Lives of female Mormons; a narrative of facts stranger than fiction (1860)

Metta Victoria Fuller Victor

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The Mormons buy a lot of television time in the Western and Central New York areas advertising the pageant. While the church advertises the pageant as a free theatrical extravaganza, the entire purpose of the production is to draw non-LDS and expose them to the Mormon religion. Mormon missionaries canvas the crowd prior to each performance, asking people to fill out contact information forms for post-pageant follow-up. For my previous posts on the absolute untenableness of Mormon beliefs and the complete lack of archaeological evidence to corroborate the Book of Mormon myths, see here and here.

One would rightly assume that such a mammoth gathering and conflict would have resulted in thousands of ancient artifacts, but the Smithsonian has no plans for an archaeological dig at Hill Cumorah any time soon. In fact, the Smithsonian issued a statement citing absolutely no archaeological evidence for the ancient Nephite and Lamanite civilizations as alleged by the Book of Mormon.

This story may be a little offensive to some so I apologize in advance. The language around our home may have been a little raw at times. The Mormon church was formally organized at the Whitmer farm in So Steve and I arrived at the Whitmer site and we began strolling through the visitor center exhibit. The elderly husband and wife Mormon missionary couple assigned to the center came over to greet us and commenced with their sales pitch. Can we go now??? Sensing their opportunity was coming to an end, the elderly couple began pushing VERY hard to close the deal.

I was stunned and very embarrassed. My son had never spoken that way to me before, in private or public. I apologized and we scooted out the door. As I looked back, the old couple was still standing there in a state of shock. I think I remember buying my son an ice cream cone on the way home. Steve, was only five but he had nailed it right on the head. Sola Fide, by faith alone. Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone.

Solus Christus, through Christ alone. Sola Gratia, by grace alone. Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone. When the papyri were discovered years later they were found to be only simple Egyptian funerary instructions rather than the writings of Abraham. Smith was proven to be a charlatan.

In early 19th-century America, there was endless speculation and debate on the origins of the Native Americans. Joseph Smith was allegedly directed to golden plates by the angel Moroni in , which he subsequently translated into the Book of Mormon. The immigrant group split into two factions, the warlike, dark-skinned natch Lamanites and the peaceful, godly, fair-skinned Nephites.

Over 30 witnesses testified to facrs proving the guilt of the Mormons in this matter before Judges Cradlebaugh and Eckell[s], Territorial Judges in Utah. The children were subsequently removed to the States, and Mary Dunlap, the eldest survivor of the catastrophe, is living in Kansas City, Missouri, and can, we are informed, substantiate the charges against the men who are now seeking to throw the blame on the Indians. Lynch left by this day's steamer for Guayquil, Republic of Ecuador; but if through the instrumentality of the Judges named above or any other parties, an attempt should be made to bring the real assassins to punishment, he will be found ready to proceed to any part of the United States to depose to the above and other facts which came to his knowledge while employed in the Government service at the time the first enquiry was made.

This same article evidently also appeared in the Bulletin of July 20th. For more on James Lynch and the child survivors of the massacre, the the report given in the Memphis Commercial Appeal, during the first part of June, The following item appeared in the New York Times of Oct. James Lynch of Washington, represents the survivors in a suit against the United States, and he reached Harrison a day or two ago. The massacre occurred in September, , and only fifteen children escaped death, ten of whom are now living, five of them in Boone county. Lynch was in the United States Army and assisted at the rescue.

He has since devoted almost his entire attention to the survivors. He stated that he had invited the strictest scrutiny, and had advised vigilance to be used in the discovery of the perpetrators of the murder of Dr. He excused himself for not having adverted to the subject before. He alluded to the Mountain Meadow massacre, denouncing it in unmeasured terms, saying he did not believe there was a being in human shape, except savages, who could have committed so base a crime.

