85 years ago today - 80 years - Jul 31, 1935

[J. Reuben Clark & David O. McKay letter]

We have your letter of July 29, 1935, dealing with the question of the handling of certain persons who, it would appear from your letter, are living in adultery, and trying to cloak their relations under the guise of plural marriage.

We enclose herewith a copy of the circular letter, dated Jun 17, 1933, by the First Presidency, and which covers the situation fully.

You will see from this circular that these people, if living as supposed, are not living the law of plural marriage, but are, on the contrary, simply adulterers.

From your statement it would seem that these people are committing crimes against the laws of Arizona. If this be true it is your duty to assist the civil offices in their efforts to uphold and enforce the law.

You are of course familiar as to the steps to be taken in the matter of excommunication from the Church, and you should proceed against these people at once in order to purge the Church of sin.

[J. Reuben Clark and David O. McKay, Letter to Charles C. Heaton, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]