The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-21
SMOOT BELIEVES
| POLYGAMY DIVINE
Mormon Senator Dodges and
squirms About When Cross
Examined at Inquiry.

Washington, Jan. 2l.-Senator Smoot,
III a witness in his own behalf before
the senate committee on privileges and
elections. was not the frank witness
many Of his colleagues in the senate
I had expected he would be-. He SHE'D at
The simplest questions and insisted on
making long explanations IN reply TO
Questions to which an answer OF yes
or "no' was wanted.
Senator Smoot went over the story
Of his life ghbly enough under the
Questioning OF his counsel. Mr.. Wor-
Ellington. Everything went smoothly
and Senator Smoot was establishing a
reputation as ''good witness when
the cross-examination was begun by At
torney Taylor for the protestants.,
The senator became more retlcent and
hot disposed to talk quite as much OF
as frankly as he had before. He per-
sisted in repeating many Of the ques-
tions asked him by Mr.. Taylor before
answering them, and admitted that he
did not know much about his neighbors
IN Utah.
Believes Polygamy Divine.
Senator Smoot said he believed in the
divinity of the relation OF polygamy
and was convinced it came from Cod
The senator said his faith in Mormon
ism is strong and that ne had never
been taught anything in his life except
to obey the law of the country.
"Do you understand that Joseph
Smith is disobeying the law?'' asked
Mr.. Taylor.
The answer to this question resulted
In a somewhat long explanation, and
Chairman Burrows interrupted to have
The answer made palmer. The question
was repeated and the witness replied:
''I understand that Joseph F. Smith
said that he had not obeyed the law III
the past. l cannot say what he is doing
now
''Do you understand that he is dis
obeying the law7'
"No; I do not so understand
Smiths Eleven Children.
: Chairman Burrows again interrupted
and refreshed Senator Smoot IS min(
with the statement of President Smith
that he has eleven children by his five
different wives since the manifesto Of
1890.
Remembering that, what is your an
swer2' concluded Senator Burrows.
IT could not say that he has LIVED
with these wives
HBut he says so himself.'
SIT is violation of the law,' con
Guided Senator Smoot.
The same question was asked con
eerning Apostle John Henry Smith ant
Senator Smoot said he could not say
but believed that Apostle Smith wa
continuing to cohabit with plural wives
Revelations from God.
edo you believe the church still re
Senator Overman.
IT believe the church can receiv
revelations
H'Who receives them?' ~.
4s@"I believe any good man can receiv
revelations, but President Smith is tn
only man who can receive revelation
that would be binding upon the pee
pie
+ "Do you believe that any revelation
which might be given could be superio
to the laws Of the land9' asked Sens
Dor Overman.
IT believe it would be superior t
the laws Of the land.'
"Then if you got revelation fro1
beaver! 7! yourself, would you have
.'I believe if it was from God,
Z 1T. But if it was contrary to the law
pf the country in which L lived,
would move to some other countr
Where / could obey the 1aws''
Believes in Revelations.
edo you believe that revelations al
ever given?''
''Well, I have heard men testify. S
but I could not say
HWhat is your belief?''
~ 81 believe that God could do sue
things. He did it in former days ar
gould do it now.'
u Explaining further the extent
which revelations were lived up t
Senator Smoot said he remembered
revelation being received for the esta
Gshment of the "united order' al
Shat Brigham Young, following out tt
Il instructions Of that revelation, we
from one end of the state to the 9th
preaching the establishment of tn
order. "And I KNOW he conclude
that it was never attempted nor liv,
up to by the people and today is Writ
ally a dead letter.
Senator Dubois asked: EDO you me:
to say that if revelation was i
ceived by the president of the chur
and submitted to the church, memb
could disregard that and maintain /
fslloW ship and standing in t
AHOh, yes. + understand 500
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