He alluded extensively to the subject of the patronage of Gentile merchants by Mormons, and counselled them to pass by the stores of those who, he said, were here for no other purpose but to destroy the Saints. He argued that there was in this community a class of men who were striving to deprive the Mormons of their houses, lands and money, and that all who patronized that class would be cut off from the Church. He launched forth many an invective against a certain sheet which we forbear to publish , said sheet not being named but left to the conjecture of his audience.

He frequently alluded to the subject of his published "Reply," and reiterated over and over again his determination to adhere to the policy expressed in his "Reply," and advowed his intention to carry it out to the very last day of his existence. He argued that the Mormons were doing no more than had been done by the professors of other religious denominations, in withholding aid and support from their enemies.

Given the report circulated by the Bulletin in its issue of July 19th, saying that "the Mormons were exciting the United States authorities to punish the Indians for the massacre" conducted in at the Mountain Meadows, the modern reader can only wonder if President Young was limiting the "savages, who could have committed so base a crime" to the southern Indians.

No matter to whom he was referring, the actual Mormon participants in the old secret murders must have felt uneasy in their hearing that Young had denounced the action "in unmeasured terms. With Young's denunciation of the massacre, however, the stage was set for at least the eventual possibility of the Mormon leadership admitting to some non-Indian participants having been active in the massacre. San Francisco, Sunday, June 2, The Mormons were holding a grand pow-wow at Keokuk, when I was there a week ago, the object of which was to devise ways and means of ousting Brigham Young from office and putting young Joe Smith in his place.

Four hundred of the Saints were present, from various places in Missouri and Illinois, and young Joe, a simple, well-meaning, and very dull preacher was with them. They came to town dressed in homely jeans, and bringing horns, and cymbals, and trumpets and all the ungodly paraphernalia of their choir service as I used to hear it performed in the Mormon Church in St. They are good, honest people, believe thoroughly in their religion, and are earnest in their hope of getting Joe Smith placed at the head of the whole Church. They say they will accomplish it.

They call Brigham a wicked imposter and his new-fangled Mormonism a swindle. They claim that polygamy is not a tenet of genuine Mormonism. It is strange how this lost tribe has kept its faith through so many years of sorrow and disaster. These are people who were scattered in tents for miles and miles along the roads through Iowa when the Mormons were driven out of Nauvoo with fire and sword, twenty-five years ago.

Their heavy misfortunes appealed so movingly to the kindly instincts of the Iowa people that they rescued them from starvation, and gave them houses and food and employment, and gradually they became absorbed into the population and lost sight of -- forgotten entirely, in fact, till this Convention of young Joe's called them out, and then from every unsuspected nook and cranny crept a Mormon -- a Mormon who had for many a year been taken for a Baptist, or a Methodist, or some other kind of Christian. But young Joe had better look out, for it has been a well credited rumor in Keokuk for two years or more that Brigham has set a price upon his head and keeps a destroying angel or so on his track all the time, ready to kill him when the opportunity offers.

And they say that if these Mormons were to start to Salt Lake, young Joe would never get out of sight of Council Bluffs alive Major Noah, formerly in your employ, has been lying at the point of death for several days, but was pronounced out of immediate danger this morning.

Daniel Gorman Jr.

Webb "Inigo" has fixed up a volume of my sketches, and he and the American News Company will publish it on Thursday, the 25th of the present month. He has gotten it up in elegant style, and has done everything to suit his own taste, which is excellent. I have made no suggestions. It will have a truly gorgeous gold frog on the back of it, and that frog alone will be worth the money.

I don't know but what it would be well to publish the frog and leave the book out. Mail your orders either to C. Richards and Frank Pratt, old and well-known citizens of Honolulu, have justv arrived here, and will sail for Paris and the Exposition in May. As per order of the A LTA , just received by telegraph, I have taken passage in the great pleasure excursion to Europe, the Exposition and the Holy Land, and will sail on the 8th of June.

