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Show MORMON CHURCH ON TRIAL. The Mormon church is on trial at Washington, more sq than the defendant in. the case, Senator Smoot. So far nothing has been offered to connect him with any . violation of . the law against plural maniages and,' polygamous cohabitation; nothing but the knowledge that he must have known and did know that most of the high officials of the church lived' up' their religion and practiced that which is condemned by the state as unlawful. Most people hereabouts, other than Mormons, knew about these transgressions of law, and probably had as much knowledge concerning them as Senator Smoot could testify to on the witness stand. It was the Mormon church that the protestants desired to show up in a dramatic way, and they have achieved their purpose. Tho testimony ! of Joseph Jo-seph F. .Smith and Francis Lyman disclosed no purpose of the Mormon hierarchy to dishonor the doctrine of polygamy, .but rather to exalt it by their own example. What seemed the most amazing testimony in "hitherto popular credit to Mormon faith in revelations came out in answers to questions ques-tions touching that subject. Mormons have the right to accept or reject these revelations, which it is assumed are made by God to their high priests-. Therefore the voice of the people is greater than the command of God. Our Mormon friends in Salt Lake maintain that instead of hurting their propaganda propa-ganda this investigation with all its sensational developments de-velopments will spread it more rapidly. They are welcome to the unction they lay to their souls. We are not in harmony with those who say all this testimony brought out at Washington will hinder hin-der the material and moral growth of Utah. When all is said, nothing so injurious to morals was presented pre-sented before' the senate committee at the capital as that which is daily presented before our district courts here woman following woman with petitions for separation ' from brutal husbands. -Joseph F. Smith, who boldly announces an-nounces that he will take the consequences for his violation of law, is not such a person per-son as ex-Senator-Brown, who interposes obstacles right along to trial for adultery. And the Mormon church has lost its grip on the rising generation, so I that polygamy in time will be no longer practiced in any part of Utah. If non-Mormons set a better example for youth, it will die out all the sooner. Xo person will find an obstacle to his soul's salvation salva-tion if he allows his neighbor to dwell in peace and follow, the dictates of conscience. What may happen the Mormon church will not affect the beek that grow to make sugar and dividends. divi-dends. There is yet an abundance of gold in the mountain and silver in the mine. People never starved in this state, nor will they starve, no matter mat-ter whom or how they worship, no matter if they raise large families or no families at all. There is no need for the alarm sent out by the daily press. It is impolitic. Yes, it is incendiary. . . : |