The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-03-13
AIRING OF moRmoNrsm.
Dangerous, Even if Polygamy Is
Forced Out Of Existence.

(Denver News.)
The Smoot investigation Is unfortunate
in some ways. It arouses in Utah old AMI
mOsities and engenders fresh loyalty on
the part of those who believe that the
Church is being prosecuted. Yet, In spite
Of this, the public probing into condi-
tons in the church will do good and
help TO relieve Utah and the Mormon
chureh from poisonous cancers.
One OF the chief elements 10 be de-
p!ored IN the Utah atmosphere is the
dupicity which most persons come to
Ieei when they live long in the domain
OF MOrmonism- There is one face for the
world another. Of quite different ma
ture tor inner teaching and regular prac-
The use OF the word ''polygamy" win
Illustrate this To the world at large
this means the possession OF more than
one wife. So that when the Mormons
ayoW that polygamy is no longer prac-
ticed the public takes II as meaning
tnat plural marriage relations no longer
e el1sC But pushed as in this investiga-
ion 70 an explanation. II is found that
! they mean that no. new marriages are
I sanctioned, but that the retention of all
previously existing marriage relations is
looked upon as the height Of heroic viz
Would you have us desert our wives
ana children? they ask. in righteous
astohlshment- This, 10 the uninitiated
means merely the financial support of
SvPsIdsnt ones, and no one would fail
70 reply, Certainly not" not realizing
mat instead of support. il means that
these wives are 10 continue TO bear IL
legitimate children and remain in such
bondage, to the old Illegal ties that
rev ana legal marriage is impossible.
tne support of plural wives and chill
uren Is matter of little concern among
ms people The apostles and others OF
ample means may supply all needs
Missionaries are sent upon their iour-
neys with little question as to the sup
port OF ,. the wife and children left at
meme. The Mormon women are hard
workers. and except in the ssroval FAINT
les they add to more than they take
IRON ON, the family exchequer.
Inc same habit of playing upon wrong
Impressions penetrates the church V-orl-
IN all its branches. The statement Of
doctrines used in missionary services APP
pears Ike an ordinary orthodox confess
sion OF faith. Their dfstfnctive ideas re-
ceiVe no mention till converts are well
established Baptism for the dead-even
the dead of far distant generations-fhf
belief that man becomes a god and reiens
over q people composed of hts own
descendants earthly marriages for heav-
the husband and common between per
sDhs VINO could not be married on earth)-
tne5e things. and many more of the same
1917 N,.rs'9,roi.nary character. are held for
sater INSTRUCTION and not given freely 10
ne scoring world These are not among
nc sno dosotuteiy secret teachings of the
Efenlpie: pSJ are freely discussed by MEM
Ders OF the church when at home
Inc hold that polygamy has may be
Judged BY the important place occiJnied
~ ~ mirage and offspring in the scheme
% saINatlon and future joys To die
unmarried or childless Is a deDlora HE
lllislo tune. Devout friends proceed at
once once 20 make good the calamity. Men
9utltuily present themselves as husbands
Ior eternity. when II is a maiden who
1ids oled; ana the dead girl is sealed
20 1slls nVlng lord and master.
" hen It is realized that the wife of
one man may be sealed to the husband
OF one or many wives the Complications
g; sii - may pc judged. A marriage that
earth. iNs y"
Until this church frees itself from speh
anetetlaI conceptions II will lead TO dan
gerous sensualism. even il polyeamv IS
forced out Of existence
,s- as 70 the case of Mr.. Smeot the uues-
lion VIII hinge on two contentfons1one
MS association in close relation with no.
toflous lawbreakers: the other the adj
mission of high officer I'm a church
sn u0se - VOWS MS preclude giving first allegi-
; 1Ilce 20 the government Of the nation
me first position has been well expressej
by Senator Hoar.
We will assume" he said ''for the
sake of Illustration, that one Of fbe n,a,,1e
Ders OF this body had for his ASSOCIATES
tWeIFe men who were counterfeiters. Not
gang OF counterfeiters and the supposifi-
GUS member was one of them. Ha Nigh.
IIot De = couhterfeiter but his friends
t we're m makers OF bad money. he was in
terSsted IN the results Of their work
anu hhSW that they considered he MAX
ing or bogus money an honest occuna-
tlon- In inquiring into the fitness of that
i uiah LOT membership of this body. would
~ not be proper to determine the char
acter and business of his associates and
MS relations TO them?" -N
Inc Otner is even more important brt
ISsS easily proven. The danger from
chureh dominance in civil affairs in Nor
Inohdom IS enormous. To allow one Of
the churchly hierarchy TO represent the
state IN the national senate ia - a.,
F1te serious menace to popular eoJ-ern-
Heht IN states where that church gains
she ascendancy. Whether or not this
Iact can be established technicalIy- fs an-
other question. That il Is a feet few
y any, familiar with the conditions i'm