The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-03
PRESIDENT OF MORMON
CHURCH AFF|RHS He ISA
BELIEVER IN POLYGAAY
Joseph D. Smith Tells Senators OF
Divine Revelations Which
He Upholds.
IAN ANGEL IN BLACK"
Is Alleged to Have Commanded
His Uncle to Adopt Plural
Marriage Practice.
SMOOT CASE HEARING
Utah Senator's Seat at Stake-Mr.
Beveridge One of the Cross
Examiners.
SMOOT CASE. HEARING

WASHINGTON, March Am effort to
air the innermost secrets of the Mormon
Church was manifested in the first days
proceedings before the Senate committee on
elections and privileges, which is investi-
eating the protests against Reed Smoot re-
tainfng his seat a senator from Utah
president Joseph ID. Smith, the highest off,
cial or the church, was on the stand all
day He was questioned closely in regard
to the principles OF divine revelations. He
said he adhered absolutely to all the teach
ings OF the church in that regard and that
he himself had been visited with divine in
spiFs.tions from God directing him to
details In matters pertaining to the welfare
OF the church, though no angels had come
TO him as in the case of the revelation TO
his uncle. Joseph Smith, jr., the founder of
the church. He subscribed to the standard
OF authority for the church in relation to
the revelation commanding polygamy as
made known TO the first president in a
visit from IAN angel in black" He also
said he believed in polygamy. The testi-
mony was directed in a slight degree at
Senator Smoot and no attempt was made
ey the defense to curtail the admission of
the Mormon leader. President Smith was
tions of certain officials of the church be-
fore the manifesto of 1880. The attorneys
then objected and much time was devoted
to the relevancy OF such testimony.
The committee went into executive ses-
sion and after full discussion. determined
TO allow the utmost latitude TO the hear
fngs. which means that court practices will
be avoided. The protestants said they re-
garded this a victory for them. The
committee will hear practically all the
prosecution has to offer and determine for
Itself what is competent testimony. The
committee will hold two sessions day.
Quite a number of women were in at
tendance to-day and watched the proceed
ings with interest
SMITHS TESTIMONY.
When President Smith took the witness
stand he said. in reply to a question, that
he was born in Missouri in 1888 and went to
Utah ia 1S4S. Questions directed TO ascer-
tain the business occupations of Mr.. Smith
in addition to the presidency of the church
brought out the following list of concerns
of which he is president: Zion Cooperative
and Mercantile Company. with a capital
stock of more than S1,O0O, 900; State Bank of
Utah. Zion Savings Bank. Utah Sugar
Company, Consolidated Wagon and Ma
chine Company, Utah Light and Railway
Company. Salt Lake q Los Angeles Rail-
way Company, Salt Air Beach Company
and Salt Lake Knitting Company. He said
he president of other small concerns,
the names of which he could not recall, and
\ that he is a director of the Union Pacific
Railway Company, editor of the Improve
menter and Juvenile Instructor and director
or official Of number of mining compan-
les.
list OF first presidency or twelve
apostles governing the church was read
by Mr.. Tayler and identified by Mr.. Smith.
The list included the name of Reed Smoot.
Mr.. Smith explained that the first pres-
oency is the president of the church and
two high priests or councillors and that
the twelve apostles are next in authority.
! The presidents are elected by the council
and the apostles he said, but he believed.
1 and 1t is taught that the presidents are
really chosen by divine revelation and
OF the holy priesthood by authority direct
kfrom God He said the apostles might elect
their number in the event of vacancy,
ut that they would not go contrary to the
ish of the first presidency.
Senator Dubois said: Il notice that you
by many thousands rejected the doctrine
plural marriage. Do you mean that they
ever practiced plural marriages or that
hey declared against the doctrine?"
PRINCIPLE OF THE CHURCH.
Nj. Smith answered again that many
hou sands in the church had declared
gainst the principle of plural marriage as
from
Joseph Smith, jr. To bring out the effect
refusing To subscribe to the teachings
the church. Mr. Hoar asked number
L questions and Mr.. Smith said: 1.-The
principle of revelation is the fundamental
principle OF the church"
Have you ever received such a revela-
ION direct from God?" asked Mr.. Taylor
II never said | had received a revelation
Except that God has shown me that Nor
lonlsm is Gods divine truth" said Mr..
smith.
'How has God shown you that?" asked
Mr. Burrows.
he accepted theory OF the revelation of the
principle OF polygamy to Joseph Smith. jr.,
aying that an angel in black had appeared
INTO him He said that revelations had NOT
rome TO him in that form, but that he had
Received direct revelations from God by
In response to direct questioning. Mr..
mith said only those revelations 10 the
resident which had been presented to the
hurch and accepted by the members were
hnding upon them. Mr.. Overman wanted
70 know what happened to those who did
kof believe in the inspired revelations.
.sWere they unchurched?" he asked
.'r'hey unchurched themselves, was the
esonse-
h prior TO 1852. when the plural mar
kts.ss in the church were declared by the
Lnch TO be constitutional. polygamy had
he practiced ''in a limited way" Mr.
E3.ridge inquired concerning the reasons
he line of questions concerning polyg-
H. as he said he understood Mr.. Smoot
not charged with being a pOlygamist
TayIor explained that he wanted 10
Il that the demands OF the church are
that il might affect Mr. Smoots al
nee 10 the United States.
RELIEVES IN POLYGAMY
reply to another question. Mr.. Smith
II believe plural marriages to be
fft."
Il. Taylor then asked if IT is true that
h revelation declaring plural marriages
feg aims in the books of authority as part
bffhe teachings of the church.
Mr. Smith said that IL was true. He also
Aid that the subsequent manifesto declar-
ng the principle not in operation was fully
Understood
Mr. Burrows directed a number of ques-
ions 10 Mr. Smith bearing upon the con-
istency OF Mr.. Smiths answers relating
10 his belief IN and acceptance of the di-
S,ine revelations He said: Il understand
you to say you believe in the revelation OF
and still think IL Is right?''
.'Yes."
"And the manifesto of President Wood
CONTINUED ON PAGE ). COL. II