Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-01-04
Utah Senator Says Mormonism
Is Totally Misunderstood
by People at Large
CLAIMS 1T is STEADILY GROWING
smoot corrects Many Erroneous Ideas
As To His Church and Its Beliefs
and Explains the Truth About Po-
lysamy church's Attitude Toward it
His Own Life.

Washington, Jan. 4.-"Cerrainly
believe that there will be polygamy IN
paradise" said Senator Reed Smoot
IF Utah, yesterday. But it will exist
only among those who have had plural
wives on earth. From the viewpoint
If our church, 1t would be very wrorS
that in the hereafter a man should de-
sert those whom in this world he his
sworn to cherish and protect.
But the Mormon church is not
preaching polygamy today, and it does
not sanction plural marriages among
its members. In fact, it has forbidden
such marriages. Those of our faith
who have more than one wife are be-
fewer every year, and thus, by
the ordinary process of nature, polyg-
amy in Utah must pass away. II the
be objectionable, it can not
long survive. and meanwhile the most
method of treatment would be
to ignore 1t and leave 1t alone,
There seems to be widespread
that l represent Mormon
ism in the senate. ! do nothing of the
kind; my business here is to represent
the people of Utah, regardless of their
religious convictions. For my own
part. married one wife in 1854, and
I assure you on my honor that
have never married another. We have
six children. of whom we are very
proud. and there is not happier hone
In the country than ours.
'.Mormonism is totally misunder-
stood by the people of the United
States at large. We are simply Chris
tians, claiming later revelation and a
newer bible, to supplement the ancient
book Our belief Is that Gods revela-
ton is continuous, because man is In
need of fresh advice and IN"
We do not hold that those
who belong to other sects are excluded
from our paradise. but rather that al
persons who do not deliberately deny
Christ will be admitted there.
You ask of Mormonism is growing !?
My reply is that II is growing steadily
and widely. We are gaining many
not only in this country. but
also in England, Germany. Holland
and Scandinavia. They are multiply
ing in nearly every state in the union,
them to come To Utah. and we are oy
no means inviting them to immigratc
as we used TO do when We had plenty
Of land TO spare. The oft-repeatei
statement that the church promise rs
100 acres to each new convert is un-
true
Our faith IS propagatsd by mission
aries who are gifted With sublime re-
risious enthusiasm. They are not like
other missionaries. who receive pay
and expenses. They go when called
upon by the presidency of the church,
give their time and pay their own eN-
penses, often borrowing the money re-
CURED for the purpose. They feel that
Il IS a duty that they owe to mankind.
and they perform 1t cheerfully. a
term o. service is usually
two years.
.Mormonisin stands today as the adj
vocate of all that is good III this world,
and as the foe of everything that is
wrong or bad. 1t makes better man.
a better husband better citizen. and
its creed. which would hs desirable for
most people to follow. IS. Mind your
own business. We believe that n
woman Is married for he purpose OF
being mother and a home maker. and
we teach our children tina virtues of
honesty. industry and frugali;y.
The members of our church are
looked after more closely than are
those of any other sec. by their
churches. Tire organization keeps a
benevolent eye on every individual in
the community. The poor are no;
Obliged to come to US and say. Behold.
we need help!' The church goes to
them aud makes inquiry as TO their
condition. Every home is visited once
q month. to ascertain If II lacks any
thing that car be supplied. The first
Sunday of every month is a fast day
for all, and what is saved by fasting
en- that day is paid in money to the
bishop of the wards. There are, for
example. forty-three waris in Salt
Lake City. and each of them is under
the administration of bishop. whose
main business Ii is to look after the
poor.
1T is not true. however Gas Is COM
monty supposed. that he church In
;erferes in the business and private
concerns OF it's members. or has con-
tro. over their wealth Such means as
| possess are not in the slightest de-
gree under the control of the ecclesi-
astical organization, and never in my
life did ask the church for advice In
regard to an investment. 1 am re-
CURED to pay tithes. but II ] fail to do
so am not expelled. The only penalty
is that I am not n member in good
under such circumstances
as would be the case IN any gentlS-
The president of the Mormon church
today is Joseph f. Smith. a nephew
of the Joseph Smith who was the
founder of the faith. He. with two
John r. Winger and A. II.
Lund. compose what is called the
which manages the organi-
za;ion. Mex: In rank are the twelve
apostles. who are under the orders OF
the presidency. They are the principal
agents OF the church, being frequently
sent on important missions and doing
more or less preaching incidentally.
There is, furthermore, a missionary
on whose recommendations
members are called upon to serve as
You want me to tell you a few
words about myself? Well. I began
life as a clerk in general merchan-