Scope and Contents Ben E. Rich wrote: "Yesterday morning a wire came to the New York Times from the Salt Lake Tribune, saying they understood [Max] Florence had a photo of your bedroom, showing four beds and asking the Times to interview him on the same. The matter is in [Isaac] Russell's hands who will see the DAMN CUSS today and I will then report to you. The longer I live, the more firmly I...

Scope and Contents "During the lifetime of the late Pres. Wilford Woodruff a rule was established by him not to permit a woman to be anointed to a man unless she had lived with him as a wife. This was a restriction of the rule in such cases which obtained during the lifetime of Presidents Brigham Young and John Taylor. After considering the matter we have concluded to restore the practice as expressed in the following, and which will govern in such cases in the future: Any woman who has been sealed to a man in...

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Mary Taylor Schwartz Smith wrote: "I have been taught to recognize plural marriage as a divine institution and to recognize all wives as equal as far as their position as wives go. But I do not think there is the amount of consideration for each others feelings, or as good an understanding exists between husbands and wives in that connection."

Scope and Contents A. F. Smith wrote: "Frank just called me up over the phone advising me that Aunt Edna has been in the [Salt Lake Knitting Works] store in no good disposition causing some little difficulty regarding the new finish you authorized me to put on the garments. She refuses to allow those wearing the garment with the finish to go through the temple with them, this is causing us a good deal of injury and trouble. Customers are objecting to their purchase on the grounds that they are not permitted in...

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"Joseph F. Smith's book in account with Trustee-in-Trust p. I 1867 June 10. Dr. to cash, divorce [from Levira Smith] $10.00."

Scope and Contents JFS, letter to John D. T. McAllister, 23 August 1875: "From my childhood-for twenty years and upwards I chewed the filthy weed [tobacco]. I never saw the moment during the whole time that I was not inwardly ashamed of it. Insomuch I endeavored to keep it to myself, using great caution. One day I went into the Pres. [Brigham Young]'s office. He whispered to me, I was obliged to whisper back. He smelt my breath, and started in surprise, 'Do you chew...

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JFS, letter to Junius F. Wells, 30 November 1875: "In the first place it [the RLDS Church] is a fraud, a base counterfeit, having only a form and color of the true coin, but not the metal. It is an attempt by apostates, to compromise with the world, and popularize the names of Joseph Smith and 'Mormonism,' and at the same time the secret design is to root out and destroy the kingdom of God, as they never could and never can endure sound doctrine."

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JFS, letter to Samuel F. Atwood, 17 March 1883: "When I entered into celestial marriage with my first wife [Levira] I solemnly covenanted and agreed, and so did my wife 'to observe and keep,' not a part, but 'all the laws, rites' etc., appertaining unto the new and everlasting covenant of matrimony. I understood and still do that the eternity of the marriage covenant includes a plurality of wives."

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JFS, letter to Susa, 21 May 1890: "While we are under the claws of the 'Great American Eagle' there is no use of teasing it by plucking its feathers. Even the truth should not be told at all times; and especially when silence is all that is required.... The policy now is, and it is a reasonable one, to pass by the sleeping lion, if we can, without kicking him."

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JFS, letter to Hyrum, 3 September 1897: "I do not wish to chide you for having allowed yourself to contend with a darkey [Black man] on a public rostrum, but I could not help feeling it was a little undignified on your part. While I approve of your efforts to defend the truth ... allow me to suggest that when you are compelled by a sense of duty to meet the enemy try and make sure that your 'foe is worthy of your steel.'"