The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-12-20
0ATaS gscaRDEo AS SACRED
OBLIGATIONS TAKEN IN THE EN-
Dow1lENT HOUSE
August Lundstrom Recalled for Cross
Examfnafion-Jno. Nicholson. Chief
Rccoruer for the Mormon Temple
Was On the Stand and He Proved a
Reluctant Witness.

Washington. December 15.-August
Lundstrom was recalled for cross exam
ination when the senator Smoot inves-
tigalon was resumed today before the
elections. Attorney van Colt, for en-
ator Smoot asked the witness IL he had
ever considered the obligations taken
in the temple as a huge joke or in the
light of a vaudeville performance. Il
always regarded the oaths as sacred"
he said. Then he declared that men
cannat pass through the temple TO take
endowments for women
Mr.. Lundstrom again gave the COM
Of nutilation prescribed for revealing
the tokens or violating the covenants.
The whole congregation passing
through the temple repeated in the first
person the obligations and penalties
and executed the signs accompanying
them. He was asked if he had ever
iIdIIleu III OIySaIny.
only in a way he replied.
HAN you had a plural wife?"
Yes sir"
Then he explained that a dead oma
had been sealed to him for eternity.
hut that he had never lived with but
one wife.
John Nicholson, the chief recorder of
the Mormon temple at Salt Lake prov
ed the most reluctant witness of all the
church officials who a been brought
before the committee. BY a slow pro-
cess the attorney for the protestants
- from Kim the fact that he keeps
80 records Of marriages, baptisms and
,..luwments which are ~solemnized with
In the temple. He explained that the
endowments are the placing upon IN
dividuals blessing that will be upon
them in this life and in all eternity.
Attorney Tayler questioned Mr.. Mich
olson closely concerning the manner Of
keeping the records and obtaining from
him a statement that he has access to
Ill the records, but he would not admit
having authority over them nor that ne
knew who is in authority. Witness
said he had brought with MIN records
of marriages, performed in the temple,
not the endowment house records.
On cross examination the witness de-
clared that no marriages had been per-
formed within the temple except when
legal license had beer issued by the
clerks Of courts; that the marriages
performed there a always been for
time and eternity, none for time only.
Mr.. Lundstrom was recalled to the
stand and asked to explain his marri-
age to a dead m He said this
ceremony is called sealing and was
for time and eternity. He vas also seal
ed to his legal wife he said, out nc rec
crd or memorandum was given him..
Chairman Burrows: Are there any
robes worn in the endowment ceremo-
ny?"
Yes sir"
Are there any marks on the robes"
Not on the robes, but there are
marks on the priesthood garments.
These marks are to remind the person
Of the covenants he has made"
The witness said there are marks OF
the compass and the squar or the left
and right breast, a rent like a button
hole over the navel n another over
the knee.
'fWhen do you wear this garment"
Mr.. Lundstrom was asked.
Always" then he added hat the
garment was removed long enough only
TO change to a clean one.
On cross examination he said the
marks had never been explained to him
and that he put his own construction
upon them because of their association
with the ceremonies.
The hearing was continued until to-
morrow