Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-02-25
Says Utah Religion is Just as Good as
Any Other and Quotes Remarks Of
Mormon Apostles.

al anu III every truth, whether ChrlS'
tian or pagan.
Saturday evening | read in your pa.
per notice that the following day
the sabbath-a conference of the Nor.
mon mission would be held In the city
OF Anaconda. Having read much IN
the papers Of late regarding Senator
smoot from Uteh, and the determine
ton on the part, especially of seCtariar
ministers, TO have him thrust from his
seat In the senate, and the notice In
the Standard that one Of his fellow
Apostles would be present, I had a pc.
cullar interest and desire 10 hear what
these men had TO say, In the forenoon
session the attendance was light, the
president OF the mission, Mr.. Pratt. a
pleasant genial gentleman OF about &C
years, presiding. He was accompanied
Dy 10 OF his mission Elders: all bright
intelligent looking men, In addition IA
THESE Apostle Cowley and Elder Rich
ards. the latter having been n mission
president In Nov Zealand, were In at
tandance. he mission Elders each
made brief report OF his labors, at
trl0uting to the people Of Montana hos.
pitality and kind treatment. None OF
these young men are orators, and yet
the one Impression made by their APP
pearance. their remarks and manner OF
conducting missionary work, on an un-
biasd mind. Is. that they are honest
ana sincere and free from deception.
Honest simplicity and pure intelligence
Deamed In the countenance OF every
one They Informed us In conversation
mat as far as practicable they travel
AFTER the pattern enjolned by the Saw
Tor without purse or scrip" whatever
OF means needed for expenses are fur.
nlshed by themselves. They leave their
homes, their families, their avocatlons
Tor an Indefinite period, generally not
leE- than TWO years, and are subject 10
future call at any time Such n
method attended by such self-denial 10
declare an unpopular doctrine, Is not
.he method nor the 1anner OF the
hypocrite nor the impostor.
THE CURIOUS DISAPPOINTED.
AT the afternoon session a larger
congregation assembled and at night
the mouse was well filled. The major
part OF the time was occupied by Presi.
dent Pratt and his distinguished ylsl-
tors from Salt Lake City. We had been
led to suppose by new.Daper reports
that the preaching OF Mormon Apostles
and leading Elders largely consisted of
tirades against the ministers of other
denominations, and that doubtless much
would be said by them about the pres.
ent agitation against Senator Smoot
Ihe dishonesty and Injustice of Nor.
mon traducers. In both these Items ,ve
were happily disappointed; instead Of
elther attack or comments upon anti.
MoTmons, or the tenets OF other mons
talth they expounded their own In a
Clear comprehensive and most forclble
manner. They quoted largely from The
Old and New Testament to prove their
view. OF gospel doctrines from the
OF the Jewish Scriptures.
from Christ and the apostles
10 snow that such q work, a restoration
OF ancient gifts and powers, the gath.
erlng OF Israel, and all that Mormon
Ism claims to be, would actually trans.
pre- In the last days prior TO the mlllen-
MAI advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.
They quoted from the Bible to prove
that such a work as the Book OF Nor.
mon would be brought forth m the int.
Yer tfoes, revealing the origin. history,
DESTINY ana purposes Of God, respect
ing th' ancient inhabitants OF America.
TEACHINGS OF JOSEPH SMITH.
They also cited some prophecies in
the Book of Mormon, notably concern
ing the Jews, which have been verified
since the publication of the Book of
Mormon to the world In referenuce 10
me mission OF their martyred prophet.
Joseph smith they cited his predlc.
lions and their fulfllment. They said
lhat ne had taught q pure doctrine,
mat the spirit attending obedience
thereto had brought together In one
united faith 100000 people, That many
OF the doctrines advanced ~ joseph
Smith were being accepted BY men of
other faiths, and that whatever owl.
ience could be brought TO substantlate
me dlVlne mission OF ancient prophets,
me same character Of evidence could
De brought forth TO sustain the claims
made by Joseph Smith. Gle sealed his
testimony with his blood" continued
The speaker and thus gave TO the
world the fullest evidence that man
'ould give Of mission divine" When
asked II he would not give the views
)f the Church regarding the position |
d Senator Smoot and the attitude OF |
MS opponents Elder COwley replied that !
subjects Of that kind have nothing TO |
10 with our religious conferences, We |
cave that for the religious meetings |
II our sectarlan friends who are SO |
Wiling to mingle church and state I'm |
heir wild and futile Efforts 10 suppress |
'MormOnlsm,' "ln fact, said Mr.. Cow |
eyn the Church has no concern what
yer at to what disposition the senate
man make OF the case In question.
The Church has nothing TO do with
'lectlng Mr.. SmOot. lie was elected by
Republican legislature, consisting OF
Mormon and Gentle, Independent of
my OF the religious influences. II they
urn him out II viii not Tetard the
'rogress Of the church one lota. The
ase has no connection with the Church
Unless you say that the anti-Mormon
lement are attacking the Church I'm.
tead OF Senator smoot. In any event,
he Church viii not be injured, and Is
lot disturbed.
A PLEA FOR PURITY.
What We are concerned about"
ontlnued the Apostle, rs that our peo.
'le' frOm first TO last, shall be chaste
ure, honorable and upright In all the
walks OF life, and thus exemplIfy by
ur conduct the principles OF that pure
set forth by the Redeemer
4 the world. We believe IN our coun-
ry ana It's glorious constitution that
now, ever was and ever viii be the
randest OF all human governments
pom the earth"
! had seen a few people OF this faith
efore In other states, but until recent
had not enjoyed the privilege Of so
Intensive a travel through their cities
nd towns In Wyoming and Idaho BY
ewspaper reports the novel literature
nd the epithets hurled against. them