The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1854-06-14
. LETTER FROM A MoRMoN WIFE

DEFENDING POLY GAMY
Mrs. Belinda Marden Pratt, one of the seven
wives Of distinguished member of the Utah
Legislature, has addressed to her sister, Mrs.
Lydia Kimha, of Nashua, N H., letter, IN
which she defends polygamy, and sus'ains her
course of life. The letter is written with ablli-
ty, vein of pious devotion pervadiug i.
1t is very long, but we make the following
extract, to show the strength of The delusion
under which these people are labnring.
Now, dear friends, much as long to see you,
! and dear as yon are TO me, can never come To
these terms | feel IS dough he Go,prl Ind
introduced me into the right family, into The
right lineage, and into good company. And
besides all these considerations, sh, Md ever
become brclo,idtd with uubelief o; the scrip
| lures and heavenly institutions as 10 agree with
my kindred in New Hampshire in the ry, still
my practical circumstances are different, and
Noa'd, tear, continue to separate us by wide
and almost impossible quit
For instance, | hav" (as you see, in all good
conscience. unded on the word of God) form
ed family and ndred ties which are inexpress-
IDLY dear 10 me, and which | can never bring
my eelings to conse mt TO dissolve.
| l have g cd and y.rtuous husband, whom
love We have four little CHI ldren which
mutually and inexpressIbly dear TO us. And
besides this, my husband has seven other living
wives, and onr who has departed to better
world He has IN all upwards of % children
All these mothers and children endeared Ia
me by kindred tes-by mutual atfection-by
acquaintance and association and the mothers
IN particular by mutual and long continued ex-
erclsps Ut toll, patience, long suffering, and sis
terly kindness We sll have inperftctons
in this life !; but know that these are good and
| worthy women, and that my husband good
and worthy man one who keeps The command
ments of JESUS Christ, and pres,des in his tami
! " like an Abraham He seeks 10 provide fat
them in all diligence; he loves them all, and
seeks 10 comfart them aud make then happy
he teaches them the commandments of Jesus
Christ, and gathers them aboul him in he family
ciicle, TO call upon his God, both morning and
evening.
He aud his family have the confidence esteem,
good Will, and fellowship of this entire Terrific
ry, and OF wide circle o acGusnta.ces in both
Europe and America.
/ He is practical teacher ef morals and reli-
gion promoter of general educa,ion and al
present occupies an honorable seat in the Legis-
latiye Council OF this Territory
Now, as 10 visiting my kindred in New
Hampshire, | would be pleased to d. so, were
it the will of God. But first, the laws If The
State musl be so modified by enlight ned l-gs
aon, and the customs aud conscience OF lis
inhabitants, and OF nv kindred, so altered, that
my husband can accom- any me, with all his
wives and children, and be much respec ed
. aud honored ia his family organization, and IL
his holy calling, as he is at home, ar in The same
manner as The pat iatch Jacob would have beer
respec full had he, with his wives and children
paid visit t.. his irlendS
As my hu band Is yet in his youth, as wei
As myself, fondiy hope shall live to Sc.
that day.
For already the star of Jacob is in the ascen
dancy; The Ho Sc OF Israel is aboui Ia be res
'ored; while Sc Mystery Babyl n, with all he
institutions, awaits her own overthrow
Till this is the case in NV Hampshire m,
kindred Will BE- under the Necessity OF coming
here to see us, or, on the other hand, we wIl
be mutually compelled to folego the pleasure o
o hers company.
Snow dear sister, ! mast close; wish al
; my kindred and old acquaintance to see thi
letter, o. copy thereof; and that they will
Consider il as it written to themselves love
them dearly, and greatly desire and pray 10
their salvation, aud hat we may all meet with
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom o
; God.
Dear sister, do not let your prriud ces an,
traditions keep you from believing the BIble
nor the pride, shame, or love If the world krel
, You from your seat in The Kingdom 81 iieav n
among ih@ royal family Of poygan,sts. Wri,
often and freely
With sentiments of deepest affection an
kindred feeling, | remain, dear sister, you
affectunate sister,
BELINDA MARDEN PRATT.
Mrs. LYDIA k3mbali, Nashua, N II.
s. My kind 1--we to your husband, an
all lnqurlng friends