Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-08-11
Relative Of the Prophet Joseph
Smith in Chippewa
Falls.
CLAIMS ARE NOT SINCERE
ON the Part OF Certain Elder. OF 30.
sephitc Church admissions Made
And Then Denied.

Chippewa Falls Ia. July SILT will
be perhaps interesting 20 the readers OF
the Deseret News TO leatn that close
relative OF the Prophet Joseph is liy-
ing IN this town who has until recently
occupied the position OF ana elder In the
Re-organized church, but now belongs
10 the Roman Catholic church. The
result OF the conversation between the
undersigned elders and this member OF
the Smith family will also throw light
upon the methods OF the Reorganites In
denying the fact that the prophet prac.
tised the principle OF plural marriage
during his lie.
We found Edison ID. e.. Smith. who Is
son OF William Smith. brother OF the
prophet. few days ago. living about
one and a half miles outside Of the city
limits OF Chippewa Falls and had the
following interview. In response Of our
request to give US a short sketch OF his
life. Edison Smith had this to say:
u was born IN the year 1852 IN Elka-
der, Clayton county. Ia, and Joined the
Reorganized church IN 1855. Previous
TO this ! had not affiliated with any
church. A few years after joining that
church | was ordained an elder and
commissioned 70 preach the gospel i'm
different parts Of the United States. Al
though | did not possess a strong tes-
timony in regard TO the claims OF JOS
eph Smith as a prophet Of God l en-
deayored 20 perform my duties as an
elder IN that church. often when
standing In the pulpit and preaching 20
a congregation, however. | FELT keeqly
that | was lacking divine authority 10
Il . f.ls. a an
upon me- About six years ago Elder
p. w. Chathnen. residing In lndepcnd-
ence, Jackson count,, No. came 20 my
house and while conyersing with him |
asked him the question whether Il had
come to his knowledge that Joseph
Smith had practised polygamy I'm re-
Spouse to this question Elder Chathncn
stated that the prophet had practised
that principle al one time during his
career. He also told me that William
Smith. my father, had lived In plural
marriage. This statement made such
an impression upon my mind that ! lost
an faith IN the principles advocated by
my church, lnasmuch as my father was
high priest IN the Recognized church
and | have been always very much
opposed TO the teachings Of plural mar
ragc. shortly afterwards ] left that
church and Joined the Catholic church,
which IN my opinion holds the keys yet.
which We're given 10 Peter by Christ
Himself" When the undersigned en-
tered upon the principles Of the gos-
pei as restored through the Prophet
Joseph and made comparison with the
written word IN the Bible. showing the
harmony Of both aud the tulhllment
Of prophecy. Edison Smith remarked: Il
have finished investigating the princi-
pies as taught by Joseph Smith. ! have
| found the Church OF Christ and win re-
main I'm the Catholic church,"
We wish 20 state that Elder Chath-
! men Of the Reorganized church Is high
| I'm authority IN that church and the fact
| that ne possesses the knowledge that
/ the Prophet Joseph practised polygamy
| Is sufficient evidence Of the insincerity
OF the claims OF the Reorganites 10 the
contrary. Whether Edison Smith would
| be willing 10 give an affidavit 10 the
| foregoing statement We don't know.
| lie expressed himself that he could do
/ so, but didn't know whether Il would
! pay him 10 trouble about H.
The work In Chippewa Falls Il pro-
crossing and we are convinced that a
few souls will be added 10 the fold OF
| Christ in the near future.
The Deseret News is always well
come visitor. and its contents are duly
EDWARD JANOsCHEK,
JOHN 4. BOURNE.