46 – Priscilla M. Staines

1: Where do you reside Mrs. Staines?
In this city.

2: Well what is the name of the city you reside in?
Salt Lake City.

3: What territory is that in?
In Utah territory.

4: Where did you reside or live before coming here?
In St. Louis

5: What state was that in?
In Missouri.

6: Where did you live before you moved to St. Louis, Missouri?
In Nauvoo.

7: What state was Nauvoo in?
In Illinois.

8: What church, if any, were you a member of while you were at Nauvoo, Illinois?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

9: State to the reporter what you know, if you know anything, about the doctrine of plural marriage, commonly called “polygamy”, being taught or practiced in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Nauvoo, Illinois, while you were a member of the church there at that place?
 

10: You may answer the question.
What is the question?

11: State to the reporter what you know, if anything, about the doctrine of plural marriage, commonly called “polygamy”, being taught or practiced in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Nauvoo, Illinois, while you were residing there?
Well I was taught that principle by William Smith in 1845.

12: Who was William Smith?
He was a brother of the prophet Joseph Smith. He was the youngest brother.

13: Did you receive the teachings of William Smith on the principle of plural marriage?
I did sir.

14: Were you ever present when the marriage ceremony was performed according to the principle of plural marriage?
Yes sir.

15: When was that?
Only when I was married myself.

16: Whom were you married to?
To William Smith.

17: Who performed the ceremony?
A gentleman by the name of Lee, no it was Lane, instead of Lee, his name was Lane.

18: Can you state any of the circumstances attending William Smith teaching you that principle?
What is that?

19: I asked you if you could state any of the circumstances attending William Smith’s teaching you that principle of plural marriage?
 
Teaching me the principle of plural marriage?

20: Yes, and by what authority he had for doing so?
He told me that his brother had received a revelation to that effect and he taught it to me, and practiced it.

21: Did you ever live with William Smith as his wife?
I did, sir.

22: What was your name at that time?
Priscilla Morgridge.

23: Were you ever introduced by William Smith, any where, as his wife?
Well sir I don’t recollect.

24: That is all I believe. You may cross examine. Cross-examination by P. P. Kelley, –
 

25: Now Mrs. Staines all of these transactions about which you have testified occurred in 1845, and after that time, did they not?
No it was in 1845.

26: Well in the year 1845?
Yes sir.

27: That is all. No I will ask you Mrs. Staines who asked you to come up here and testify as a witness?
Mr. Cannon.

28: Angus N. Cannon?
Yes sir.

29: Is he the President of the Stake here in Salt Lake City?
Yes sir.

30: State to the reporter what request he made to you about coming up here?
Well that is all the request that he made. I was just requested to come up here to meet Mr. Hall I believe it was. I did not consider that I knew much, but I was told that you were the gentleman I had been requested to come up here to meet, who was wanting to see me.

31: Did Mr. Cannon tell you that he was requested by Mr. Hall to ask you to come up here to see him?
Yes sir. He said that Mr. Hall wished to see me. That was it.

32: Mr. Cannon told you that he was requested by Mr. Hall to see you and tell you to come up here and see Mr. Hall? Is that it?
Yes sir. set forth.
Yes sir.