The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-15
A RELUCTANT WITNESS.
Chief Recorder of the Mormon Temple
on the Stand.

Washington, Dec. 15-August Lund-
strom was recalled for cross examina-
ton when the Senator Smoot investiga-
ton was resumed today before the sem
ate committee on privileges and cleo
tons. Attorney Vancott for Senator
Smoot 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.
| L always regarded the oathS as
sacred he said. Then he declared that
men can not pass through the temples
to take endownments for women.
| Mr.. LunStrOm again gave to the COM
mittee the oath of vengeance, or law of
retr1bution, over which there has been
controversy between witnesses. The
oath was as given by Mr.. Wallis in his
correct testimony. The witness told the
committee also of the practice of multi
alton prescribed for revealing the
tokens or violating the covenants. The
whole congregation passing through the
! temple repeated in the first person the
obligation and penalties and executed
the signs accompanying them. The last
ceremony he attended, the witness said,
was in 1898, at the temple, when Apos-
| tie Merrill officiated 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 Senator Dubois.
well, the officials of the church call
I.
He was asked if he had ever married in
polygamy.
"Only in a way
''Have you had a plural wife,"
Yes, SIR
Then he explained that the dead wo-
man had been sealed to him for eterni-
ty but that he had never lived with but
one wife.
John Nicholson, the chief recorder of
the Mormon temple at Salt Lake City,
was sworn. He proved the most reluct-
ant witness of all the church officials
who have been brought before the COM
mittee. By slow process the attorney
for the protestants drew from him the
fact that he keeps the records of mar
riages, baptiSmS and endownments
which are solemnized within the tenn
pie. He explained that the endown-
ments are the placing upon individuals
blessings that will be upon them dur
ing this life and all eternity.
Attorney Tayler questioned Mr.. Mich
olson 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
having authority over them, nor that
he knew who is in authority. He said
he knew where to find the records of
all persons married within the temple
or who had taken the endowment and
could give such information upon de-
mand, adding, however, that unless the
person making the request was ent1-
tied to information it would not be
given to him. He said he was RESPONSE
BILE for the safe keeping of the records
and that so far as he knew no part of
them had ever been taken from the
temple.
"I believe you were served with a
subpoena to bring all the records in
the temple % asked Mr.. Tayler.
At the request of Attorney Worth
ington the subpoena was produced,
which called for the marriage records
only.
enid vo1, bring all of the temDIe
records?" asked Mr.. Tayler.
mo sir. I could not. 1 have no au-
thority to do so.''
He added that he brought one rec
ord that of the maria ges performed
within the temple. He was asked
where he kept the record of the en-
downment house marriages. He said
that they were in the temple but that
he had no authority over those nor
would he admit knowledge as to who
has such authority.