Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-03
PRES. JOS. SMITH
Of Mormon Church Describes
the Church's Position.
He Denies That Polygamy Exists or
Is Now Practiced.
Claims Smoot Has Perfect Right 70 Go
Z to consrsss.

Salt Lake City. Utah, Dec. lin an
interview. Monday. with the cores
pOndent Of The Associated Press,
President Joseph Smith Of the Mormon
church. described the present position
of the church with regard to polygamy
and the ecclesiastical position Of Apos-
tie Reed Smoot, whose candidacy for
the Cnited States Senate has resulted
in an active campaign against him by
the Ministerial Alliance. President
Smith said the church did not desire
to enter the controversy over this
question but was anxious that it's own
people. as well as the people of the
country, should understand its position.
Concerning polygamy the president
said the church did not perform, sane
ton or authorize marriage in any form
that is contrary to the laws of the
land. 1.-The assertion that prominent
MOrmons practice polygamy is evident
ly made to mislead the public" he con-
tinued. "Polygamy under the law Is
the marrying Of husband or wife
while the legal husband or wife is liv-
ing and undivorced. There is no such
offence committed by sanction of the
Mormon church. But when the pro-
hibition OF polygamy was proclaimed
by the president of the Mormon church
there were many persons who had
contracted plural marriages and that
relation has been continued in many
instances because the men in that pO-
sition determined not to abandon their
families, but to care for and provide
for them and educate and cherish their
children.
This Is enormously constructed aS
practicing polygamy and creates the
impression that pOlygamous marriages
are still permitted in and by the
church.
1T was ascertained by a careful CEN
sus in 1880. when President Woodruff
issued his manifesto against further
polygamOus marriages, that there were
2451 such families belonging to the
church Of Jesus Christ of the Latter
Day Saints in the United States. In
May. 1892, a complete and thorough in
quiry showed that the original number
in 1890 had been reduced 63 per cent,
leaving then only 1877, the great ma
jority of whom were Of advanced age
and many of whom have since depart
ed this life.
1T is evident that with no additions
to this total, but a rapid and continued
decrease, the number Of pOlygamdst
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 hav-
ing been compared to that of car
dinal or archbishop in other churches.
1.-The two positions are not parallel"
President Smith said.
IAN apostle Of seventy. or elder or
bishop in the church Of Jesus Christ
Of Latter Day Saints Is usually en-
gagged in some secular vocation or la
boring in some capacity for his daily
bread He is ordained to the office he
holds in the priesthood so that he may
act in that calling when required. He
gives his services gratuitOusly to the
church. There are Instances, Of course.
when mans whole time is taken up
with some church duty, that he re-
ceives remuneration therefor. but as a
rule, men holding positions in the