The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-09-06
I0RN0N BIBLE BECOMES ISSUE MLEAGUE 0FN4TT0NS FIGHT
On. E. A. star special.l

Sk<SAh4Aal
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Sept. g.
Salt Lake City is the hottest place in
the world just now, as far as the
League Of Nations is concerned.
The unique stand taken by United
States Senator Reed Smoot, in has :.
ing his opposition to the League upon
prophesies and revelations cited from
the Book Of Mormon, has stirred up
discussion In Mormon circles that is
ringing throughout the United States.
Here alone has the religious issue
been injected into the contest over
the League. Smoot, Republican in
politics, is an apostle of the Mormon
church At the present time, many OF
the leaders Of the church are equally
strong Democrats. The idea OF a
League of Nations to prevent wars has
been generally approved Of among
Mormons.
Its advocates, however, have been
thrown into some CONSERVATION by
Shoots quoting, from the Book Of
Mormon, certain passages set down
by Joseph Smith in 1882, prophesying
climaxing series of wars until the
Lords second coming on earth.
These passages, says Smoot, make
1t clear that the League Of Nations, as
preYenter Of wars, will fail.
Strength is added to the claim, in
the minds of Mormons, from the fact
that in the clearest Of these passages.
Smith prophesied the outbreak of the
Civil War thirty years before 1t hap
pened, even mentioning South Caro-
lima as the state in which it would
start.
The Indian wars were prophesied at
the same time. These portions OF the
Mormon revelations. it is said. have
been fully borne out.
A series Of meetings that will un-
doubtedly arouse a high pitch of ex-
citement has been arranged for the
Mormon tabernacle by Presiding Bish-
op c. w. Nibley. At the first, Mormon
religious and legal authorities will cis-
cuss the League from their respective
angles.
President Wilson will speak short
iy afterward, and Senator Hiram John
son, of California, opposing the
League, will follow at third ses-
sion.
Shoots fire was drawn in his own
defense, when c. N. Lund, Mormon
editor of Mt. Pleasant, Utah, wrote
him letter saying:
ut seems to me that in the light OF
your firm belief in the Divine teach
ings of the Redeemer Of the world,
you ought to stand Cor this covenant
whole heartedly and unreservedly.
"Why can you not see that the same
God who inspired Washington and
Jefferson and Lincoln does also inspire
Woodrow Wilson (not for the sake
of the man, but for the sake Of the
righteous and most holy cause) in this
create step ever contemplated by the
human race?"
Shoots reply declared that while
the nations were sick of war and
bankrupt, the whole matter woulu
have to be settled some time in the
future"
81 am not prepared to admit that
President Wilson has been inspired OF
Cod" Smoot wrote. "I do not believe
that God had anything to do with the
Shantung matter, nor do l believe He
was pleased with the action of Presi-
dent Wilson affecting Fiume or thel
Saar valley.
"You evidently think that when
this covenant is ratified we will have
no more wars. Do not be deceived, !
for such will not be the case. II so,
the revelations of Prophet Joseph !
Smith as recorded in the Doctrine and
Covenants are not true.
az ask you to read the many pas
sages of the Book of Mormon refer
ring to this nation, as we'll as the many
revelations given to the Prophet JOS
eph Smith, as to the destiny Of the
same"
Some of the prophesies in question
are printed herewith.