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This thesis is an examination of the influence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah politics from 1902 to 1916. It examines the principal personalities involved, the issues which affected the church and the state, and the manner in which those problems were resolved. By virtue of his position as president of the church, which included his acceptance by the members as Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, Joseph F. Smith found a unique opportunity to influence political events. The Democrats, who had won control of the legislature in 139$, had split over a choice of candidates for United States Senator, and the resultant wounds were so deep that the party was not only unable to make a choice, but had effectively destroyed its own political power. Joseph F. Smith moved into the vacuum thus created. His chief lieutenant was Apostle Reed Smoot, who with Smith's ringing endorsement, went to the United States Senate in 1903 to begin a career which lasted thirty years. Smoot also organized and directed the activities of the Republican party through the loosely-knit organization which became known by the titles bestowed on it by its foes- "The Federal Bunch" and "The Smoot Gang." The third man who helped lead Utah during this period was William Spry, who served as governor of Utah from 1903 to 1916. Smoot and Spry were capable politicians, but they always deferred to the ultimate authority of Joseph F. Smith. Both had substantial followings, but neither dared oppose Smith, and Spry ended both his own career and Republican domination of Utah when he opposed Smith on the prohibition issue. Spry retired from office and Smoot lost his command of state politics as a result of this schism, but Smith continued to dominate Utah politics as the leader of the dominant church. The principal issue of the day was simply put: "Who will control Utah?" With over 80% of the state's residents members of the Mormon Church, it was clear that no other group could, with only their own strength, mount an effective challenge at the polls. In territorial days, anti-Mormons had been able to use the polygamy issue to keep the Mormons on the defensive and gain political power for themselves. After statehood, when it became evident that many Mormons had not really abandoned plural marriage, the issue was again raised, and with the very real threat of possible punitive legislation pending, attempted to blackmail their way into control of the state. Smith apparently felt the time had come to stand up to the enemies of the church. Feeling that the church should not submit, his obvious intention was to use his influence and the political power of the church to protect its rights and interests. It was not until Smith finally acted to curb the practice of plural marriage in the church that he was able to disarm the anti-Mormon elements and exercise the complete political control his position permitted without the danger of repressive legislation- a possibility which was very real until he finally put the stamp of disapproval on the custom which threatened church control of politics in Utah. With the church at last publicly committed to act against those members who continued to contract plural marriages, it was no longer necessary for the church to control either party. When Spry's revolt over the prohibition issue resulted in a Democratic victory in 1916, Smith had already discovered that he could control Utah politics by exerting influence over Mormon officials and legislators, and that he need not be concerned with their party in order to effectively dominate political affairs in Utah. |
