The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-04-06

of individual existence, in which every
soul shall find Its place, as determined
by justice and mercy, with opportuni-
ties of endless progression, in the
varied conditions of eternity.
We believe in the free agency of
man, and therefore in his individual
responsibility.
We believe that salvation is for NO
select few, but that all men may be
saved through obedience TO the laws
and ordinances of the gospel.
We affirm that TO administer in the
ordinances of the gospel, authority
must be given of God; and that this
authority is the power of the holy
priesthood.
We affirm that through the minis
tration Of immortal personages, the
holy priesthood has been conferred
upon men in the present age; and that
under this divine authority the Church
Of Christ has been organized.
We proclaim the objects OF this or
ganization to be, the preaching of the
gospel in all the world, the gathering
Of scattered Israel, and the prepara,,
ton of a people for the coming OF
the Lord.
Mormonism'' seeks its converts
among all classes and conditions OF So
cIety, and those who accept IT are
among the best men and women of the
nations from which they come-honest,
industrious, vIrtuous, and reverent. In
their community bfe they are peace
able. aw-abiding and exemplary. Their
instincts, traditions and training are
opposed TO vice and crime. The rell-
zion they have embraced, the church
OF which they are members, condemns
every form of evil, and their lives, with
few exceptions, are opponents OF
righteousness. Many of the early prose-
l.. vgnr 1oCr
the Pilgrims and Puritans. Joseph
Smith, Brigham Young, and other lead
ers among the Latter-Day Saints,
traced their lineage to the founders anu
first defenders of the nation. Joseph
Smith was a native of Vermont, and by
vocation farmer. All trades and pro-
fessions were drawn upon for mem
bership of the church, In England, its
first foreign mission field, 1T was mann
" the middle and working classes that
responded to the gospel message All
over the world it has been the, same
our converts have been men and women
of character, intelligence, and lnteg-
rty. There is nothing in Mormon
ISM to attract the selfish or the v1lc.
The effort to differen,inte the Nor.
mon" priesthood and the Mormon y
people, by allowing that the latter are
a good, honest thouga misguided folk,
while alleging that their leaders are the
nersonitication of all that is bad, is 4
most futile one. The great majority OF
the male members of the church hold
the priesthood and though constituting
tho official body of the church, they are
a portion of the people. Prizes sthood and
people are ipseparable, and, vlndlcated
or condemned, stand together.
Invites Investigation.
The charge that the church rclcs up
on duplicity III the propagation of her
doctrines, and shuns enlightened lnves-
tipation, is contrary to reason and fact.
Deceit and fraud in the perpetuation
of any religion must end in failure, y
system of religion, ethics. or philosophy,
to attract and hold the attention of
men, must be sincere in doctrine and
honest in propaganda. That the church
EMPLOYS deceptive methods; that she
has ono doctrine for the priesthood and
another for the people; that she teaches
one set of principles to her members
In Zion, and another to the worlds
not true Enlightened investigation ii
the very means To promote bel1ef IN her
principles, and extend the bcnehcent
influence of her institutions. From the
beginning, enlightened investigations
has been one thing she has sought, To
secure this she has sent her mission
aries into all parts of the world. cs-
pecially to the ccnters OF civilization
Continued on Page Ten.)