The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-06-13
LIVING oRAcLEs" sNUFFED.


God; and as they speak they are
moved upon by the Holy Ghost ex-
claims Elder Brigham RI. Roberts. OF
course that was merely some more Of
the Roberts braggadocio in the taber'
nacle. But it is extremely expressive
of the blasphemy which the priesthood
utter in wanton profusion.
People would be glad of Mr..
Roberts S opinion as to whether or not
Joseph f, Smith was "moved upon by
the HOLY Ghost when he testified in
/ Washington that he would obey or dis
obey the commands of the Almighty
with impunity; when he confessed that
among the polygamists of the Mormon
church he was the greatest culprit of
them all; when he stated that it was
extremely embarrassing to him to have
his numerous family relations exposed
TO the world; when he admitted that he
was law.brea5er, and when he an
nounced that il was his determination
to so continue; when he confessed that
he had been one TO ask for amnesty,
under a promise TO cease his offenses.
and that he had ruthlessly broken tho
conditions of that amnesty; when he
announced that nc had never received
revelation, nor uttered a prophecy
and that no did not pretend to do
either, although claiming TO be a
prophet Of God; when he untruthfully
stated that Genties of this community
winked at his aw-breaking: when he
came home and told the people in the
tabernacle that when he was at Wash
ingtoD he had lied in order to escape
traps which had been set for him by
his enemies. A very interesting rec
ord, that. for a man whom Mr., Roberts
designates as one "movcd upon by the
Holy Ghost
Francis NJ. Lyman, John Henry Smith
and Brigham ii. Roberts wero also
among the "living oracles'' who were
"moyed upon by the Holy Ghost - at
Washington TO confess that they had
unlawfully taken unto themselves num-
erous wives, and that they were then
living In illicit relationship with more
women than the laws permit men to
abide with, Probably no better author
ity than Mr.. Roberts could be quoted
concerning the sins of himself and the
other "living oracles.' and we will
present a portion of the Roberts testi.
mony in order to show how these men
are "moved upon by the Holy Ghost
in their daily lives:
Mr. Talyer.--How does its 1.-THE mani
festosI force differ from the force of the
Mr.. Roberts'-Not at all.
Mr. Tayler.-Then the disobed ence of
one is as offensive to the church as the
Mr. Roberts, should think 1t would
Mr.. Tayler.-,I think that Is all want
The Chairman,--And both are OF equal
binding authority?
Mr.: Roberts...Yes,. sir
The Chairman.-Let me ask you ques-
ton right In this connection. In view OF
the manifesto and the law. do you con,
with all your wives?
Mr. Roberts, do.
Mr. Van Cott-Mr Roberts. do you re-
gard the manifesto just as binding on the
Mr., Roberts.~I do.
Mr.. van Cott,-Do you believe IL ls IN
spired?
Mr.. Roberts.-Yes.
The logic OF the Roberts attitude is
not quite clear to the lay mind. How !
he can harmonize his statements with
his practices is matter which reaches
beyond the uninspired intellect possess
ed by the ordinary law-abiding citizen.
Yet he has the effrontery to present |
his crooked views, with the expectation !
that sensible people will accept them
without question. But it is quite in
line with the cowardice of the priest
hood for the bierarchs ia blame their
law breaking to the moving of the !
"Holy Ghost" 1t is characteristic Of {
their offensive blasphemy to declare |
that it is the Holy Spirit which
prompts them to stand In defiance of |