The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1908-11-01
HIS APOSTOLIC OBLIGATIONS.

7.
presume, meetings of the apostles since
you became an apostle?
Senator Smoot-Oh, many times
Mr.. Notwithstanding even since you
have been Senator, when you were not
here? 20 i,
Senator Smoot--When / am home. II l
am In Salt Lake. ! attend those meet
ings.-Testimony in Smoot case, volume
3, page lol.
It has been claimed by and for Reed
Smoot, Tin fact. his testimony and that
of the president of the church distinct
Iy states as much,) that when he be-
came q Senator he asked for, and was
granted, leave of absence from his
apostolic duties. What business has be-
then, to attend these meetings of the
APOSTLES? One of the duties OF mem
bers of the apostolate, of course, Is TO
attend these meetings OF their orGanlza-
ton: but Smoot has been relieved OF
that duty, with others II he were at
tending to the legitimate work attach
ing to his Senatorship he would have
no time to devote to his ecclesiastIcal
Office. Il fact, the leave OF absence
was granted to him pretendedly on that
account. What business has he. in
meeting of the apostles, except to Join
tho affairs of the state with the affairs
of the church? That is the sole object.
He goes into the Salt Lake temple with
the first presidency and the apostles
to report to them upon his political mis-
sion; TO copspire with them as to the
best method of perpetuating the uncon-
"a, ;xfp xubirh fbpv n
test does not exist, to scheme for ex-
tension Of the political power of the
church over the State; and TO "tako
COUNSEL as 10 his future acts in fur
therance OF the dastardly conspiracies
by means of which the just rights OF
the voters may be taken from them.
Remembering the religious belief en-
tertained by Smeot. that he is under
obligation to obey the pretended COM
maud of the Almighty first OF all, lot
us suppose that revelation came "to
my servant Reed Smoot, through my
servant Joseph +. Smith, TO reveal to
the meeting of the first presidency and
the apostles the proceedings. for in
stance, of an executive session of the
Senate ?-or the contents of some for
eign treaty under consideration by that
body, but held in confidence 2-or the
causes for contemplated declaration of
war2-or the terms of peace compact
about 10 be concludedl What do you
think Reed Smoot would do? II you
bolieve his testimony, in oil its signifi.
cance, are you sure he would not betray
his country to tho first presidency and
the apostolate' His own words suggest
an Affirmative conclusion.
What is more, good citizens of Utah,
Reed Smoot would possibly give up
Government secrets without any pre-.
tended revelation commanding him to
do SO. You have no assurance that he
does not 90 TO the hierarchical meet
ings for that very purpose. Ii he were
possessed OF sufficient manhood to re.
fuse TO divulge, Joseph +. Smith could
threaten 10 have q revelation, aud we
imagine that would be quite sufficient.
1t is time TO break up the nefarious
combination Of church aud state in this
community. The power lies with the
citizens 10 perform this patriotic duty,
and the opportunity is to be theirs on
next Tuesday, Rally round the flag
and work out the salvation of Utah.