The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-12-17
DEEMED THE oATms SACRED
I4angstrom Describes the Endowment
House MysterieS-Dually Wed to
Eternity
(By the Associated Press. }

{ I1E the Associated HreSS.
Washington, Dec. 15.-AuguSt
Lungstrom was recalled for cross-e X-
animation when the Senator Smoot
case was resumed to-day before the
Senate Committee on Privileges anc
Elections. Attorney Vancott, for Sen
ator Smoot asked the witness If he
had ever considered the obligations
taken in the temple as a huge joke
or in the light OF a vaudeville per-
Torrance. II always regarded the
oaths as sacred" he said He declar-
ed that men cannot pass through the
temple to take endowments for Wo-
men.
Mr.. Lundstrom again gave the COM
mittee the oath of vengeance or law
of retributiOn. The witness told tho
committee also of the penalties of
mutilation prescribed for revealing the
tokens or violating the covenants. The
whole congregation passing through
the temple repeated in the first person
the obligations and penalties and exc
cuted the signs accompanying them
He was asked if he had ever married
in polygamy.
"Only in a wav." he replied. .
Have you had plural wife?"
Eyes sir"
Then ne explained that dead We
man had been sealed to him for eter
nifty but that he had never lived with
but one wife.
John Nicholson Testifies.
John Nicholson the chief recorder
of the Mormon Temple at Salt LAX
proved the most reluctant witness of
all the church officials who have been
brought before the committee. BY a
slow process the attorney for the
protestants drew from him the fact
that he keeps the records of marriages,
baptismS and endoWments, when sol
emnized within the temple. He eA
planned that the endoWments are the
placing on individuals blessings that
will be upon them In this life and in
all eternity.
Attorney Tayler questioned Mr.
Nicholson closely concerning the
manner of keeping the records and
obtained from him a statement that
he has access to all the records, but
ne would not admit having authority
over them nor that he knew who is
authority. Witness said he had
brought with his records of mar
riages, performed in the temple but
not the Endowment House records
On cross examination the witness de-
clared that no marriages had been per-
formed within the temple except
when the legal license had been issued
by the clerks of the courts; that the
marriages lIitI6 nAu al
ways been for time and eternity, none
for time only.
LundStrOm is Recalled.
Mr. Lundstrom was recalled to the
stand and asked to explain his mar
riage to a dead woman. He said this
ceremony is called sealing and was
for time and eternity. He was also
sealed to his legal wife he said, but
no record or memorandum was given
him.
Chairman Burrows: Are their
any robes worn in the endowment
ceremony"
Yes, SIR
Are there any marks on the
robes?"
mot on the robes, but there are
marks on the priesthood garments
The marks are to remind the person
of the covenants he has made
The witness said there are marks
of the compasses, a square on the left
and right breasts, a rent like a but
ton hole over the navel and another
over the knee.
When do you wear this garment %
Mr.. Lundstrom was asked.
always" Then he added that the
garment was removed long enough
only to change to a clean one.
On crOss-e examination he said tue
marks had never been explained to
him and that he put his own con-
struction upon them because of their
association with the ceremonies.
The hearing was continued until to-
morrow.