The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-02-01
sM00T KEEPS SECRETS
Refuse to Reveal Endowment
House Ceremonies.
BIG SUMS GIVEN TO THE CHURCH
A Million or More Contributed Each
Year, Part for Education and
Some Invested.

The cross-cxamination of Senator
Smoot before the Senate Investigating
Committee resulted in absolute refus-
al to testify in regard to the endow-
ment ceremonies. He also asserted
that it was not his business to call
to account President Smith, of the
Mormon church. because Mr.. Smith
had admitted to the committee that
he was living in violation of the laws
of the land. Three other witnesses
refused to divulge the character of
the endowment ceremonies.
"The first presidency is supreme In
everything pertaining to the church,
said Senator Smoot, in answer to
question by Chairman Burrows. He
also said in explanation, of course,
when it comes to question OF revela-
ton that is to be binding upon the
people of the church the president
himself receives it and it must be ac-
cepted by the people"
"Do / understand you to say that
the apostles are not rrophets?' ask
ed Chairman Burrows.
81 say they are sustained as prop
hets, but l do not think a man Is
a prophet at any time unless he
speaks by the spirit of prophecy. In
other words, ] do not believe that a
man has always that spirit of prop
hecy with him."
DO you think the president of the
Jtrnntlu with
God-has direct revelation"
''If God desires to speak to his
people it would be through the presi-
dent of the church"
Asked why he would not reveal
the endowment secret he said:
For conscientious reasons.
made a VOW, not an oath, with my
God, not with any man, not with the
president of the church or with a liv-
ing soul, but / did make vow that
| would keep these endowment cere-
monies sacred and not reveal them to
anybody, and | have kept that all my
life and If / went out of the church
tomorrow and remained out of the
church until | was grayheaded, |
would never feel that 1t was my duty
or that l should divulge what little l
even remember of them"
The Senator was asked number
of other questions regarding the
ceremony, which he preferred not to
answer.
"Do you know why the oath of
secrecy was imposed?"
at is purely religious ordinance
refers absolutely to a mans here
after, and has nothing whatever to
do with anything other than mans
relation to his God. and l suppose
that 1t is an ordinance in the church
and the rule is that it be not reveal
ed"
''Do you know how much money is
paid into the church annually in
tithes?" asked Senator Overman.
81 could not say except as guess"
"As much as a million dollars?"
Some years more and some less,
l understand"
How is this money expended?"
"Well, there is about $4,000 for
educational interests; about 100000
for the feeding of the poor. a great
deal for the expenses Of missionar-
les"
Pursuing his inquiry Chairman Bur-
rows asked if Senator Smoot taught
and preached his faith. He did occas.
ionally.
"Do you teach polygamy?"
81 do not"
do you preach against polygamy
or unlawful cohabitation
81 never have. | do not know why
should. 1t is not a tenet of the
faith. 1t has been suspended and |
think it would not be proper for me to
bring it up"
Senator Smoot said he understood
that the revelation commanding the |
promulgation of the manifesto against |
polygamy was the result of pleadings
by President Woodruff for the COM
mand of God concerning His wishes
on that subject.