The Nevada journal., 1854-10-06

Salt Lake. They at once proceeded to
plant crops, and to make arrangements for
receiving those who were to follow. Those
who remained behind still labored assidu-
ously upon their temple at Nauvoo, al.
though they we'll knew they were to aban.
don it as soon as completed. 1t was dedi.
Gated with solemn pomp. and within an
hour after abandoned to the Gentiles, as
the last body Of Saints set out upon their
journey to the new land of promise.
The country selected for their new home
was wisely chosen for the purpose of found
ing nation distinct from all others. It is
a vast plain, surrounded by broad deserts
and walled i'll by lofty mountains. 1t once
formed great inland sea but the water
supplied by its rivers being less than that
taken up by evaporation, the sea continu-
ally contracted its limits, till it reached a
point where evaporation and precipitation
counterbalanced each other The country
was dnder the nominal dominion of the fee
bic Mexican Government; bnt there was
no reason to apprehend that the new set
tiers could ever be interfered with by that
Power. 10 all appearance they were be-
pond the domains of civilization, and could
mould their institutions in their own way
for nobody then dreamed that in two years
the territory would fall under the control
OF the same people who had elected the
Saints from their midst.
The whole body of believers scattered
over the world were summoned by a sol.
emn address, to the land of promise.
The address, Notwithstanding the ver-
blage that characterizes all the productions
of the Saints, manifests great wisdom and
forecast. The emigrants were directed to
bring with them all seeds and fruits that
promised to be valuable; tools and imple-
ments of every sort, bc coks, scientific instru-
ments, and objects of art. A fund was
established to aid the poorer Saints to
reach their new home. Those who recei.
we'd aid were to pay back the amount in
labor, for which purpose works of public
utility were projected. A regular system
OF taxing was organized, by which all the
available wealth of the members was plac-
ed substantially under the control of the
governing power.
Thus freed from external pressure, the
Mormon system began rapidly to develope
itself. Now tor the first time, the Proph-
cts doctrine of "spiritual wives" was un-
blushingly avowed and vindicated. Pc.
lygamy was no part of the original scheme
of Joe Smith. His stolen book of Mormon
denounces the old patriarchs for their
crime in this respect. But as be gathered
around him a gang Of female dupes, he
gave full sway to his passions; and to JUS
tlfy his excesSes, put forth his new revela-
ton on the subject of marriage. This was
among the latter acts of his life. 1t was
received on the 18th of July, 1853, only
twelve months before his death. Although
practically received by the leaders of the
Church, almost without exception, it re-
mained for more than nine years an ESQ.,
teric doctrine, having been first publicly
proclaimed by Orson Pratte, in August,
1852, and printed in an extra Deseret Ne,cs,
a fortnight later.
This precious document which is given
in full by MIR. Ferris, bears evident marks
of being the sole composition of the Proph-
et 1t commences by threatening damna-
ton against all who do not receive the new
doctrine about to be promulgated. It then
asserts that all contracts not sealed by the
Prophet for the time being, are void in
the future world; as it is in the angels in
future life who do not marry, those whose
marriages are not "sealed," can never be
any thing higher than mere "angels."
Now, the "angels," according to Mormon
teachings are very inferior personages-
mere lackeys to the Saints. But those
whose marriages are sealed, "shaIl be gods
because they shall have all power and the
angels are subject unto them; and no
crime short Of murder shall prevent their
exaltation." He then approaches the gist
of the matter; he eulogises Abraham, and
commands the Prophet to 60 and do the
works of Abraham who received concu-
bines and they bare him children, and it
was accounted to him for Righteousness,
because they were unto him, and he abode
in the law He then lays down the law
as to adultery, the substance Of which is,
that if woman received into the new
covenant t1ansgress with man to whom
she is not appointed she is guilty. In
case the husband is guilty, and special
revelation should be given to Joe that the
wife was innocent, then he was to have
power to give her to whom he pleased
not, of course, excluding himself Then
comes a curious paragraph apparently to
his wife Emma, who would appear not to
have been fully satisfied with Joe's pro-
ceedings in the matter. "Verily say un-
to you commandment I give unto my
handmade, Emma Smith, your wife, whom
| have given unto you that she stay herself
and partake of that which command you
to offer unto her; for did it to prove you
all. And let my handmade, Emma Smith,
receive all those who have been given un-
to nay servant Joseph. And command
my handmade Emma Smith, to abide and
cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to
none else; but if she will not abide in this
commandment, then shall my servant Jo-
seph do all things for her which he hath