You could not have suited me better. The ship is the Quaker City, and she is being sumptuously fitted up. San Francisco, Tuesday, April 7, He commences with an explanation of "sealing: That there are some spirits awaiting for "tabernacles," because they are so great none have been fit for their earthly pilgrimage; consequently, every Mormon woman who is in earnest and fanatical, is ambitious to be sealed to Brigham, or some other high potentate in the Church. They believe that God will some time get mad and disintegrate all those who do not accept the Mormon faith, and that they will progress until they become as Gods, and have the power of making worlds, besides numerous other things.

The Mormon Prophets claim to talk face to face with God, and looking into the eyes of Divinity; with one hand filching the hard wrought earnings of a poor, credulous people, and with the other forcing women into the blackest depths of social degradation, and sacrificing the most ennobling sentiment of the human heart upon the altar of their gross and selfish sensuality. The children born of polygamy are mostly girls, and are very inferior in comparison with those ot California. All of Brigham's children born in polygamy are weak-eyed, weak brained and coarse tissue.

They claim, in theory, to believe in Zenobia's practice, yet the social institution is the grossest insult ever offered to woman.

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We may search the annals of history in vain to find a system of government which will compare with that of the Latter-day Saints in its concentrated spiritual and secular tyranny. Root and branoh, it utterly and absolutely ignores the freedom of the individual; the Priesthood own him, body and soul, and so securely and in suoh a manner as scarcely to be realized. To whom are they bound by these terrible oaths? To Truth, Justice, or Charity? No, but to the Mormon Priesthood -- to obey them.

The United States Government, kindred and family ties are all ignored, and the man or woman who comes out of the "Holy of Holies" has the fear of death before his or her eyes, if they do not yield submissively to the control of designing men. From the moment an ignorant saint arrives in Utah, he is taught to hate the Government and to believe in the "fullness of time," when its authority is to be thrown olf. When our country was struggling in the earthquake of slavery's rebellion, and every household weeping over the graves of its best beloved; when the ripest culture and the best civilization were being murdered by slavery's barbarism, Brigham and his Prophets, with the antics of apes and the venom of serpents, were hurling forth their invectives from the "Bowery" against, the Union army, calling the soldiers "Lincoln's hirelings," and the currency of the country, "Lincoln's skins.

In all Utah, only one woman's loyal voice Miss S. Carmichael, was heard, and she was persecuted for uttering It.

The Mormons now number ,, and are increasing rapidly. What other civilized Government would permit such an institution to exist on its land, and bid defiance to its laws? T HE M ORMONS claim that their sacred writings, embraced in the "Book of Mormon," and upon which their faith is founded, were written by Mormon, the last of an alleged line of Hebrew prophets, existing among the Israelites, who are said to have emigrated from Jerusalem to America about six hundred years before Christ.

They also maintain that these writings were traced upon tablets which were hidden for manj years, until they were revealed to Joseph Smith, the founder of the sect of Mormons or Latter Day Saints, to which person alone was vouchsafed the power to transcribe them, as it was maintained that they were written in such characters that no one, unless specially commissioned by heaven, could read them.

But the "Gentiles" affirm that the real author of these "Scriptures" was one Solomon Spalding, a kind of renegade American clergyman, who was born in and died in , and that in the form of ordinary manuscript they fell into the hands of Joseph Smith, who, by the way, has certainly made an effective use of them. Nothing is more repugnant to the spirit of our free American institutions than the centralisation of absolute power in the hands of one individual. Such a state of affairs would be a direct return to the despotism from which the country was freed by our Revolutionary ancestors, and which it has been the object of succeeding generations to preserve us from.

When a person assumes the government or control of a large body of people, with no checks or restraints upon his conduct, there is nothing to prevent him eventually from punishing the slightest disregard of his power, or disobedience to his will, with death. So absolute may become his power, that, aided by a comparatively small number of individuals in the community who are ready to do his bidding, and kill all rebels or apostates, he can obtain as absolute a control over a body of people as the Czar of the Russians.

