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Show ACCOUNTING A CONTRAST. The Tribune haB received a copy of the official minutes of tho general con-forenco con-forenco of tho Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held at Lamoni, Iowa, beginning April G, 1909. There is such pertinent contrast between this open honesty and tho suppressive sup-pressive methods of tho Utah branch of Iho Mormon church thut we aro constrained con-strained lo bring a few itoms to the attention at-tention of tho saints in this stalo. In this pamphlet is found a complete account of every act and utterance of tho conference Thero are reports from the different priesthood quorums; from tho numerous permanent boards and committees; from the stakes and wards; from foreign and domestic missions; from tho church educational institutions; institu-tions; from auxiliary societies; nnd upon up-on appointments, ordinations, baptisms and confirmations nnd in each instance where thero is any handling of moneys, the report is accompanied by a full financial fi-nancial statement. From a material point of view, tho report of tho presiding pre-siding bishop takes rank as being first in interest. In that report is exhibited exhib-ited in detail a completo accounting of. funds received and disbursed, oach item being accorded n distinct place. The report of tho auditing committee is no mere "O. K.," such ns is presented by tho protended auditing committee of tho Utah church, but the epitomized accounts ac-counts are allowed to sponk for thorn-selves. thorn-selves. Not a thing is dono nor an approval made, except by tho recorded voice of tho conference; and even complete com-plete lists of home, national and foreign for-eign missionaries are printed. Another feature is to bo found in the reports mado by tho church publishing houses, together with the receipts, disbursements disburse-ments and financial condition of theso institutions. (Fancy the Dcserct News making such a report to the conference hcrel) And taken altogether, thero appears to bo nothing left unreported that would give to tho body of the church the information and enlightenment enlighten-ment that belongs to its membership. Tho promulgation of this report by tho "Josephitc" branch of tho Mormon Mor-mon church, ns it is somotimes called, should open the oyes of Utah Mormons to their own rights in this respect, as well us to tho fact that theso rights are being ignored and trampled upon by tho dominant ecclesiastical leaders in this stato. There seems to be nothing in the "Josophito " church that requires, re-quires, suppression; and if concealment is practiced as it certainly is by tho Utah priesthood, it is simply because thero liavo been and are transactions by and betweon these men that would not bear the light of day. That being the case, it is impossible for any Utah Mormon to oven guess how far ho is being wronged, or how extensively and systematically he is being robbed. Thoro is never any such financial accounting ac-counting at tho Utah conferences, and tho member of tho church who shows curiosity to know concerning these things is either told to mind his own business, or that he is on the road to apostasy in questioning "thoso sot in authority ovor him." It is soldom that a man will tako en-joymont en-joymont out of th.o roputation that he is "an easy mark"; but tho Utah Mormon, Mor-mon, so far as his relationship to his loaders 13 concerned, permits himself to bo bamboozled beforo the eyes of all the world, and seems to liko it. By this samo report wo aro informed that Eldor J. F. Curtis has been appointed ap-pointed to tho apostolate, and that tho conference undissontingly approved the call. Elder Curtis will be remembered ib tho capablo gentleman who in tho debate at Murray, Utah, last year, so badly worsted elders of tho Utah church in debate upon tho important differences existing between tho two Mormon organizations. All who know Mr. Curtis porsonaUy, or who heard, his debates or addresses, will be delighted to learn of this splendid recognition accorded ac-corded to hiin on account of his intelligent in-telligent aud capable Bcrvico to his church. And to theso congratulations Tho Tribune will add its tribute of felicitation fe-licitation to Elder Curtis as a sincere, honest, straightforward man of conviction con-viction and courage. It is also noted that Elder T. W. Chatburn has been appointed to the position po-sition of presiding high priest over tho work in Utah, and that Elders John. Davis, P. M. Hanson and L. G. Hollo-way Hollo-way are seventies named to do missionary mis-sionary work in this State. All of theso gentlemen aro conscientious and painstnking in their work, and faithful faith-ful to the causo thoy ropresent, de- aorvlng all the success U103' have already al-ready achiovod and nil that the future may hold for them. Meanwhile, let us urge upon the rank and file of the Mormon people that they have tho right to know more about the. workings of their own church fully as much as members of the other branch aro privileged to learn and that in not making demand for their rights thoy arc injuring themselves, their wives, their children, and their towns, their counties, nnd the stale, and above all, their church. Bocause by permitting permit-ting the secret methods now in vogue thoy oucourage U10 possible perpetration perpetra-tion of all forms of evil and are fastening fas-tening upon themselves a tyranny that each day renders stronger by sheer weight of accumulating iniquity nr.d imposture |
