The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-03-27

this observation-disclosures the financial alb
solutism Of the prophets of the church
has since ruined the whole Mormon eX-
pertinent in communism. put the Mormon
paupers into the public poorhouses, used
the tithes TO support the large financial
ventures Of the prophets favorites. and
turned the church's Community enter
Prises into monopolistic exploitations OF
the Mormon people. And this change be-
pending in New York-for they were pro-
longed, for various reasons. into the
summer of 1885, and they were inter
rupted finally by the death OF Presi-
dent Woodruff
Returns to Utah.
As soon as I received word OF his i'll
ness I took the train for Utah. The
news OF his death met me on the jour
ney home. Since [ derived my sole au-
thorIty from him, upon my arrival in
Salt Lake City | went TO the cashier OF
the church, gave him the keys and the
password to the safetydeposit box in
New York. and withdrew from any fur
ther participation in the church's ffnan-
OF the presidency ! found that my father
had removed his desk: and this was an
indication to me OF what was happening
In the. inner circles of church Intrigue.
However. it was impossible for us TO
maintain the church's credit in the east
by some choate authority, since our
credit rested on the belief that the Nor
mon people were ready to consecrate all
their possessions al any time TO the
OF the president ] advised the apostles
of this fact Snow was elected presi
after Woodruffs death. He followed the
usual precedent IN choosing my father
and Joseph f. Smith as his councillors.
At once upon his accession to power.
no notified us that he did not intend
TO carry ont any such plan as We had
suggested for tho administration OF the
church's finances. II meant diffusion
Of authority; and he held that the best
results had been obtained by keeping all
power in the hands OF the prophet, seer
might appoint to work with him. To-
GeDh i. Smith, at meeting Of the presi-
dency, was even more positive: No good.
he said, could come of Publishing the
affairs Of the community TO the people
Of IT, those affairs were purely tho CON
Germ Of the prophets; the Lord revealed
responsible only to him.
My father necessarily bowed 10 the
PRESIDENTS decision. "lt is within the
authority OF the prophet of tbe Lord
he coUnseled me. TO determine how he
will conduct the business Of the church
President Snow has his own ideas
Money Power Created.
BY that decision, as ! see 1t now, an
autocracy Of financial power was con-
nrmed to the president of tho Mormon
prosperity among its people was about
to make such power fatal 10 their lib
critics II was confirmed 10 a man who
proved himself eager for Vt. ambitious
to increase II. and secretly INSCRIPTIONS
In his use OF il. He proceeded ut once
TO preach tho doctrine of contribution
with uncXamplcd zeal. hut he admins
tered tho common fund" so collected
with none of the old feeling OF respon
sibity TO the people who contributed
It, He became the irst OF the new finan
cia pontifts OF the church who have
used the money power" as an aid TO
domination.
Moreover, IN his desire to al the cof
fers of the church he engaged in "prac-
teal politics" and made profit out OF
church influence both in business enter
priscs and IN political campaigns.
His accession marked the change from
the old 10 the new regime In Utah. Lead
c"shp was no longer n dangerous honor.
no longer made the authori |
ties OF the church strong by persecution
hardy chiefs OF "a poverty-strickeu peo-
ple--lcaders as sensible of the obligatio
of power AS their followers were faithful
In their allegiance of duty Political
freedom and worldly prosperity made the |
office Of president n luxurious sover- |
eighty easily trN9nulcal fortified I'm its |
religious absolutism by It's irresponsible
power of finance. and protected in its
social abuses, from the interference OF
the nation, 10y an alliance With the COM |
mcrcial rulors of the nation and by "A |
dupIicty thut worldlincss has learned 70 |
Continued ou Para Two