It is very seldom that in the infancy of an attempt to redress a people's wrongs, any well organized and concerted plan of action is undertaken, and, therefore, despots have the upper band. If any one, two or half a dozen individuals lead out in an enterprise of this sort, before they have obtained converts to their cause sufficient in number to make them strong, assassination decimates their ranks and weakens their efforts. It is only by the sudden and spontaneous outburst of a large number of people, by concerted and united action, that any ground may be gained at the outset towards putting down the despotic authority of an usurper of the people's rights.

A long and systematic course of wrong and oppression is, however, sure to produce such results, and it is only a question of time as to when it will take place. There is no despotic system so odious as that which aims at controlling the conscience, as well as the actions, of the subject.

In that control lies a two-fold source of power. By diving into and searching out the very thoughts of the subject, his actions may be the more effectually controlled. If he but thinks that any act of the despot is wrong, although he commits no overt act against the power of the ruler, it is a crime thought worthy of the direst penalties which can be inflicted. We have beheld the growth of such a power here in Utah daring the last twenty years, and that power has been maintained by terrorism and bloodshed.

The renunciation of allegiance to the despot who rules here has in every instance beon thought worthy of death, and such a doctrine has at times been openly preached in the tabernacle. It is evident from the signs of the times that the day is fast approaching when such things shall cease to exist in this Territory; peaceably if they will, but the power of the Government will be exerted to correct the evils that exist.

In view of the above, it is not surprising that the editor should be threatened. He thus alludes to the Mormon Ku-Klux notices sent: The last one was received yesterday.

It was written in red ink, over the figure of a skeleton suspended on a gallows. It ordered the editor of the Reporter to leave the Territory in twenty-four hours, and if he did not he might expect to find himself in the position indicated by the figure, Whether these menacing notices emanated from the "authorities" -- from those who control and work the machinery that moves and guides the assassin in his foul deeds, or not, they are the dastardly fruits of the diabolical teachings at the Conference this week.

Were the people not told from the pulpit that it was a burning shame that such a paper as this was allowed to be published here, and that in any other community the thing would be gutted and its editor hanged inside of five days? Could stronger language be used to incite men to commit an outrage?

What then is to be expected at this office but such notices? But having received notice, we wish also to give notice that here we shall remain, faithful to our work, unintimidated by threats of murder and destruction, and heeding them only so far as to he prepared to meet our enemies should they attack us, and tight them while there is a shot in the looker.

A few months after this, John H. Beadle, the editor of the Salt Lake Reporter felt compelled to move his paper to the Gentile community of Corinne, where he continued its operation under the new title of Utah Reporter. Sacramento, Tuesday, January 19, About dusk last evening we heard loud talking and crying in the street in front of the Boise stage office, and, hastening to the spot, found a policeman taking a woman and little boy, as he said, to the lockup.

From the woman's words, and from others, we learned that her name was Suter. She came here last Summer with her husband, who joined the Mormons and soon proposed to take another wife, and took one, the woman said, who had been the concubine of a negro, whereupon his first wife left him and went to washing for a living. She was soon released by the policeman and returned to Suter's bouse, when she began to upbraid him, demanding a maintenance for herself and child, or to have her passage paid back to the States.

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The man accused her of loose conduct, and her cries and the screams of the child drew another crowd. The policemen dragged her out of the house, while one held the child, whose cries were enough to chill the blood. With what we thought unnecessary harshness, two policemen dragged the half crazy and shrieking woman to jail. Some few of the bystanders bad so little humanity as to jeer at the poor woman, while another policeman shouted, "Slap your hand over her mouth!

The woman was evidently not drunk -- is it to be wondered at it she was crazy! Her husband stated in justification tbat she "was a bad woman -- had always led him just such a life," etc. But surely no error of a woman can justify such treatment. The fact that such things can be, and in this age, and under our flag, needs no comment. The mind turns from such a system with loathing and horror.

