The Washington times., 1905-01-23
As TO Inspired Apostles.


As TO Inspired Apostles.
Q.-D5 you believe an apostle speaks
as the Iaouthpiece of the Lord?
A--Not Unless he speaks by command
OF the Lord understand that when
the head of the church speaks. he
speaks as the mouthpiece of the Lord.
/ think an apostle can only be a
prophet when he speaks through proph-
ecv
The. reference to church leaders as
gone into at length. Attorney Tayler
wanted 20 know whether the first presi-
dency is supreme in all things
o,-(By Mr. Tayle1;(-Do you shy at
that word "supreme?"
shy
Oven, what Prof. Talmage did on
the stand e few days sIas age when he did
did.
Q.-what do you say. then, of it?
all things
Chairman Burrows then took a hand
and received two affirmative replies
Q.-By Mr.. Burrows. ills the first
presidency supreme in all affairs per-
tanning to the church?
Q--Ihe president Is the supreme
head?
Ayes.
Divine Directions.
Witness explained that the president
of the church received directions from
God, if God had any directions 70 give.
But the apostles did not do so.
The relative powers of the first presi-
dency and the quorum OF twelve apostles.
The latter in succession to the former
in case Of death, was explained by Sena-
tor S-noot. in response 10 Attorney Tay-
lers persistent inquiries ta the real
governing power OF the church
Two Direct Denials.
Q.-CBy Mr. Overman.) )-The twelve
apostles never discuss things temporal
and political?
A--When they pertain 10 affairs OF the
church. such as the erection of the Des-
eret News Building. they do. 1 objected
in that case because I did not favor go
ing into debt.
Q.-The church has nothing to do with
other affairs?
A.-The church has no more to do
with my personal affairs than you have.
Senator.
Q...You don't discuss political sub
jects2
Ave never discuss political matters
in the qUorom of twelve. II the church
has temporal interest, We give our opin-
Senator Smoot admitted that the
church owns the "Deseret News" build
ing and all I'm previous testimony,
some witnesses have heSttated to ad-
NIT even that the newspaper named was
the official organ OK the church, although
that fact had been put into the verba
tim record.
Attorney Tayler inquired into the Nor
mon practice OF upholding representa-
uves of the church.
Witness said it was rule o. the
church that il a Mormon had any g-iev-
ance against a member of the church.
It was his duty TO speak firss te- that
person before bringing formal che-ges.
Would Obey the Lord.
eff the Lord spoke to me and 1 knew
it was the Lord, / don't think I would
dispute It," declared Senator Smoot, in
answer to a question.
Chairman Burrows repeated the in
quiry again and witness again repeat
ed the answer without qualification.
Endowment Oaths.
Taking up endowment ceremonies. At
torney Tayler inquired again about
"avcnging the blood of the prophets and
martyrs and again received a specific
denial from Senator Smoot that any
such thing exists.
Q-You heard the testimony OF Mr..
Dougall here Il few days ago, that there
was an obligation about avengfng the
blood IF the prophets on this genera
ton?
A-Yes
Q.-And thai testimony was Incorrect?
Al do not recall anything of that
sort
Mr. Tayler-Oh. you do not recall II.
1 thought you said it did not occur.
Smoot's Explanation.
Chairman Burrows then took the wit
ness in hand and inquired particularly
concerning the oaths and obligations
heretofore testified to as having been
taken by Mormons in the endowment
ceremonies
Witness Smoot denied having taken
any oath, but made a distinction be-
tween oath and VOW" He said:
II made Il VOW. not an oath. with NV
God. not with any man. 1t was that I
would keep those endowment cere-
monies secret, and not reveal them TO
anybody I have kept that VOW all nv
life, and If / went out of the church
1 would not divulge it,
Declines to Tell.
Chairman Burrows asked Witness
Smoot to say Of wha: the vow consist
ed
With all due Difference and respect
S- -