Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-06-16
Domination Of Leaders Of the Mormon
Church in secular Affairs.

Church in secular Affairs.
a careful examination and consid-
Grafton OF the testimony taken before
the committee In this investigation
leads To- the conclusion that the ale
cations On the protest concerning the
domination Of the leaders Of the Nor
mon Church in secular affairs are true
and that the First Presidency and
twelve apostles Of the Church II Jesus
Christ OF Iattcr-d8y Saints exercise a
controlling influence over the action Ot
the members Of that Church IN secular
affairs as well as IN spiritual matters,
and that contrary 10 the principles Of
The common law. under which we live,
and the constitution OF the state OF
Utah the said first presidency and
twelve apostles ~ the Mormon Church
dominate the affairs of the state and
constantly interfere I'm the performance
OF It's functions The domination by
the leaders Of the Church under their
claim 20 exercise divine authority IN
AN matters Is manifested ~ general
way IN innumerable instances.
The right TO do so Is openly claimed
by those who profess 20 speak In be-
half Of the Church. As late as Feb
g. 1904, one OF the twelve apostles. I'm
a public address. said that from the
view point Of the gospel thei could be
no separation Of temporal an spiritual
things. ana those who object to Church
people advising and taking part IN
temporal things have no true concep-
ton OF the Gospel Of Christ and the
mission Of the Church"
nf bfA ~ Ia lfHh fret rrnCI-
dency and twelve apostles Of the Nor
mon Church direct all The temporal ar
fairs OF the members OF that Church
under the claim that such direction Is
by divine authority is by requiring
the members of the Church IN an their
affairs, both spiritual and temporaloni
especially the latter. 10 take coun-
sell This means that they are 20 be
advised By their immediate superiors.
These superiors an turn take their in-
struCu0us from those above them, and
so ON back 90 the point whence most
II not an. these directions emanate-
that is the first presidency and twelve
apostles.
As was said by Mr. chief Justice
Zane, 81 Utah, in 1857.
Al the head Of this corporate body
according 20 the faith professed is
seer and reye,at0r. who receives IN
revelations the VIII Of the Infinite God
concerning the duty that man owes to
himself 10 his fellow beings. to society,
10 human government. and to God. In
suh0rdiuatl0n 90 this head are "a vast
number Of officials Of various kinds
ana descriptions. comprising a most
minute and complete Organization. The
people comprising this organization
claim 10 direct and lead by inspiration
which Is above an human visdom'suh-
iect 20 q power above all municipal
government. above all man-made law
Vol. !. D. N0'l
The phrase take counsel does not
mean that the members Of the church
shall inquire OF those above them I'm al
cases concerning their action, but that
they shall receive counsel-that Is, d.
rertIon-from those above them and
this counsel they are 90 implicitly obey.
II they fail 20 DO so they are cNcom-
municated from the Church and de-
priyed. not only Of the privileges o.
membership ln the Church, but, as they
arc assured and believe they thereby
forfeit an hope Of happiness Boz future
life The absolute submission % the
great mass of the Mormon church Is
Illustrated by the fact that Il Is laid.
down hv the leaders 81 the Church as
a cardinal principle 90 The members
that. Il their flc leaders say white is
black 90 Is their duty 10 say white
is black
Instances ~ the interference Of the
leaders ~ the Mormon Church IN the
secular affairs OF their followers could
be multiplied almost without number
IN one case a bishop OF the Church
wss deposed from his Offices iu the
church because be promised 20 obey
the laws agaius, polygamy.
Another official Of the Mormon
church was excommuulcaioi for De.
longing 20 an organization for the en-
forcement o. The laws and opposing
the interference Of the ChuUh ~ pub I
io Affairs.
Another Mormon official was de-
rraded m the Church FOR refusing 70 .
obey his fle leader.
In another case the members Of
finn doing business tn salt Lake city 7
were expelled from the Mormon church F..
fag1uFc they persisted in engaging in .
mining operations contrary 70 iht '"lu' I
maud of the authorities of the church. I
Tn another instance the church au' I
thorItles lntrfered iu the matter ~ the /
establishment Of an electric-NRhi plant .
Dr. 1908 two members n the Mormon .
church who built "a dancing pavilion in .
opposition 90 tho counsel ~ the .
church authorities were summoned foi /
trigi ana excommuulCation. and hnsl- /
la compromised the matter BY turning /
cyef 10 the church officials The man /
agcncnt Of the pavilion and - per F.
cent N The net earnings
IL another case there was genral I
UNDERSTANDING that the church. 10y ne /
authorities. directed the location 81 a 7
railroad station In 1869 four men, I
hers q the Mormon Church were ex- /
communicates fcf aposiacy ~ desir- I
Ine TO open ~ mints against the
-l.i..... - fhs hnly rrlAEffnD1 "