The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-04-07

A S THE CLIMAX Of a dramatic
scene that thrilled 5000 persons in
the salt Lake tabernacle yester-
Aay afternoon. the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints in general
conference formally renewed adherence
20 the Woodruff manifesto against po-
Iygamy. declared that all plural mar
riages are prohibited. and announced
that any member of the church author
izing. contracting or solemnizing such
marriages would be liable to excommu-
nication
The pronunciamento was introduced
by President Joseph +. smith and
adopted unanimously by a resolution
introduced By Apostle Francis NJ. Ly
man. president of the quorum Of the
twelve apostles.
After this resolution was adopted,
another followed the same course, in
troduced by President John r. Winder
and providing for the erection Of
building or monument as n memorial
TO Joseph Smith.
Came as a Surprise.
It was almost at the end Of the con-
ference. considerably after o'clock
that the action on plural marriages
took place. The authorities had been
tically all completed. and the crowd
was listlessly waiting for the an
nOuncement of adjournment. Some
We're even reaching for their coats and
hats and were making ready to put for
the doors when President Smith arose
10 speak.
He read a few routine announcements
OF articles lost and found and of ap-
pOintments desired. He told of the
IN the City and County building at 10
a. m. today. when John H. White and
Jesse n Smith are to speak. In ex-
PLANTATION OF making this announcement
al a religious meeting. he said the Lat
ter-day Saints believe in the gospel of
temporal salvation as well as that Of
spiritual salvation. He said they should
look after their cattle and sheep, should
build irrigation canals. should take care
OF their families and be faithful sober
and industrious in any occupation in
which they might be engaged
He declared there were openings for
thousand engineers and mechanics
and surveyors where there was one TO
take the place. Openings were pIentf-
ful. he said for Mormons where hor--
esty and devotion to labor is required.
but where skill is necessary. He mem
toned also the number Of applications
FOR boilermakers and urged the boys 70
be practical in obtaining their educa-
tiou.
Church Officers Sustained.
One by one. or in groups, the authori-
lies Of the church We're named by
President Smith and sustained by the
uplifted hands Of the members throng-
Jig the house. As usual, not a hand
was raised in opposition.
Then President Smith announced HIS
regret that number of the authorities
had been prevented from attending the
conference. Apostle John Henry
smith. he said. was confined to mis- he'd
with infiammatOry rheumatism. Apos-
nc George Teasdale had been relieved
of his ecclesiastical duties two months
ago and when he left was I'm feeble
health Apostle Mariner W. Merrill
was il at his home in Cache valley.
He expressed his regret. without giving
explanations. that Apostles John w.
absent.
Then there was a pause
I wish 10 present another matter
which is unusual" continued President
smith. ''and do il because / am CON
Iinced It is a right and proper thing
for me to do"
Reads his Pronunciamento
A glance over the vast audience
showed the members were startled.
They leaned forward and listened with
eager intcntness. There was an at
mosphere of suspense
II have taken the liberty 10 write
this down that I may not be misunder-
stood President Smith went on.
I'm tones that showed earnestness and
that penetrated every corner of the
Tabernacle. he read the pronuncla-
mento- This done. he went on 10 say
that charges had been made that the
church had violated its compact with
the government, and that the charges
were untrue.
i want TO see il the Church Of Jesus
Christ Of Latter-day Saints. in this
solemn assemblage, ne continued.
will not seal these charges as false
10y the adoption of this resolution