The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-12-16

Washington, Dec. 15.-August Lund-
strom was recalled for cross-eXamina-
ton when Senator Shoots investiga-
ton was resumed today before the SEN
ate committee on privileges and cleo
tons. Attorney VancOtt for Senator
Smoot asked the witness if he had ever
considered the obligations taken in the
temple as a huge joke or in the light
OF a vaudeville performance.
I always regarded the oaths as
sacred, he said. Then he declared that
men cannot pass through the temples
10 take endowments for women.
Story Repeated.
Mr.. Lundstrom again gave to the
committee the oath of vengeance. or
law OF retributiOn. over which there
has been controversy between witnesses.
The oath was as given by Mr. Wallis
IN his corrected testimony. The wit
ness told the committee also of the
practice Of mutiiation prescribed for
revealing the tokens or violating the
covenants. The whole congregation
passing through the temple repeated
In the first person the obligation and
penalties and executed the signs ac-
ccmpanying them. The last ceremony
ne attended, the witness said. was in
1913 at the temple. when Apostle Mer-
Til officiated at the sealings. Lectures
were delivered by the witness at the
Swedish Lutheran church in which he
gave his reasons for leaving the church.
Called Him Liar
Were you ever taken to task for
your Statements" asked Senator Du-
bois.
We'll, the officials of the church
called me liar, said Mr.. .Lund-
strom.
He WAS asked if he had ever married
in polygamy.
only in a way" he replied.
Have YOU had a plural wife?"
Yes, sir
Then he explained that the dead
woman had been sealed to him for
eternity. but that he had never lived
with but one wife.
Nicholson on the Stand.
John Nicholson. the chief recorder of
the Mormon temple at Salt Lake CITY.
was sworn. He proved the most re-
iuctant witness of all the church Of
ficiais who have been brought before
the committee.
BY slow process the attorney for
the prOtestants drew from him the fact
that he keeps the records of marriages.
baptisims and endOwments, which are
solemnized within the temple. He ex-
planned that the endowments are the
Placing upon individuals blessings that
Will be upon them during this life and
all eternity.
Witness Was Cautious.
Attorney Tayler questioned Mr.
Nicholson closely concerning the man
ner OF keeping the records and Oh
tanned from him a statement that he
had access TO all the records but no
would not admit having authority o,-e1
them, or that he knew who is in antbnr-
ity. He said he knew where TO find the
records of all persons married within
the temple or who had taken the en-
doWment and could give such informa-
tion upon demand. adding. however
that unless the person making the 70
quest was entitled to information II
would not be given to him. He said he
was responsible for the safekeenine /
OF the records and that 80 far as he
knew no part Of them had ever neon
taken from the temple.
believe you were served win =
subpoena 10 bring all the records I'm /
the temple?" asked Mr.. Tavler
AT the request of Attorney Worth /
lnstoh the subpoena was produced
which called for the marriage records /
only.
Brought Only One Record
Did YOU bring all of the ten,nle re-,
ords?" asked Mr.. Tayler.
No, sir | could not / had no an
thority so to do
He added that he brought one record
that cf the marriages performed vritb,r
the temple He was asked wbere -.
Kept the records Of the eurou-manf
house marriages. He said that they |
were in the temple, but that he had M, /
authority over those nor would he ad !
init knowledge as TO who has such au-
thOrity.
Mr.. Nicholson said the book h.
brought with him contained the record
OF every marriage performed within IN.
temple since II opened. Nav p. 1892
and that records of marriages ps,l
formed outside the temple are nor kaDt {
within this book
On examination the Witness de-
clared that no marriages had been per-
formed within the temple except when
the legal license had been issued by the
clerks or the courts; that the marriages
performed there had always been per /
formed there had always been for time
and eternity, none for time only.
Mr. Nicholson also said no record Of /
marriage ceremonies is kept By him.
Wallis Recalled.
j. II. Wallis, who was on the stand !
yesterday. was recalled. He said tnal
in addition 10 others he had revealed L
the secrets of the endowment house TO
a number OF Salt Lake City ministers.
and also TO other residents of that CITY. 4
Among them were Drs. Page and Chris
tiansOn. |.
Referring TO the statement of the {
witness yesterday that the penalty for I
telling these secrets Is to have the Il
throat cut, Mr.. Worthington asked the {