A matter that has caused much distress and very serious
concern came to official action today. Elder _____, who has labored
successively in the Liverpool, the Free State, and the Nottingham Districts,
was given leave of absence to make a tour on the Continent, upon which he set
out about the middle of February. A week ago I received from President Benjamin
R. Birchall of the Free State District the horrifying word that Elder _______
had been guilty of sexual transgression with one of our otherwise respected
young sisters in Dublin, the offense having been committed on the occasion of a
visit made by Elder _______ in company with Elder _____ in November last. The
young woman is now over four months advanced in pregnancy. Telegrams have been
sent to _______ addressed to him at Jerusalem, and Cairo, and he has also been
notified by letter. That one of the telegrams reached him is evidenced by his
reply; but he has wholly ignored the instruction to report on his return from
the Continent, and by what appears to be conclusive evidence he has departed
from the field and left for home. This morning I convened a council of Elders
at Durham House, and laid before that body the evidence furnished by the
confession of the young girl, by _______’s letters to her, and we heard the
testimony of Elder Lathael L. Fryer who traveled with Brother _______ on the
Continent, and who is to depart tomorrow for home, honorably released. The
result of the very thorough consideration was that _______ was this day
excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I realize
that it is unusual to proceed against a man in this way when he is not present;
but his failure to obey the standing instruction to report, and to ignore the
special instruction sent to him, must be taken as an act of contempt, by which
act alone he subjected himself to the discipline of the Church. Aside from the
great sin itself, this transgression is really tragical [sic] in that it cannot
fail to affect the faith of the people of the Dublin Branch, which indeed is
co-extensive with the Free State District. Oh, how much harm one missionary can
do when he gives himself up to sin! (James E. Talmage, Journal, April 8, 1927)
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