Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-12-13
CBy Associated Press)

Washington. Dec. l8-The Smoot IN
vestlgaton was resumed before the
senate committee ON privileges and
elections with j. H. Wallis ST..
Mormon from Salt Lake city, as the
hrst witness lie testified that he
joined the Mormon" Church In 1851 I'm
London and came to the United states
IN 1880, settling in Utah where he had
a SON who came 10 this country I'm 1881.
Mr.. Wallis said he had had three wives,
put not more. than one at n time lie
knew Apostle George Teasdale and also
Marion Scoles I'm London. She came 10
TINS country as an unmarried woman
ana according 10 the witness is reputed
10 have been married 10 Teasdale IN
Utah.
questioned as to his belief the wit
ness said he never believed fully in the
celestial marriages TO the dead and
lour times had stood as proxy for four
marriages OF living women TO dead men,
Tie married his present wife IN the tenn
PIE Explaining the marriages in the
temple. Mr. Wallis said II rs necessary
TO take the endowment before marriage
ana In this way had passed through he
Endowment House ceremony 20 times
az least The ceremonies he,sald. had
always been substantially the same and
each one consumes about two hours.
MI Wallis said that he had "a dis
unct recollection OF the ceremonies
"llbln the temple and that he rs nble
TO describe them Just az they took
place, JIG was asked 10 give the oatbs
taken by those who participated ana
TINS he Gid, together with description
OF the secret signs executed by each
person. Nearly an OF the obligations
were that those who took part would
not reveal anything they saw or heard
ON peril of mutilatlon Of the person and
every one who passed the temple. said
the witness was compelled TO agree ia
the conditions laid down by the priests
Tho penalties agreed TO were given
by Mr. Wallis as follows.
That the throat be cat from oar Ia
ear and the tongue be torn OF.
That the breast be cut nsunder and
the heart and yltals De torn from the
body
That the body be cut asunder al the
middle and the bowels cut out.
That " demanded we viii give all
we possess 10 The support OF tbe
Church.
The next obligation was one of chas-
tity IN which the obligator agreed not
20 cohabit with any person not given
him or her by the priests.
Another obligation was one that we
would never cease 10 importune hleh
heaven 70 avenge the blood Of the pro-
phets upon the nations OF the earth. or
the inhabitants OF the earth, don't lust
remember which," said the witness.
This was followed by q quotation from
the Scriptures. | think revelations, vi.
2; THE souls OF those slain cried aloud
ON the affairs for vengeance"
Mr. Tayleri for the protestants dd
not ask for description Of the cere-
monies. but turned the witness over
10 Mr.. Worthington for cross-examlna-
ton. Mr. W0rthmgton obtained from
Mr. Wallis that he had given notice
10 ms Bishop several months ago Of
his severance from the Church.
Mr.. Wallis, when questioned by Mr.
Worthmston. told the committee that
he had always considered the obliga-
tons I'm the light OF n Joke, and that
he thought many others had considered
them in the same way
Tie said there never had been any
soiemnity IN the taking Of the ohliga-
lions so far as he could see. Mr..
Worthngton told The committee that
he was not ready TO proceed with cross
examination until he had consulted
with others, and asked that the witness
bc excused until this afternoon.
John 4, Nicholson, recorder Of the
Mormon Temple. was excused tenn
poarily ON a physicians certificate.
George Ii, Brimhall, president OF the
Brigham Young university testified
that he had two WiVOg married baforo
1890. Senator Smoot Is a member OF
the university board but was not pres.
ent when witness was elected president.
Senator smoot frequently addressed the
(Conunued on page 3D.