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Show forbade Teachiog lay Explain. Polygamy President Paul of L. D. S. TJnlvorsity Takes Exceptions to Statement in The Tribune. During the recent school campaign The Tribune made the statement that President Paul of the Latter Day Saints' university In this city had lectured lec-tured on the "Divinity of Polygamy." The statement was based on tho story of a reputable young woman, who had been Invited by a young Mormon friend to attend a meeting at the university. At this time the subject for tho address ad-dress or discourse or lecture involved the question of the divine right of polygamy. The Tribune's information la that this matter wasi treated by President Paul. President Paul takes exceptions to tho statement. In a letter to .The Tribune ho suys: The Tribune of December 2, slated that "Prof. Paul frequently lectures on 'Tho Divinity of Polygamy,' In the Lattor-duy Saints' college In Salt Lake City." Tho article did not come to my attention atten-tion until yesterday, and I now hasten to asBiifo you that the statement quoted above Is entirely erroneous. No such teaching Is given In the Institution, cither by tho president or by any of tho professors. pro-fessors. As far as 1 can loarn this subject sub-ject has not been specifically mentioned in any of our classes for years, certainly not slnco my connection with the school. The Latter-day Saints' university Is organized or-ganized under the laws of tho Stato of Utah, by articles of Incorporation that dcflno its powers, prescrlbo its duties, and Indicate specifically Its sphere of operations. op-erations. Article IV. declares that "tho naturo and object of this association shall bo to found a university, with colleges, academies, acad-emies, schools, institutes, museums, galleries gal-leries of art, libraries, laboratories, gymnasiums, gym-nasiums, and all proper accessories, where Instruction of tho highest grade possible to Its resources shall be given to both sexes in science, literature, art, mechanical me-chanical pursultK. and In the principles of tho gospel as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tho chief aim and object of the Institution shall be to mako of its students and graduates grad-uates worthy citizens and true followers of Jesus Christ, by fitting them for some useful pursuit, by strengthening In their minds a pure attachment to the Constitution Consti-tution of tho United States and to our republican Institutions, by. upright conduct, con-duct, and by giving them, as far as possible, pos-sible, an understanding of tho plan of salvation revealed by our Lord nnd Savior Sa-vior Jesus Christ. Nothing that Is contrary con-trary to the laws of tho land shall over be taught In said Institution." Truly yours. J. II. PAUL. President Paul called on The Tribune Saturday evening to" add a personal denial de-nial to tho statement that he had lectured lec-tured on the divinity of polygamy. In the course of a conversation on thr subject' he was asked : "Do you believe in the divinity of polygamy?" President Paul thought ho should not be interviewed for publication, and at first evaded the question. When The Tribune insisted that he had opened the question by his written statement and his personal visit, ho said: "I will answer that by saying that God commanded Moses to take a wlf from among the Egyptians when he already had a wife." "But do you believe In the divinity of polygamy?" "I do not mind to say that I do." "You say you do not teach polygamy; Is It because the church believes It Is no longer right?" "As I have stated, I do not believe I should be Interviewed on this subject at this time." "Why say, 'at this tlmo?' " "Because wo aro forbidden to teach polygamy at this time: because of the criticism of the public, nnd because tho laws of the land forbid polygamy." "Suppose a student In tho university wero to ask you whether or not you believed be-lieved polygamy Is right or if it had a divine endorsement; how would you answer?" an-swer?" "Well. I must confess I would have to say I believe It Is right and ordained by God." "You say you do not teach It, but would answer a question to this extent ex-tent if asked; would you do so In the day classes as well as In the theology classes?" "I would answer a question, but not discuss It. We are forbidden to teach polygamy, but are not forbidden to believe be-lieve It." "You aro quite certain you did not lecture on tho "Divinity of Polygamy?" "I am positive I did not." "Is it not possible that The Tribune's Informant heard a member of the faculty fac-ulty discuss the divinity of polygamy In the Latter Day Saints' university?" "It is possible, but ' not probable. I have not talked with all of the professors pro-fessors on the subject, but those I have seen say they have not spoken on the subject." President Paul was frank In his statements state-ments nnd explanations, and It is probable prob-able The Tribune's Informant did not hear him go farther than to speak in general terms of the "divinity of polygamy." |