The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-02
SMITH EXPOUNDS
TENETS OF CHURCH
Continued from First Pagc)

anu VINO received revelations from time
TO time. lie said the standard works Of
the church are the Bible Book of Nor
mon. the Book of Doctrines and Cow
ensnts, and the Pearl Of Great Price,
and these are the only books which have
been accepted by the church.
Are they all considered Of equal VAL
ue?" asked Mr.. Tayler.
Il presume So was the reply.
The Pearl Of Great Price" he said
was the record Of revelations TO Joseph
Smith. jr.. and was accepted by the
MOrmons as having the same divine au-
thority as the other books mentioned.
Mr.. Smith did not hesitate 70 admit the
truth Of this. not even excepting the BIZ
BILE.
The "Deseret News"
Mr.. Tayler then directed his questions
to the ownership of the ''Deseret News"
which. Mr.. Smith finally admitted. he
presumed was owned by the Church.
He said he knew the Church owned the
building. The paper had been published
since 1851. and he had read Il when he
had the time as long as he could re-
member. He could not recall ever hav-
ing seen at the head of the paper in
conspicuous place the statement that
the paper was the official organ Of the
Church
Mr.. Smith then said the organization
of the church consisted Of the president,
three councillors. twelve apostles. and
lesser officials. He became an apostle
in 1876. then a councillor to President
Taylor. and was chosen by the succeed
ing presidents to serve in the same po-
sition and then became president him
self
Mr.. Tayler said this was the extent to
which he desired to- go at present on
the point of the organization Of the
church.
Mr.. Beveridge suggested that the four
books Of the Mormon Church be sup
piled, so that Senators could read them
and see what was referred to in the tes-
timony before the committee.
Choosing of Apostles.
How are the apostles of the Mormon
Church chosen" inquired Mr. Hoar
In the first place they were chosen
by revelations, and they have ever since
had a voice in the selection Of their sue
cessors," said Mr.. Smith.
Revelations to whom?" asked Mr..
McComas
ITO Joseph Smith," was the reply
The witness said they served by and
with the advice and consent Of the Off
Gals of the Mormon Church. the formula
used being almost Identical with the
phrase I'm the United States Constitution
by which the President of the United
States makes appointments, with the
approval of the Senate.
The witness said he was not present
when Brigham Young was chosen presi-
dent. but he believed it was through in
SEPARATION that il was done; that every
president since that time had been so
chosen. and the church taught this as
part OF it's doctrines. They are endowed
with the authority of the holy precedent.
which gives them the power to preach
the gospel and administer all the rites
of the church. He reviewed these at
length, giving all their church names.
Sincerity of Religion.
Mr.. Hoar called attention to the re-
plies Of President Smith. such as Il
presume" II believe likely" and asked
what he meant by these forms OF Ian
gIage.
The Mormon president answered that
on whatever related 20 church doctrine
he could speak as positively as any
human being could do, and from an in
spIred knowledge. In reference to mat
ters of human activity, business affairs,
ton, in which. however. he might be
mistaken. just as any human being
might err in relation to facts. and so he
could speak only from what he be-
lieyed to be true.
Every person is entitled" TO the spirit
OF revelation. said the witness, but no
such revelation Is ever proclaimed 70
the church except through the president.
Mr.. Overman asked some questions as
20 the manner in which revelations are
received and the witness said every
member received a revelation prepare
tory TO full membership in the church.
The first mention Of Senator Smoot' $
name in the investigation came at this
point.
Mr.. Tayler asked whether apostles did
not receive revelations direct from God
The witness answered Yes"
Then Mr.. Smoot receives inspiration
and revelations direct from God2' To
this the witness also gave an affirmative
answer.
Members Unchurched.
The witness then explained the extent
of the revelations. Only those members
who accept such revelations as are pre-
scented 10 the church by the president
are regarded as in good standing in the
Cnurcn- lie never knew OF any reNela-
ton to the church which had been dis
regarded or rejected by the whole
church. though he knew of insta6ces in
which large numbers OF the church did
not accept a revelation and thereby Fun
churched themselves" as Mr.. OYermau
suggested.
In response to a query from Mr.. over
man whether members would not D.
''unchurched'' if they refused to accep
what he Cthe witness) proclaimed as :
revelation" President Smith replied:
Not necessarily
Asked by Mr.. Tayler to explain thi
reply. he said a member of the Churc
might not accept revelation, but tina
n he lived correct life he need not b.
considered as outside the pale Of tn
church.
But you consider your revelations q
come from God. do you not?" askc
Mr.. Hoar. The witness answered IN tn
Affirmative.
Then members Of the church can di
regard the voice OF God. espresso
through you, and stfIl remain in goo
standing in the church," asked Nj
Hoar.
Plural Marriages.
President Smith did not care to admi
this definitely. so asked permission I
make a more detailed statement II