--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Talmage, James Edward collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 23 number: 3 published: 1920-01 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Talmage, James E., "Christianity Falsely So-Called," *Improvement Era* 23, no. 3 (January 1920): 196–204.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2303unse 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: improvementera2303unse start_page: 196 end_page: 204 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1920-01) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2303unse publication_year: 1920 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 1920, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Christianity Falsely So-Called J 98 IMPROVEMENT ERA countries to Utah, and this for unlawful and immoral purposes; and that the greater part of its missionary activity is directed to this end. That the Church indirectly pays the fares of these women and girls, thus setting at defiance the immigration laws of the nation. These are but a few of the foolish and malicious falsehoods voiced at the Conference. A woman -speaker, who announced herself as a novelist from foreign shores, criticized our national government, and singled out the U. S. Attorney-General, for failing to crush "Mormonism." A weak little man who averred that he had come all the way from Liverpool to open American eyes to the awful dangers of "Mormonism," told of the consternation and abhorrence felt by some anti-"Mormon" organization in his town over the presence of Brigham rl. Roberts in England as a chaplain in the U. S. Army; and this pitiable creature had the affrontery to declare that 'they went to work at once and had the 'Mormon' chaplain packed off back to his own shores in short order." The fact that Chaplain B. H. Roberts served with the 145th Field Artillery in France, returned in due course with his regiment, and was released from the service only when the 145th was honorably mustered out, was of no importance to this ignorant purveyor of falsehood. The speakers unwittingly paid tribute to the evangelizing work of the Church, by telling, though in mournful numbers, of the ever increasing success of our missionary service and of the effect of newspaper publication of articles dealing with "Mormon" doctrines. The vitality of the Church was proclaimed again and again as an amazing phenomenon; and the declaration was made, reiterated, and emphasized, that never has the Church been stronger and more active than today, nor has it ever had more promising prospects. Thus, some truths of significant import were given expression. In compliance with the published rules requiring written application from anyone desiring to participate in discussion, I handed a note to the presiding officer respectfully requesting to be heard. The General Superintendent of the National Reform Association anounced from the stage the receipt of my note, and set forth with scrupulous plainness that the Conference then in session was a Christian organization, and that none but Christians had the right to be heard therein, but that he would submit to the assembly the question as to whether the representative of the "Mormon" Church, which, he asseverated, was distinctly non-Christian, should be allowed the courtesy of the floor. Then arose loud cries of "No No! ! We don't want to hear him No ! 'Mormon' can speak here!" etc., etc. Not all of those present were of the intolerant and bigoted class. Doubtless there were many of open mind and good heart. ; CHRISTIANITY FALSELY SO-CALLED 199 One of these, whom I afterward found to be a Baptist minister, secured recognition and urged that I be given a respectful hearing, and closed his remarks with the trenchant criticism: "We are making a sorry exhibition of ourselves." This gentleman's recommendation was received with applause from the minority but later the innuendo was thrown out from the stage that evidently there were many "Mormons" present. It was voted that I be allowed to speak for five minutes as a courtesy, but with no recognition of any right to be heard, since I, not being a Christian, had no such right. After a short but positive avowal of the falsity of the absurd statements made, I read the Governor's letter, which is given below. Hisses, hoots, and other expressions of derision, accompanied and followed the reading. This marked the close of the forenoon meeting. At the beginning of the afternoon session a motion was offered and, after much noisy protest and comment, was passed, allowing me a second period of five minutes. I used the time in affirming my status as a Christian in the strictest sense, and in citing certain of the Articles of Faith in proof of the embodiment of Christianity in "Mormonism." Again came a torrent of hisses and scorn. As I passed along the aisle, men and women shrank away lest they be contaminated by propinquity to a "Mormon." Later that afternoon Major Wesley E. King's request to speak was submitted to vote with discourteous comment. The Major was allowed ten minutes. He read the "Statement of Refutation" given below, which was signed bv officials of both the Commercial and the Rotarv clubs, by the Mayor, the