The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-09-01

Care is required in speaking upon this
subject. Some count little of Importance
except actual conversion; while Nor
mons are apt to say that Mormonism has
never changed-it is exactly what 1t has
always been. One who was wiser than
we foretold the way OF Christian progress
by the Illustration, First the blade. then
the ear. and then the full corn In the
ear
AS to the efforts OF class OF oMor-
mons 10 deny all changes In their re-
ligious system towards Christianity,
reluctant admission OF some kind can
be Wrung from them when the facts are
fairly presented.
Discarded or Retired Mormon Teachings
There are at least fifteen Mormon
teachi ings which are no longer given the
prominence among Mormons which they
once had, and 1t Is evident that many OF
them would gladly be consigned TO obli-
won II IT were possible to do so. These
l. Blood atonement This teaching
| does not need to be explained to this au-
dience 1t is only necessary to say that
attempts nave been made to deny that
such doctrine was ever taught by Nor
mons. When the matter was under con-
sheraton In n town in Idaho. n man who
had been raised Mormon opposed the
deniais by remarking, There is no doubt
| but that blood atonement was taught In
the early history OF Mormonism.' An
his father teach 1t. Stronger even than
| these Is the teaching OF Brigham Young,
| In the Journal OF Discourses as his lam
guage was recorded by Mormon, ad.-
way to dispose OF apostates.
2. Placing. '.all surplus property" in
thnrns the hands Of the bishop of the Mormon
the payment OF tIthing See section 119
Of Doctrine and Covenants The at
tempt was lately made to say that this
TO the Order of Enoch. when that expert
| ment In communism was being tried
But all the Indications OF the section
Itself go to show that 1t was intended
TO have as general an application as pos
sible. Yet Mormons are now, very nat
urally. ashamed of 1t.
3. The declaration, by Joseph the
take when they please from their enc
mics. and to pay as seemeth them good
%. and c.. Sec, 81: 27-3D 1t can wei
humiliating to a Mormon who is trying
to pose as a specimen of "the nobles
work OF God--an honest man" If Il
could have been removed from the
making more OF an admission of false
claims than was desirable. the steI
would evidently have been taken.
made than formerly of the ministration,
OF the Mormon elders. In addition to tho
services of the elders, only herbs anc
mild foods are prescribed in Doctrin'
and Covenants. section AZ. for the heal
ing OF the sick. But at present ever
the sons OF Mormon leaders are sent tt
the medical institutions OF Christendom
and are encouraged to study medicine
to the limit The surgical cases in which
1t was possible TO test so-called miracu
lous powers were evidently some of th'
influences which prepared the way 10
this change.
3 The necessity of Mormon converts
fleeing to Zion" in order 10 escap'
destruction with the unbelievers. is ~
longer urged with the zeal IL evidentl.
once was. AS the time for such destruc
tion is about seventy some years neare
than when this warning was given, ther
Is evidently considerable doubt regard
ing the reliability OF this prediction ever
among Mormons themselves. Hence tn
inconsistent course is being taken OF or
Eanizing branches of the Mormon churcl
In various parts of the United States