The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-10-06
AN OVERLAND JOURNEY
Two Bours with Brigham Young.

Two Hours with Brigham Young.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, July l3, 1859.
Ny friend Dr. Bernhisel, NJ. c., took
me this afternoon, by appointment, to
meet Brigham Young, President of the
Mormon Church, who had expressed
willingness to receive me at p. m. We
we're very cordially welcomed at the door
by the President, " rho led Us into the second
story parlor of the largest Of his houses
(he has ;hree), where | was introduced to
Heber G.. KimbAll, Gen. Wells. Gen Fer
eusou, Albert Darlington. Elias Smith,
and several other leading men 10 the
Church, with two full-grown sons Of the
President. After some unim por; ant con-
versation on general topics, | -tated that
1 had come iu quest OF fuller knowledge
respecting the doctrines and poi:y OF the
Mormon Church. aud would like to ask
some questions bearing directly on these,
If there was no objection. President
Young avowed his willingness TO respond
to all pertinent inquiries. the conyersa-
tion proceeded substantially as follows:
H. Gam to regard Mormonism
(so-cal!ed; IS new religion. or as sim
ply a new Development of Christianity
b. Y-We hold that there can be 90
true Christian Church without a priest
hood directly commissioned ty and in
immediate communication with the Son Of
God and Saviour Of mankind. Such a
church is that of the Latter Dag Saints
called by their enemies Mormou>; We
know no other that even pretends to have
present aud direct revelations of Gods
will.
IL G.-Theu | am to understand that
you regard all other churches protesting
to be Christian as the Church of Rom e
regards all churches not in communion
with itself--as schsm attic, heretieal, and
out of the way of salvation 7
B. Y-Yes, substantially.
II. G.-Apsrt from this. 10 what res
pect do your doctrines differ essentially
from those of our Orthodox Protestant
Churches the Batist or Methodist, for
example!
B. Y--We hold the doctrines of Chris
tianity, as revealed in the Old and New
Testaments-alsoi in the Book of Mormon,
which teaches the same cardiual truths,
aud those only.
III DO you believe in the doctrine
of the Trinity
b. Y-We do; but not Exactly as it
is held by other churches. We believe
in the Father, the Son, aud the Holy
Ghost, as equal, but not tideuticsl-not as
one person (being). We believe in all
the Bible teaches on this subject.
IL G.--Do you believe in personal
de,il--a distinct, conscious, spiritual be-
ing, whose nature and acts are essentially
msIiguaut aud ey;ll
B. Y-We do.
H. G-Do you bold the doctrine of E.
terusl Punishment
B. Y-We do; though perhaps not ex-
actly as other churches Go. We believe
it as the Bible teaches it.
II. G-I understand that you regard
Baptism by Immersion as essential.
Is. Y.-We do.
II. G.-Do you practice infant Bap
tismi
b. Y-No.
H. G.-Do you make removal to these
valleys obligatory on Jour converts!
b. Y-They would consider them
selves greatly aggrieved if they were po
invited hither. We bold to such gath
ering together of Gods People as the Bi
ble.foretells, and that this is the place
and now is the time appointed for it,
consumation.
H. G-Tbe predictions to which you
refer have usually. | think, been under.
stood to indicate Jerusalem (or Judea,
as the place of such gathering.
B. Yes, for the Jews-not fol
others.
II. G.-Whst is the position of youl
Church with respect to Slavery
B. Y.-We consider it of Divine insti
tuition, and pot to be abolished until tb'
curse pronounced on Ham shall have
been removed from bis descendants.
I'll. Care any slaves now held il
this Territory
i. Y.-They are.
Ii. .G.-Do your Territorial laws Up
hold Slayeryi
B. Y-Those laws are printed-yoV
can read for yourself If slaves ar,
brought here by those who owned then
in the States, we do not favor their es
cape from the service of those owners.