Elder B. H. Roberts continued his remarks. ... There was also another question that would have to be considered which is: Can we say that religious or church influence has not been used in politics in Utah and Idaho? That the church authorities had faithfully adhered to their assertion that it is contrary to the principles of the Church to mingle religious influence with civil affairs; that members of the Church are free to act in their own initiative and judgment in politics as other citizens are, and that the departure from such policy would be disastrous to the Church as well as injurious to the State. The speaker did not feel that such denial could truthfully be made. ... In June 1891, about the time of the dissolution of the People's Party, a very strong article was prepared and published in the Salt Lake Times, in which the attitude of the Church in the politics of the State is clearly defined, and the desire to control the members of the Church politically, emphatically denied. ... These expressions bind the authorities in spirit and in fact to this position, [but] are we prepared now to say positively and conclusively that no such interference has been used? ... Elder LeGrand Young speaking of the [Wilford Woodruff] Manifesto stated that we could not be bound by the interpretation of any man contrary to the plain reading of the words. In that document no promise was made that the members would refrain from polygamous marriages. ... So far as the charges of Church influence was concerned, the Church had put itself on record against it! ...
[1907 Committee, Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
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