Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-06-16
ENCOURAGEMENT Of POlygnmy and
Polygamous Capitalization by the
Mormon Authorities.

Polygamous Capitalization by the
Mormon Authorities.
1 The first reason assigned by the Yrl
testants why Mr.. SmOot Is not entiil"
10 seat in the senate Il I'm effect that
he belongs 10 a selfperpetuatiug body
Of Is men who constitute the ruling al.
thori,les of the Church Of Latter-loy
Saints, or Mormon Church, 80 cal ~
that this ruling body Of the church
both claims aud exercises the right ~
shaping the belief and controlling the
conduct Of the members of that Church
IN all matters whatsoever civil ana 60
llgious, temporal and spiritual II -
then alleged that this selfperpetuatirs
body Of Is men. Of whom Mr. Smooi Is
one. uniting In themselves authority IN
both Church and state 50 exercise this
authority as 10 encourage a belief iD
polygamy as a divine institution and hN
both precept and example encour e.
among their followers the practise of
polygamy and polygamous cohabi'a.
ton.
That the first presidency and lively
apostles Of the Mormon Church are
selfperpetuating body OF n men. roe N
10 he well established by the testimtl'
OF one most competent ~ speak upon
that subject. the president of toe
church % Latter-day saints. Mt 'os
eph F. Smith who testi0es. as VIII l'
seen on pages ~ and ~ Of volume I
~ the printed copy ~ tho proceeding
I'm the investigation. that varauc'" 'c-
curing In the number Of the twelve
apostles are illed by the apostles then
selves with the consent ami approval
tho first presidency.
The testimony ~ Mr.. Smith Us a. ~,
lows:
Senator McComas-Aud tho twelve
apostles We're then FIRST namclt
Mr.. Smlth-Yes. ST.
Senator McComss when 1aCancie.
occurred thereafter by what BODY
were the vacancies IN the twelve apps
Ties fIed3
Nj Smith Perhaps ! may say in TAI
way. Chosen ~ the body. the twelve
themselves by and With the consent
and approval Of the first presidency
Senator Hoar-Was ihcre 90 rcyc.g-
ton m regard 10 each Of them?
Mr. smith No 7ir. got ir regHrd
each of them. 10 YOU mean IN the be-
ginning
Senator Hoar-l understand you 600
say that the original twelve apostle
were selected by revelation?
Mr.. Smth-Yes. sir. thet Is right
Senator Hoar-ls there any revei--
tion IN regard 10 the suhscl urnt ones
Mr.. Smlih-No. sir. % has been th"
choice Of the body,
Senator McComas-Thea the apW'-
ties are perpetusted IN succession by
their own act and the approval u ire
first presidency?
Mr.. Smith-That IS right.
To the same effect is the testimony OF
Francis ". Lyman.
II further appears that any one %
the twelve apostles may be removed hy
his fellow apostles without consulting
the members Of the Church On general
IL Is also in proof that the first pres
idency and twelve apostles govern he
Church b. means % socallei reyell-
lions from God. which revelations are
given 10 the membership OF the Church
as emanating from divine authOrity
II Is also shcRn that those members OF
the Mormon Church who refuse o. obey
the revelations 30 communicated by he
PRIESTHOOD thereby become out OF har.
nony with the Church and are thus
practically excluded from the blessings
benefits and privileges Of membership
In the Church
II Is also well established by ne
testimony that the members Of ;he
Mormon Church are governed in
all things boy the first presidency and
twelve apostles. That this authority
Is extended u the membership through
series and succession ~ subordinate
officials. consisting ~ presidents Of
seventies. presiding bishops. elders.
presidents Of stakes, bishops. and other
officials That one Of the chief require
menis by the leaders OF the Church IL
that members shall take counsel Of
their religious superiors In all things
whatsoever whether clyll or religious
temporal or spiritual. That the failuf.
10 receive and obey counsel IN any Of
these matters subjects the one who re-
fuses 10 the discipline OF the Church.
That this discipline Is administered in
the first instance by the subordinate
officials. subject 10 the right 10 appeal
20 the higher officials % the Church.
and ultimately 20 the hrst president and
twelve apostles These rules. enforced,
as they are. by the discipline Of the
Mormon Church. constitute the first
president and twelve apostles a HER.
archy. a body OF men al the head Of
religious organization governing their
followers with absolute and unques-
toned authority IN all things relating
to temporal and political. as well as 10
spiritual Affairs.
The testimony taken before the COM
mitiee also shows beyond reasonable
dOuht that this authority Of the drst
presidency and twelve apostles Ia 90 ex-
erc.sed over the members OF the Nor
nor Church AZ 10 inculcAte a belief IN
the divine origin Of polygamy and is
fightfulness a. practise and also TO
encourage the membership o. that
Church In the practise OF polygamy and
polygamous cOhahitstion. While this Is
hAnlnA On fhA Ia n Of thu ofncials ~ a..