Category: Mormons

Sacramento, Friday, February 19, The Mormon and Gentile papers at Salt Lake have another choice bone of contention. It appears that the keeper of a Gentile hash-house paid attention to the wife of a Saint, and had "a job put up on him" by which he was properly punished for his impudence. We give the Gentile account of the affair, as it is the only one that contains the correspondence. Here it is from the Reporter of February 6th: In all our criticisms on Mormonism we have carefully avoided saying aught against their women; and this because we considered them really pure and virtuous.

In fact, the wonder has often been in our mind that with such husbands and such doctrines, female purity has so far triumphed, and we have awarded Mormon women all the praise. But a communication appears in last evening's News which has staggered our belief considerably. It is signed "The husband of a wise wife," and is a defense by the writer of his wife's virtue. And his own statement is as follows: She answered the note, appointed a place of meeting, did meet him, and told him she was married.

After a short conversation he bid good night and started home, when he was attacked by her friends, beaten, and given in charge of an officer. This may be Salt Lake virtue, but in any other community in our knowledge it would be a very queer confession for a woman to make. That a virtuous woman should so act is strange enough, but that her husband should rush into print in praise of the act, is to us incomprehensible. And that a learned editor should publish such stuff as evidence of his people's virtue is strangest of all.

To show that we have not misrepresented this "wise wife" and "virtuous lady," we publish her answer to the note requesting an interview: I have considered your letter handed to me in the Street the day before yesterday and first I thought of taking no notice of it but have since thought there could be no harm in my going to the Theater with you once anyway and as you named this evening I will meet you at half past Six o'clock and I hope you will be at the place I will appoint in time and I will be punctual. In order that I may know it is you when you meet me say in a clear voice C. I will meet you on the State Road on the block the mansion house is on only near the other corner south from the mansion house as it is near where I live and I do not want to come far alone.

Do not get the Theater Tickets in a seat where everybody will see us. I will tell you why when we meet. I hope this will reach you in time you will see a new wooden building near the Corner where I have told you to meet me on the East side of the street. I hardly know who to send with this without my folks knowing of it. She did meet him, conversed with him in a friendly manner, and after that he was attacked by three men, knocked down and his necktie and breastpin tore ofl him, and the police promptly appearing, arrested him and let the other men go.

Such is the equity of the Salt Lake police; such is the idea of honor; but let us hope that this "wise wife" is not a representation of Mormon virtue. Sacramento, Monday, March 15, The Salt Lake Reporter of March 5th says: We make a lengthy extract to-day from the Montana Post, which contains many good ideas on the Utah question, but shows in one or two points that the same several mistake prevails everywhere out of Utah. Why is it that the outside world will persist in saying that polygamy is the only great evil of Mormonism!

Perhaps the other evils grow largely out of that, but there are a dozen such that equally demand reform. Mormonism was an unmitigated evil long before polygamy was instituted; the priests ruled the mass by fraud and imposture, while their fanaticism made them a constant danger to all their neighbors. Note but a few of these evils: Church tyranny is a constant menace and plague to all who have dealing with the people; their law is simply wrong reduced to a written system; their mode of voting and arranging Territorial Government is calculated to, and does, produce the worst species of political espionage, and their boasted liberty simply means liberty to think and vote as the Hierarchy dictate.

As Captain Burton says of them -- "They are thus allowed the harmless privilege of voting without any danger from tbe evils that result from universal suffrage. Popular ignorance is fostered by the Hierarchy, because it is their best support; and as to disloyalty, it is scarcely denied.

Hatred to the American people is avowed every day on the streets; it is meat and drink for them to prophesy evil to the country, and three-fourths of the common saints, if we may judge from their talk, believe that in the States every other man is a rogue and every woman a prostitute. As to the social evils growing out of polygamy, incest for example, it is not even denied, it is rather advocated. And to put the matter fairly in issue, we will not argue, but ask these questions: Are there not many instances in this Territory where a man is married to the mother and one, two or three daughters?

