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Show THE SMOOT INVESTIGATION H BECOMES VERY INTERESTNG IB While being questioned by the Senate Sen-ate Committee, President Joseph F. Smith startled the whole world, with the exception of Utah, by the following follow-ing statement: "I have live wives. "I have continued to cohabit with them since the manifesto of 18W, and they have Ixnne me children since that date. I was fully aware of what 1 was doing. I knew 1 was amenable to the law, but, as I say, I preferted to face that situation rather than to desert them. I have not cohabited with these wives openly or flaunted the fact, but I have acknowledged these wives and children as my family. The people of Utah have regarded the situation as an existing fact. These people as a inle aie broad-minded broad-minded and libct.tl in their views, and have condoned the offense If olfonse It Is rather than to interfcic with my situation as they found it. It has been known what I have been doing. I have not been Interfeicd with nor disturbed In anyway. Ifl hud been I was theic to answer thcchaigcs. I waswlllmgto face them and submit to the penalty, whatever It might be." In answer to a question from Senator Sena-tor Beverldgc as to whethci any of the Apostles have taken plural wives since the manifesto, the following answer was brought out: "1 repeat," said Mr. Smith, bringing bring-ing his fist down on tho table with some emphasis, "that since tho inanl-lesto inanl-lesto of 181)0, no man has entered Into pluial matriage with the knowledge or appioval of the chinch." lnanswci to questions concerning lcvelatlons Mr. Smith reiterated for mer statements that such revelation 9 ffll weie accepted or rejected at will; that Hl theic Is no restraint upon any memoer SMI except his or her volunlaiy wish. He lul said ho did not alwajs obey tho revela- IB tlons fiom God. ill "Oiiecau obey or disobey withirn- IflH punity," he added. flH "Then that Is the kind of God you M believe in?" said Mr. Taylor. H "Yes, the best kind of God 1 be- j Hove In," dedaied Mr. Smith with IH emphasis. il A ruling of the church was quoted 91 In icgard to the lclcasc of duties of tl certain members, apostles or others In 81 high positions in older to perform 1 other duties, and Mr. Taj lor asked, "Was it necessary for Mr. Smoot to M get consent to run for SenatoiV" Jl "He had to get the consent of his ilfl associate apostles and the first prcsl- yjfl deiicy," said Mr. Smith, "In older to H go befoio the Leglslatute. He ob- CH tallied that consent." When asked If any one ulsc was jll given consent to run for olllee, Mr. tiD Smith said no one had asked for such 3H consent. tH An cffoit was made to show that 11 Mr. Smoot could not act of his free IjH will, but Mr Smith dcclaied tho con- !H scut amounted to nothing moio than H a lelcasu fioin his duties in the $D chinch In cast he was elected. ijH |
