Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-02-22
The NTormons OF Salt Lake.

lst, They are Pantheists They believe there
are many gods. The three Gods Of this world
they say, are revealed in the Bible, (Which is a
book made under their direction,) and are the
Father, the Son, and the Spirit Other worlds
have other gods. Jupiter is a large world and
may have five or six gods. 20 r"n
Matter is eternal, and gods are great minds
that preside over matter and rule it, Hence the
need Of many gods. Croft .s'
I'd, Gods and men must use means to grow
greater Marriage and birth are great means Of
advancement. Hence, God the Father has been
married, which is proven by the fact that he had
a son, Jesus Christ, and by such passages as,
care not his angels ministering spiritsy" which
passage they interpret as follows: Who natural
ly ministers to mani Ans. wife. Now, God
has married of such as they are therefore myriads
of wives to Him. Men initiate God when they
marry. g,'i 9... Il " .
Sd, Polygamy. The Patriarchs, and others of
early age, had many wives. Only when despots
and oppressors ruled, did the Bible law of many
wives become disregarded. 1t is only human en-
actments that prevent the right use of universal
marriage now. They argue from the difference
of the sexes, which exists without their consent,
that God ordains that all shall marry, whether
they desire it or not. There is no more power OF
choice in this, than there is whetherwe eat or not
sleep not and other necessary functions of life
and health. Hence, to refuse to marry, or neg
lect it when of suitable age, is disobedience Of
Gods authority.
Reason on which marriage is founded. They
argue again, that mind is only matter; and this
material mind is always struggling to develop It,
self. God having provided SO libcraly for its de-
velopment, by the sexualiiy of each individual,
we sin il we prevent mind from developing itself;
and hence, as no one can be saved in his sins
that person is not religious cannot be happy in
afuture state-who is not married. To this they
add tortured Scripture without end. And as the
sinner must marry only the "latter day saints,'
it become the duty of every masculine "saint' to
receive every woman who offers herself; as he
thus "saves a soul from DEATH and hides null
titude of sins" ........ ....-...f
Practically, many of these "saints" are zeal
Gus for their creed. Some have ten some twen-
ty, and some have fifty wives. 1t is common
thing to introduce a stranger thus: 81 introduce
you to Mrs. Harris, and Mrs. Harris, and Mrs
Harris, on to the end Of the chapter. The result
is, great effeminacy of the husband. He walks
poor wretch covered with cloak at mid-sum-
mer day, and downcast in looks. The children
are numerous, as marriage unproductive is sin. 1t
is said that the premature deaths and still-born
infants are in undue proportion to the number Of
births. Attendant on this are jars and conten-
tions. So that though they satisfy lust, the Nor
mons are not happy people. ......
Their mode of holding service is peculiar
Their edi6ce is like an ancient Grecian or Roman
theatre depressed where the pulpit or desk is,
some l5 or 90 feet Here sit the dgntaries Of the
"latter day saints" Next, the band of instru-
mental music Next, the congregation on the
circular seats, one above the other. The band
commence playing, and play some time. Then a
prayer, which in language is much like that of an
ordinary pastor. 1t means, however, very diff
ferent thing, as they understand the Scriptural
language employed. Then comes a sermon
Sometimes several speeches or sermons in sue
cession, filled with such sentiments as above
They close with instrumental music and a bcne-
diction. Their services are often long. .
The book Of Mormon they do not hold in as
great repute as formerly. OF the Bible they
make great use In its Interpretation they are the
EXTREMIST lteralists and many have the whole of
it at their tongues end So that false and absurd
as their system is, is no easy matter to discuss
with them.
Lastly, they make regeneration to be,--consent
to be Latter day Saint, and married individual,
their ritual or rather Judaized modernism. Their
outward law nominally under the constitution Of
the United States; really the whim Of their lead
ers, modified by sort of traditional usage, that
even a few years have compelled them to adopt.
They have an Ecclesiastical Court to settle dis
putes; allow no suits of reference to government
of the State or national authority. .-a. ..-
The valley of the Salt Lake is not the richest
land that ever saw the sun, and there are physi-
cal causes that will silence all fears that people
so peculiar and debased, can ever cause the glo-
rous prospects of the west to be seriously clouded
They are on the wane. Their own errors con-
tain the elements of self destruction.
But how sad the picture, rather the fact, thai
thousands of good, sensible men and women, as
many truly are, should be SO deluded! Who
would have thought that the basest lusts and pas
sions, the most downright despotism,- most
stupid hierarchy, could arise and be fostered, ant
attain the threatening aspect they once had, bu
now are losing n Haa
or Some years ago a witness was examined
before Judge, in case Of slander, who required
him to repeat the precise words. The witness
hestated until be rveted the attention of the whole
court upon him; then fixing his eyes earnestly OF
the Judge, began" May i please your honor, yOr
lie and steal, and get your living BY stealing.'-
The face of the Judge redeemed, and he immedi