The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-06-12
Encouragement of Polygamy and
Polygamous Cohnbitation by tho
Mormon Authorities.

q
Mormon Authorities.
The FIRST reason assigned by the pro-
belongs 70 a self-perpetuating body of
fifteen men who constitute the ruling au-
thqrities of the Church Of Latter-Day
that this ruling body of the church both
claims and exercises the right of shaping
the belief and controlling the conduct OF
tho members OF that church In all mat
ters whatsoever. civil and religious. tenn
poral and spiritual. It IS then alleged
that this self-pcrpetuatnS body OF fifteen
men, OF whom Mr.. Smoot IS one. uniting
In themselves authority In both church
and state so exercise this authority as to
encourage n belief In polygamy as di-
vine institution and by both precept and
example encourage among their followers
the practice OF polysamy and polygamous
cohahitation.
That tho first presidency and twelve
apostles OF the Mormon Church are a
self-perpetuating body OF fifteen men,
seems TO be we'll established by the tes-
speak upon that subject tho president OF
tho Church OF Latter-Day Saints. Mr.. Jo-
seph F. Smith, who testlfes as will be
seen on pages 81 and % OF volume I of
the printed copy OF the proceedings In the
investigation. that vacancies occurring In
the number OF the twelve apostles nre
filled b. the apostles themselves with the
consent and approval OF the first presi-
dencr
lows:
senator Mccomas And the twelve apostles
were then hrst named7
Senator McComaS When vacancies occurred
thereafter by what body were the vacancies
in the twelve npostles hlIed?
Nr. Smith. Perhapo / may say IN this way
Chosen by the body. the twelve themselves.
By and with tho consent and approval OF the
seuntor Hear. Was there a revelation IN
regard 20 each OF then7
Mr.. Smith. No. sir not in regard to each
OF them. Do you mean In the begtnning5
Senator Hoar I understand you[to say that
the original twelve apostles were selected by
Mt smith. Yes sir; that is right
Senator Hear. Is there any revelation IN
regard 20 the subsequent ones?
Mr. Smith. No. sir: It has been the choice
Senator Mccomas Then tho apostles are
porpetuated In succession BY their ovn act
and tho approval Of the nrst prcsidency7
Mr. Smith. That Is right.
To the sume effect is the testimony OF
Francis NJ. Lyman.
II further appears that any one of the
twelve apostles may be removed by his
telloW-apostles without consulting the
members OF the church In general. II is
also In proof that the first presidency and
twelve apostles govern the church by
means OF so-called revelations from Cod
which revelations are given 10 the mem
bershlp OF the church as emanating from
divine authority. II Is also shown that
those members of tho Mormon Church
communicated by the priesthood thereby
become out OF harmony with the church
and are thus practically excluded from
tho blessings, benefits and privileges OF
membership In tho church.
IL IS also we'll established by the testi-
mony that the members OF the Mormon
Church are governed in all things by the
first presidency and twelve apostles.
That this authority is extended to the
sion OF subordinate officials, consisting OF
presidents OF seventies, presiding bishops.
elders, presidents OF stakes. bishops, and
other officials. That one of the CHIEF re
quircnents by the leaders of the church
iS that members shall take counsel OF
their religious superlors In all things
Whatsoever whether civil religious.
temporal or spiritual. That the failure TO
receive and obey counsel In any OF these
matters subjects tho one who refuses TO
the discipline OF the church That this
discipline is administered In the hrst In
stance by the subordinate officials, sub
tect TO the right to appeal TO tho higher
ohicals OF the church. and ultimately to
the nrst president and twelve apostles
These rules enforced, they are by the
tuto the flnet president and twelve apos-
tlcs-a hierarchy, a body OF men at the
head OF q religious organization govern
ing their followers with absolute and un-
authority in all things relat-
ing to temporal and political, as we'll rs
to spiritual affairs.
tee also shows beyond a reasonable doubt
that this authority OF the fret presidency
and twelve apostles Is SO exercised over
the members OF the Mormon Church as to
lnculcnte a belief In the divine origin OF
polygamy and its rightfulnces as praC-
tlcc, and also TO encourage the member
ship or that church In the practice OF po-
lvgamy and polyGamous cohabitation
While this Ia denied on tho part OF the
officials OF tho church. tho truthfulness
OF tho claim or tho protcstants In this
regard Is shown by great number OF
facts and circumstances, no one Of which
ia perhaps conclusive In itself. but wheh
taken together form q volume of tcstl-
mony so cogcnt and convincing as TO
leave no reasonable doubt In tho mind
that the truth is as stated by the protest
nntS It is proved without denial that
tho Book OF Doctrine and Covenants. ono
of the leading authorities OF the Mormon
and stlll circulated by that
church as book equal In authority TO
tho RIblo and the Book of Mormon. con-
fains tho revelation regarding polygamy,
Of which the following Is part;
6I And again, as pertaining TO tho law OF
tho prlcathood; II any man espouso virgin
and desires To Cspou5e another and the nret
rive her consent. and II ho espouse the second,
any they uro virgins and havc vowed To no
,thcr man then ho Is Justlhcd-he cannot
commit adultery. for they nre given unto him:
or ne cannot commit adultery with that tbot
,eIongeth 10 him and 10 no one clso.
81 And II he have lp virgins gNon unto
,im by this law he cannot commit adultery.
'or they belong To him nnd they are given
INTO him. therefore ls he justified.
g. But II either OF the 10 virgins.
nan she has committed adultery and ehall bo
lestr0 80 'hsV given unto hln 10