The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-02-15
An Apostolic Organizer.

Idaho was the division of Bingham stake and the
creation of Rigby stake, of which Don c. Walker
of Lewisville, was chosen president
The new stake ceremonies were conducted by
Apostle John Henry Smith and his presence in Idaho
in his spiritual capacity reminds The Scmitar that
there is something in his past history that is worth
referring to, showing, it does, that he is richly
endowed in those Mormonistic attributes that make
follower of God and teacher of His word
Apostle John Henry Smith was a witness before
the Smoot senatorial investigating committee and
testified follows
Mr. Tayer. When did you become an apostle?
Mr. Smith. In 1880, think, if my memory serves
Mr. Tayler How many wives have you?
Mr. Smith. Two.
Mr. Tayler. And you have had children born
since the manifesto by your plural wife?
Mr. Smith. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tayler. How many?
Mr.. Smith I couldn't say. There were several
of them
The Chairman. Could you, by reflection, tell the
committee about how many Of the seven were born
since 1890?
Mr.. Smith I should think there were four Of
them
Mr. Tayler. Were you one of the signers of the
application for amnesty?
Mr. Smith. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tayler. Do you remember the Interpretation
put upon it by MILFORD Woodruff and the other lead
ers of the church? And the testimony of Joseph F.
application well to poygamous cohabitation as to
entering into new polygamous relation? You sub
scribe to their view of it, do you?
Mr. Smith Yes sir.
Mr. Tayler You propose to continue the practice
that you then started upon the theory that there is
higher obligation upon you than the obligation to
obey the law?
Mr. Smith. Yes; must suffer the consequences
if my countrymen see fit to punish me.
Mr.. Tayler. That relation that you contracted
and others like you prior to the manifesto, to your
a1ofin tIot IyOf1 ed
with the approval of God?
Mr.. Smith That is it.
Mr.. Tayler And no law of the land can dissolve
that?
Mr. Smith No, sir
Mr.. Tayler Or interfere with that?
Mr.. Smith. No, sir.
1t is we'll enough to know from ones mouth
what ones Interpretation of the law and the gospel
is According to his confession Apostle
Smith is in violation of the law and like his super
ior, the president of the Mormon church, proposes
to continue his violation of the law something that
he could not do with impunity were he not unaw-
fully protected by officials who their first alleg
lance the church, rather than to the duties they
to perform.
This is the point to make clear to the citizens of
Idaho whose governing functions have been usurped
by a so-caled religious organization
Apostle Smith, organizer of a stake within their
Jurisdictions violator of law and morals, exercises
his presty authority 5000 inhabitants of
territory ten by twelve miles in extenta such being
the dimensions of the stake and the Mormon popu-
laton therein His influence must be exercised, of
coursen behalf of the institution that he enjoys
as confessed criminal and which all of Mormon
dom sustans and defends.
The three thousand residents of Idaho, under the
spell of his baneful power are bound to become, in
heory and practice, wicked as he is, for he is
heir spiritual director. What of the future people