Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-09

to my obligations and covenants with
my wives. and l have never done !
thing that my conscience did not APP
prove.
| Il want" he proceeded. dropping into
a pleading tone of voice, Ito make a
| brief explanation if you will permit.
| MY case is different from that of most
| other men. l was born in 1910 and
, can hardly remember when my father
| was not d polySamist. He was Il friend
| and an adviser of Prophet Joseph
Smith and was taught by him the I'M
portance and the truth of the principle
| of polygamy. He accepted the teach
| ing and entered into the practice, mar
rying six wives in the years 1915 and
1916. So that MY earliest recollection
embraces the life of polygamy. l re-
member all my fathers wives as l Go
nv own mother. and l lived in Il fam
| iIy thus constituted until l grew up
land became the head of a family OF
my own. Consequently l have known
nothing else, and I have felt that it
WAS correct. | have always felt in my
soul and heart that it was correct.
married first in 1857 and again in 1869
and once more in 1884. The situation
has been very painful to me and l have
been greatly panied to find myself in
IoDDOsition to the law of the country
land the church. But l had made Il
covenant with my wives to love. re-
spect and endcar them. and l could not
| find il in my heart to separate from
them as long as they We're true to me-"
Senator Hoar-"So you. an apostle
of your church, expecting to succeed
al RI
| that capacity to receive divine revela-
lions yourself. confess that you are
now living and expect to continue to
live in disobedicncc to the law of the
country, the law OF your church ana
the law of God?"
The witness replied with a simple
Yes"
He added in reply to Il question from
Senator Dubois that he considered it
his duty to live with and protect his
wives.
The committee then took recess.
Mr.. Lyman again took the stanl
after the recess. He said he became
an apostle in 1880, ana that Reed
.jmoot became AN apostle III 1900. IF
am thought worthy l will succeed to
the presidency of the Mormon church
If l survive President Smith," said Mr.
Lyman in answer to a question.
Mr.. Lyman said that he is the pre-
siding officer of the Il apostles, and
| that five are polyGamists.
Senator Smoot has attended the
meetings of the apostles" said Mr.. I.y-
man, and has taken part in the eXcr-
cises at the weekly meetings
The witness said he mad never intro
duced any of his wives to Mr. Smoot
Mr.. Lyman said the members of TIC.
first presidency and the apostles hal
! never discussed the ACCESSIBILITY of
prosecuting persons engaged in polyS
ANGUS cohabitation.
| "kpostlc Smooth never know | had
| mor9 than ono wife" sail Mr.. Lyman
4 in answer to question as to what the
defendant knows OF the rolygamous
tstateEin which certain of his brother
ioficials are living.
| Mr.. Lyman said missionaries always
are thoroughly warned not To discuss
Ipo.ygdmy, because we have yielded
to that requirement of the law not to
teach. the theory of polygamy."
| He said tho missionaries nevcI'
touch upon the subject unless the the
lorySfs assaulted.
| In answer to Il question by Senator
lOvcrman. Mr.. Lyman said that despite
the manifesto of 1880, the president OF
the church could issue authority upon
;,n elder to perform plural Maria Gcs.
| Mr.. Worthington asked how it was
that the president could issue author
ity in conflict with the manifesto.
| which is said to be the law Of God. lie
concluded his question thus:
is he above the Lord"
oh. 10. he is moi above the Lord.
senate" Icttus inquired concerning
tn" authority given to Mr.. Smoot Ia
become = candidate for senator, and
Nh Lyman said consent. under the
rule Of .he church, must have beer
given by President Smith.
Mr.. Lyman was asked what distinc-
tion he made between the revelations
he Obcycd and those he dill not obey
II suppose you mean the laws have
confessed that | have violated in CO.
habiiation with plural wives" he
asked.
. When told what was meant. he said.
i trust myself to the mercy of the
Lord.
| Have Hou eyer rcp"Htcd? Repent 81
Of this obedience" ask"I Mr.. Hoar.
Not yet
Did Senator Smoot know you wer,
living with plural wives was asked.
Mr. Lyman answered that Senator
Suoot did not know, as he never hat
met any one az his wives. lie sale
that the people in Utah knew, but tina
he did not think Mr.. Smoot had any
: knowledge of the fact.
i Chairman Burrows insisted on know
: ing il the people of Utah knew in re
J. gard to his life, which Senator Smoo
could not know just as well. The wit
ness said that Senator Smoot probabl!
!, knew just as much about the questio.
i as the people i'll general.
l. do you take back what You sale
y then. that the people knew and Senate
Smoot did not know" asked Senate
Uoar.
II take that back"
DO you not think, Mr.. Apostle. tina
it behooyes you to be little careful
: about what you say. so that you vii
{ not have anything to take back" asket