The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-17

fa -s +
trenched in the COM
parative isolation of the Utah noun
tains and known Specifically as the
Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints Until recently Mormonism has
had nothing to fear from the generous
publicity which it has obtained from all
sources Extraneous assault has re-
bounded impOtently, leaving its design
ed victim not only uninjured, but the
gamer from the nOtonety. Now, how
ever, the situation has changed radical
~. The moment has arrived when pub
Lefty is the one thing most to be dread
ed by the Mormon hierarchy. A schism,
open and aggressive, has broken out
among the hitherto faithful. Heroic
members Of the body spiritual have ris-
en- in open revolt against the power of
the hierarchy, and in consequence the
veil Of the temple is almost rent in
twain.
A breach within the structure Itself
such one as now threatens to make
the most cherished pecularities of the
church the playthings of an irreverent
and unsympathetic public-that is in
deed something to be met promptly and
heroically; to be averted if possible, to
be crushed If practicable, to be healed
at any cost. AS the matter now stands
two men hitherto shining lights in the
church have been impelled by their
convictions, they assert, to make grave
charges against President Joseph
Fielding Smith, prophet, seer and
revelator." as he is privileged to style
himself One Of these accusing Nor
mons is Frank J. Cannon. former Unit
ed States senator from Utah, son of
George Q. Cannon, once president and
q prominent leader in the Mormon
church. The younger Cannon is one Of
the brightest men in the state. From his
intimate connection with the inside pol
icies of the church he is well qualified
to speak convincingly of matters in
Utah, especially of the actual position
Of the Mormon hierarchy in reference
to the political question.
The other malcOntent, Charles A.
Smurthwaite, one of the leading bust
ness men of Utah, a man whose charac-
ter has never been questioned, has been
equally free in his criticism. Both men
have been promptly communicated.
Instead of bowling resignedly to the die
tum of the great spiritual authority
both men have persisted in their re-
bellion. Smurthwa-te, who is a high
priest, has from the first shown a dis
position to combat the irregularity OF
his deposition These two men have
been making it exceedingly uncomfort-
able for the reigning hierarchy, which
mas been put IN the attitude OF appear
ing to show bad faith all around. That
It has been forced into this unwhole-
some condition by its own members
adds poignancy to the situation. Most
bitter of all. however. is the fact that
the opposition has a very. respectable
following among the better class OF
Adormons. How widespread the disaf-
lection is cannot at this moment be es-
timated, but all Utah is in state Of
temporal and spiritual unrest which re-
uuires but slight encouragement to de
velop into general INSTRUMENTATION tC
Mormon rule.
The actual date of the founding OF
the Mormon church was April 6, 1880
1t was on that day that Joseph Smith
Tr, claimed to have received a revela-
ton beginning Thou shalt be called E
seer, a translator, a prophet, an apes
tie Smith was born at Sharon, il
Vermont, and his ancestry on both sidei
was reputed to be skilled in witchcraft
His father was illiterate and an exper
TN locating water by means of the di-
vining rod His mother told fortunes
and cast horoscopes, but could neithel
read nor write.
when Joseph was a boy the Smith