The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-13

On the contrary. this respondent al leges that he honors and respects and Obeys all of the laws of the State oi Utah and of the United States, and ht has never been guilty of any offenst against either; and this respondnt fur ther alleges that the president of said church and his two counsellors consti' tute the first presidency and is the high est governing body in said church and the same has control of the spiritual and temporal affairs of said church, but moi of the temporal affairs either of the State or of the members of said church that the next highest governing body in said church is the twelve apostles, con- sIsting of twelve members of said church, who are under the direction of the first presidency, and said apostles on the dis solution of the first presidency for any reason whatsoever, then, and not other
 wise, have authority equal to such first presidency.
 Respondent further alleges that since the manifesto of President Milford Wood- ruff was read in 1890. neither belief in nor a practice of polygamy or polygamous has either been taught or encouraged.
 MT. Shoot admits that the first presi- dency of the Mormon Church is vested with supreme authority in all things spir- ituaI and in all things temporal so far as temporal things pertain to the affairs of the church. He denies that the first presidency or twelve apostles are supreme fin the exercise of the alleged mandates. He says the only accepted standard works of the church is the Bible, namely King James's version. the book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great price, and the doctrine and covenants, together with the manifesto of President Milford Woodruff, dated 1890.
 So far as quotations are made from any of the foregoing, and correctly quoted the respondent makes no complaint, but he denies the construction placed on them by the Protestants. It is admitted that the Norman church made a rule in regard to its leading officials taking part in poli- tics. but denies that this rule is fully or correctly set forth in the protest.
 In reference to the deposinE of Moses Thatcher from the twelve apostles and the defeat by the church of his contest for Senatorship in the Legislature, the re- spondent denies that the defeat was due to his opposition to the rule of the church. He admits that remarks were made by George Q. Cannon, Milford Woodruff, To- renzo Shaw. John Henry Smith. Brigham Young and Joseph Smith on the subject of such deposition. but denies that such remarks are correctly quoted in the pro- test.
 Mir. Shoot alleges that since the mani- festo of President Woodruff of 1890 the practice of polygamous cohabitatlon by those who were polygamous heretofore had been abandoned by many. but con- tinued by some for time. and where con- tinued 1t is on the sole responsibility of such persons, and subject to the penal ties of the law. t@'.-
 It Is denied that any body of officials either practices or connives at polygamy or that Mir. Shoot or any body of officials sought to pass a law nullifying enact ments against cohabitation.
 It is admitted that such law did mass t"e Utah Legislature in losl. but that manJ of the Mormon members voted aEainst the bill and that 1t was vetoed by the Governor and the veto was sustained by the Legislature. large majority of which were members of the Mormon c1u ch.
 Mir. Shoot admits the charge that he is a director of Brigham. Young Academy,
 but alleges that he is not familiar with q, sm s3 segsusss,s :