Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-10-23

literary and musical culture Of its
members, and IL exerts a similar in
fiuence over their amusements and re-
creations. One of the first things
Brigham Young did after founding his
empire in the Wasatch valley was to
build a theater, n social hall for dane
Ing and other assemblies, and the Off
cials OF the Church have always exer-
clsed a censorship over the manage
ment OF these popular places OF amuse-
ment. The erection OF the 500, 900
pavilion at the lake was simply a con-
tinuation OF the philanthropic policy
70 promote the enjoyment and thereby
the contentment OF the masses.
From the beginning the officials Of
the Church has endeavored TO control
the political opinions and actions of its
members, although this effort has not
been entirely successful. The mem
bershlp OF the Church is and
always has been. divided In npin-
ion on national issues. such as
the tariff and the currency. the
forestry policy and the disposition OF
been an attack or a threat against Zion
they have stood unanimously 10 resist
IT, And today the officials OF the presi-
dency like those OF every other organ
ization in existence, secular or re-
ligious. endeavor TO use their power
and influence to control every vote they
can reach for the election OF such men
as they believe to be favorable 60 their
ideas and their interests
This is done by several other religious
denominations. The Methodist church,
the Christian church, the Roman
Catholic church and every other de-
nomination invariably endeavors 20
unite its members in the support or
the defense of what IL believes 20 bs
Iii
The Mormon Church does the same.
with the advantage OF a more compact
and thorough organization.
II is also charged that the Church
has been and still r. guilty of com
mercialism," OF avarice and sorJid
methods to increase its wealth and
thereby its influence. As an evidence
OF this disposition its critics point out
the cooperative policy that Is followed
In commercial and Industrial matters
aad the investment OF ecclesiastical
funds in business enterprises In reply
the defenders OF the Church exItain that
the cooperative idea has always pre-
vailed from its organization and that
the Office Of "trustee-in-trust" was
first held by the Prophet Joseph Smith
at Nauvoo, ILL.,. and was established
In conformity with the laws of that
state. which require every religious
body TO have financial agent 10 act
for II and 10 hold the legal title 10 its
real estate and other property.
Ever since that time the president
OF the Church or one OF the apostles
has been chosen at a general confer
ence 70 act as "trustee-in-trust for the
body Of religious worshipers known as
the Church OF Jesus Christ OF Latter
day Saints" The powers and response
biiities attached 10 this office are pre-
cisely those imposed on the bishops OF
the Roman Catholic church. IN whose
name all the real estate and other
property stands. and the bishops are
expected to exercise their judgment,
with the advice OF such laymen as they
have confidence In. wherever IL il neoes-
sary or advisable 10 eNpend or invest
the funds intrusted 10 their care.
The Office or "tuusteo-in-trust'' has
been held by Joseph Smith, Brigham
Young. John Taylor. Wilford Woodruff
Lorenzo Snow Joseph =. Smith, and
other men, who have shown cxtraordi-
nary shfewdness In the management II
the financial Affairs OF the Church
Brigham Young, for example, invested
the Church funds I'm the Deseret TeIe-
graph line, which was built entirely
with Mormon capital and labor: he in
vested heavily I'm the promotion of the
Union and central Pacific railroads. he
organized lions Cooperative Nercan-
tile Institution, n mammoth concern
which does the larger part Of the mer-
camille business OF the State OF Utah.
and has been managed with remark
able ability. President Woodruff luilt
the Pioneer Electric Power company al
a cost OF several million dollars. the
Church has promoted the beet sugar in
dustry with great libeality and enter
prise, IL Is the principal owner OF sew
cral large irrigation projects and other
business enterprises which were IN
tended 10 develop the resources ana the
Industries OF Utah. There has how
ever been no speculation, ana / was
informed by a reliable authority that
the Church has never held a share OF
mining stock
The trust" Is prominent In
many business concerns lie is "a d.
rector IN many companies by inherit
lance from his predecessors. As the
financial agent Of the church ne exer-
cises n tremendous influence in bank
ing, commercial Industrial mercantile
and agricultural affairs As the agent
~ the Church, he controls several 81
the largest banking institutions in
ltah; building aud loan associations
Insurance companies, and other corpor-
ations which are distinctivoly Mormon
ana are accused Of faVoring the Nor
mon element OF the population.
That. however ls one of the objects
N the church. which cndcaNors 90 pro.
mote the material as well as the spirit
ual welfare Of its members. ~ not only
edu,ates them and provides them with
amusem0nts. bat 70 teaches them thrift
economy. honesty, ana encourages The
accumulation OF wealth as well as the
raising N large families This D. per-
fectly natural, The larger the family
the IuHNtT The f'HUHfHN. the rInHIr fnf
Individual the more tithcs which are
still paid by every Mormon rich CO..
poor, high or low, capitalist on lahorer.
10 tho extent of onc-tenth of hls an-
nual income. The higher men in the
Church giye this offering a. well as the
the aged. the care uf the widows and
orphans. FOR building temples and
hnune. nf MnrahIn. lnr nrnmnllnE Inn