The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-09

chosen by revelation TO President snow
said Mr.. Lyman, and a revelation also
was given me in relation TO these men,"
He explained that the latter revelation
came after President Snow had told him
the names of the men he wanted chosen 10
the vacancies. Mr.. Lyman was asked what
distinction he made between the revelations
he obeyed and those he did not obey.
Il suppose you mean the laws / have con-
fessed that have violated in living with
plural wives?" he asked
When told that was what was meant he
said: Il trust myself TO the mercy of the
Lord"
Have you ever repented of that dis
obedienceY' asked Mr.. Hoar.
Not yet"
Did Senator smoot know you were liv-
Mr.. Lyman answered that Senator Smoot
did not know. as he never had met any
one of his wives. He said that the people
in general in Utah knew, but that he did
not think Mr.. SmOot had any knowledge of
the fact. He said he was so generally
known and his reputation wide that
what was admitted a fact in relation to
him would be accepted by the people as
true.
Chairman Burrows insisted on knowing
if the people of Utah knew in relation to his
life why Senator Smoot could not know
just well. The witness responded sew
eral times that the people must. have
known, but that Senator Smoot did not
whereupon Senator Hoar demanded TO know
what the witness meant by such answers.
The witness then said that Senator Smoot
probably knew just as much about the
question as the people in general
TAKES IT BACK.
do you take back what you said then
that the people knew and Senator Smoot
did not know" asked Senator Hoar.
81 take that back"
Don't you think, Mr. Apostle, that it
behooves you to be little careful about
what you say, so that you will not have
anything to take back?" asked the senator
severely.
Senator Hoar followed this question by
asking the witness If he had received
revelation concerning what he was to tes-
tify to on the stand and whether such
| revelation could be responsible for his
change of mind in relation TO the questions
asked.
Are your answers here by order of the
Lord? Are they given in your human or
inspired capacity the senator asked.
/ answer as the spirit of the Lord di
reefs"
Then it was the spirit of the Lord which
directed you TO make the answer you just
took back and which you said was mis-
take?"
The witness hestitated and Senator Hoar
remarked: well, if you can't answer that
L don't blame you"
Chairman Burrows: after all this testi-
mony which Senator Smoot has heard do
practicing polygamy?"
Il don't think he knows"
You think he believes you when you tell
him, do you not?''
Il believe he believes it and believes me-"
After much effort a statement was OBJ
tanned from the witness that he thought
Senator Smoot was acquainted with the
general reputation and accepted report
that Mr.. Lyman was living in polygamous
relations with his plural wives
Chairman Burrows asked Mr. Lyman in
n no nj rod Of
ter-day Saints at Lamont. Iowa, of which
son of Joseph Smith, the prophet, is the
head, and Mr.. Lyman gave his ideas of the
dlHerence between the two organizations.
He was asked if the reorganized church did
not denounce polygamy and answered:
They denounce 1T so hard that it almost
provokes us to defend it,
Senator Dubois asked If the reorganized
church teaches absolute obedience to its
leaders and was informed by Mr.. Lyman
that he understood the church was not
very strenuous in that regard
WOULD HAVE BEEN REPROVED
Now, in relation to the consent given
Senator Smoot to become a candidate for
senator-suppose President Smith had re-
fused to give this consent and Smoot had
insisted becoming a candidate what
would have happened to him?" asked Sen
ator Dubois
Mr.. Lyman said Senator Smoot would
nave DeSH lUSuDOrulldte, and
probably would have been disciplined, taken
TO task. reproved or corrected.
He was asked what would have happened
in the event President Smith had given his
consent to another apostle to become can
didate for the Senate.
Il don't know. 1t would have made lots
of confusion. We will talk about that
question when il comes to US"
Mr.. Worthington having objected to ques-
tions concerning the belief of the reorgan-
lied church as irrelevant. Senator Hoar said
that the Senate investigation was more
like a grand jury inquiry that a trial, and
they were not confined to the narrow is
sues of this question. If we had been
would not have put many of the questions
which | have in this case"
Mr.. Worthington said he had objec-
ton to the testimony so long it is I'M
derstood that much irrelevant matter will
not be taken seriously by the committee
Mr.. Tayler said that it had been shown
one of the religions was composed of peace
able, lawabiding citizens, while the other
is a menace to society and good govern
ment, and that lin the latter Senator
Smoot is so woven into the organization
that we hold he cannot be extricated with
out cutting himself off entirely
Mr.. Worthington inquired of Mr.. Lyman
whether Senator Smoot could not resign
his apoStleship if he wanted to do anything
which the church forbids, and still remain
| a Mormon in good standing. The witness
answered affirmatively.
Mr.. Lyman told the story of an attempt
on the part of Prophet Joseph Smith to get
| rid of one of his high counselors who had
| been chosen by revelation and the refusal
| of the people to submit to the change. This
was for the purpose of showing that the
| will of the people is stronger than the wish
| or command of the president of the church
STRONGER THAN REVELATION
do you mean to say asked Senator
Hoar, that a revelation from the Lord
which has been rejected by the people
| would count for nothing?''
ut would count for nothing for those who
| rejected it,
Would it be binding upon the instrument
| of the Lord who received the revelation?
mean if the revelation should be received
by you and the people refused to accept it.
would it be binding upon you to follow the
revelation or to follow the wish of the peo-
| ple?"
I'VE should follow the wish of the peo-
| pie"
| We'll how about your
Il should be bound by what the people
| decided.
Then" said Senator Hoar, 1.-The voice of
| the people is of more authority than the
mandate of the Lord?"
| The law of the Lord is whatever is done
| by common consent.
| Then the Lord submits to the people
whatever he desires to have done, and if
| the people like it they give their consent
| That is your belief. is it,
People have their rights and they must
| be respected" answered the witness. 1.-The
| Lord can't make the people do right or ac-
cept His laws. Man is left to follow his
own agency in relation TO religion, business