The Nevada journal., 1854-10-06
From the New York Times
The MOrMOnS i'm Utah.

4AC 40VA MVMS ku OtOhe
| The History, Government, Doctrines, Customs
and Prospects of the Latter Day Saints
From personal observations during six
months residence at Great Salt Lake City
By BENJAMIN G. FERRIS late Secretary Of
Utah Territory. Harper & Brothers.
Mr.. Ferris book is able and timely. His
official position gave him abundant facili-
ties for observing the practical working OF
the Mormon system, and his stay in Utah
was sufficiently protracted to enable him
to make full use of those facilities. The
account of the rise and early progress of
the Mormon belief. is sufficiently full and
circumstantial; while the view which he
presents of their strange farrago of doc
trlnes-made up OF the odds and ends sto-
len from every system of religious faith
will satisfy the curiosity of the general
reader. The special importance of the
volume. however. at the present juncture
arises through exposure Of the condition
Of the Mormons of Utah. In this respect,
it gives information attainabe from no
other source; while the well known char
acter of the author furnishes abundant
guarantee Of the perfect reliability of his
statements.
The Mormon system has had liberty to
develope itself freely and fully in Utah.
1t has had full control, without let or hin>
drance from abroad, and with all the pres
tlge derived from prosecutions undergone,
dangers encountered and overcome with
all the vigor of fresh fanaticism. It has
had all these advantages in it's favor, and
the result has proved just what might have
been set aside in favor of the new sect
The harem, taking the place of the family
has pl oduced other than its normal effects.
The common sentiment of Christendom, in
visiting with severe punishment the crime
of polygamy, is shown by the result of the
Mormon experiment to be wise and just
Governor Smith, was after all, a mere
vulgar charlatan and cheat He never rose
to the dignity of a false prophet and mpos-
ter. His abilities were those of Cagli-
ostro, not Mohamed. His natural sphere
was that Of thimble rigger or money
dropper. Circumstances enabled him to
gather around him gang of fools; the
fools attracted rogues as the carrion attracts
the vulture and !hus arose the Mormon
community.
Smith was unable to rule the gang that
had gathered about him. The Mormons
became pest to every community near
which they took up their residence. Their
unscrupulous neighbors could not or would
not, distinguish between the fanatics and
the rogues or rather, practically in their
relations to the surrounding community,
the one class were as unenGurable as the
other. The pioneer Oh the border of civ
ilization are certainly not overscrupulous
as TO the characters of those whom they
admit to reside among them. The western
life possesses vital energy sufficient to as
simulate very untractable materials. But
the Mormons were beyond its power. Had
Nauvoo been only an asylum for counter
feiters and horse thieves, it might have
been endured for while, till time had
brought amelioration. But when, in addi-
ton to this, esoteric doctrine respecting
spiritual wives" began to be generally un-
derstood, though as yet it was stoutly de-
MED by the Saints, the land arose and
spewed them out. And rightfully, for il
the last sanctuary Of manhood-that which
always has distinguished the accidental ra-
ces from the fated Orientals-an apprecia-
ton Of the proper sphere Of woman-be
successfully attacked, the whole ccnstruc-
ton of society must fall into collapse.
Joe Smith had brought the Mormon So
ciety to the brink of ruin. While he lived
he could not be displaced by wiser lead
er. His death was their salvation. Up
to that time, the name of Brigham Young
hardly makes its appearance in Mormon
publications. But he must have already
made his influence felt, for he had attained
the post Of President of tue Twelve He
now made bold push for the vacant head.
ship of the community.
He was opposed by Sidney Rigdon, Joe's
earliest confederate. But in spite of his
prophecies and revelations Rigdon was un-
successful. Notwithstanding the choice
blessing which the Prophet had pronounc-
ed upon his head, his revelations were IN
solemn corclave pronounced to be from the
devil, to whose buffetings he was formally
delivered over. So on the 9TH of October
1914, Brigham Young was fairly installed
as head of the Church of the Latter Day
Saints.
Notwithstanding momentary lull in the
popular excitement, during which the work
upon their temple was pushed on with all
vigor, it soon became clear to the astute
mind of the new revelator that his commu.
nifty could not be suffered to exist in the
bosom of any civilized people; and the
bold idea was conceived of founding new
and independent state beyond the Rocky
mountains. In two years the plan was
fully matured, with wisdom and forecast
showing the directing power Of master
mind. Fifteen thousand souls-men, wo.
men and children-were to be transported
iE mass across the desert country into
the wilderness. They were divided into
bands, SO that they might not incommode
each other on the march. Stations were