| 83 At this time the suit of Ann Eliza Webb Dee Young, the "nineteenth wife" of Brigham Young, which she had brought to obtain divorce and alimony was creating considerable excitement, and in the Herald for December 1, 1874, President Smith made the following pertinent observations thereon:
It will be no new thing to any of the readers of the Herald to learn that we regard Brigham Young as a great criminal, for we have so stated aforetime; not only once, but many times. But what makes his guilt more glaring, and adds darkness to its turpitude, is the fact, that when Ann Eliza Young, one of those whom Brigham Young has married according to the customs and usages of practical polygamists in Utah, under the sanction of the alleged revelation referred to by Judge McKean,
alone appeal; and you affirm your belief in the establishment of the church through the ministry of Joseph Smith and others, designed to remain until the coming of Christ the second time, who will receive it unto himself. To this we all agree; but whether it shall exist in a justified condition, or fully organized condition, from its establishment to its final endowment by the personal coming of its great head, or king, depends not upon the decree of God, but the faithfulness of the church; for it is expressly declared that if not obedient it should be "rejected as a church."
Such an event then as rejection or disorganization was possible, not only upon general principle that this is the ordinary punishment of great and continued transgression, but it is expressly threatened. When the church was recognized of God, as the only one with which he was pleased, it was charged to observe his law-of the gospel-as found in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and the covenants and articles of the church then existing, as found in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. Now if this gospel and kingdom is everlasting, as we are assured, then the laws by which its members or citizens will finally be judged, must be equally everlasting. It is the laws of any kingdom that determines its character. If it is everlasting, so are they. To change or violate these, on the part of an individual, is transgression, and subjects them to discipline; and to be "cast out" if not repented of.
For the church to do this is treason, and its punishment is rejection and scattering, "as a church," and in that case, the only hope for the individual member of the church, is to repent, return, and reorganize. What is possible may become probable, and probability may end in certainty. Therefore the question, Whether the organization known in these valleys as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is truly such, or a mistake, an accident, a human contrivance, is quite legitimate and debatable; and we propose to investigate this question with you, whose interest in it is equal to ours. And that our exact position may be inferred, we here state that the signification we attach to the word, "Reorganization," implies that all the calamities referred to above, to wit: darkness, transgression, amounting to treason against God, rejection and scattering, have really occurred. Thus our mission and message is legitimate and consistent. We deemed it proper that this number of the "Messenger" should contain a declaration of principles and definitions that we may be understood, both in design and method. We take it that it is now too late, even in Utah, to "set cabbage plants roots up," or make gardens on a flat rock, even if so directed by authority; because there is a principle underlying this that forbids cabbage to grow, or gardens to nourish in such positions. It is principle then that precedes authority, and legitimate authority exhibits the principles on which it is based. Reason and conscience are the individual umpires of truth, not to be stifled, but addressed.
Inspiration itself must tell a reasonable story, when addressed to reasonable creatures, otherwise the credit given it will prove, much like the thorn-bush to the falling one who grasps it-a source of pain.-The Messenger, vol. 1, p. 2.
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