. Grant and his associate
missionaries are earnest and jealous In
their labors, as are the Elders every
where who are sent into the world to
preach the Gospel to every creature
who VIII listen to their message, and
this new field IL In special prominence
just now, because II has features pecu-
liar to the land and the people, who are
different not only In language. but In
habits and customs and modes OF
thought. to every other nation on the
earth.
We notice that rumors Of very un-
reliable character reach this city, by
way OF Tacoma, at which point vessels
from Yokohama touch on their way,
and stories told by travellers, containing
some truth and good deal Of specu-
lation. are wired from that place to the
press, The Deseret News will give the
public reliable information from time
TO time, concerning the progress of the
work in Japan, receiving it direct from
the Elders there.
There has been no authoritative in
reference with the PRONUNCIATION Of the
Gospel In Japan. There has been some
discussion in the papers, and strong OPP
position from sectarlan ministers. but
this Is common wherever our mission
aries endeavor to promulgate the prin-
ciples Of the Gospel. It is to be ex-
pected That hostility, however. fire.
quently defeats its own object. In
terest IL aroused among people who In.
quire and investigate for themselves,
and wherever comparisons are fairly
made between the truths presented by
the Elders and the errors and vagarles
contended for by their opponents, the
result Is extremely favorable TO our
cause.
The Idea, recently conveyed in a
dispatch from Tacoma, that permission
10 our Elders to preach In Japan Is the
result OF compromise" consisting OF
promise that they will not preach
polygamy is entirely Incorrect. There
has been no compromise" OF that kind.
There was no necessity for II. The FL
ders have not endeavored to make any
edort as to 'polygamy," except to an
sTer the attacks Of their clerical op-
ponents, by showing that II Is not their
purpose or their mission to teach any
thing OF the kind. There Is nothing on
which to base compromise" The
Gospel Is 10 be preached to the Jape-
nese as to every other people, and the
missionaries are not authorized. any
where, TO advocate that which Is now
forbidden by the law OF the Church.
as II is by the law OF the land.
The preachers Of the various religious
seets seem determined to provoke dis.
cussion on this one subject, and in con.
nection with 1t to Introduce the lurid
tales that are told to travellers concern.
ing 1t. But our missionaries ought MOI
ana do not es a rule suffer themselve,
to be drawn into a jangle, which vii
give their cunning enemies the chanc,
to state with any degree Of truth. tina
they are Introducing or defending poly
gamy, because that is the great desir,
OF the preachers who endeavor I,
arouse public prejudice to the injury o
the brethren.
The work is opening gradually II
Japan. Our Elders are greatly encour
aged They are defending the faltl
against the assaults Of its foes. they ar
learning the difficult language. they ar
trusting in the Lord and relying OF
HIS strength, and at the same time the,
are doing all that is in their power am
showing their faith by their works. IN
letter 10 which we give place today vii
be Of interest 10 the Latter-day Saint,
ana to many persons who are not q
our faith II win be found In anotho
part Of this paper.