The Ely miner., 1905-01-27
revelations MAY
Still Be Received
BUT SENATOR SMooT DECLARES
DIVINE MESSAGES ARE NOT
ALWAYS OBEYED.
CITES ORDER GIVEN
TO BRIGHAM YOUNG
One Teaching of Founder of Mormon
ism Now Practically Dead Letter
Obedience to Revelation Is Not
Compulsory.

the announcement that Senator Smoot |
would continue his testimony before the
senate committee on privileges and
elections, which is investigating the pro-
tests against the senator retaining his
seat, a crowd gathered early Saturday.
Several members of the committee, who
have not been attending the hearings
regularly, were present. Senator Smoot
was still suffering from the attack of
indigestion which was responsible for
an early adjournment Friday. The SEN
ator took the witness stand at 10: 80 and
before proceeding he made a correction
in his testimony concerning trials OF
apostles.
The elevation of Joseph F. Smith to
the presidency of the church was
brought up by Mr.. Tayler, soon after
the opening, and the witness said he
voted to sustain him, and had so voted
at other conferences to sustain Smith
as president.
Believes in Revelations.
DO you believe the church still re-
ceives revelations from God?' asked
Senator Overman.
Il believe the church can receive
revelations"
Who receives them?"
L believe any good man can receive
revelations, but President Smith is the
only man who can receive revelations
that would be binding upon the people"
DO you believe that any revelation
which might be given could be superior
TO the laws of the land?" asked Senator
Overman.
81 do not believe it would be superior
to the laws of the land
Then if you got revelation from
Heaven yourself, would you have to
obey it,"
81 believe if it was from God it would
be compulsory upon me to obey it. But
if it was contrary to the laws of the
country in which l lived, l would move
to some other country where 1 could
obey the laws"
do you believe that revelations are
ever given?"
We'll, 1 have heard men testify so,
but could not say"
What is your belief?"
Il believe that God could do such
things. He did it in former days and
could do it now"
Revelation Not Obeyed.
Explaining further the extent to which
revelations were lived up to, Senator
Smoot said he remembered a revelation
being received for the establishment of
the United Order" and that Brigham
Young, following out the instructions OF
that revelation, went from one end OF
the state to the other preaching the es
tablishment of that order. And |
know" he concluded, that it was never
attempted nor lived up to by the people
and to-day is virtually dead letter"
Senator Dubois asked: do you mean
to say that if revelation was received
by the president of the church and sub
mitted to the church that a member
could disregard that and maintain his
fellowship and standing in the church,"
"Oh, yes; | understand so."
Continuing Senator Smoot referred
to the law of tithing. He knew there
were many members of the church who
disregarded it although it was a law of
the church.
Senator Dubois asked the witness if
he should refuse to obey revelation of
the church whether he would be able to
hold his apostleship. The witness
thought he would retain the apostleship,
but that he might be regarded as derelict
in his duty.
Knew Tanner Was a Polygamist.
Senator Smoot testified that it was
known that Joseph M. Tanner was a |
polygamist at the time he was ap-
pointed as the general superintend-
ent of Sunday-scnOol work. Mr.. Tay-
lor called attention to pamphlet is |
sued by the general superintendency of
religious class work, in which lee
lures are outlined to be given on the |
lives of past and present leaders of |
the church Senator Smoot said. he |
did not believe that point was made |
of the fact that many of these lead
ers were living polygamous lives,
when those lessons were given to the |
classes. He had no definite informa-
ton concerning the character of the
teachings.
DO you know" asked Mr.. Taylor,
"how long ago it was first proclaimed |
and testified to that polygamy was
dead?"
81 do not"
'Is it not nearly 20 years ago?"
81 could not say"
"Was it not claimed at one time
that no marriages, or only one or two,
had actually occurred after 1882"
1T think it was later than that for
20 years ago people were being sent
to the penitentiary for polygamy and
unlawful cohabitation."
At this point Chairman Burrows
said that several members of the COM
mittee desired TO be absent during the
afternoon He adjourned the hearing
until Monday.
Appropriation Bill Passed.
WASHINGTON JAN 23.-Tho mouse