Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-12-08
A CHAPTER ON POLYGAMY.
Mormon Experience hy e. Eormcr

Mormon Experience by Mormon.
|. Extract of a letter to the Chicago Tribune.
When came to Deseret, there were
not many who were in the enjoyment of
more than one wife, and many or most
of the new comers were opposed to it.
But as they saw how beautifully and
harmoniously these families lived where
there were two or more wives, their pre-.
iudices gradually gave way, and among
no class was this change more apparent
than the women. At the present time,
if vote were taken upon the subject, |
venture to say that nine out of every ten
women who have lived here two years,
would sustain our present social system
in this particular. They are more for it
than the men, for upon many of the lat
ter it entails heavy burdens though the
truth is, our wives in Deseret make no
pretensions to being fine ladies, their
highest ambition being to help their hus-
bands, and their poer brothers and Sis
ters in the Lords Church.
There are very few men here VINO have
more than five wives, and a large part
have but one, while some have none. For
myself, have three. Sarah Ann, your
cousin, whom | married in York State,
has the largest share of my affections,
and takes precedence in the management
of the household. Two years ago, l
married Miss S., formerly of Ohio, and
she has charge of the education of the
children, and attending to the clothing.
My other, which I took three months
ago, is from near Hamburg, Germany
She is larger than either Sarah Ann or
Elizabeth, (the name of my second wife, J
and I say it, without invidiousness OF
impropriaty, she is decidedly handsome.
Her person is of good size, very round,
full chest, bright fs1en hair, and soft
blue eye. She enters into the duties of
her new situation with wonderful alacri-
ty, and is very happy, as are Susan Ann
and Elizabeth. There is none of that
|jeelousy-that disposition to tear out
each others hair-which you have proba-
bly, imagined would show itself in such
eases.
We are all looking forward to the
time when we shall be together constant
ly in our little Eden, where we can work
for each other, and raise our children in
"the fear and admonition of the Lord. /"
You may be surprised at this; but you
will be still more so, when assure you
that all of my present wives are anxious
that I should get another-one who is
fitted by education, and physically adapt
ed to take charge of the business of the
dairy. With such an arrangement ofmy
household, every department of well or.
ganized establishment, On q patriarchal
scale, would have q head to it, and be
governed in order. / have no inclination
to comply on my own account, as | am
we'll satisfied with those now have, but
| if I should do so, it will be entirely out
Of regard for them.
My daughter Louisa is engaged to bt
married to a man from Pennsylvania
who has already a wife and three chill
dren 1t did not entirely meet my ap
probation, but I did not interpose sin
gle objection, so long as she was salts
fed, and the marriage would be in
high degree honorable to her, as well q
advantageous in worldly view.
Now, my dear sir, you will say, wha
is to come of all this? Let me tell yo
what has come of it. In Deseret ther
are no ibertines with their paramours
no houses of prostitution, no ca, es of 81
duction or those which disturb the peac
of families in the States under your laws
Here every woman can have what Go