Justices of the Supreme Court and others. Jeers, hisses and shouts of disapprobation greeted this presentation; and the disgraceful uproar became even more intense when Major King read the paper signed by several ministers of Salt Lake City churches; and he was insultingly Questioned as to whether the signatures were genuine. He stood by his guns like the soldier he is, and the chairman stood alongside watch in hand. When the latter shouted, "Only a minute more", Major King thundered forth a genuine barrage of commendation and praise for Utah and her people, and acclaimed the virtue, integrity, industry, and general probity of the "Mormons." Then pandemonium reached its height. One man, livid with rage, shrieked: "If he thinks so much of the 'Mormons' why doesn't he join them?" And another, similarly possessed by the demon of anger, cried aloud: "That's what I want to know," and shook his clenched fist in the major's face. The meeting was protracted, and one of the late features was my recall to the stage to answer certain questions. One was as 200 IMPROVEMENT ERA to whether I believed in and was teaching polygamy — to which I replied that any member of the Church who would even attempt to enter into plural marriage relations would be violating the law of the Church as well as the secular law, and would be amenable to punishment under each; but that personally I believe the plural marriage state of the ancient patriarchs was acceptable to the Lord, and I hold the same views with respect to plural mar-" riages solemnized by the Holy Priesthood prior to the action of the Church forbidding all but monogamous marriage; furthermore, that I am not, neither is any other official of the Church, "teaching polygamy." This was seized upon as occasion for an outburst of unprecedented rage and insult. Another question, and this like the preceding was propounded by a woman, was as to whether at that very time I was not wearing upon my under-garments devices typical and commemorative of treasonable oaths taken and obligations entered into in the "Mormon" Temple. I replied with the affirmation that I had never taken a treasonable or even an unpatriotic oath or obligation of any kind whatsoever; that all such imputations respecting the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint9 were grossly malicious, slanderous and false; that every ordinance of the Church was uplifting, and sanctifying; and that as to my wearing apparel I held to mv right of individual choice. The female person above referred to then brazenly suggested that I be taken and stripped by a committee of men who should report their findings to the Conference. — When the meeting was closed with a benediction I was — immediately surrounded by a crowd on the stage, and for nearly an hour was so held. Questions were literally fired at me, mostly by ministers, but my everv attempt to reply was interrupted by insultins: vituperation, and fists were thrust close to mv face fully half a dozen times. One man, who had been referred to as a reverend doctor and who was attired in clerical garb, drew back in menacing attitude with fist readv to strike, because he claimed I was impertinent in not answering his question; and another gentleman of the cloth brandished both fists at once and gnashed his teeth like a maniac. One of the speakers named on the program had sought prestige by having the words "Former Mormon" appear after his name. In the mob-like crush following the session, this man was particularly blatant; and I asked him to specifv the branch, ward, or stake to which he had formerly belonged. Pressed for a replv he ansrily admitted that he never had been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This exposure maddened him. and he vented his rage with even greater furv than before. Throughout this post-meeting scene, a couple of : CHRISTIANITY FALSELY SO-CALLED 201 females who had climbed to elevated positions at the back of the stage kept up a boisterous outpouring of abuse and vilification, with shrieks, and other such and worse demonstrations. Let it not be inferred, however, that the Third World's Christian Citizenship Conference is to be judged by these extravaganzas. It was only the "Conference on Mormonism" that thus disgraced itself and amongst its attendants were many who ; plainly evinced their disapproval and disgust of the whole un- Christianlike orgie of rage, malice, and depravity. The documents read at the Conference by Major King and myself follow in full Letter From the Acting Governor of Utah State of Utah Executive Office Salt Lake City Nov# 3> 1919 My dear Dr. Talmage: —My attention has been directed to certain press reports calculated to cast odium upon a church which comprises a majority of the citizens of Utah. Having personal and official knowledge of facts to the contrary, I am issuing this general and rpecific denial of these unwarranted and scandalous assertions. Among the erroneous and misleading statements is the allegation that as a result of missionary propaganda conducted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the "Mormon Church", great numbers of women and girls have been brought to Utah from other states — and foreign countries in recent years for immoral