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Show H "THE MULTITUDE UNFIT TO RULE." H The Associated Press report of the proceedings of the last ses- Hj fiion of the conference of the formon church tells us that Brigham H H. Roberts, in his plea for personal liberty was rebuked by Apostle Hj Penrose and by nearly all the other speakers who accepted the view H of Joseph F. Smith that the faithful must accept leadership and H counsel in all things, both spiritual and temporal. V "We regret this declaration which is. summarized by Apostle Pen- H. rose who said, "The multitude is not fit to rule itself." Wr There are some very strong men in the formon church such as K,; Brigham JL Roberts, who are thoroughly in accord with the broadest V views of our American form of government and who are in harmony mf'i with the progressive spirit of the day, but there are others who would H silence all independent thought and force absolute obedience to H& higher authority. Ur This compelling of counsel in worldly affairs we look upon as Bfl objectionable particularly when applied to politics, but those most My concerned are the Mormon people themselveH and they must solve ij the problem in their own way. It is not for outsiders to" offer bitter 11 criticism which can only close the minds of the trusting followers of tt the faith; it is for the men within the church itself the deep think- H ing and the far-seeing who can discern the storm clouds gathering H to point out the error and sway the people from the pathway that! H leads to impending perils. V The Mormon people are devoted to their religion and it requires M; the utmost, tact for one not of their faith, to point out fearlessly and H yot in a kindly way that the mixing of religion and politics is offen- K; sive and that no one in authority should be allowed to dictate or even K direct in things political. Hi In 8 instance, the Associated Press tells us the Progressive Kj party is the object of attack. The Progressives should refuse to make HI the utterances of Apostle Penrose and others a campaign issue, but, with forbearance and wisdom, allow the members of the church to decide for themselves whether to go forward or baokward. This issue is not a new one in religious affairs. Other church have had lo contend against the same demands for greater power to be conferred on those in authority and history tells us that only by resisting such demands has any church escapod sorious difficulties, internal discords and disruption. |