Evening journal., 1920-04-01
MORMON Elders
Defend FAITH
Deny That Polygamy Is
Taught or Practiced
BY Sect
DON'T BELIEVE
GOD HAS WIVES

Elder Ashby Strinsham and Elder
Blackmore B. Kidd who are in VIII
mlngton seeking consent for the Nor
mon church. today denied accusations
against their church. including the
charge Of polygamy. which are beins
made by Mrs. Lulu Loveland Shepard,
In various Wilmington churches.
Elder stringham said: This week
we have in Wilmington vigorous anti
Mormon campaign. The Mormon eid-
ers. together with the local members
have listened TO the statements al
ready made by Mrs. Lulu Loveiand
shepard and take this opportunity 10
brand them as untrue
Continuing, the speaker said "Polyg-
amy Is neither taught nor practiced by
the Mormons. Since 1890 not plural
marriage has been solemnized In the
church"
After pause the speaker added
The president OF our mission, resid-
ing at No. 273 Gates avenue, Brooklyn,
N. Y, will pay $1,000 cash TO any per-
son proving that polygamy is prac-
ticed In the Mormon Church"
Speaking In reference to the beet
sugar industry, Elder Stringham said,
sIt is foolish to believe that the Nor
mon Church controls the beet sugar In
dustry of the United States, or, that IL
will name the next president OF the
United States Such thing Is impos-
sible. because the church has only
about 100000 members"
The speaker then reverted TO the re-
lieious aspect OF Mormonism. He said
I'VE practice the law OF tlthing, Dut
never are collectors sent after IT, IL Is
entirely voluntary with the members.
THE missionaries receive nothlng lot
their labors. They spend IRON TWO 10
three wears OF their lives in the neio'
and they support themselves on money
saved from their boyhood. II mis-
sionarv runs out OF money, his parents
Keen him supplied. Never do they Deg
or sell anything" - -.
Referring TO an accusation which mas
heen made against the Mormon cnurcn'
sho sneaker said, "The Mormon Ohuroh
49, not teach that God has wives, OF
shat christ married three women az lhe
,oarrIaee In Cana Such doctrine Is an
nomination. and is without iounoa-
ton" =, env nlace
or time. to disprove the s,aselnonso W.
made against us. We can aiVvess ~
found Al No. 2A3 South Union STREET.
When asked II the Mormons We're ul,-
der oath 10 avenge the blood OF Joseph
e.ni,h founder OF the religion, VINO was
snled nv an Illinois mob about 80 years
900 Elder Strlngham vigorously uonie"
mat such was the case -
When asked about story whion ,c-
.sat1y anneared In local papers, tne
eena neine a statement by Mrs. shep-
"a ohout a weird ceremony or priae
,'as,g aaI temnted by apples from devii
ne" =, ~, dress smoking a cigarette tne
- ~ hronded the story as raise, r.
a.s..aons Sluel and utterly without founda-
ton" A.. ,o,Iovvinc
u.atauoents in the First Presbyterian
church Sunday afternoon: 49, -,
Tho RI a. country is swarmlng with MOT
on missionaries. The Mormons 90
NJ nv. NV their missionaries cent but
make them earn or beg their way oe"
ing subscriptions for magazines y
favorite way for them TO gam ecuess
to m neople and in dealing with them we
ar are simply helping the Mormons to
educate their people TO spread ule
Mormon faith more capably
"Do not think that polygamy is abol-
ished II stIll exists. Mormonlsm Is
spreading rapidly. There are 900 MOT
mons in Washington. Three SIT IN
Congress. Five Mormon churches have
recently been opened In Boston How
can the people of the United States sit
placidly by and allow these people who
are fundamentally antagonistic TO the
government carry out their propa-
gandaY They are under oath TO ayenge
the blood OF the first Joseph Smith
against the government. They are
sworn 10 vows OF secrecy with the
barbarous penalty Of having their
throat cut from ear 10 ear II they tell"