The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-16
Endowment House Marriages
 Explained by Lundstr0m
PECULIAR GARMENT WORN
Witness Had Two Wives, But Was Married to One of Them After She Was
 Dead.

Washington, December 15.-August Lundstrom was recalled for cross-exam- ination when the Senator Shoot inves- tgation was resumed today before the senate committee on privileges and cleo tions. Attorney Vancott, for Senator Shoot. asked the witness If he had ever considered the obligations taken in the temple as a huge joke or in the light of vaudeville performance.
 T always regarded the oaths as sa- cred, he said. Then he declared that men cannot pass through the temples to | take endowments for women.
 Mr. Lundstrom again gave to the com mittee the oath of vengeance or law of retribution, over which there has been controversy between witnesses The oath was given by Mir Wallis in his cor rected testimony The witness told the committee also of the practice of muti- lation prescribed for revealing the tokens or violating the covenants. The whole congregation passing through the tenn pie repeated in the first person the obli- gatlon and penalties and executed the signs accompanying them. The last cere- mony he attended. the witness said. was l Till onlclated at the sealings Lectures were delivered by the witness at the Swedish Lutheran church, in which he gave his reasons for leaving the church.
 Were you ever taken to task for your statements?' asked MT. Dubois
 Well, the officials of the church called me liar said MT. Lundstrom.
 He was asked if he ever married in polygamy.
 "only in a way he replied.
 Have you had plural wife?"
 9Yes sir"
 Then he explained that the dead wom- an had been sealed to him for eternity, but that he had never lived with but one wife.
 John Nicholson, the chief recorded of the Mormon temple at Salt Lake City was sworn. He proved the most reluctant witness of all the church officials who have been brought before the committee.
 By slow process the attorney for the protestants drew from him the fact that he keeps the records of marriages bap- tsms and endowments, which are solemn ized within the temple. He explained that the endowments are the placing upon in- divlduals tlessngs that will be upon them during this life and In all eternity.
 Access to All Records.
 Attorney Taylor questioned MT. NichoI- son closely concerning the manner of keeping the records and obtained from him a statement that he has access to all the records but he would not admit hav- ing authority over them, nor that he knew who is in authority. He said he l knew where to find the records of all per- sons married within the temple or who Lad taken the endowment and could give such information upon demand, adding. however that unless the person making 1 the request was entitled to information l t would not be given to him. He said 1 he was responsible for the safe keeping l of the records and so far AS he knew no part of them had ever been taken from l the temple.
 T believe you were served with a sub poena to bring all the records in the temple?" asked MT. Taylor
 At the request of Attorney Worthington the subpoena was produced which called for the marriage records only.
 Did you bring all of the temple rec ords?" asked MT Taylor
 No. sir, I could not. have no author ity to do so"
 He added that he brought one record. that of the marriages performed within the temple He was asked where he kept the record of the endowment house mar rages. He said that they were in the temple, but that he had no authority yer those. nor would he admit knowledge 2 as to who has such authority.
 Mir Nicholson said the book he brought with him contained the record of every marriage performed within the temple since it opened May 21, 1893, and that rec ords of marriages performed outside the temple are not kept in this book.
 Must Have Local License.
 f.. ,f.,. tt... As- olared that no marriages had been per formed within the temple, except when tho 1 legal license had been issued by the clerks of eourts that the marriages performed there had always been for time and eter- nity none for time only Mr Nicholson also said no record of marriage ceremonies is kept by him. J. H. Wallis, who was on the stand yes terday. was recalled. He said that in ad- diton to others he had revealed the se- crets of the endowment house to a num- l Der of Salt Lake City ministers. and also to other residents of that city. Among them were Drs Page and Christianson. Referring to the statement of witnesses yesterday that the penalty for telling these secrets is to have the throat cut, l Mir Worthington asked the witness if his l (the witnessD throat had ever been cut. He replied in the negative. He had once been assaulted the street. but did not I know by whom He also said that he is not now connected with the Mormon l church.
 1 Mir Lundstrum at the afternoon session explained his marriage to dead woman. He said this ceremony is called scaling. and was for time and eternity. He was sealed to his legal wife, he said, but no | record or memorandum was given him. l The witness said he had heard the endow- ment house obligations administered six times to congregations of from thirty to sixty persons each. Not to take the ob- l ligation, tine witness said is regarded as l a sign of weakness to the faith Robes | were used in the ceremony There are no l marks on the robes. but there are marks | CT the priesthood garments. These marks arc to remind the person of the covenants he lac made. The witness said there are marks of compass and the square on the
 
 Continued on Third Paae.l