Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-02-16
Mormon NIatrimony.

we believe, says the Washington Unaon, the
public are already apprized of the fact that the
disciples of Mormonism have established an ''or
gan" in this city. The second issue of this re-
markable journal is before us: and as it makes
some strange revelations concerning Mormo n
matrimony, we propose to submit to our readers
a few extracts from the sSeer." The Seer is un-
der the editorial supervision or rather the nspira
ton, of Elder Orson Pratt 1t appears monthly,
and presents a By authority version of Mormon
doctrines. The number before us settles the
question of Mormon polygamy. The manner in
which the hbidinous and beasty practice is de-
scribsd and defended cannot fail. to shock and
disgust ther reader:
"From the foregoing quotations and remarks,
it will be seen that the Latter-Day Saints have
stricter notions of virtue and consider themselves
under greater obligations to refrain, not only from
unyirtuous acts, but from unvirtuous thoughts,
than any other people under heaven. But do the
Saints actually demonstrate by their practices
that they believe what the Lord has taught them
on these subjects! Do they practice virtue as well
as deliver the precepts thereof We answer, let
the practices of the thirty thousand Saints in Utah
speak; let strangers who have travelled through
our fourishng Territory declare, let the records
of the courts of Justice bear witness; let the in
/ jured females, if there be any, whose character
and reputation have been destroyed by the vile
seducer publish their wrongs; let illegitimate
children, if Utah affords them, come forth as a
public monument of our disgrac e. If house of
ill-fame can be found throughout the length and
breadth of our territory, then let the Saints hide
their faces in shame, and the sons and daughters
of Utah blush before the heavens is an adulterer
or seducer of female virtue in all that land, then
let the elders be clad in sackcloth, and the Saints
put on the garments of mourning, and weep be-
fore the Lord, day and night, until the evil be
taken from their midst
ssBut have not some of the Saints in Utah more
than one wife! Yes; and they take good care of
them, too; and teach them and their children the
great principles of virtue and holiness by example
as we'll as by precept. But is it not sinful for
man to have more. than one wife living at the
same time. If it is the Bible has not told us of
it. But is it not contrary to the Christian reli-
gion! If it is, the Christian religion has not
vealed it as an evil. But do you not really think
that is contrary to the will of God for man, in
these days, to take plurality of wives! Yes, un-
less God shall give them to him by revelation
through holy prophet. Is it not contrary to the
constitution and laws of the nted States for the
citizens of Utah to practice the plurality of wives!
No. neither the constitution and the laws of the
United States have said anything. on the subject
of marriage or domestic relations. But is it not
contrary to the laws of the Territory? No; the
legislature of that Territory do not feel disposed
to debar her citizens of any blessings privileges
enjoyed, under the sanction of the Almighty, by
holy prophets and patriarchs of old"
We annex minute description of the court
ship and matrimonial ceremony of gentleman
when about to take upon himself the yoke of an
additional spouse:
"No man in Utah, who already has wife, and
who may desire to obtain another, has any right
to make any prosositions of marriage to lady un-
til he has consulted the president the whole
| church, and through him obtains revelation,
| from God as to whether it would be pleasing in
His sight. 1.-The is forbidden by revelation, that
ends the matter; it by revelation the privilege is
granted, he still has no right to consult the feel
ings of the young lady until he has obtained the
/ dpprODdIlOu vi pIOVIutu tIIey
ing in Utah; if their consent cannot be obtained,
this also ends the matter; but if the parents Or
guardians freely give their consent, then he may
make propositions of marriage to the young lady.
| If she refuse the propositions, this also ends the
matter; but if she accept, day is generally set
apart be the parties for the marriage ceremony to
be celebrated. 1t is necessary to state that be-
fore any man takes the least step towards getting
another wife, it is his duty to consult the feelings
of the wife which he already has, and obtain her
consent, as recorded in the oath paragraph of the
revelation, published in the first number Of 'sThe
Seer
/ ::When the day set apart for the solemnization
Of the marriage ceremony has arrived the BRIDE
grom and his wife, and also the bride, together
with relatives, and such other guests may be
! invited, assemble at the place which they have
appointed The scribe then proceeds to take the
names, ages, native towns, counties, States, and
countries of the parties to be married, which he
carefully enters on record. The president, who
is the prophet, seer, and revelator the whole
church throughout the world, and who alone holds
the keys of this solemn ordinance, Gas recorded
in the second and fifth paragraphs of the revela-
ton on marriage) calls upon the bridegroom and
\ and his wife, and the bride, to arise, which they
do, fronting the president. The wife stands on
the left hand of her husband, while the bride
stands on her left. The president than puts the
question to the wife: ssAre you willing to give
this woman to your husband to be his lawful and
welded wife for time and for all eternity! Ifyou
are, you will manifest it by placing her right
hand within the right hand Of your husband."-
The RIGHT hands of the bridegroom and bride being