The Washington times., 1904-03-04
Investigation Into Tenets and Practices Of
the Mormon Church Continued Before
Senate Committee Today.
PROPHETS ANSWER TO HOAR
STIRS CONVULSIVE LAUGHTER
Doctrine of Inspiration and Privilege of
Plural Marriage Take Up Larger Part
of Morning Hour.

that not only should Mr. Smoot be ex-
Guided from the Senate, but that no
member of the Mormon Church should
be admitted to public Office.
Observe the Law.
On the other hand. the defense con-
tends that every officer and member Of
the church has faithfully observed the
law prohibiting plural marriages and
that none such have been entered into
since the passage OF that law. Plural
wives who were married prior to that
law. they admit. are being supported
rather than abandoned. II is also con-
tended that polygamy is no longer
preached or taught that despite the or
ganization OF the church, every mem
Der acts Of his own free viii and ac-
cepts or rejects decisions Of the various
councils, as he pleases. And il is de-
MED that Mr.. Shoots votes or actions
in the Senate are subject to the dicta-
tiOn Of his fellow-apostles. or that the
church dominates in business and poll
tics.
In response to a question by Senator
Hoar. President Smith said that It was
his belief that the revelations TO the
church had always been direct from
God, and that anyone who rejected them
rejected the direct commandment OF
God. In his efforts to make himself
clear the witness rose to his feet and
speaking with great earnestness said:
The members Of the Mormon Church
are among the freest and most inde-
peadent people Of all the Christian de-
nominations. They are entitled to their
own views so long as they are not I'm
conflict with the established doctrines
OF the church. II a man presEnes TO
deny God. steal. lie OF bear false wit
ness. etc. we withdraw our fellowship
from him But so long as a man OF
woman is honest and virtuous. and has
little faith in the church Organization
We nurture him though he may rot be-
heve all that is revealed
There is a revelation in that book
Cndicating the Book OF Mormon) on
! plural marriage Not more than or
4 Ter cent Of the members Of the Nor
n,cE Church ever entered into plural
r-aTriaEe, and many thousands never
acce pied the revelation and never be-
Eeved in the doctrine. But neverthe-
less they are members Of the church in
5000 fellowship. 1 know of my own
Knowledge Of hundreds Of such cases"
Belief IN Inspiration.
rs the doctrine of inspiration by the
head Of the church one OF the funda-
mental doctrines asked Mr.. Hoar.
Yes" was the reply.
Then when a man rejects a revelation
through the head of the church ne re-
jects a fundamental dOctrine?'
4 He does said the witness. Speaking
: Of himself, he said he had never had a
. revelation except that God had shown
: him that Mormonism was Gods divine.
truth. That was shown him by inspira-
/ tion by the spirit Of the Lord.
The committee then at a few minutes
10 II, adjourned until o'clock
/ The committee was called TO order at
1890 O'Clock
/ President Joseph f.. Smith. whose di-
rect examination by Attorney Taylcr
wac concluded just prior 10 adjourn
Lcnt yesterday. was recalled to the
stand.
Mi ioIr questioned him whether wJ-
men had any cccIcs.asticaI authority
in the Mormon Churcu. He replied that
/ Cv,r ~ woman had "a vote equal TO his
own in deciding any church questions.
hut that priestly authority was not
! given them.
Mr. Tayler again took up tire direct
examination and got some views con
| cerning Apostle NJ. r. CowIey. and a
book by him entitled "CowIey's Talks
on Doctrine" published ln 1902 Cowley
became an apostle i'm 1897.
Control Of Newspapers.
President Smith told Of his presence
I at the interstate fair I'm ogden. June 70.
Is03 when he delivered an address lie
did not recall whether Senator Srloot
was there or not. Mr. Tayler read "a
. newspaper report Of his remarks and
witness admitted the account was cor
sons present including Mr. Smoot and
wife.
In answer 20 questions from Mr.. Du-
bois. the witness said the articles iu
question would not have been publish
Ell II his advice had been asked, nor If
he had sent any objection 90 the paper.
lie would not admit, however, that the
paper would refise 10 print whatever
might be regarded as proper news.
| MI Ovcrman and Mr. Hoar inquired
why the witness would have objected 10
the publication. Witness replied that ne
avoided stirring up public discussion.
But you urged these views In public
did you not2" asked Mr.. Hoar.
NO; ] merely stated my own belief
as TO the propriety OF the matters
spoken OF"
Witness declared be believed as full
as ever IN the rightfulncss Of plura
! marriage. but that he avoided acting IN
violation Of the law
After a colloquy between Senator
CContnued on Third PugcJ