Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-04-19
AS TO MORMON" VENGEANCE.

We have been favored with copy Of
the Cambrian OF recent date, a monthly
magazine devoted chiefly to the inter-
ests of the speaking people In
the United States We have given some
notices Of the magazine before, as II
low citizens whose ancestors hailed
from the Principally. 1t II usually
fair III It's comments on current topics,
and no doubt aims to be so IN the pre-
sent instance when giving It's views on
"a Harmless Oath" This has refer
ence TO what II calls "thc Mormon obl-
cation or vengeance"
The Cgmbrian wants to know WAS
It merely ceremonial and formality?'
The reason given for the query IL, that
Most Of the Mormons have proved
false to 1t, for no great slaughter of
Gentlles as the outcome Of this terrible
obligation has followed, and It con-
cludes from this View Of the matter
that, I'VE may classify the Mormon
VAIN WIN N'llNi lNiitiDhS anu ''hiPNi-
ance pledges
The Cambrlan, like other periodicals
unacquainted with Mormon" doc
trines and ceremonies. is entirely mi5.
taken concerning this alleged oath OF
vengeance For It's benefit We will
repeat the assertion made many times
IN this paper. and affirmed before the
committee on privileges and elections.
that there is no such thing either m
the Endowment ceremonies or IN any
other ordinance of the Church, as an
oath OF vengeance against anything or
anybody Nor Is there anything admin
istered that can be properly called an
oath.
We notice that Secretary Carlisle IN
his argument against the Church be-
fore the committee, when speaking IN
this matter, found II necessary, because
of the evidence Ia which we have allud-
ed. to qualify his words when speaking
Of the "oath' by adding or covenant"
in every instance. lie also had to ad.
nit that the evidence concerning This
alleged Obligation was very conflicting,
and II really tapered down Go the testl-
mony that all there Is about II Is u
prayer for rctribution for shedding The
blood OF the prophets.
In reply, then, to the question OF he
Cambrian as TO whether the oath" Is
merely ceremonial and formalty,'
We have to say that Il Is neither. te-
cause It has no real existence. except In
the minds OF people who desire 20
make a big sensation OF an anti
"Mormon' character. II is true there
has been mo great slaughter OF Cen
tiles by the Mormons." nor is there any
well authenticated case OF personal
vengeance against anybody by the
mormon" Church. one of its most
positive Inhlbtions is, Thou shalt not
kill: and he that killeth shall not haze
forgiveness IN this world nor In the
world to come
The most pronounced enemies OF the
Latter. day Saints, men who have made
It the b, siness Of their lives to malisn
misrepresent. libel and abuse the lead.
ers Of the Church, and who have ~
hausted their vocabulary OF SANDER aud
yituperation IN persistent attacks, have
been allowed 10 pursue here their evi
course uninterrupted and without retail
iation for years No one has attempt
ed TO harm them or infiict upon then
the slightest punishment FOR their eyi
words and works.
"Mormonism" does not teach o
conference human vengeance, bu
leaves those who light il, no matte
with what kind Of weapons. entirely II
the hands of Eternal Justice. Tn,
Camhrian would do well to learn III,
truth concerning the "Mormons" an,
quit adopting the accusations and In
situations OF their calumniators,