The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-04-03
HOW TO CONVINCE.

cohabitatiom,) but as to tho entering i'm.
TO new pOlygamouS relations, Il bald
denial Of church responsibility for these
Is made. III is manifest, however, that
the church is quite as responsible in the
one case as in the other. II is respon.
sibIo for the continued polygamou
living, primarily in inculcating tho so
called "revelation introducing 20.
lygamy, and then in urging upon IFS
members this practice, and protecting
and advancing those who complied with
the polygamous teaching. 1T is re,
sponslbIe for the new polygamy be.
cause il is only by that church s au.
thority and instrumcntality that po-
ygamy is n practical fact Now, as
heretofore, the church ordained
priesthood perform these polygamous
marriages; and now, as heretofore, the
church conceals all evidence Of tho
crime, protects and defends the cul-
prlts, and accepts them ms good and
faithful hrcthrcn and sisters. It is an
absolutely clear case that there could
'N i' I''IN IiulN save PllN lHlbuEu INC
Mormon church and its officials and
ordinances, To deny church RESPONSE
bihty. therefore. for these polygamous
marriages is 10 insult the public intelli-
gcncc, and Ia put the dcnicr in the
position of an cvadcr of the truth, a
lover of lie.
But there is an easy way out Of all
difficulty, doubt, or prevarication in
this matter If the church is sincere in
its alleged opposition TO new polyg-
amy, and earnest in its claimed de.
sire to convince the public that il has
no part or lot in these new polygamous
marriages" 4 general conference Of
the church conVenes today, to continue
for four days, to next Wednesday, in
elusive, with a breathing g-spell on Tues
day, Let there be drawn up and rati-
fled AT this conference session an ex-
press disclaimer and rcprobation OF po-
lygamy, and firm and clear con
demnation of those who are in any way
connected with these new polygamous
: marriages. Not tho wishy-washy,
evasive, backand-fill beating about the
bush so characteristic of pricstIy out
givings, that so often mean one thing
10 one part Of the community and
quite another to the other part; but a
uncquivocal, unmis-
taxable condemnation of such "mar-
riages," disfellowshiping all who
have part in them, and stating plain
ly that The courts will be furnished all
the evidence that tho church or its of.
ficials can get for the lawful punish
ment Of the transgressors,
1t is the concealing of the evidence
which makes the church party to
these crimes. 1t is the taking 10 it's
bosom of the offenders, promoting their
and in all possible ways sup
porting and aiding them in their trans
gression, that makes the church re-
sponsible for such marriages. - That
in and responsibility for
the new polygamy crimes cannot be
relieved or shaken off in any other
way than by n direct and strenuous
rePudiation Of the Iawlessness.
The question is, will the church take
this step7 If not, why not9 If it is
in its lisavowals of response
bility for this new polygamy that is so
prevalent, what possible objection can
there by to- officially denouncing it,
and visiting its penalties upon those
who by their disobcdience to law and
to church purposes and desires, bring
tho church into odium and disgrace?
The vigor and rclentlessness with
which the church Furnishes those who
really come under its displeasure and
decrccs, is well known, and has been
sternly, and sometimes cruelty, exem.
plified in its action. In view of this,
it is impossible to concede the claims
that the church opposes these new po-
lygamous marriages If il did,
there would be no room for doubt in
any ones mind of that opposition. The
fact that the church cherishes and does
not punish these new polygamists is
proof that it has not condemned them
heretofore.
But the chance IS now open to make
a clean sweep of these offenders, and
for. the church TO right itself with re-
gard TO them. The public would wei
come clear-cut, straightforward cut
ting off Of the offenders who have put
the church in such an unenviablo plight.
But no 'double-dealing! No saying one
thing and meaning another Nothing
but the most emphatic, direct, compre-
hensive, and unmistakable pronuncia-
mento viii fit the case, We should
be glad to see 1T come, but doubt if
the selfish, Iawlcss. adulterous, robbing
priesthood will permit the conference
to afford the church and its people this
needed relief.