The Placer herald., 1857-07-25
AUBURN, PLACER COUNTY,
From the S. F. Town Talk.

From the S. F. Town Talk.
Mormonism Depicted by an Ex- Mormon.
Mr.. Wilkins, an ex-Mormon just arrived
from Salt Lake, has favored US with visit,
and given us some interesting information
in regard to the state of affairs there.
Mr.. Wilkins was stranger to us, but he
appears to be sensible, quiet and moder-
ately intelligent man, and we could discover
nothing in his manner or in his statements
which could lead US to distrust him. Wesay
this, because there is strong temptation al
ways for persons of weak character to side
with strong popular opinions or prejudices-
such, for instance. as prevail among our
community generally against the mormons;
and we desire to get at the pure truth, wheth-
er favorable or unfavorable to the Latter
Day Saints.
Mr.. Wilkins says be is certain that the
doctrine of having proxies to take the
place Of husbands absent on missions to
foreign lands is taught and practiced among
the heads of the Church. He says also
that the doctrine is held of the proprety Of
marrying brothers and sisters. He not long
since heard a sermon by Kimbal, where
in the latter taught the doctrine under an
allegory, in which he said it was proper
to graft q tree with scions from its
own stock. The meaning of the allegory,
with the language used in illustration, was
clearly intended to teach marriage between
parents and children, brothers and sisters;
and in conversation with leaders in the
Church upon the sermon, Mr.. Wilkins found
that they interpreted it as he did.
Mr.. w. thinks that one half of the peo-
pie would be glad to escape from Salt Lake
if they could, but they are unable to get
away. Many have decided away all their
property to Brigham as "trust and trustee
of the Church of Later Day Sa nts of Jesus
Christi" and they now hold possession mere
ly as stewards; with the understanding that
if they rebel against the priests the steward
ship will be transferred to some one else,
and they left penniess
At least half of the people arc sincere
Mormons, and all these are very tanatica.
They would not hesitate to kill and one
who would come among them and preach
bitterly against their doctrines.
Brigham Young is an atfable, agreeable
man in his ordinary intercourse, and is very
others dislike him ouly because they consid-
er his government tyrannlcal. He does not
know all his own children On one occasion,
when a child called him "faher," Brigham
asked his name, ard had to look into pocket
book at the name of his wives and children
beforo he knew that the little fellow was his
son.
Polygamy is not practced except by the
rich The poor never have more than one
wife, and many have none at all. The peo
pie in Utah do without many of the articles
which we consider necessaries of life. Sugar
and coffee are worth fifty cents and tea 50 a
pound and none but the rich can afford to
buy them. All imported articles are exceed
ingly dear. The statements current in the
newspapers, as to the existence of function
aries known as "Danites" and s"Destroying
Angels" whose duty it is to murder persons
obnoxious to the church are true.
Formerly it was impossible for man to
move away from Salt Lake without express
permission from the heads of the church; but
lately Brigham Young, finding some Of the
people were determined to 90 or fight, gave
permission to all to go who desired; and the
consequence is that many persons will leave
this summer.
The purpose of the exploring party headed
by Brigham Young is unknown. Many
think that he is gone to look for new Zion
in the British territory. The party took
eighty mule teams, and are provided in the
best style. Brigham has some of his wives
along