Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-12-02
FREEDOM AND PRIESTHOOD.


Much of the Misunderstanding that
IL common concerning the power and
authority exercised In the Church OF
Jesus Christ Of l.atter-day Saints COM
monty but enormously called the Nor
mon" Church. arises from the inten-
tionnl misrepresentation of It's OPP
ponents, which are repeated without
design to deceive by people VINO do not
know any better. Common report thus
becomes established IN many minds as
fact, and hence the prejudice which Is
so strong against this Church
In some recent efforts to cause dis
sension among the Saints, the disturb
ers have claimed that their object has
been, not to stir mp strife, but 10 so in
fluence the younger people particular
ly. TO a point where ;hey dare assert
their right to think and speak, without
endangcrIng their social and religious
standing" and to take course that
will mean, "a putting down OF oppres-
slye prlestcraft. resulting from an UNI
questioning obedience TO those holding
the priesthood" also 10 have men and
women think for themselves, to read
for themselves. read outside prescribed
courses laid down by dominating
Priesthood"
All chat virtually charges the Lat.
landau Gaipts vtgtb gtthaarts tauga IN o.,
dominating priesthood to tho cxten;
Of ceasing 10 think or speak for thern-
selves, to read anything noJ 'prescrlb-
ed" for them, or 10 do anything but
yield "uuquestionng obedience 10 those
holding the priesthood And the whole
OF It Is a sly, sinister and slnuous meth
cd OF conveying Impressions by insin-
uation that are satanic in their utter
falschood. There Is no domination
by the men holding authority in this
Church. no mcmber Is prevented from
thinking and speaking az he wishes, or
from reading whatever he chooses
There is no course prescribed FOR
them IN that respect which they are re-
quircd 10 take or chat is made exolu-
siye. "Uluessioning obedience no
men is not Il doctrine OF the Church,
nor is It exocted OF any Of its mem.
bers. Therefore, the pretended desire
to free them from such alleged bond
age IL nothing but sham.
All the organizations, quorums. socl-
cites and associations Of this Church
are for the promotion of free thought.
free speech and general intelligence.
The members know this, they act upon
II. aud when their would-be 'llberators"
talk of Oppression bondage" dom
nation and the rest OF 1t. they sim
ply smile at such ignorance or pity
such peryersion. But there is time
for all things" a place for all things.
and proper order must be maintained.
or confusion, contention and dlscord,
resulting in darkness and chaos must
ensue. The opportunities afforded for
the utmost rational liberty are in ey-
cry way ample. but assemblies for
public Worship are not TO be turned into
debating clubs nor avenues for the
venting Of personal animositles and IN
divdual theories and vagaties.
Free Thought cannot be stlned or re-
s.ricted. that needs no argument Free
speech need not be restrained, and ls
not IN this Church except when used
ON improper occasions, and in un-
seemly and unlawful ways. To claim.
under the slogan Of Free Speech. the
right to assail personal character de-
fame individuals, attack recognized
authority cause disturbance ana tn.
mutt and make breaches OF the peace.
is clear mark Of insanity mingled
with impudence II is not 60 he per-
mltted in any respectable place "
public worship. not TO be tolerated by
civilized society, And yet such con.
duct Is lauded by some zeolots NJ "the
exercise OF the right Of free speech"
The only counsel as % reading matter
given to the Lauer-day Saints is, 10
seek out of the best books words Of
wisdom" to seek learning even by
study and also by faith" 20 become
acquainted with an good books and
with languages, tongues and people
tsee Doc. a Cow Secs, IS. s. go. l5. In
all the Church schools The hest books
published by The leading educational
houses IN the United states arc In
use, and literature of alI kinds is to be
had at the Deseret News hook store
from popular light reading up to the
classics. No one 4. bound within pre.
scribei lines but all arc free 10 eSo,se
their own rcadins matter Advice is
sometimes given 10 rschcv foolish ac.
Ion. low novels ana urld sensational
trash. On, che eIcatlug, refining and
moral works iu poetry and prose. D
different languages and by the worlds
great authors, are placed within the
reach Of members of The Church and
form subjects Tor comment and dis.
cussion IN lbs associations and soel.
cites.
The notion that education. except Of
"a religious character is not fostered nv
this Church. is entirely falaclous. The
number VI college graduates among IT'S
members Is very gratifying, ana in
larger proportion 20 the Church popula-
zion than Is found In much older and
richer communities. The Bureau OF
Information h' this city is about to