purposes for polygamous wives, mistresses, and prostitutes. Such assertions are wholly unfounded and false. The laws of Utah are strict and ample against the contracting of bigamous or polygamous marriages or pretended marriages, and against all forms of sexual vice; and no evil condition of this character could exist without my official cognizance, and none does exist. Another erroneous statement circulated is to the effect that the "Mormon Church" exercises control over the political destinies of Utah and other states. Individual and party freedom in political activities is as real in Utah as in any section of our country, and our Mormon citizens are unsurpassed in loyalty to the government and institutions of the state and nation. I deprecate these aspersions upon the honor, virtue, loyalty and social probity of Utah's citizenry as wholly false, calumnious and vicious. Yours very truly, The Great Seal of (Sgd.) Harden Bennion, The State of Utah Acting Governor. Dr. James E. Talmage, 304 First Ave.. Salt Lake City, Utah. Governor Simon Bamberger s Endorsement (By Postal Telegraph Co.) New York, N. Y., Nov. 10 Dr. Talmage, Fort Pitt Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pa.: I fully indorse Acting Governor Bennion's letter to you of Novem ber third. Governor Simon Bamberger. 202 IMPROVEMENT ERA A Statement of Refutation Issued by the Board of Governors of the Commercial Club, Salt Lake City The attention of the Salt Lake Commercial Club has been called to the appearance in newspapers in the United States, of a "syndicate article" bearing the date line of London, Eng., in some instances as "October 19", from the pen of one purporting to be George Selden, writer of the English metropolis, which is vicious, inconsistent and maliciously false in its accusations against the "Mormon" Church. This article, sent broadcast through the United States, contains quotations credited to one Winifred Graham, to whom the article refers as novelist, some of which are as follows: "What is Mormonism doing in England? It works secretly as in America and snaps its fingers at law in both countries. This very minute the Church elders have twelve hundred girls ready for shipment to Utah. "The Mormon Church pays the fares and offers excellent wages, but once it gets women over it uses them as it pleases. The war gave the Mormon elders their greatest opportunity for proselyting. In the absence of the men folk and because of the deaths of thou- sands of soldiers, the women of the poorer classes fell easy vic- tims. Secret meetings were held in homes that attracted the neigh- borhood without attracting suspicion. "Every girl is baptized. They then become silent about polyg- amy, but they become either polygamous wives or slaves of the Mormon Church. Occasionally we hear of girls who are slaving on Mormon farms." The Commercial Club of Salt Lake City, Utah, through its duly constituted Board of Governors, hereby desires that it be known that it has taken cognizance of and read these statements, which it brands as being vicious in intent and so obviously inconsistent as to be their own refutation, and they are scandalous, pernicious and false. The Commercial Club, in line with its activities from the time of its organization, is critically persistent and thorough in its survey of conditions relating to the interests of our commonwealth and is fully qualified by its knowledge of facts to thus brand these sensational stories as unmitigated falsehoods. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the "Mormon" Church, is working in harmony with other institutions in Utah, ecclesiastical and civic, for the maintenance of the highest attainable standard of morality, and has made an enviable record in this accomplishment, as also in patriotic and devoted service to the country's needs. This Commercial Club disavows and condemns with disapprobation equsdlv strong the circulated falsehoods of "Mormon" interference in St^te or National politics. The "Mormon" people exercise their political rights and preferences in common with their fellow-citizens who are not of their faith; and this Club unhesitatingly affirms that the stories alleging "Mormon" control of political parties in this State or elsewhere are but myths and fables, without even the merit of apparent consistency to excuse their periodical re-telling. (Sgd.) Lester D. Freed, President Commercial Club, H. N. Byrne C. B. Hawley A. N. McKay H. M. Chamberlain J. C. Howard C. W. Nibley Joseph Decker S.R. Inch F. C. Schramm Lester D. Freed Jas.Ingebretsen M. H. Sowles R. C. Gemmell D. Carlos Kimball Charles Tyng (Board of Governors) CHRISTIANITY FALSELY SO-CALLED 203 Hereby we concur in the above statement of the Commercial Club of Salt Lake City: John C. Cutler, Former Governor State of Utah W. S. McCornick, Pres. McCornick & Co., Bankers J. E. Frick, Justice Supreme Court of Utah A. J. Weber, Justice Supreme Court of Utah E. E. Corfman, C. J. Supreme Court of Utah Samuel R. Thurman, Justice of Supreme Court of Utah W. W. Armstrong, U. S. Food Administrator of Utah Salt Lake Rotary Club, By Lew H. Harding, Sec. Rotary Club, By James W. Collins, President Rotary Club Statement by Salt Lake City Ministers Salt Lake City, Utah. November 