Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-09
Directions to Missionaries.

Directions to Missionaries
Mr.. Lyman has charge of the work of
sending out missionaries, and he identified
the books that are used in making con-
verts. He said the apostles do not look
| upon the Doctrine and Covenants as one
of the books for general circulation.
He said missionaries always are thor
oughly warned not to discuss polygamy.
because we have yielded that requirement
of the law not to teach the theory of polyg
amy" He said the missionaries never
touch upon the subject unless the theory is
assailed.
DO they defend or denounce it?" was
asked
They will not denounce it," said Mr.
Lyman. He said that was the situation
also in regard to himself. In answer to a
question by Senator Overman. Mr.. Lyman
said that despite the manifesto of 1890 the
president of the church could issue author
ity upon an elder to perform plural mar
riages. THE president holds the keys,
said Mr.. Lyman.
What do you mean?"
THAT he is the only one who has any
authority
Mr. Worthington asked how it was that
the president could issue authority in con-
flict with the manifesto, which is said to
be the law of God, and concluded his ques-
ton thus: rs he above the Lord?"
ooh. no. he is not above the Lord"
Chairman Burrows inquired If any one
was opposed for position as apostle be-
only in the event his plural marriage
occurred since the manifesto said Mr..
Lyman.
Senator Dubois He was polygamlst and
was elected an apostle since 1902
Mr.. Worthington objected to the assump-
ton that Mr.. Cowley's plural marriages
were known.
you say said Mr.. Burrows. that mis-
sionaries are instructed not 10 go into the
mysteries of the church. Is polygamy one
of the mysteries?
Yes l guess 1t would be considered one
of the mysteries now"
Authority Given to Mr. Smoot.
Senator Pettus inquired concerning the
authority given to Mr.. Smoot to become
a candidate for senator and Mr.. Lyman
said consent under a rule of the church,
must have been given by President Smith
Mr.. Lyman said the principle of getting
consent was that a shepherd could not
leave his flock of sheep until his successor
came to take charge and therefore it was
required that officials must get authority
before leaving their official duties in the
church.
Apostles Grant and Teasdale were
chosen by revelation to President Snow"
said Mr. Lyman. and a revelation was also
given me in regard to these men" He ex-
planned that the latter revelation came
after President Snow had told him the
names of the men he wanted chosen to the
vacancies Mr. Lyman was asked what
distinction he made between the revela-
tions he obeyed and those he did not obey
Il suppose you mean the laws l have con-
fessed that l have violated in cohabiting
| with plural wives?" he asked When told
| that was what was meant he said: II trust
myself to the mercy of the Lord.
Have you ever repented of that disobe-
dence?' asked Mr. Hoar.
Not yet"
AS the witnessed answered the wind blew
elz. of
broke with loud crash There was sus-
pension of the proceedings for a moment,
! and assurance was given that the noise was
| the result of accident.
Did Senator Smoot know you were living
| with plural wives?" was asked.
! Mr.. Lyman answered that Senator Smoot
| did not know, as he had never met any one
| of his wives. He said that the people in
I general in Utah knew. but that he did not
| think Mr.. Smoot had any knowledge of the
| fact. He said he was so generally known
and his reputation was so wide that what
! was admitted as a fact IN regard 10 him
| would be accepted by the people as true.
Chairman Burrows insisted upon know
| ing, il the people of Utah knew in regard
| to his life, why Senator Smoot could not
| know just as we'll The witness insisted
| several times that the people must have
| known, but that Senator Smoot did not
! and Senator Hoar demanded TO know what
| the witness meant by such answers.
Witness Retracts Statement.
| The witness then said that Senator
| Snoot probably knew just as much about
| the question as the people in general
| DO you take back what you said then