Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-02

Mr.. Smith. This list included the name OF
Reed Smoot
Speaking of the founding of the church
by Joseph Smith, jr. about seventy-five
years ago. Mr.. Smith said he was nephew
of the founder. who from time to time had
received revelations which formed in part
the standard of aui hority. The standard
writings were given the Bible. King
James translation; Book of Mormon Doc
trines and Covenants. md Pearl of Great
Price. the latter held by the church to be
the true versions of revelations to the first
president of the church.
Mr.. Tayler devoted some time in having
MIR. Smith identify vlr Gus documents and
publications stand I'd works published by
the church. Among these were writings by
DIR. James F.. Tdlm2dse and Orson Pratt.
The Deseret News, sid Mr.. Smith. Is the
organ of the church. nd is now published
and owned by the church. The book on
'Mormonsm. Its Origin and History" by
Brigham III. Roberts. was referred to by
Mr.. Tayler. and MIR Smith said the pubica
ton. so far as he knew. was private ven
tUre, but the copyright had been purchased
10y the church. The title was read showing
the book to be an authoritative history of
the Mormon Church. and Mr.. Smith said:
If that is the title it is probably correct"
Authority in the Church.
Mr. Smith explained that the first presi-
dency is the president of the church and
two high priests or councillors, and that
the twelve apostles are next in authority.
The presidents are elected by the council
and the apostles, he said but he believed
and ii is taught that the presidents are
really chosen by divine revelation. and they
are then endowed with the authority of the
holy priesthood by authority direct from
God. lie said the apostles might elect to
their number in the event of vacancy, but
that Trey would not go contrary to the wish
of the first presidency. Throughout the
testimony Mr. Smith used such expressions
aS Il think" II presume" and II believe"
These expressions proved unsatisfactory to
members of the committee, and Senator
Hoar said he wanted to understand whether
Mr.. Smiths forms oG speech implied doubt
or whether 1t was simply an unfortunate
mode of speech. Mr.. Smith said he used
expressions which were not positive when
lie referred to matters from memory. but
that in all matters of the church. of reveal
tons and the powers of the church he was
certain and did not want to be misunder
stood.
IN rela ton to revelations. the witness said
the church holds that any elder may re-
ceiye revolution for his own guidance.
hen Mr.. Smoot may receive such reve-
lauons direct from God?' said Mr.. Tayler
For MS own guidance, yes" was the
answer.
Smith said only those revelations to the
president which had been presented to the
church and accepted by the members were
binding upon them. Mr.. Overman wanted
to know what happened to those who did
not believe in the inspired revelations
We're they unchurched?" he asked.
They unchurched themselves" was the
response.
After more direct questioning concerning
the rights of the church members to re-
Jet revelations. Mr.. Tayler put the stu
alton in this form: May the members of
the church say to you. We deny that God
has told you to tell that. and we will
not receive your revelation? Could that
occur in the church,
1t could, was the reply
Has II ever been done?' asked Mr.. Hoar
Not that | know Of
Now that is just what I have been call
Ing attention to-" said Mr. Hoar. THE
witness says. Not that know Of" Turn
Ing to Mr.. Smith, he remarked that the
answer expressed doubt, and more pointed
~ he asked: Has the church ever rejected
any of your revelations? Have any of the
revelations to the presidents been re-
jected?"
Mr.. Smiths Explanation.
May l say word on that first?' asked
Mr.. Smith. He stood up and was notice
ably concerned at the trend of the ques-
ti"ujng. In an extended explanation of the
relations which members of the church
bear to those high in authority, among
other things. he said:
The members of the Mormon Church are
among the freest. most independent people
of all the Christian denominations They
have freedom of speech. freedom of thought
o! the church. They are not expected to be-
They are entitled TO their own conception in
regard to the principles of the church; their
own conception of whac appears to them to
BE- the right or the wrong. So long as one
accepts God and his opinion is not in con-
firt with the accepted standards of the
church he enjoys fellowship in the church
He who denies God, he who commits adul-
terry or steals, or lies, o. bears false witness
against his neighbor in any way or goes
contrary To the cardinal principles of our
Christian religion is compelled to withdraw
But one who is honest, virtuous believes in
God and has little faith in our religion is
nurtured though he may not believe in the
church in all that it teaches In that book
tMr Smith pointed to one of the volumes
that had been identified earlier in the pro-
ceednssl is a revelation on plural mar
riages. Not more than 3 or per cent of
the entire membership of the church have
entered that state. All the rest have alb
stained from plural marriages, and many
thousands have rejected the principle en-
urely."
The Alleged Revelation.
Senator Dubois said: Il notice you say
that many thousands rejected the doctrine
OF plural marriages. Do you mean that
they never practiced plural marriages or
that they declared against the doctrne?"
Mr.. Smith answered again that many
thousands in the church had declared
against the principle of plural marriages
as given to the church In a revelation from
Joseph Smith 1r.
70 bring out the effect of refusing to sub
scribe To the teachings of the church. Mr.
H"ar asked a number of questions, and Mr..
Smith said: The principle of revelation
Is the fundamental principle of the
church"
Have YOU ever received such a revela-
t'"n direct from God?" asked Mr.. Tayler
4 never said | had received a revelation
except that God has shown me that Nor
m"nism Is Gods divine TRUTH said Mr..
Smith.
How has God shown you that?" asked
Mr.. burrows.
BY insprat ton" Mr.. Smith described
The accepted theory of the revelation of the
principle of polygamy to Joseph Smith. jr..
saying that an angel in black had appeared
unto him. He said revelations had not
come To him In that form. but that he had
received direct revelations from God by in
SEPARATION.
Purpose of Questions Asked.
Nj this point Mr.. Bailey said he assumed
tha, al of the testimony being brought out
in regard to the religion of the Mormon
Church had some sound relation to the in