Are there not several men here, each of whom is married to two or three sisters? Did not one of the foremost men of the Church many a widow, and then get her oldest son sent on a mission and marry that son's wife while he was gone? Did not a well known individual in this city marry his half-sister, with the consent of Brigham Young, and live with her as his wife several years 5. Has not Brigham Young openly justified such marriage in the pulpit, saving "the time might come when brothers would marry their own sisters in order to raise up a pure priesthood?

Did he, or did he not, make substantially the same statement to Hepworth Dixon, as set forth in the latter's work on this country, adding, however, that he "kept that doctrine to himself just now -- it was too strong doctrine for the people? Have not men here married their daughters-in-law, directly contrary to God's word as laid down in Deuteronomy xxvii?

Has not the President of the "stake" at Brigham City two of his brother's daughters for wives? These are a few of the questions to be answered. If they are "slanderous" it will be easy to show it. If denied, we will proceed to offer some proofs. Sacramento, Saturday, April 17, Evening before last, as two gentlemen -- strangers in the city -- were on their way home, they were accosted by Porter Rockwell, who kept them company down Second South street to Snow's corner.

Bidding him good night, they kept on their way, but before they reached the opposite side of the street Rockwell began to abuse them in the vilest language. Paying no attention to His abuse tHe gentlemen continued down tbe street, when Rockwell started in pursuit, swearing he would follow them, see where they slept and spot the house. Not wishing to be dogged home by a drunken brute, they stopped, demanded who he was and by what authority he followed them.

Rockwell replied in a loud voice: Rockwell, the Danite, and it's my business to follow and keep an eye on such fellows as you. The proprietor of the Revere House interfered and retained Rockwell from further molestation of the two gentlemen, who proceeded homeward. Sacramento, Saturday, July 31, A singular interest attaches to the name of David Hyrum. A few months before Joseph's death he stated that 'the man was not born who was to lead this people; but of Emma Smith should be born a son who would succeed in the Presidency after a season of disturbance. A few days ago the young men reached Salt Lake City, and soon called upon Brigham Young, and announced their intention to organize their church at once, asking permission to defend their faith in the Tabernacle, proposing to argue with Brighamites from original Mormon books.

We have but scant reports of the interview, but it is said to have been very warm. Brigham was very angry at their presumption, and denied them the use of the tabernacle, sending word at the same time to the bishops to shut them out of the ward meeting houses. The brothers, at one point of the conversation, denied that their father ever practiced polygamy, citing their mother's testimony, to which Brigban retorted that their mother 'was a liar, and had been proven a thief,' with much more of the sort.

Be it remembered that the lady spoken of is the Electa Cyria or "Elect Lady of God" in Mormon theology, who was the glory of their early history. Like Pope's Pagan, of the Pilgrim's Progress, Brigham doubtless gnaws his nails in rage that he cannot, as in former times, let loose the vengeance of his Nanvoo Legion upon these sectarians and crush the rebellion in blood. If his power were now equal to his feelings, we should have repeated the story of the Morrisites, when a high civil functionary of Utah led the Legion, in broad day, to slaughter men and women who had surrendered themselves prisoners.

But nothing more than petty persecutions will be attempted at this late day, and we earnestly hope that the young men will succeed in their enterprise. Of their religious principles, as opposed to Brighamism, we know little, but recognize in them tolerant men, good citizens and loyal subjects of the United States. Sacramento, Tuesday, August 10, Smith, a Brighamite apostle, who contradicted a statement made by Alexander Smith.

The people became excited and cried "Put him out," but order was finally restored. Sunday night, at the Fourteenth Ward meeting-house, Joseph F. Smith said that a Jew was prominent in the Josephite meeting in crying "Put him out. Robinson assassination may be the result. If so, Brigham should be looked after. Sacramento, Wednesday, August 11, Salt Lake, August 9th. Numerous converts are made, and Brigham finds it necessary to denounce the Smiths openly and in strong terms. There is great excitement among the Saints on the subject.