8th, 1919. To the Commercial Club of Salt Lake City, Utah. — Gentlemen: Our attention having been called to certain statements now being widely circulated through American newspapers as coming from Winifred Graham, an English novelist, charging that the commonly called "Mormon Church" is still practicing polygamy and is biinging hundreds of young women and girls into the state of Utah, either to become polygamous wives or to be consigned to white slavery or to industrial slavery on farms said to Ve owned bv the Mormon Church, we the undersigned ministers, having Churches in Salt Lake City, have this to say: That having been pastors here for years and being fully conversant with existing conditions, we hereby state that while the Mormon Church is strongly a Missionary Church and engaged in proselytism among Christians in Europe, the United States and other countries, yet simple honesty compels us to give denial to such published statements as we are convinced are untrue. Polygamy is under the ban of the law in Utah, and we believe that institution is dying here. As to the statement that the Mormon Church is bringing young women and girls into Utah with the deliberate intent to put them into polvgamv or into white or industrial slavery, we believe this charge to be without foundation. The Evangelical Churches of Utah are as strongly opposed as ever to polygamy, but are convinced that it is here a passing practice. Peter A. Simnkin, Phillips Congregational Church J. Sherman Wallace, Immanuel Baptist Church Chester A. Snvder, Pastor, Central Christian Church (Disciples) James H. Williams, First Methodist Episcopal Church Wm. W. Fleetwood, St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral Geo. E. Davies, First Presbyterian Church. The newspapers of Pittsburgh gave prominent place to reports of the "Conference on Monnonism", and in general were fair in recording the unfairness with which Major King and I were treated. One of the prominent dailies, the Leader, printed next day, November 13, an ablv written editorial entitled, "The Intolerant Spirit," which had direct bearing on the Conference disgrace. It reads in part: 204 IMPROVEMENT ERA "The mob spirit is always abroad and always active. The man of opposing view refuses to listen, and worse still, refuses to allow any one of different views to express his opinions. "The rule which is set against the private individual also operates against the speaker on a public platform. The man or woman who tries to present a view, or even make an explanatory or illuminating statement, is howled down. If persistence is maintained, violence is the next step, one which has been taken many times and no doubt will be repeated. All of which is neither fair, honest, democratic, nor American. "The man who cannot listen to an argument which opposes his views cither has a weak position or is a weak defender of it. No opinion that cannot stand discussion or criticism is worth holding. And it has been wisely said that the man who knows only half of any question is worse off than the man who knows nothing of it. He is not only one sided, but his partisanship soon turns him into an intolerant and a fanatic. In general it is true that nothing which cannot stand up under discussion and criticism is worth defending." In the same issue, the Leader gave space to the following as the report of an interview with Major King: Asserting that he was unable to present his case to the World's Christian Citizenship Conference when the subject of Mormonism was under consideration at Syria Mosque yesterday, Maj. Wesley E. King has asked the Leader to make a statement to the people of Pittsburgh in regard to his presence in the city. Maj. King states that unfounded reports in circulation are harmful to Utah and Salt Lake Citv, and for that reason he was sent here by the Commercial Club, of Salt Lake City, to deny these rumors. He is not a Mormon. Maj. King said: came to Pittsburgh representing the non-Mormon people of Utah, "I the Commercial club, which is the one big civic body of the state, the Rotary club of 200 members and the business interests of the city in general. I hoM no brief for the Mormon church, its doctrines and practices. We non-Mormons do not regard Mormonism as a menace to the welfare of the nation and we believe that the vile, vicious and untrue statements at the meeting in Syria Mosque Wednesday will do the Mormon church no harm, but may injure the State of Utah immeasurably. "The questions discussed, the statements made, are properly for the consideration of the United States officials and of the people of the State of Utah. We know how to handle the matter out there and we are handling it splendidly. Polygamy is a passing issue and a passing fact and we do not believe that there is any ground for great concern regarding it. "I have been in some rough and tumble assemblages, have had to look out for my head and my hide more than once, having been three times under arms, in the service of my countrv on foreign soil, but I was never treated as shamefully or with as little fairness as at the Syria Mosque yesterday. To answer a discussion which had lasted a whole day. I wa^ given 10 minutes, after a very unfair and prejudical introduction, in