The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1905-04-13

believe he VIII come again and when he
comes they will be found ready and
waiting. Before this coming there
promises to be such battle royal of
rival religious sects as has never been
seen in the world. Missouri may be-
come the battle-ground OF Mormonism.
What will be the outcome?
Two great churches, each numbering
more than half million COMMITMENTS,
are engaged in race for plat of
ground in Independence, Mo. Which
church will triumph, the one which
teaches polvgamy or the one which de-
nounces it? II the former, will the
polygamy issue be injected into Mis-
souri, affairs. rs it has been into Utah?
These are matters that only time can
tell. Certain it is that representatives
Of the Mormon Church of Utah have
been in Independence recently trying to
regain possession of the famous temple
lot, now held by the lledrickiles, with
the sole purpose OF erecting thereon n
magnificent temple, far grander than
the gorgeous one at Salt Lake City,
which shall become the Official head
quarters of the polygamous Mormons.
Certain it is, also, that representatives
of the Latter Day Saints Church Of
Lamont. Iowa, where dwells the son OF
the original prophet who founded the
Mormon church, have also visited indie
pendence within the last few days try
ing TO secure the Temple lot before the
Utah representatives can do so. Why
this rivalry?
IL is because the second coming Of
Chris; is expected at Independence, and
each church desires TO be the one to
welcome him. Such battle royal has
never been seen in the world before. II
is not only religion against n religion.
1t is family divided against itself.
At the head of the Utah branch is
Joseph Smith, nephew OF the Joseph
Smith who was shot to death by an in
furiated mob in Carthage, ILL.,, go years
ago. At the head of the Iowa church
is Joseph Smith, son of the prophet,
claiming TO be in the direct line with
Moses and Abraham, second only tt
Christ. These two Smiths will battle fol
the supremacy in Missouri. One JOSEPH
Smith will win. But which one?
A few days ago visitors from Utal
arrived in the little city of lndcpend-
enoe and Immediately began taking NJ
active interest in the real estate market
They desired to invest in Ipdependenc
property. Slowly, but inevitably, tn
negotialiona. driited around until tn
Utah visitors made direct offer + r
certain plat OF land which has long stoc
vacant. They would have that,
pleased their taste, the price was in
material, let the transfer be made a
once.
The plat OF ground they desired
known as the Temple lot. 1t is in tn
possession Of the Hedrickites, mine
branch OF the Mormon church. I'll
Hedrickites suspected something. The
Investigated their mysterious visitor
They found them TO be representative
ot the Mormon Church Of Utah, Il
affairs OF which are now being invest
gated by the United States Senate, IL
church which practiced, countenanct
and even commanded polygamy uni
twenty years ago. The Hedrickites n
tused to sell the famous lot.
Disappointed, but not deferred Il
Utah visitors purchased land immeI
ately adjoining and departed, but II
until they had announced that TIA
would return, that in the course OF tn
they would secure the temple lot NJ
that when they did their church Won
erect magnificent temple, sucn us II
not been seen since the days OF SO
mon. temple which would become
Official headquarters OF the chuf
which has 70 long dominated pohtl'
and religious affairs in Utah.
That night message was flashed
the little town Of Lamont, down IN
southern part Of Iowa, almost to
boundary line Of Missouri. 1t convey
a warning and an appeal. At lndepeI
ence are 1000 members Of the an
polygamous branch of tho Morn
church, the one which has it's oih'
headquarters in Lamont. AZ In
nhnnrn inr venrs IheAe inithlnl lolll