The news & observer., 1905-01-22
GOD AND THE STATE
Ideas That are Funny
But Not LaughabIe
Smo0t Holds That God Isn't Fool
Enough to Tell Him to Violate
the Law of The
Land.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press
Washington, Jan. 21.--Under rig
orous examination concerning his be-
lief in divine revelations, Senator
Smoot today in the. investigation be-
fore the Senate Committee on Privil-
eges and Elections, said that if he
should receive a revelation from Cod
commanding him TO disobey the laws
of the land he would leave his coun-
try and go TO some country where
the laws of the land were not in con-
ilict with the laws of God.
Nearly every member If the SEN
ate committee took part in the ex-
animation OF Senator Snloot on the
subject of revelations. and the wit
ness views proved highly interestin g.
The examination today covered IL
variety of subjects. including the be-
lief of the people generally on the
subject of polygamy, the character of
the teachings at the religion classes
and the use of the public schools for
The conduct of such classes.
Senator Smoot defended his vote
for George Brimhall for president of
the Brigham Young University on the
ground that h had taken no plural
wives since the manifesto. He said
Brimhall was living with a plural
wife for the reason that his lawful
wife was in an insane asylum. He
admitted first that he believed Mr..
Brimhall was violating the spirit of
the law, and pressed by Chairman
Burrows, said that Erimhall was also
viola ting the letter of the law
However. the condition OF the first
wife was an alternating circum-
stance.
Well. Hardly!
What again asked Chairman
Burrows, "do you think it is an ex-
tenuating circumstance for a man to
marry another woman and have chill
dren by her because his legal wife
is in an insane asylum?
sNo. l hardly think that"
'The elevation of Joseph +. Smith
to the presidency of the church was
brought up by Mr.. Taylor and the
witness said he voted to sustain him
and had so voted at other conferences
TO sustain Smith as president.
"DC yon believe the church still
re. elves revelations from Cod?" asked
Senator Overman.
II believe the church can receive
revelations.
who receives them ?"
Il believe any good man can re-
ceive revelations, but President Smith
is the only man who can receive reve-
lations that would be binding upon
the people"
God and the State.
"Do you believe that any revelation
which might be given could be SUI
perior to the laws o fthe land?" ask
ed Senator Overman.
81 don't believe it would be SUI
perior TO the laws OF the land"
"Then if you got revelation from
Heaven yourself would you have to
obey it?'
ST believe if it was from God it
would be compulsory upon me to
obey it. But if itFwele contrary to
10 the laws of the country in which
| lived. | would move to some other
country where I would obey the
law
"Do you believe that revelations are
ever given?"
"Wen l have heard men testify SO.
but I could not say"
"What is your belief?'
"T believe THAI God could do such
could do it now"
After some questioning as to the
extent tSY (which revelations we're
obeyed, in which Mr.. Smoot admitted
certain of them were disobeyed. Sem
ator Knox asked:
AS I understand a former answer
by you ii is fundamentally and print
ariy n part of your religion it a reVe-
lation should come to the church that
commanded you TO disobey the laws
of the land you would not have TO
obey il o'
The. Senator responded that he
would be a free agent to accept or
reject it. but that if God spoke 20
him personally he would leave the
country and go To some place where
the law of God was not in conflict
E1,, ttsNrf
But if this revelation also COM
manded you To remain in this coun-
tly?" asked Senator Overman.
II don't think the Cod l worship
is such God. 1t is not supposaple
case" responded Senator Smoot
The hearing was adjourned until
Monday.