The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-06-20
. A STRONG ADDRESS.

On Tuesday night the members Of
the American club we're treated to a
very interesting address oy Professor
Frank r. Christensen. There was much
interest shown in Mr.. Christensen s re-
marks for the reason that he has been
member Of the Mormon cFHrah. He
was able to present mis- views III an
unusually clear and concise FORM and
his intimate knowledge Of The subject
with which he dealt equipped him fully
on the facts. and his trained mind
fitted him for right and keen conclu-
sions in logic.
One of the most important Of the
ideas presented by Mr. Christensen in
wolves condition winch has always
been present in any controversy con
ducted by tho priesthood in supposed
defense of their many positions. To
quote tho speaker, this is the condition
referred to; ~.-1-
The most reprebeusible feature Of Nor
mouisin is that It's priesthood is able TO
take its standard works. writings and al
legged revelations and prove the afiirma-
tive or converse Of amy proposition IN
voved in the Mormon question, accord
ing TO the necessities OF the moment.
That this statement is accurate can
he proved by examination Of the utter
anccs Of prominent men in the Mormon
church, and assertions made by tho
church organ, within tho past two
weeks. In order to still further en-
phasiEc The truth of, Mr.. Christensen s
presentation upon this particular point,
The Tribune will make a few reproduc-
tions of the hierarchical pronounce
ments Here is Roberts, in his very
recent address to the young men and
young women oC his church:
Though the church proclaimed against
the continuation OF this relationship,
though the state proclaimed against st,
neither the State nor the church may alb
solve the moral obligations that am un-
der or release me from that moral duty
Clearly that is defiance Of law, so
long as law conflicts with the Roberts
belief. Brigham "A. Roberts is an au~
thoritative speaker for the Mormon
church and upon this particular occa
sion he had been especially chosen to
speak in behalf of the hierarchs, who
call themselves prophets. The presi-
dent of the Mormon church pretends TO
be the legal successor of Joseph Smith,
Jr., the founder of the organization
and TO have succeeded 10 all Of the
powers, authorities, keys, and insrira
tions possessed by him. He also claims
to be the chief defender OF the prnci-
pies enunciated by the original seer.
Roberts spoke authoritatively for Jo
seph F. Smith, this present head Of the
church, and naturally his word must
bc taken as expressing the prophetic
attitude, viz, that the representatives
of the Mormon polvgamous god deem
their beliefs and opinions to be sill
pcricr over the law, and that wherein
the two may conflict, the law shall he
ignored, But even if the Roberts pre-
scntation in this matter he insufficient,
there is the Smith testimony to the
effect that ne is law breaker and that
he intends TO continue as such For
the. purpose of showing how Roberts
and Smith may bc quoted on one side
OF n proposition, and how the opposite
can be proved from the standard works
Of the church. we quote from the Doc
trire and Covenants:
Let no man break the laws of the land.
for he that kecpeth the laws OF God hath
no need 10 break the laws Of the land.
So the standard work Of the church
tells the prophet and his spokesman
that they are breaking God S laws,
while they admit that they are defying
those of the land. But that is no more
surprising than is the self.contradiction
contained in the law book itself, which
will appear in the following reproduced
paragraphs
For marriage is ordained Of God unto
man.
Wherefore it Is lawful that he should
have one wife. and they twain shall be
one hesh,-Doctrine and Covenants, Sec.
40. Par. 10. l6.
And II he have ten virgins given unto