Smith, one of Brigham's apostles, and cousin of David and Alexander, is preaching against them and endeavoring to destroy their influence among the people. A great schism is anticipated in the Mormon Church. The Prophets at Variance. An outside persecution would rather strengthen than weaken the sect, but a difference among prophets and revelations, including fanatical beliefs, and the right to speak and rule by Divine authority is quite another matter.

In fact the Mormon problem presents a new phase, not only to outsiders, but to the Mormons themselves.

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Joseph Smith, at the time of his tragic death, was the acknowledged prophet and leader of the Mormon church. Previous to his death, he foretold the birth of a son, whose name was to be called David, and whom he consecrated before birth, as his successor by revelation, to all the prophetic gifts, and to the headship of the church. As the revelation ran, he was "to be President and leader of this people. Now, if the Mormons don't go back on revelation, here is a very serious case. David is now 23 years old, and, with his brother Alexander, has arrived in the city of the Saints, and has set up his claim as the true prophet and leader of the people.

He held forth every Sunday and frequently on week days, drawing crowded houses. We have private advices that there is great excitement. An intense ferment is the result. Brigham forbids the faithful from going to hear the young prophet, on the pains and penalties of the church. But young and old flock to hear him. Young Smith denounces polygamy, exhorts loyaly to the Federal Government, and repudiates the despotism and tithing of Brigham.

How is the latter going to kick against a revelation which in other days he has acknowledged as a true one, as well as holding now that the revelator was a true prophet! There is one way out of the difficulty, and that is to get a Iater revelation, and one which includes the taking off of Smith. The Mormons have a convenient way among themselves of stopping the wind of a man when his absence is more desired than his presence. But dead or alive, the plucky young prophet has already sown much good seed. Two things are necessary for the preservation of the Mormon community for the next ten years.

Polygamy must be abolished, and the people must substitute loyalty for antagonism to the Federal Government. So much, at least, the young prophet perceives, with other wholesome truths about despotism. All this may be bad for Brigham, but it will be good for the people. It looks very much as if David had got hold of the right kind of a revelation. Sacramento, Saturday, August 14, Salt Lake, August 12th. Brigham announces meetings every Sunday night in opposition to the preaching of the Smiths.

The Corinne Reporter publishes the following extract from a private letter written from Salt Lake on the 2d. I heard Alexander preach yesterday, denouncing polygamy, tithing as practiced in Utah , and the secret endowment ritual. He was interrupted by a Brighamite apostle, and there were symptoms of a row for a few minutes.

Smith, a cousin of the boys and a Brighamite, replied to them, saying that "Joseph did have the revelation commanding polygamy, and that he did practice it, but feared for his life to avow it; hence the denial of it in those times, of which the Josephites make so much. They could clean up the carrion, and the sooner that was "done" the better. Their father enjoined and practiced polygamy, as many of the sisters still living could testify, and they could not tear it to pieces. They were not preaching Josephism, but simply Emmaism.

Their mother, Emma, had many noble traits of character, but was death on the Book of Mormon and all our revelations, and never believed for a moment in the Divine mission of Joseph. A prophet could hardly expect honor in his own bed-chamber, you know, according to Jesus. Brigham Young's reference to "Emmaism," during his talk in the Fourteenth Ward Meeting-house, was not his only public use of the odd term. They can say they believe in this, that or the other; they may turn to Spiritualism, bogusism, Emmaism or anything else; no matter what, but they must be infidels or else acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ.

Advent of the Smiths -- What they Claim. They claim that they have received a revelation from on high to visit the "Brighamites," and reclaim them from the "wilderness of error and sin" into which they were led by Brigham Young on the death of the "Prophet Joseph;" to strike the shackles of physical and moral slavery from the limbs of the people of Utah, and to free them from the bondage to which they have been subjected.

