Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-07
MORMON" ELDERS
CLAIM UTAH CHURCH
is 1OOPCT. PATRIOTIC
ISSUE STATEMENT TO FREE
TRADER JOURNAL UNFOLDING
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF
LATTER DAY SAINTS.


Mormon Patriotism. and the part
of the Church OF Jesus Christ of Lat
ter-Day Saints. has played in all war
enterprises. are defended in state
ment issued today by Elders Benjamin
H. Hollingworth and Moroni Allen.
church propogandists. one OF whom
was picked up Saturday as draft
evader and yesterday released when
proof was established he was not in
me draft age al the time of registra-
ton. June 5 last
The statement is in the form of
communication 10 The Free Trader
Journal. In ii. the elders. both OF
whom have signed the articles, say.
Editor Free Trader-Journal,
Dear Sir.
Because American patriots reached
by your circulation will be happy to
know that "Mormons" are with them
nnreseryedly 10 win this war" we
ask space in which 10 speak for our
people
The release by your honorable sheriff
IF Elder Moroni Allen-not "Nlordin''
from .custody Monday came after
receipt of wires authorized by W. II.
l.ouder. chairman of the Weber
county, Utah draft board and sent by
Bishop Francis Bingham of Middleton
Ward. Huntsville. Utah. with the
countersignature OF Sheriff II. II
Peterson of Weber county, certifying
The date of birth of Moroni Allen &c
he March ;. 1897 Thus was repudi
ated the error on the church member
ship certificate which had afforded
"prima facie" evidence against Elder
Allen. He is no draft evader. He
was baptized into the Church Of
Jesus Christ of l.atter-day Saints
rather than into Brigham Young's
old creed" on the date named by your
article, And we are ordained anC
authorized ministers OF the churcl
bearing in its official tile the name o
the son Of God"
"Mormons." as we are ncknamed
buy liberty bonds, not alone becaus,
il is a safe investment and rende
military service not simply becaus,
our national laws require, but rattle
because fighting and giving for tn,
United states is part of our religion
Allow us 10 cite evidences:
In the late thirties of the nineteenth
, century "Mormons" were driven in
body from their homes in Missouri
he enforced exodus being authorized
p by officials of that sovereign state
New homes were built at Nauvoo
ILL., Mormon leaders appealed tt
President Martin Van Buren, for ma
tional assistance in obtaining redres,
from Missourians. The president.
reply was, Your cause is just, but
can do nothing for you" Presiden
Van Buren, would not invoke natona
aid to ameliorate conditions for white
men in one sovereign state, while lat
er President Lincoln spent the bes'
blood Of our nation to guarantee the
rights of black men in eleven states
But subsequent to President Van
Buren's reply, Joseph Smith whom
Mormons revere as one of Cod
profits said, and we are taught il from
childhood. THE Constitution of the
United States is a glorious standard
it Is founded in the wisdom OF God
1t is a heavenly banner; 1t is. to all
those who are privileged with the
sweets OF its liberty. like the cooling
shades and refreshing waters of a
great rock in thirsty and wear,
land II is like great tree under
whose branches men from every cline
can be shielded from the burning rays
of the sun,
Again in 1916 the "Mormons" wer,
driven from Illinois westward int
the desert territory then tributary tC
Mexico. At the very inception OF
that unparalleled, epochmaking mi
grafton. men were in the minority
Our government demanded of those
exiles 800 men at once for service in
the Mexican war brigham Young,
words spell the acme Of loyalty. lie
said You shall have 500. We will
give our young men. II they are moi
enough we will give our old men
still not enough. our women will go
but you shall have 500" The "Mor
mon Battalion" went.
Once again: On Oct. I, 1917 and
again on April T. 1918, President
Joseph +. Smith appeared before the
, Latter-day Saints in conference as
sembled in Salt Lake City and upon
his motion on each occasion without
dissent ten thousand "Mormons" yot
, ed with appraised hands 10 appropri
ate S250,00o to buy United State gov
I eminent liberty loan bonds the an
preparation To be made from tithes
and over and above regular personal
subscription.
Utah Is 50 per cent. Mormon" We
are not behind In Red Cross work
purchase OF Liberty Bonds Y NJ T.