Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-05-16
WHY NOT ExpuSGE Irg

A weekly periodical published in the
interest OF the so-cailed "Re-organlzed
church OF Latter-day Saints" noticing
the reported exclusion Of Mormon
missionaries from Prussia, seems to
approve somewhat OF the alleged edlct'
Not because tie publishers believe IA
Intolerance on account OF religious DIFF
festpae q opinion they say, but be-
rrluse the Utah Church allows the reYe-
iation on plural marriage TO remih
IN the Book OF Doctrine and Covenants,
They go on 10 threaten that unless that
revelation Is "expunged from the
hook" the Church authorities will mot
be allowed 10 prcmulgate their doctrine
In a civilized community
II seems almost Incredible that such
demand should come from persons
protesting to be followers OF the Pro
rhet Joseph Smith, 'Hho received, pro-
nulgated and acted upon that revela-
ton, the proofs OF which are abundant
and irrefutable. But, strange to say,
those Grant and contentious indivld-
uais are among the most inyeteraie ana
obstinate opponents Of the Elders, who
travel IN the world to preach the Cos
mel as restored TO earth through the
Prophet and Seer OF the last dlspen-
satIon Those professsd Saints unite
with the sectarlan enemies Of the mar
tyred Revelator. in making trouble for
Mormon" missionaries at home and
abroad.
II IS becoming pretty well known
that the authorities Of this Church
and the preachers Of its faith do not
teach or advocate plural marriage
here or elsewhere Reports to the con
trary are untrue, and vn investigation
fail utterly and ignominously Tha,
being so, the continual tumult rails
aiiout It Is without excuse. But the
question is asked, why Is the reyela
ton on this subject permitted 10 re-
main in the Doctrine and Covenants
We might reply by asking, why are
the precepts and Commandments Of the
Mosaic code retained In the Christian
Bible? Why are not the many allu-
sions to the practices OF the patrafchs
expungsd from the scriptures Why
sre the accounts concerning the wives
Of David. OF whom Il is declared, God
gave iuto his bosom the 'xives Of Saul
allowed to remain with the statements
that he was "a man after Gods own
heart ana that 'in nothing ala he Sin
save in the case OF Urlah and his
wlfe?'
why are the Commandments not ex-
plunged from the sacred yoluma con
cerning mans duty to his decaarel |
brothers wIfeg We might cite nu-
merous references IN the Bible 10 cns- |
toms and laws and divine requirements |
that are not now In force Yet ihey
are "pesmit,ed to remain" and they |
appear in the translation published by |
the 'ReorRanized" people as they de
clare in the preface. In pursuance OF |
the commandment OF God" Yctit So
not argued that because they are not
cxpunged. the believers IN the divinity
OF the book should not be allowed to |
their doctrine in a civil
ICED community" is it9
The Doctrine and Covenants, as pub
ilshed by the "Reorganized" socisty.
contains a number Of revelaticns ana
Commandments 10 or concerning indl-
slenals long since desd and applica-
5ie 70 no one else. Also IN relation TO
vents that are past and gene
nd not relevant to the present. But
10 one THINKS OF demanding that they
han be expunged from the book They
cmaln as the revelations Of God IN
heir time and place and purpose like
Tiers in the Bible and the Book Of
lorrnon. and are sacred history yalua"