MORMON EMISSARIES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1198, 5 August 1911, Page 13

MORMON EMISSARIES.

Sir,—l was somewhat amused by reading in The Dominion of-to-day, under tho heading "Mormon Emissaries," where Mr. G. H. Thomson (Dmiedin North) is to ask tho Acting-Minister for Justice "to look into the question and consider tho advisability of taking the necessary steps to rid the country of emissaries of the Mormon faith." Now, sir, I am not a Mormon nor am I attached to any religion, but I believe that fair play is bonnie piny, and that before making such unfair and incorrcct statements as Mr. G. M. Thomson does as regards "immoral doctrines" and that "numbers of women are being cnticed to Salt Lsiko City" to be tho polygamous wives of the leaders of tho Church, investigation •'should 'be .made, The leaders -of tho. ChWSll r h'ere arid elsetflike''afe-''-' ready to'supply complete information to nil who wish to know, and at their New Zealand headquarters in Queep Street, Auckland, a complete record is kept of all missionaries coming to New Zealand, conversions to the faith, baptisms, etc., and also of all members of the Church who emigrate from hero to America. This so-called Mormon Churoh has just over forty missionaries labouring in the Dominion from tho far north to the Bluff, and theirs is a mission of lovo and goodwill.- They are for tho most part young men who are called by those in authority to-labour wherever asked. They, pay their own passage money o-ut, and also all their_ own expenses whilst here, staying from 'two to three years. All the Church docs to assist them is paying their passages to their homes. They tako no money whilst , here, as they believe that x religion should be preached "without money and without price," therefore the seats at tho meetings aro free, and tbere is no collection.

Polygamy i 3 not practised by tho leaders or members of the Church, as the law of the United States does not permit it. It is true that plural marriages did take place prior to Utah attaching herself to the States, and then only three per cent, did havo more than one wife. It seems strango in this so-called enlightened age that people can believe that suoh a progressive land as the United States # would allow plnral marriages— thero is a law in America just as here. Too State of Utah is not held or run' by the Mormons, nor is their religion tho only religion there, but other Churches havo just as much freedom in Utah as in Now Zealand. No women are "enticed" by the elders of the Church to emigrate, indeed they are implored to remain here awl build up the Church, but it seems that tho desire is to get in closer touch with the work. They occasionally emigrate—not only the women but their husbands and children. 2Co married woman is baptised .without tho consent of her husband, and no children without the conseut of parents or guardians Tho articles of faith of tho Church'of ms, £ hnst of Latter Da >" Saints-so-called Mormons are thirteen m number and I will quote their thirteenth and' then, sir, you can judge whether a people who have such principles and live up to them can possibly bo termed "immoral." Article 13.—"We believo in being honest true, _ chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men, indeed, we mav say that we follow the admonition of Paul: Wo believo all things, wo hope all things, wo have endured many tilings and hope to be able to endure all thin"'' If there is anything virtues,- lovely or of good report, or praiseworthy, wo 'seek after, these things."' Thanking you in anticipation.—l am, etc., Island Bay, July 29, 1911. ' B '