The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-12-20

witness some statistics relating to the
church, but no register of the total
membership. In regard to COLOMBIA
ton, Apostle Smith said there is a
large settlement in Mexico and that
one-third of the population of Idaho
and One-fourth Of the population of
Wyoming are Mormons Other states
and territories having large settle
ments are Nevada. California. Arizona.
Colorado and New York, while Iowa
has large settlement of the Reorgan-
lied Church of Latter-day Saints.
which drew away from the other
Ch',~"5 because It did not believe in
polygamy
Apostle Smita said that the suspen-
sion of the practice or poiygamy was
the result of a revelation and that it
would take another revelation TO put IT
in force.
Then the president of the church
might put polygamy in practice by re-
ceiving a revelation"
Not unless the people should re-
ceive it. Nothing is forced on the
Mormon people" he replied.
Church Courts.
Isaac Birdsall, formerly a Mormon,
now living at EIsinore, Utah was ex-
amined concerning a civil trial in
land case in which he and his daugh-
ter were defendants. The case was
heard in the bishops court of Monroe
ward in Utah. where Birdsall and his
daughter were charged with I'M
Christianlike conduct. James K. Lea
witt brought the action to obtain pos
session OF sixty acres Of land which he
is alleged to have purchased from the
Birdsalls, but TO which he did not have
title. Mr.. Brdsall lost the case and it
a III inc = oIr H., h..
high council. the next higher church
court, and appeal was refused by the
officers Of the first presidency, the
highest court.
Forced to Sign Deed.
Before an appeal to the first presi-
dency was attempted the witness said
MS daughter was given notice to carry
out the verdict of the church courts
or the first presidency would take ac-
tlon by cutting her off from the church.
Records in the case We're introduced
showing that Cora BirdsaIl. the daugh-
Ter, was communicated in June. 1909
Mr.. Birdsall said that the decision so
wore on his daughter that she neither
ate nor slept nor drank, and appeared
TO lose her mind. Her condition was
brought TO the attention of the presi-
dent Of the stake and her parents were
told their daughter would be torment
ed and led by evil spirits until she had
complied with the decision of the
church in regard to the land in which
event rebaptism was promised her
Later she was rebaptized in the church
and then made the deed. conveying the
land to Leavitt The witness said his
daughter sent word to him by her
mother that she had been forced to
deed away the property in question.
At the afternoon session Mr. BirdsalI
was crOSs-eXamined He said he severed
his connection with the Mormon church
at the time his daughter was offered
re-baptism if she would convey her prop
erty to Leavitt, but could not give the
date.
William Bulge Of Paris, Ida. was re-
called by counsel for Mr.. Smoot He
said that as a bishop of the Mormon
church he has not entertained a case in
VolVing the title Of land. for the rea-
son that presidents Of the church have
given instructions that bishops and
presidents of stakes could not hear such
cases.
Apostle Smith Recalled.
Apostle Smith was recalled and ques-
toned by Chairman Burrows concern
ing the immigration from foreign coun-
tries. He had testified that from one
third TO One-half OF the converts to the
church came from Europe. -hc emil
- grants, he said, are usually placed in
charge of an experienced NAH and
brought over on steamships with which
the foreign missionaries do business.
There are about four sailings a year,
he said To Mr.. Tayler he said he was
present al the meeting at which Mr.
Penrose was elected an apostle.
The fact that Mr.. Penrose was poly
gamist WAS not mentioned or thought of,
and he added.
THAT question does not enter into the
election. IL is settled in our country
that the people must obey the laws of
the land.
DO you?" said Mr.. Tayler.
"Wcll. L try to-"
But you have not succeeded very
wel?' asked Chairman Burrows
well, not 50 far
Balderson's Testimony.
Apostle Smith was then discharged ana
William BaIderson. editor of the Boise
(lda) Statesman and formerly connected
with the Salt Lake Times. testified in
regard to political conditions IN Utah
about the time of the issuance of the
Woodruff manifesto. and in Idaho after
1921. Asked concerning the passage of a
resolution calling constitutional con-
ventiOn which was believed by Gentiles
to be for the purpose Of repeating the
Idaho test. he said That during the ses-
sion Of the legislature Apostle Smith
asked him If he thought The time had
come when an amendment could be made
10 the constitution TO eliminate that por-
tion go distastefUl TO his people"
Shortly afterward the resolution was
passed by house and senate without COM
mcnt.
The witness said that polygamists Hv-
ing I'm Idaho have increased despite the
fact that there have been few plural
marriages within the state. He said that
up 10 the late campaign both political
parties I'm Idaho were disposed TO go to
Salt Lake to get a straight tip as to
which would get the Mormon support.
Mr. Tavier asked if-+hey got this tip,
and received the response:
yes. but they never knew whether
IL was straight"
It was brought out by Mr.. Tavler that
the Idaho attorney general is reputed to
have taken a plural wife within the last
two or three years.
A. G. Nelson on the Stand.
A. G. Nelson OF Salt Lake. state SUI
perintendent Of public instruction and
Mormon, was sworn. He is now max
ing an Investigation of the extent TO
which religious classes are maintained in