--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - R. McKinley collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 7 number: 8 published: 1904-06 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'R. McKinley, "An Opinion Vigorously Expressed," *Improvement Era* 7, no. 8 (June 1904): 625–626.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0708unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera0708unse start_page: 625 end_page: 626 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1904-06) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0708unse publication_year: 1904 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1904, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # An Opinion Vigorously Expressed EDITOR'S TABLE. 625 meet them; they shall be restored to us, and we to them/to inherit endless happiness in the Kingdom of God. Joseph F. Smith. AN OPINION VIGOROUSLY EXPRESSED. It is interesting betimes to hear what others say of the Latter- day Saints. We are accustomed to see and read much that is against them, but perhaps more that is for them never reaches the public prints, for it is unpopular, and if one cannot say any- thing against the Saints, he seldom gets a hearing. But that does not necessarily imply that there are none who speak favorably; on the contrary, there are many who favor the people and who laud and admire their industry, virtue and Christian life. One among the numerous people of this class recently sent the following letter to President Joseph F. Smith, and there can surely be no advocacy of wrong in printing his sincere and complimentary opinion: Everett, Washington, March 9, 1904. Hon. Joseph F. Smith, Wasihington, D. C. My Dear Sir: I feel prompted to write to you, now that you are having such an unpleasant time before a bigoted and ungenerous people, as the un- worthy denominations and senators who accuse Senator Smoot and the Mormon people of gross immorality in providing and caring for those depending on them. I assure you of my esteem for your people, the Mormons, of Salt Lake City, among whom I have many friends of a number of years standing. I've investigated, quietly, the Mormon re- ligion and their old-time system of polygamy. From a religious stand- point I think they are as good as the best, even better, in that they look after the material welfare of their people, as well as their spiritual. As regards polygamy, I think it has been of inestimable value to the world, in that it has peopled a wilderness and caused it to bloom like a garden. Moreover, there is everything in favor of polygamy as formerly in vogue, as compared to prostitution, as is now practiced by mem- bers and ministers of other denominations and even senators — Breck- enridge said there were others, but they weren't found out. The fact is evident to an observer in Salt Lake City, that polyg- amy wrought no hardship or evil results, for in no other city or state will one see so many hearty people over seventy years, or sturdy young men over twenty years, and remarkably handsome and well- formed women as in Salt Lake City. As I am not an orthodox Christian, I was impartial in my ob- servations and formed these opinions several years ago, and have had no reason to change them since. I know that most of this trouble in seating Senator Smoot is polit- ical jealousy and religious intolerance, actuated through envy of Mor- mon success in business and growth of their religion, not for actual wrong-doing on their part, for they deserve approbation instead of cen- sure from the people of the United States, as they have done more to develop and reclaim the country than all other religious bodies. I have not learned of any harmful effects upon the morals of the children of polygamous families; on the contrary, good has resulted, as is evidenced by conditions of life in Utah, which will compare favorably with the best in this country. Wishing your cause success, I am yours sincerely, (Signed) R. McKinley. P. S. — If you wish, you may have Senators Hoar, Dubois, Ankeny and Foster read this, or anyone else that will help you. I would be glad to see you win, as your principle is right, and you have been truthful in your statements, for the latter virtue I hear many expressions in your favor. R. M.