Concerning Plural Marriages

CONCERNING PLURAL MARRIAGES 75 Notwithstanding frequent verbal and printed instructions issued by President Joseph F. Smith and counselors to the effect that the solemnization of plural marriages was prohibited by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and these instructions having been reiterated time and time again by myself as President, cases occasionally arise where certain individuals are teaching that it is legitimate to enter into plural marriage, and that such marriages can be performed by certain members of the Church claiming to have authority to do so. The revelations of the Lord inform us most plainly that there is but one man on the earth at a time who holds the keys of this sealing power; namely, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As President of the Church, I once again solemnly declare that no man living has the authority to solemnize a plural marriage; and I hereby announce that it is the bounden duty of every Latter-day Saint, male and female, who knows of any such pretended marriage being performed, to inform the proper officers of the Church, in order that the Church's honor may be maintained and that such individuals may be dealt with according to the rules and regulations of the Church and excommunicated therefrom. The Ninety-Seventh Semi-Annual Conference President Heber J. Grant's opening address was an appeal to in- dividual repentance, and to an individual desire to preach the gospel of repentance. He referred to the 29th chapter of the book of Alma, reading it and the revelation on the Word of Wisdom as themes for his address. The Church today is doing more missionary work than at any time in its history. He was especially complimentary to those who had filled and are filling the call for mature missionaries for short missions at the last October conference, and rejoiced in the splendid experiences of the missionaries who responded to this call. One great duty devolving upon the members and the leaders of the Church is to proclaim the gospel, and especially by their actions in life. No one can advocate the law of tithing or the Word of Wisdom, or any other principle of the gospel, unless he is an honest tithe-payer, unless he obeys the Word of Wisdom, and unless he lives jn conformity with the doctrines and principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A number of promises have been made by the Lord as a sure reward for those who live in harmony with the requirements made of his people. We obtain no blessing except through obedience to the law upon which the blessing is predicated. During all the meetings of Sunday the seats in the Tabernacle were filled to capacity, and also the standing room. Besides, there were large overflow meetings in the Assembly Hall at 10 and 2 o'clock. The radio was used, and it was stated that at least a hundred thousand people would hear 'the services that were given in the Tabernacle during the first day. President Anthony W. Ivins, in an inspirational sermon, dis- cussed the attitude of the Christian world toward "Mormonism," and the slanders resorted to by the clergy to make believe there is a retro- grade movement in this Church. He called attention to the vast congre- gation, and other thousands who had assembled, and were listening in,

76 IMPROVEMENT ERA to obtain the inspiration of the Lord at this conference, as clearly dis- proving these charges. He named two important world events; namely, the turmoil in Mexico, from which he believes good will come to the people of the land; and the British-Israel World federation, which recalls ideas that have been preached by the Latter-day Saints for nearly a hundred years. Concerning the charge of certain ministers as to what they call a retrograde movement in this Church, it might be interesting to state here that the Priesthood meeting held on Monday evening, October 4, showed an increase of 1,548 persons over the largest Priesthood meeting ever held in the Church before. There were 4,818 in attend- ance, the largest general Priesthood meeting ever held in the Church. President Charles W. Nibley spoke in great earnestness of freedom and liberty, paying tribute to the founders of this nation and to the reformers of the world for the pioneering they had done in preparing the way for the introduction of the gospel in these latter days. With- out their labors, and the work of the patriots of this country, the Church could scarcely have been established in our day. The speakers following in the various sessions, until Tuesday evening, contributed practical and inspiring discourses, to the delight and inspiration of the large audiences at all the meetings. The Tabernacle Choir did itself proud, especially in the rendition of "Worthy is the Lamb," on Sunday afternoon, with Laurinda P. Brewerton as soloist. Their singing was greatly commended by many who were present. Altogether the conference was a notable one, and will contribute largely to the enthusiasm of the workers1 in the Church, in their labors for the furtherance of the work of the Lord. The auxiliary meetings on Sunday morning and evening, and at other times during the conference, were unusually inspiring and interesting. Nathan Hale, Martyr "On Sept. 22, 1776, a 21 -year-old captain in the Revolutionary Army waited to be hanged as a spy by the .British. With the rope around his neck, he said quietly: 'I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.' The life was that of Nathan Hale, martyr, hero. "Last week in his birth-place, in South Coventry, Conn., citizens as- sembled to honor the 150th anniversary of his death. A message from Pres- ident Coolidge was read: ' 'There is no finer record of high character and patriotic devotion, of unselfish service and of a spirit unquenched and majestic in death than that of Nathan Hale.* * * The hero's story should be taught to every child in our schools.* * * ' " — Time, a weekly news magazine, Oct. 4, 1926.