The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-03-01
TRUTH IN PLACE
Of ALL THEOLOGY
Speaker At Secular League Meeting
Says Theological Hoax Must
Be Abandoned
Mormonlsm 10 Discussed

In an address before the Secular
League at the Pythian Temple re,
Gently under the title of "A The.
illogical Hoax and What Came of
It," j. A. MacKnignt n Mormon by
birth and relative of Brigham
Young, set forth Mormonism os be.
ing founded upon an absolute hoJx--
the alleged revelation to Joseph
Smith-and as entirely erroneous in
its theological system, but as having
been very beneficial to its disciples
in its secular phases.
Brigham Young was described as
man of great practical genius,
whose work, while autocratic, was of
great practical and economic benefit
to his followers.
Even the alleged Mormon political
influence, which the speaker stated
is often held up in this part OF the
country as great evil and menace,
was held to be much better than It
is painted.
Weld Power For Decency
= The Mormons WELD their politi.
cal power with good deal Of de-
cency, a good deal Of self respect and
a good deal of benefit to the commun.
ity." declared the speaker. TT is
somewhat laughable to hear we'll
meaning women talking in public
about the union OF church and state
in Utah and urging the National Ex-
ecutive to use his influence to check
the political scheme Of the Mormons.
People who listen to that kind of
twaddle are simply having sand
thrown into their eyes, 30 that they
may not discern the real peril which
different theocratic element pre-
sents to American institutions.
THE Mormons conduct some
schools for the teaching of their pc.
culiar religious doctrines. but they
have never made any attack on the
public schools, and are not in favor
Of any changes which would emas-
cuate the Constitution of the Uni
ted States.'
Should Abandon Supers,itution
The speaker declared that while
the particular hoax to which direct
attention has played its part in the
bedevilling of small fraction Of
the American population, the theo-
logical hoax in general has played
villainous part in the deception
and debasement of all mankind" and
he took the position that 1t Is time
not only those OF the Mormons, but
all theological superstitions should be
abandoned for the truths OF science.
The speaker especially condemned
the indoctrination of the minds Of
children with theological fictions and
superstitions.
John Phillips Meakin, who had
once been Mormon, also defended
them as a people Of many excellent
qualities, though also rejecting their
theology.
W. ii. Coleman held that even on
its secular side Mormonism was on
a low plane and charged that it was
a scheme whereby selfish leaders eX.
plot lot OF we'll meaning people
economically.
These remarks brought David r.
Roberts, n Mormon, Of Logan, Utah,
to his feet, who defended his people
with reference to the criticisms made
David Eccles arraigned Mormonism
as an example of theological super.
stition and held that all who believe
in divine revelation and the miracu-
lous are committed 10 the fundamen-
tai tenets and errors of Mormonism.
He Joined Mr.. MacKnight in urging
the entire abandonment of theologi.
cal superstition for the truths of ma.
ture and science.
A similar attitude was taken by
DR.. j. J Shirley.
Julian l. Pierce, James G. Kent,
and Mrs, A. C.. Boynton also parti-
cipated in the discussion Washing,
ton Herald