which to read the statements sent me by six of the leading ministers of Salt Lake and the Salt Lake Commercial club and to answer the great list of falsehoods which an authoress from England, two professional reformers, and two well intentioned gentlemen from over seas had launched at the one-mind audience during the day. It took nine minutes to read the statements. The chairman stood at my side, watch in hand, and announced that I had 'One minute more!' Before that minute was up I was hissed down — - ——— CHRISTIANITY FALSELY SO-CALLED 205 because of my statement that of all the people I had ever met, the Mormons were as moral, as temperate, as honest and honorable in their dealings and as good neighbors as any. "Following this I was cross examined by one of the reformers and accorded very rough treatment, such as physical jostling, jeering and sneering from the good pastor* v.iio occupied the platform." It should be remembered that no Utah representative had been specifically invited to take part, by the program committee or others. The conference was theirs, not ours. We were in the enemy's camp, and that of our own volition. While this was a departure from the usual course, since Utah's people generally let foolish and fictitious stories pass unnoticed as being sure to disprove themselves eventually, the exceptional action in this instance was undoubtedly taken in wisdom; for the dastardly attempt to dignify calumnies on the State of Utah and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by bringing them into the — proceedings of a World's Conference and a professedly Christian assembly at that—had to be challenged and rebuked. And I doubt not that in the minds of the honorable, truthloving, and virtuous souls who witnessed the scene, or who have read the news reports thereof, the nefarious design to spread falsehood and deceit was both challenged and rebuked. Love's Gift There is an ecstasy that mere Existence never knows; 'Tis when the heart's awakening comes, Its gift, a deep, red rose. There comes a pang — a smothered breath Changed is my rose, my rose; Its leaves are dead, and bare its stem, No more the love-light glows. How dreary, dreary is the world, An icy north wind blows; Ah me, no more to me sends Love Its gift, a deep, red rose. Lies winter's shroud upon the earth — Each epoch hath its close The bride and death are robed in white, Love's gift, a pure, white rose. Lydia D. Alder In Defense of the Latter-day Saints [As a forerunner of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, World's Christian Citizenship Conference, held in the early part of November, 1919, there were press notices sent out and printed in many papers in the United States containing false accusations against Utah and the Latter-day Saints written by an English novel writer, Winifred Graham, and dated London, October 21. The Commercial and Rotary Clubs, and other like organizations in Salt Lake City, demurred against the falsehoods and sent their protests to Senator Reed Smoot with a request that he call the attention of the Senate of the United States to them. This he did on November 10, and we take pleasure in printing his speech and the documents in full in the Era, from the Congressional Record of November 11; also the splendid defense of the Latter-day Saints, on the floor of the Senate Chamber by Senator Henry F. Ashurst, of Arizona, Senator Charles S. Thomas, of Colorado, and Senator Charles B. Henderson, of Nevada. It is doubtless the first unsolicited defense of the Latter-day Saints ever uttered in the Senate of the United States, and is well deserved. A host of people in the West are grateful to these gentlemen for the truths presented at the opportune time and place.—Editors.] By Senator Smoot, of Utah Mr Smoot. Mr. President, I am not going to occupy more than about 15 minutes of the time of the Senate. For over 16 years I have paid no attention whatever to any of the false and malicious newspaper reports and statements made against the so-called 'Mormon" Church. The only excu-e that I have to offer for doing so at this time is that I have received a request from members of a number of the principal clubs of the State of Utah to call the attention of the Senate and of the country to certain false statements published in different newspapers throughout the United States. First, I desire to call attention to an article that appeared in the New York World of October 22, under the date line of Lon- don, October 21. This same article, I will state, was published in many other newspapers throughout the United States. It is as follows: Girls,Mormon Converts, Want to Leave England.—Fully 1,200 of them, Says Authoress, Have Asked Passports so They Can go to Utah. London, October 21. Winifred Graham, the well-known English authoress, who has done much in this country to expose Mormonism, told the World correspondent today that fully 1,200 English girls have recently been persuaded by Mormon propagandists here to go to Utah. "During the war," she said, "the Mor- mons made great headway in the United Kingdom. I hope the American authorities will prevent the departure of these girls for America. From sail lm- reliable sources I learn that there are 1,200 of them anxious to