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Show AS TO BLOOD ATONEMENT. The Tribuue hns received the following fol-lowing communication, to which we shall mako reply in the interest of truth: Editor The Tribune; Would you kindly answer through the columns oi your paper pa-per tho followMiig questions: Do tho I.at-tor-dnv Saints ncllevo In "blood atonement?" atone-ment?" Js there any sermon published wherein any of tho prominent leaders of tho church may have expressed a belief In "blood atonement?" If so, was it ever practiced In Utah? , , , 1 havo been told by very old residents In this State that they did. hut not wishing wish-ing to be guided by hearsay 1 appeal to you for these reasons: First, the elders vigorously deny a belief in It: but they also denied a belief in polygamy bocaiipo they said they did not practice It. This was before- I came to Utah. Since coming com-ing here I llml that they both believe and practice It. Second, knowing that the lied concerning polygamy I hollevo them capablo nf deceiving ono on other points of doctrine which public sentiment may have caused them to abandon. Third, believing that you have tho means of obtaining this Information from church literature, and knowing that you havo Jn the past turned the searchlight of truth upon some dark rorners in Mot-monism, 1 thought perhaps you would do so n this instance; nnd I believe that you will not onlv benefit me. but others nlso A N INVESTIGATING WO.MA.n. Salt Lake City, December SO, 100Q. This paper has paid some attention to these questions heretofore; but in order to inform those who may not have read our previous articles in tho matter wc shall now make reply to the best of our ability. As to whether or not the Latter-day Saints believe in the doctrine of "blood atonement," one must necessarily do-cido do-cido from conditions other than mere personal expression. To be plain, a member of tho church may look upon the doctrine of "blood atonement" with a feeling of horror, nnd may express ex-press himself in terms indicating that state of feeling; yet he may havo received re-ceived his ondowmcnts in tho temple, wherein ho has promised, under solemn covenant, to submit his body to tho most awful mutilation imaginable, and oven to death itself, iu the event that he shall prove to bo unfaithful to his vows. So that ho subscribes to the doctrine, whether ho believes in it. or not. And'the fact thnt it is imposed upon members who uudcrtakc cortain tomplo ceremonies is of itself sufficient evidence that the church holds to "blood atonement" as ono of its beliefs. be-liefs. With respect to the public teaching teach-ing of the doctrine, we present tho following fol-lowing extracts from sermons by Mormon Mor-mon leaders: The best way to sanctlfv ourselves, and plcnse God our heavenly Father In those days, Is to rid ourselves of evcrv thief, and sanctify the people from every vile character. It would have .a tendency ten-dency to place, a terror on the heads of thoso who leave these parts, that may prove their salvation, when thev see the heads of thieves taken off. or shot down before the public Apostlo Orson Hyde; Journal of Discourses, volume 1, page 7.1. Look upon those who committed such Iniquity In Israel. In ancient days; overv man and woman who committed adultery were put to death. I do not say that this- people are going to do this, but I will tell yon what we believe wc bolicvc It ought to be dono. Apostlo Oreon Pratt; Journal of Discourses, volume 1, page 61.' I say, rather than that apostates should flourish here. I will unshcath my bowlo knife, and conquer or die. (Great commotion commo-tion In the congregation, and a simultaneous simul-taneous burst of feclfng, assenting to the declaration.) Now, you nastv apostates, clear out, or judgment will be put to tho line, nnd righteousness to tho plummet. (Voices, generally. "Go It, go It.") If you say It Is right, rnlso your hands. (All hands up.) Lot us call upon tho Lord to assist us In this; nnd evcrv good work. I feel to say to Jew and Gentile, let this people alone In these valleys of the mountains, or you will find that which you arc. not looking for. Wo arc on the Lord's side, and wc have the tools to work with. President Brig-ham Brig-ham Young: .Tourpnl of Discourses, volume vol-ume 1, pages 83 and '8 People have tho privilege of apostatizing apostatiz-ing from the church, and of worshiping devils, snakes, toads, or geese. If thev please, .and dnly lot their neighbors alone. But. they have not the privilege to dls-lurb dls-lurb the peace, nor to endanger llfo-or liberty; that Is the Idea. If they will take that privilege. I need not repeat their doom. It. has been told here today, thoy havo been faithfully warned. Apostlo Apos-tlo Parley P. Pratt; Journal of Discourses, Dis-courses, volume 1. page S6. What shall bo done with tho sheep that stlnkoth the flock so? We will take thorn L yva.8 going to say. and cut off their tails two Inches behind their cars: however, I will .use a milder term, and say. cut off their ears. President Brlgham Young: Journal of Discourses, volume 1, page 213, I have not a doubt but there will be hundreds who will leave us and go away to our enemies. T wish they would go this fall: It might relievo us from much trouble; trou-ble; for If men turn traitors to God and His servants, their blood will snrelv ho shed. President Hebor C. Kimball: Journal Jour-nal of Discourses, volumo A, page 375. I say. that there are men nnd women, that I would advise to go to tho president iminedaltoly. and ask him to appoint a committee to attend to their case- and thon lot a place be selected and let that committee . shed their blood. Brethren and sisters, we want you to repent and forsake your sins. And you who havo committed sins that cannot be forgiven through baptism, let your blood he shed, and let the. smoke ascend that the Incense thereof may como up boforo God as an atonement for your sins and that the sinners In Zion mav be afraid. President Jcdediah M. Grant: Journal of Discourses, volume 1, page 51. All mankind love themselves, and let these principles bo known by an Individual, Individ-ual, and he would be glad to havo his blood shed. That would bo loving them-selvos, them-selvos, oven unto an eternal exaltation. Will you lovo your brothers or sisters likewise, when thoy have committed a sin that cannot be atoned for without the shedding of tholr blood? Will you lovo that man oi woman woll enough to shed their blood? That Is what Jesus Christ mcf.int. President Brigham Young: Jour-nul Jour-nul of Discourses, volume i, pago 210. I could refer you to plenty of Instances where men havo been righteously slain. In order to atone for their sins.- Pr6sldent Brlgham Young: Journal of Discourses volumo A, page 220. Live here' then, you poor, miserable curses, until tho time of retrlbut on com oth, when your hoods will nYf. K'v4rl from your 1'-, Brlgham l'oung. Journal of Dlscouics. volume 3, page 50. I hav n gun nnd dirks in good order and powder and lead, and nm ready una ablo to make holes through hwIi mlsot-nble, mlsot-nble, corrupting rascals. President Jei"-tlluh Jei"-tlluh M. Griintf Journal of Discourses, volume vol-ume 3. page 234. There Is not n man or woman, who violates the covenants made with tnen God. that will not be required to pay tne debt. Tch blood of Christ will never wipe that out. your own Wood must atone roi It. President Brlgham Young: Journal of Discourses, volumo 3. page 21-7. Ab to whether tho doctrine of "blood atonement" was or was not practiced in Utah, Tho Tribune will say, most omphatically, Yea. Thero .is not the least doubt about it. |