The Topeka state journal., 1902-12-02
DEFENDS SMOOT.
President of Mormon Church
Defines That Body's Position.

Salt Lake, Utah, Dec. s2-In an inter
view with the correspondent of the As
sociated Press, President Joseph Smith
of the Mormon church, defined the pres
ent position of the church with respect
to polygamy, also the ecclesiastical po-
sition of Apostle Reed Smoot. whose
candidacy for the United States senate
has resulted in an active campaign
against him by the ministerial alliance.
The church does not desire to enter
into any controversy over the subject
said President Smith, but it is anxious
that its own people as well as people
of the country should understand its
position
Does the Mormon church solemniza
or permit plural marriages?" President
Smith was asked.
Certainly not. he replied.
The church does not perform or
sanction, or authorize marriage in any
form that is contrary to the laws of the
land. The assertion that prominent
Mormons practice polygamy is evident
ly made to mislead the public POlyga-
my under the law is the marrying of
husband or wife while the legal hus-
band or wife is living and undivorced.
There is no such offense committed by
sanction of the Mormon church, but
when the prohibition of polygamy was
proclaimed by the president of the Nor
mon church there were many persons
who had contracted plural marriages
and that relation has been continued
that position determined not to aban-
don their families but to care for and
provide for them and educate and cher
ish their children. This is enormously
construed as practicing 'polygany' and
creates the impression that polygamous
marriages are still permitted in and by
the church.
1T was ascertained by careful CEN
sus in 1870 when President Woodruff
issued his manifesto against farther pO-
lygamous marriages there were 2,411
such families belonging to the church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
In May, 1902 complete and thorough
inquiry showed the original number in
1880 had been reduced 6.3 per cent, leav-
ing them only S97, the great majority
of whom were of advanced age and
many of them have since departed this
life 1t is evident that with no addi-
tions to this total but rapid and con-
tinual decrease the number of polyga
nous families will soon be reduced to
zero"
President Smith was asked to define
the position of Mr.. Smoot in the church.
his position as an apostle compared to
that of a cardinal or archbishop in other
/ churches.
THE two positions are not parallel .
/ President Smith said An apostle
or elder or bishop in the church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
is usually engaged in sole secular vo-
cation or laboring in some capacity for
! office he holds in the priesthood that he
may act in that calling when required.
He gives his service gratuitously to the
church
There are instances of course. whel.
a mans whole time is taken up with
some church duty, that he receives re-
enumeration therefor, but as rule men
holding these positions in the priesthood
are engaged in secular callings and are
men of affairs. Reed Smoot is bank
er, the manager of the largest manufac-
turing institution in this state, is in
terested greatly in mining operations
and other temporal pursuits. He is
| recognized as a capable and enterpris-
ing citizen and his position in the church
need not interfere in any way with his
services to the state or the nation in any
political office to which he may be elect
ed. 1t is not true that he has been put
forward by the church as a candidate
for public Office, but he has the same
right that any other American citizen
enjoys to accept any Office to which his
fellow citizens may elect him to occupy
Mormon church officials have served in
congress for years and no objection has
been offered on that account. Every
Mormon official has been one holding
the priesthood. and that has never inter-
fered with his official duties. The OBJ
/ lection in the present case is without
substantial reason"