The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-07-25
Violating Rule and Law.


before the senatorial committee investigating Reed
Smoot, said that the continuance of the matrimonial
relationship between husband and plural wife was
a violation of a law or rule of the church, as we'll
as of the law of the land.
Prophet Smith admitted that he was violating that
rule of the church and law of the land and was
taking his chances being punished under the
law of the land, though lie might be in danger
from the rule of the church, which is easy on seers
prophets, elders and the like.
Mr.. Smiths case showed that there is protec-
tive elasticity the rule of the church and it follows
that, in a Mormon governed land, the law bends
when the rule bends.
The head of the Mormon church specifically stated,
under oath that both the church and the civil
government made it obligatory upon a polygamist
to abstain from those relations and practices that
render Mormonism odious in christian land, and
although the head of the church is an oftperjured
being, he must remain authority such sub
jects, because his decree is higher than rule of
the church or a law of the land.
In recent issue of the Salt Lake Tribune is told
a story that conflicts directly with the test-
mony of Mr.. Smith, besides presenting of the
revolving features of the establishment which
Mr. Smith presides as the spokesman of God. The
Tribune says:
The Tribune's correspondent related that
took unto himself two wives. This however,
many years ago; and upon that account solely Gre
viewing the circumstances under which the polyg
amous status was entered) there could be no partc-
ular condemnation of the within the church.
About eight years ago. however, this twice married
Mormon elder removed his first family to Idaho,
leaving his second wife at Brigham City to shift
for herself and her children Recently he paid
visit to the latter place. and attempted to
his relations with the whom he had aban-
doned. The details are so nauseous that respect
for the sensbities prohibit their recital here But
the children-an elder son and daughter, especially
who had shaved to obtain livelihood for the aban-
doned family-objected to the immoral encroachment
upon the sanctity of the household and they elected
the elder and father. This man, though seeking
to gain from the oath-bound priesthood which
had sworn to support him in all things which were
within the practices of his religion, appealed to the
bishop Of the Brigham City third ward Lorenzo
Stohl This iniquitous flunkey of his 1awbreaking
chiefs rendered his decision to the effect that the
that the permission and blessing Of the holy priest
hood would be with him in the pursuit of his
duty. To the JOY of the moral ghouls who be-
lieve in raising up righteous seed unto the Lord"
the poor found herself helpless and unpro-
tected in her soul-worrying condition. In all of
which iniquity this diabolc bishop, Lorenzo Stohl
acquiesced
The decision of the bishop, in which he con-
signed helpless woman to the horrors of an
abominable system, does not coincide with the
churchy presidents Interpretation of the rule of the
church and the land stated under the .so1emnity
Of OATH Yet the bishop would not venture to
oppose the will of the presy affant and would not
assume the conclusion he has enforced upon a
plural wife endeavoring to escape from the marital
e1ation without knowing that he would be sustained
oy the head of the church. in case an appeal was
AIKEN
Bishop Stohl is one of the gems in the diadcm