The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-03-06
moved by the spirit of God to abandon
the practice of plural marriages.
Inclined to Obey Law.


when the laws were passed, which
were not in harmony with the teach
ings of our church." said Mr.. Smith,
1--WE held that they were unconstitu-
tional. Of course our own rules COM
manded that we obey the constitu-
ton of the land. but we fought the va
lidity of the new laws from the lowest
to the highest courts. and, when it was
settled by the supreme court Of the
United States that plural marriages
could no longer be INDUCED in, Of
course We were inclined to obey
"But we had a revelation on our own
statute books in regard to plural mar
riages and it was necessary to obey
that in order to obtain certain bless
out obeying it. Whether we should
obey the law Of the land or continue to
practice of the law of the church was a
serious question.
1--WE hold that the president Of the
church Is entitled to receive revelations
inspired by the Almighty God. Presi-
dent Woodruff sought guidance from
the Lord, and the Lord made it mani
fest to him that it was his duty to stop
plural marriages. He proclaimed that
revelation and it was submitted to the
tire church, and thus became binding,
and from that day to this the law of
the land has been kept, so far as plural
marriages are concerned.
But there Is a great difference be-
tween taking plural wife contrary to
law and in taking care of the wives
taken before it was a violation of the
law I would not desert my wives. /
would not abandon my children. /
L.,
President Smiths voice shook with
emotion. He showed more feeling than
he had at any previous time exhibited
as he leaned forward and said:
ttBut it is to the laws Of Utah that
am answerable; it is the laws of my
state that has the right to punish me.
The courts of Utah are Of competent
Jurisdiction. Congress has no business
to Interfere with my private affairs.
If the courts of my state do not see fit
to call me to account for my conduct, I
cannot help it. Congress has no right
to interfere-it has no right to pry into
my marriage relations and call me to
account"
Chairman Burrows Curious.
Chairman Burrows at this point
questioned the witness. He asked:
.sYou say you would not abandon
your wives or your children. why 90
you consider it necessary to have issue
from your plural wives in order to
ciothe and care for your children that
had been born before the unlawful CO.
habitation became a crime?''
Because my wives are like other
women 1t is necessary to MAINTAIN
peace harmony and good will between
myself and my good wives. This is the
kernel in the nut. That is why have
chosen not to obey the laws Of my
state prohibiting polygamous cohabi-
tation."
'sThe church gave me my wives, and
do not think the church could be con-
sistent in taking them," said Mr.. Smith
in answer to a question as to why he
had not agreed to the Woodruff mani
festo.
Senator Bailey said it appeared that
polygamous cohabitation is forbidden
by both the law of the land and the
law of the church. as laid down in the
Woodruff manifesto, and addressing
the witness, he asked:
''Then as the head of the church, you
are violating the laws of the land and
the ordinances of your church as well 2"
mot the ordinances, said Mr.. Smith,
''WeIl, the law, then?"
mo, the rule" said the witness.
In reply to Senator Overman, Mr..
Smith said that the revelation of the
manifesto Of 1890 had been published
in the latest edition of doctrine and