The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-11-19
BROTUERLY KILLING PROVED.

The Tribune has received the follow
ing letter. which Ii takes great pleasure
in giving to rho public. II is of spe-
cial interest to tho Mormon people,
and should be read by them. And we
request any and all subscribers and
readers of The Tribune to extend the
favor of bringing Inc .mmunication 10
the attention of their Mormon friends
who may Lot happen to take The
Tribune regularly. We know that these
Mormon friends will appreciate the
kindness Here is the letter:
Editor. Trlbune:-Your paper has made
a good case in establishing the fact that
the Mormous themselves slew their
prophet JOSEPH My clfief surprise arose
because tho Descrct News denied that
Mormons were implicated In the murder.
So far back as my memory extends We
have been taught that the death OF The
prophet was encompassed by a band Of
aposrates. This same idea is taught to
Mormon children today by Mormon teach
Grs and out Of books printed by The Nor
mon church for use IN Mormon schools.
One history / have IN mind is "a Young
Folks History of the Church OF Jesus
Christ Of Latter-day Saints, by Nephi
Anderson. printed by the Deseret News
I'm 1906 In chapter II of this book, en-
titled ''Thc M3rtyrdom,' this idea is
taught This chapter surely teaches
that tho aposiates and ''Judases' were
the cause of the prophets death.
But. Mr.. Editor. at this late day II is
hardly probable that we can discover
the name Of the man who fired the faiai
shot Nor does 1t matter much. The
chief fact is that the Mormons them
selves rcbcllcd against what to them
looked like the immortality. selhshneSs.
tyranny and manifest charla tanism of the
prophet, and that many who consldered
him a fallen prophet sought his lie.
That makes the case. What right the
apostates had 10 say that the acts ~
the prophet deserved death 1 do not care
TO discuss. We are taught that We nave
no right to pass judgment upon the acts
Of the higher authorities: So far as
the good saint is concerned the authorl-
ties are without sin, whatever they may
do.
As TO the shortcomings and farreach-
ings of the present pseudo-prophet, Jo-
scph +, Smith, l wish 10 say n word.
1t is an open secret in high places that
the formation and activity OF the Ameri-
can party saved the present prophet from
being forced into retirement, Al the
time he gave his testimony in Washing
ton and confessed O) polygamous living
with five wives, GU that he would con
tinuc the same. Ca that he never had
revelation. and n few other matters.
there was some CONSERVATION In high
quarters, Plans were formulated TO Sc
lect another revelator. The admission
too much for tho authorities. The au-
thorities believed, and some OF them still
believe, that Joseph r. Smiths declara-
tion under oath that he had never re-
ceivcd a revelation disqualified him for
the position Of revclator and injured the
church throughout the world. The for
nation and rapid growth OF the American
party made IT unWlSe for the authorities
10 inaugllrate any movement TO replace
the present Noiscess RcVclator and mat"
ters were postponed. Postponement gave
Joseph +. Smith an opportunity TO
strengthen his position somewhat by sur
rounding himself with relatives. But all
is not we'll within the hierarchy. Joseph
L. is watching and also being watched.
The Tribune mentioned the revolt OF
the saints against the prophet Joseph AT
II delicate time. no wonder the Deseret
News FASTENED to deny well-known facts
of history. At any other time the News
would have sanctioned the statement OF
! The Tribune and made it a text for q
| TRADE OF abuse against aDostatcs-and
| after all, the apostatcS are the true
heroes Of Utah. | honor and respect the
| brave and sincere apostate who faces
! persecution for conscience's sake,
A LIBERAL MORMON.
The Tribune feels grateful to tho
writer Of that letter for his frank
tribute 10 our showing IN the case
of which he treats. Not only does he
see that VIC have destroyed the posi-
| ton taken in the matter by the Descret
News. but he strikes the church organ
in tender spot when be says that ordi
narily it would have approved our state
meDts for the purpose of damplng
apostates and frightening its dupes
away from any thought of apostasy.
With respect TO the more recent af
fair as concerning Joseph +. Smith and
his reign in Israel, our correspondent
J is absolutely right. An evidence Of