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Note and Comment

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 2, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 5.

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Note and Comment

To those who regard the revealed will of God as superior to any law of man, and of binding obligation under all circumstances, the following quotation taken from the examination of Senator-elect Smoot, of Utah, by the United States Senate committee, as reported in the Washington Post of January 22, will be of interest, and may afford food for thought:—
“Do you believe the church still receives revelations from God?” asked Senator Overman.
“I believe the church can receive revelations.”
“Who receives them?”
“I believe any good man can receive revelations, but President Smith is the only man who can receive revelations that would be binding upon the people.”
“Do you believe that any revelation which might be given could be superior to the laws of the land?” asked Senator Overman.
“I do not believe it would be superior to the laws of the land.”
“Then if you got a revelation from heaven yourself, would you have to obey it?”
“I believe if it was from God, it would be compulsory upon me to obey it. But if it was contrary to the laws of the country in which I lived, I would move to some other country where I could obey the law.”
“Do you believe that revelations are ever given?”
“Well, I have heard men testify so, but I could not say.”
“What is your belief?”
“I believe that God could do such things. He did it in former days, and could do it now.”
“As I understand a former answer by you, it is fundamentally and primarily a part of your religion if a revelation should come to the church that commanded you to disobey the laws of the land, you would not have to obey it?” asked Senator Knox.
Mr. Smoot responded that he would be a free agent to accept or reject it, but that if God spoke to him personally, he would leave the country and go to some place where the law of God was not in conflict with the law of the country.