[Lorenzo Snow to Governer West Authority Abraham H. Cannon] "Utah Penitentiary
May 24, 1886 To His Excellency Caleb W. West
.... We conscientiously believe in the doctrine of plural marriage, and have practiced it from a firm conviction of its being a divine requirement.
Of the forty nine Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints now imprisoned in this Penitentiary for alleged violations of the Edmunds law all but four had plural wives from its passage to thirty five years prior to its passage. We were united to our wives for time and eternity by the most sacred covenants, and in many instances numerous children have been born as a result of our union, who are endeared to us by the strongest parental ties.
... Had you offered us unconditional amnesty, it would have been gladly accepted, but dearly as we prize the great boon of liberty, we cannot afford to obtain it by proving untrue to our conscience, our religion, and our God....
As witness our hands,
Lorenzo Snow"
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
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