Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-03
Editors Letter Box
Mormonism's Defense.

In answering the charges that were
made against us on Monday, April ~
! in this paper we will use only facts ana
reason and ask that they be studied and
considered with unbiased feelings as re-
CARDS this matter.
We feel that the cause of the trouble
was misinformation rather than the de-
/ sire to do US harm. AS missionaries Of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints commonly known as Nor
MONS we feel it a duty as well as a
privilege TO answer the charges made
and put the public in possession of the
real facts.
In the first place there was not a
statement made at the conference OF the
church or even hint that would indi-
cate Polygamy for all the world as a
result Of the tremendous slaughter OF
the men OF this generation is the ambi-
ton of the Mormon church today"
Anyone doubling this statement may
get an authentic report from the Bu-
reau of Information. Salt Lake City,
Utah. free OF charge. 1t seems tina. the
public consider "Mormonism'' and
Poiygamy as being synonymous
terms, the fact being that Mormon
ism is the restored gospel, while
"Polygamy' was IA condition that existed
among two per cent. of the Mormon
people when il was practiced. Almost
80 years have passed since polygamy
was abolished and the church has dis
accommodation follows the breaking
of that law.
Contrary to the suppositon that the
enormous amount of tithing taken in
was to further the cause of PoIygamy,
it is used in building of places Of wor-
ship, temples, and The keeping of the
poor and the widows. No salaries are
paid to officers of the church from the
tithing. 1t seems that praise rather
than injustice should be the lot of a
EeOnta ~ nj n
the cause they have SO devotedly es-
poused.
Instead Of the idea that all widowers
should marry again being "tactful pay
da' we have the following to answer
The first command given Adam was
TO Multiply and Repenish the Earth"
That is the keynote Of our existence
upon the Earth today. or what value
is strong. yirile man to a community
stays single and betrays the trust
placed upon him by our Maker? The
CRYING need of the world today is men
and still more men. Can the cause
to make that suggestion be construct
with the thought of Polygamy There
are still countless unborn spirits vet 10
take upon themselves a body of ffesi
and bone.
Concerning the idea Of building tenn
pes III oil idHUS, Is II not Wlthm rights
and duties of a church to build for its
converts a suitable place wherein could
take place the rites and ceremonies
which is peculiar to that religion? Does
not the government of America hold as
a lofty principle TIE right to worship,
how, where or what he may"
The idea that our press bureau is
working harder to break down prejudice
against Mormonism is a fact But the
charge that it is trying Ito familiarize
people with the idea o. polygamy' is a
falsehood. Strange is it not. that no one
in favor of this argument?
The Trained Experts that the
church sends forth are men and boys
from the workshop and farm. factory
ana office who have as a valuable pos
session the spirit IF God and a test
mony Of the truth. enough so that they
are willing to spend two or more wears
o. their prime in serving God in the
world and bringing souls unto Chris..
ana that without getting salary. They
which they pass out is of no more Prus-
sian nature than the teachings of
Christ. Their literature is the teaching
OF Christ. 1t is bought and pad for
with their own hard earned cash. Their
methods of distributing this literature
is open and fair and not as the paper
would make believe. "Insialous and
cunning. People have their own volt
ton IN accepting or rejecting the same
Let US say to the world. "Mormonisn,
IS not passing" II is destined 10 fiji
the whole earth as the stone that was
cut out of the mountain without hands.
Let the world take this and ponder its
portent' Gamaliefs advice to the coun-
Gil, "Refrain from these men and let
them alone, for if this council or this
work be of men, it will come to naueht,
but If it be of God, ye cannot overthrow
it, lest happy We be found even to fight
against God. (Acts 5:3O-39)
Signed j. EARL HORTON.
Perham St, Augusta.