Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-04
NORMONS MEET AT LAMONT
Reorganized Church Combats Prac.
tice Of Plural Marriages,
HEAD IS SON OF FOUNDER SMITH
Has Nothing in Common with
Utah Sect Except Belief I'm
Divinity OF Book Of
Mormon.

Ia, April
R~eorganized Church OF the Latter Day
Saints will hold its annual general con-
ference at this place. beginning the ses-
sions next Tuesday. Sessions will be held
daily Until about the twentieth.
This organization is the non-polygamous
branch OF the so-called Mormon church
and has nothing In common with the
church in Utah outside OF a belief in the
divinity Of the Book Of Mormon and the
revelations given to Joseph Smith, the
founder Of the Mormon church. The re-
organized church has persistentiy fought
the doctrine and practice Of polygamy
and its leading men have done much in as
sisting legislation which put a stop to
plural marriages by the organization in
Utah. That Il IL the legal successor of
the original church has been fully estab-
lished. and upon various court decisions
to that effect II has been allowed to re-
tain possession OF property held by the
old church.
Lamont is the official headquarters OF
ne church. although its presidency main
Ains offices in Independence, Mo, which
"a the home of President Joseph Smith.
President Smith is the oldest son Of the
Prophet Joseph Smith, who was killed by
n mob OF religious intolerants in 1874. He
IL now n years old, but is quite vigorous
n body and retains unusual powers OF
hsind. Unfortunately, his name is the same
as that of the president OF the Utah Nor
mon church, the latter being Joseph f.
Smith. the son Of Hyrum Smith, brother
OF the prophet. who was killed in 1874
at Carthage, III. This similarity OF names
has been the cause of some confusion, but
the lives of the two men have been en-
tirely foreign to each other. and meas
ured by the standard OF Christianity, moral
ity. represent a contrast instead of a COM
~parison.
The counselers OF President Smith in
the presidency Of the R~eorganized body
are Frederick NJ. Smith, a son, and Rich
ard G.. Evans Of Toronto. Ontario. These
three men will be in charge of all meetings
OF the conference.
Church Industries mt Lamont.
The publishing house OF the church is
maintained at Lamont The Herald Pub
fishing house is a modern printing and
book binding establishment, where a high
degree of efficiency is shown in all grades
Of printing art. as is evidenced by three
color work on sale in the book stores
of the town. The Saints Herald is the
official organ OF the church, but a num-
Der OF other periodicals are published.
among them being a monthly magazine OF
no small merit. The Herald office sup
plies the town with electric energy for
lighting purposes and the entire plant
represents an investment in excess Of
500, 900.
other church institutions are also found
in Lamont. Two homes for the. aged are
here, with a large tract of land In con-
~nection. Graceland college is also man
--E H. % 49, .I.V.Ak
although it's work is kept entirely along
nonsectarian lines.
These combined interests have made
Lamont one of the best towns in the
country. The church members are law
abiding and industrious and are on the
best of terms with the citizens OF 9th r
faiths. The publishing house being here,
the mail business is the largest of any
town of like size in the United States.
IT is now the mecca for all Latter Day
Saints at this time, but it divides
honors with Independence, Mo, in get
ting these annual gath erings. Each train
brings scores of delegates, until the town
IL overrun, and 1t proves a severe tax
upon the local member to shelter the
visitors.
The leading quorums OF the church are
already in session and the quorum of
the twelve apostles. which has charge
Of the work in all lands. has been hold
ing meetings since March 16.
The auxiliary societies hold meetings
prior to the general conference of the
church proper, They are the lions
Religio-Literary society and the General
Sunday School association. The first Is
a society similar to the Epworth league
and the second has charge of all the Sun
day schools In the branches of the sect.
j. A. Gunsoliy OF Lamont is president
of the Religio and T. A. Hougas of Hen
derson, Ia. is superintendent of the sun
day School association. This year the
conventions of these societies occupy
about four days before the conference of
the church and they are always held at
the same place set for the annual gath
eFing OF the faithful.