The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1853-02-12

second issue Of this remarkable journal i, be-
fore III; and as it make, some strauoe r.vc,a-
tios.S concernin. Mormon matfimolv. we pro-
pose to submit a few extracts from the .Seer
he Seer Is under the editorial Supervision
or rather tne inspiration Of Elder Or>on
irait. 1t appears monthly. and presents a
bVondo'1ty version of Mormon doctrines
ne numbcr before Us settles the question of
Mormon pol! .amy,
but have not some Of the Saints in ltall
more wives than one: 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 prcrcpt
But Is 1t not sinful for a man to have NOR,
than one wife living at the same time If !,
Is the Bible has not told us of it, But is If
not contrary to the Christian religion? If !,
i. til" Christian religion has not revealed !,
as an evil. But DO you not really think tha,
II Is contrary to the Will of God for man. in
these day>,to take a plurality Of wives: Yes
unless tod shall give them to him bv reyc-
I1tIon through holy prophet. Is it not con-
tary to the constitution and laws Of the nj
'ed States Tor the citizens Of Utah to practice
the plurality Of wives: No; neither the
constitution nor the laws of the 'nitrI State,
have SAID anything on the subject of MARRIAGE
or domestic relations. But is it not contrary
+" the a'> OF the Territory: No; the Lcr-
lsIature Of that Territory do not feel ,lisp,,,d
TO dchar her citizens Of any blessings or priv
I.e-e> enjoyed under the sanction of the Al
mighty, by holy prophets and patriarci.s of
DID,"
We annex minute description ofthc court
ship and matrimonial ceremony of a gcntlc-
man when about to take upon himself the woke
an additional spouse
'No man in Utah. who already ha- a wife
and who may desire to obtain another. has
any right to make any propositions of mar
rage 10 lady, until he has consulted the
President over the whole church.anl tlIronfh
linn obtains a revelation from God as 70 whcth-
cr II would be pleasing in lis >i.ht. If he is
forbidden ly revelation that ends the matter.
II Fv revelation III, privilr1ce is rrantcl. he
still has no right to consul. the frrIncs of the
vonng lady until he has obtained the appr,-
hat'"n OF her parents. provided they are liv-
inc in Utah: if their consent cannot be Oh
tanned this also ends the matter. But if the
parents or "narlianS freely rive their consent.
then he may make propositions of marriage
to the young lady. If She refuse these pron-
oSitionS. this also ends the matter: but if>bo
accept. day is generally set apart lv The
rartle> tor III" marriage ceremony to be cclc-
brated. 1t is necessary to state that. before
any man takes the least step towards rcitino
another wife, it is his duty 10 consult The feel
in"S Of the wife which he already has. and
obtain her consent. n recorded in q xyiv of
the revelation, Published in the first number
of the Seer
NV hen the day set apart for the socmni-
Z2tlon Of the marriage ceremony ha> arrived.
The Bridegroom and his wife. and also the
bride. together with their relatives and such
other quests as ma, he invited. assemble 4.
tn" place which they have appointed The
scribe thrn proceeds to take the names. anc>.
native towns, counties. States and countries
OF the parties to be married, which he care
tUliv enters on record The President, who
X the Prophet, Seer and Rcveator over the
whole Church throughout the world and who
alone holds the keys Of authority in this sol
enn ordinance, (aS recorded in the second
and fifth paragraphs Of the revelation on
marrIagc,) calls upon the BRIDEGROOM and
his wife. and the bride, to arise. which the>
do, fronting the President The wife stands
on the left Of her husband. and the bride ON
the left OF the wife. The President then puts
tins question to the wife Are YOU willing to
give this woman to Your husband TO bc his
lawful and welded wife for time and for all
eternity: If You are, Won will manifest il by
placing h"r ri ght hand within the right hand
OF Your husband,' The right hands of tbc
bridegroom and bride BEING thus ioincd tlc
wIic takes her husband by the left arm, as if
IN the attitude Of walking, The President
then proceeds TO ask the following question
OF the man; DO YOU, brother. calling him
by hamc) lake sister. calling the bride by
her namcD bv The right hand to receive her
unto Yourself to be Your lawful and welded
wife, and YOU to be her lawful and welded
husband for time and for all eternity. with
covenant and promise, on vour part. that Won
Will fulfil all the laws. rights and ordinances
pertaining 10 this huIy nlatrimonv. in the new
and evcrlaStln" covenant, doing this in the
presence OF God angels, and these witnesses
OF Your own tree will and choice = The bride
groom answers, yes The President then
puts the question to the bride DO Won. sis
ter, Calling her by namc.) take brother,
(calllns him by name,) by the right hand and
give yourself to him. be his lawful and we'd
dcd wife for time and for all eternity. with
covenant and promise, on your part. that YOU
will fulfil all the laws, rites, and ordinances,
pertaining to this holy matrimony, in the new
and everlasting covenant, doing this in the