Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 140, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1904 — CHURCH OATH IS BLOODY. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CHURCH OATH IS BLOODY.

Smoot Witness Suys Mutilation Is Penalty for Mormon Informers. Torture, mutilation and death Is the penalty allotted to Mormons who reveal the secret rites of the church in

the endowment house marriage ceremonies, according to testimony given liefore the Senatorial committee in the hearing of the case of Senator Reed Smoot of Utah. Further tes 11 - mony that prominent Mormons do not obey the

laws with reference to polygamy was given by two members of-the faculty of Brigham Young University. J. H. Wallis, of Salt Lake Ciiy, was the witness who revealed the bloody nature of the oaths cxucted in the endowment house. He' considered himself absolved from his oaths of secrecy, as he said he had given notice to his bishop several months ugo that he would not continue ns a member of the church. These oaths, which all who took part in the ceremonies agreed not to reveal under penalty of mutilation, were given by Mr. Wallis as follows: That the throat be cut from ear to ear and the tongue be torn off. That the breast be cut asunder and the heart and vitals be torn from thq body. That the body be cut asunder at the middle and the bowels cut out That if demunded we will give all we possess to the support of tho church. Questioning by counsel and Senators brought out the admission that he had never taken the oaths seriously, but had considered them as something of a joke, and he thought many others had considered them the same way. George 11. Brcmhnll, president of Brigham Young University, testified that he had two wives, married before 1800. Senator Sinoot, who is a member of the university board, frequently addressed the students, be said, and always urged them to obey the law. Joslah Hickman, a teacher in the university, testified that for ten years he had lived with two wives.. The witness said he went through the temple with his second wife two or three years ago, and they were sealed, but no legal marriage bad taken place. He said be bad taken no steps to conform to the law in relation to marriages. “Then, as you understand it, you are not legally marked to your present wife?” asked Mr. Taylor. “No, sir; not so far.” He explained that be bad been “a little negligent,” but that he and Ills wife had decided tbat they should be married. Mrs. Margaret Geddcs, of Salt Lake City, a Mormon, broke down on the stand ns she told of her innrrlage to Geddes, a polygamist, who died twelve years ago. She has a child, five and onc-balf years old. Arthur Morning, a teacher In the public schools of Utah, said be bad been called on to conduct religious classes in bis school. He read letters from bis superiors Instructing him how to outline the Mormon class work. All la not gold that glisten.

REED SMOOT.