Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-08-25

ment and population. They are held
no as set Of slaves under the domi-
nation OF priestly rulers who dictate
them IN business, In politics and In
every act Of life. Yet there is not the
slightest Indication Of this In any ~
their cities and towns and hamlets
No orders Of the kind alleged can be
produced. no individual can be brought
forward who has been told how to vote
al an election or required TO submit
20 any edict affecting his life or proper
~
The Church does not attempt to DOM
lnate the state nor interfere with It's
functions. II does not hold or claim
any r. ght 10 DO so. It's leaders give
advice 10 members when necessary as
10 mo ais religious duties. social order,
education and various rules Of conduct
for their wen being peace. harmony
and happiness. but there Is nothing
In the nature Of force or coet-
cion or compulsion On all the doctrines
and discipline Of the Church. Every
member Is perfectly free IN political
matters and there Is not the slightest
shadow OF truth In stories that are
told 10 the contrary Every party aud
lection is free to work in its own
sphere and the same kind " organiSa-
lions for those purposes have their
following here as elsewhere
We hold that the rights Of citizenship
are not impaired by membership In any
Church or religious society A Nor
mon r. entitled TO the full privileges u
a citizen II he is native born or natural
tied. Just as much as n h. Was Of any
other faith or Of no faith 90 ALL Of
Zee 90 the Church docs not deprive him
or eligibility to office ln the state ON
this point there has been much contro-
vorsy arising partly from misuuder-
standing and paruy from prejudice and
Misrepresentation The ministry 90 tho
Church Of lAttcr-day Saints is in this
respect different from that IN most 9TH
or Churches. I'm thar t is not a paid
ministry and those who of1ciate iu Ii
are employed usually IN secular pur-
suits from which they derive their in
comes either wholly or in great part.
But election to political Office in their
ease comes in the usual manner by
selection iu party convention and voting l
at the polls. and in no case as q re-
llglous claim or prerogative 10 may he I
a matter Of policy or taste on the part /
Of the candidate and his supporters. /
but our position Is that every Nor
mon citizen. using that term 20 make
the matter clear is entitled to the same
political rights as other citizens. no less
and no more Also that there Is nothing
in his creed or Church duty lnimlcal
to his fidelity 10 The government or out
Of harmony herewith.
The Kingdom or God. as believed IN
by the Latter-day Saints or Nor.
mons. 50 far as il Is to affect the
governments Of the world. is a future
possibility II Is confidently looked for
md fondy anticipated. The present
'hurch and Kingdom Is an ecclesias-
zeal organization, pure and simple,
,ut bearing in II the promise and po-
ency of that which Is to come. IL Is
lot in conflict with the United States
W any other earthly government. II
caches submission TO them and loyal
y 70 the powers that be" II recog-
ligos the powers bestowed by the Con-
titution Of our country upon the dif-
ercnt branches ~ the national gov
rnmcnt and viii be found their
launch friend and not In any sense
heir enemy.
At the same time this Church looks
or the advent Of Him whose right It is
% reign over an the earth. and teaches
he necessity Of preparation for His
oning. And ~ members believe that
NJ that has been foretold by inspired
mem concerning the supremacy Of the
Divine rule viii come to pass. Thrones
,ill totter empires fall. msrulc, op.
ression and tyranny will be abolished.
liberty win prevail truth VIZ triumph,
human rights win be maintained. war
yill cease peace viii be established,
ND the Kingdom Of God viii cover the
whole earth and an nations viii be sub.
.ucd unto Him. For this grand con-
We work and pray but now
Sc simply build up the Church and
pirlual Kingdom Of Christ and take
'ur place as citizens OF the government
II this country. sustaining IL with an