The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-03-04

Washington, March 2.-An effort 60
air the innermost secrets Of the Mormon
faith was manifested in the first days
proceedings before the Senate commit
tee on privileges and elections in an in
vestigation of the protests against Reed
Smoot retaining his seat as a Senator
from Utah.
President Joseph F. Smith. the highest
official Of the church was on the stand
all day. He was questioned closely in
regard to the principles of divine reve-
lations. He said he adhered absolutely
to all the teachings Of the church in
that regard and that he himself had
been visited with divine inspirations
from God. He also said that he still
believed in polygamy. The testimony
was directed in slight degree only at
Senator Smoot and no attempt was
made by the defense to curtail the ad-
mission of testimony until President
Smith was questioned in relation to
polygamous cOhabitation Of certain Off
Gals in the church before the manifesto
of 1880. The attorneys then objeatsd
and much time was devoted to the
relevancy of such testimony. The COM
mlttee went into executive session and
after full discussion, determined to
allow the utmost latitude to the hear
ings, which means that court practical
ly will be avoided and thus the first
victory was scored for the protestants
The committee will hear practically all
the prosecution has to offer and deter
mine for itself what is competent testi-
mony.
"a yuill ho1 OF
sionS.
President Smith of the Mormon
church was the first witness. R. W.
Taylor counsel for the protestants
asked Mr.. Smith if he was a prophet,
seer and revelator
The witness said he was 80 sustain
ed" and received his powers by reason
of the position he holds in the church
He said the apostles Of the church were
"sustained'' in the same powers as pro-
phets, seers and revelators.
Mr.. smith explained that the first
presidency is the president OF the
church and two high priests or council
lors and the twelve apostles are next
in authority. The presidents are elected
by the council and the apostles. he said
but he believed and it is taught that
the presidents are really chosen by di-
vine revelation and they are then en-
dowed with the authority OF the holy
priesthood. by authority direct from
God.
In relation to revelations, he said
the church holds that any elder may
receive a revelation for his own guild
ance.
Then Mr. Smoot may receive such
revelations direct from God?" said Mr..
Taylor.
For his own guidance. yes" was the
answer
Mr.. Smith said only those revelations
to the president which had been pre-
sented to the church and accepted by
the members were binding upon them.
Mr.. Overman wanted to know what
happened to those who did not believe
in the inspired revelations. Were they
unchurched?" He asked.
They unchurched themselves" was
the response.
Mr.. Taylor put the situation in this
form: May the members of the CHURCH
say to you We deny that God has told
you to tell US that and we will not re-
ceive your revelation could that occur
in the church,
1T could" was the reply.
Mr. Smith then made this statement:
''The members Of the Mormon church
are among the freest, most independent
! people of all the Christian denomina-
tions. They have freedom OF speech,
freedom of thought They are not all
They are not expected to be. So long
as one accepts God and his opinion is
| not in conflict with the accepted stand
ards Of the church he enjoys fellowship
| in the church. He who denies God, he
who commits adultery. or steals. or lies.
or bears false witness against his neigh
| Dor in any way. or goes contrary to the
cardinal principles OF our Christian re-
| ligien is compelled to withdraw. But
| one who is honest. virtuous. believes in
God and has little faith in his religion
| is nurtured, though he may not believe
| in the church in all that It teaches. In
that book, (Mr. Smith pointed to a
Mormon volume), is a revelation on plu-
raj marriages. Not more than three
| or four per cent. of the entire member
| ship of the church have entered that
state. All the rest have abstained from
| plural marriages and many thousands
| have rejected the principle entirely"
| Senator Dubois said: II notice you
i say that many thousands rejected the
| doctrines of plural marriages. Do you
| mean that they never practiced plural
| marriages or that they declared against
/ the doctrine?''
!, Mr.. Smith answered again that many
thousands in the church had declared