This work has been believed by the Mormons to be the peculiar mission of David Smith ever since oppression, cautiously commenced and steadily increased by Brigham, became "grevious and heavy to be borne. They were fond of quoting such passages of scripture as seemingly pointed to the future coming of David to release them from their bondage, and they secretly cherished the hope that the day was not far distant when he would appear and assume the reins of Government.

Hence it might be readily inferred that when he did come the excitement would be great, and it is not to be wondered at that, notwithstanding the iron rule of Brigham, crowds flock to hear him preach. On the afternoon of the second Sunday after his arrival here, he preached in Independence Hall. This hall is the only public building owned by the Gentiles in Salt Lake City.

It is leased to the Episcopalians for church purposes, and is used by them morning and evening. The use of it on Sunday afternoons has been given to David and Alexander Smith until they can obtain a larger or more suitable place of worship. A Stormy Interview -- Brigham Enraged. Previously, however, David and Alexander had waited upon Brigham Young and requested permission to preach in the Tabernacle, where the principal Mormon meetings are held on Sundays, but were refused, and the most insulting language was used by Brigham in reference to their mother and themselves.

The particulars of this interview were received by the Mormons generally with great dissatisfaction.

During the first service neld by the new-comers, Independence Hall was crowded to suffication. Many were content to occupy standing places outside around the windows, while hundreds went away, unable to get even within hearing or seeing distance. David Smith, of which so much is expected, is a young man about 23 years of age, nearly six feet in height and slim in proportion, with a pale and somewhat intellectual cast of countenance.

He is an easy, fluent speaker upon the subject of his religion, and uses good language while preaching. The Mormon preachers belonging to Brigham's Church are mostly ungrammatical and poor speakers; even Brigham himself always preaches rambling, disconnected discourses, having really no point and based upon no well defined premises. This fact makes the preaching of David Smith more marked by contrast, and many of the poor, ignorant Mormons are readily disposed to believe that such fluency of speech, amounting at times even to eloquence, can only be the result of inspiration from on high.

The doctrines of polygamy, Adam worship and blood atonement were handled by him without gloves. The strongest terms consistent with propriety, were used by him in animadverting upon these innovations of Brigham Young upon the original faith of the first Smith. The divine right of Brigham to the leadership of the Mormon Church was assailed in equally strong terms, and the discourse throughout manifested an evident design to go after Brigham and his "peculiar institutions" with an unsparing determination to exterminate them if possible.

During the preaching the most intense excitement prevailed throughout the congregation, and the speaker was frequently interrupted by acclamations and applause. Referring to tithing, he said: After the dismissal of the meeting, groups might be seen about the streets and on every corner discussing the questions pro and con. The news of the bold advocacy of these new doctrines spread like wild fire throughout the city, and probably an excitement so great has not been witnessed here since the advance of Gen.

Johnston's army in against the modern Zion. Brigham Alarmed -- A Stormy Scene. As a natural consequence, Brigham could not sit calmly down and allow himself and doctrines to be thus openly assailed. An emotional and dramatic 19th century account of the evils of polygamy. Polygamy has long been associated with serious problems: In this case, Metta Victor has some personal experience since her mother was born into a Mormon family.

In the author's own aunt, Arami An emotional and dramatic 19th century account of the evils of polygamy. In the author's own aunt, Araminta Maria Woodworth, was living in Utah and was the second of her husband's five wives. With the exception of the Mormons, polygamy has never been accepted by Americans of northern and western European descent and has always been associated by them with Middle Eastern harems and Muslims in Asia, and Africa.

In , Lincoln signed into law a federal anti-bigamy bill but it was not enforceable in the Utah Territory. In , Congress strengthened the anti-polygamy laws to limit the power of Mormons over the justice system in Utah. Cindy marked it as to-read Jun 27, There are no discussion topics on this book yet. About Metta Victoria Fuller Victor.

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