The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1907-11-23
No Attack on Religion.

In discussing the Mormon problem The Scimi-
tar intends DOING it is to be constantly borne in mind
that are not arguing about any ones religion,
beliefs or religious creed We combating the
practices of the Mormon organization which not
consistent with American citizenship, the teachings
of Christianity The corner stone of the system is
polygamy, it has been since it openly
proclaimed by Brigham Young in 1852 divine
command given by direct revelation by God himself
to the Prophet Joseph "The Reorganized Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" commonly
called the Josephites" insists that Joseph Smith, r,
the Prophet and founder of the church, received
such revelation and that he only did practice
poygamy but forbade it, and denounced it.
The Josephites claim that Brigham Young the
originator and first promulgator of the doctrine
The Josephite preachers ready and anxious at
all times and places to meet the "Br1ghamltes (as
the Mormons in Utah and Idaho, and generally,
desgnated) in debate the Josephites standing ready
to prove that there is no authority in the church
teachings, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine
and Covenants for poygamy church dictation in
politics or commercialism Be this it may and
accepting it a fact that Joseph Smith, Jr.
taught and practced the identical things which the
Brghamites now teach and practice po1ygamy, union
of church and state and commercalism, it does not
count against the Josephites No matter what the
founders of the church taught and practiced, the
Josephites now and for many, many years have been
the most determined enemies of all these obnoxious
things.
The Josephites accept all the history of the finding
of the plates of their translation by Joseph and the
Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants They
believe that Joseph was the inspired representative
of God They accept with intense fervor all that is
religious in their creed Their hope is to convince
the Brighamites of the true faith and to persuade
them to be Christians and not blind followers of a
polygamous, reasonable and law-defyng hierarchy.
Every good citizen and Christian wishes the Joseph
ties WE'LL
They teach and practice virtue, morality and the
highest type of citizenship. They strong in
parts of the United States, and accounted among
the best citizens wherever they are Their ministers
belong to the general ministerial associations, and
they cooperate with other Christian forces for the
uplifting of mankind.
Their headquarters are at Lamont, Iowa, where
they have schools and colleges and are recognized
by the entire state of Iowa power for good
Joseph Smith, son of the Prophet is their presi-
dent They have the twelve apostles and their church
organization is different from that of the Brig
hamites'
The "Josephtes" are constantly embarrassed on
account of confusing them with the "Brghamites."
This explanation will make it plain we hope that in
obiecting to Mormonism The Scimtar refers always
to the reasonable and polygamous "Brghamites."
1t should make it plain also that anywhere
is attacking any ones religion. Whatever of religion
there is in Mormonsm the 'Reorganized Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" teaches and
practices and they never molested or assailed.
If any one dissents from their beliefs creed,
they do so as they do with the Presbyterian, Episco
pal Catholic or any other belief creed. In other