The Shasta courier., 1871-11-04
ABOUT THE MORsIONS.

1t is doctrine of the Mormon Church
that no woman can get to heaven without
the aid OF man, except in very special
cases. 70 be married and mother in
Israel is eternal salvation in heaven for the
salntess. Without this, in the other world
the deceased santess must serve as a kitchen
girl or waiting maid to some resurrected
mother in Israel This strange doctrine is
thoroughly believed by the Mormon wo-
men, and hence their eagerness to be mar
rled, either in or out of polygamy. A case
illustrating this has come TO our knowledge.
A beautiful young girl ofseventeen was on
her deathbed, and being unmarried she
requested that certain well known editor
should be sent for, to whom she wished to
be ''sealed, and thus gain eternal glory in
the kingdom of God. The Elders compli-
ed with her wish. the editor reached the
deathbed, and there, in The presence of
witnesses, the living and the dying were
united in the holy bonds Of matrimony-
The editor was already married man, but
his religion made him take the dying girl
TO wife. Instances of this kind are not
rare. Such a marriage is considered doub-
y sanctited, owing to the solemn surround
ing.
When saintcss falls in love with some
brother in the church, whether married or
single, and she despairs of getting of him
through her own destinations, or he will
not RESI- ond 10 her affectionate yearnings,
she goes to the Prophet and makes known
her wishes, stating that the spirit" (neithcr
devil nor wood chuck moves her to marty
Brother Smith or Brother Jones, as the
case may be, and that by him she wants to
be mother in Israel aud raise up angels
to the Lord. This might be considered an
indelicate movement if attempted in the
Gentle world, but here the affair is man.
aged as matter of fact, and the man SO
platonically chosen is rather envied than
otherwise Well, the Prophet sends for
the chosen one and makes known the facts
In the case, usually slapping the brother
on the shoulder and good naturedly remark
ing: "Ah brother you are happy man."
This little sally of pleasantly meets the
candidate chosen for the slaughter matrimo-
NAL. Dear sister Sarah Jane or Sophronia
Ann is sent for, a mutual recognition takes
place, probably for the first time, and ar
rangement> are made to carry out the mar
ital programme. 1t often happens that the
candidate is already deep in polygamy, but
the addition is considered an extra Jewel
in the household crown The other wives
are seldom consulted in the matter and the
harem may be increased without their
knowledge. Strange to say, young unmar-
red men are seldom attacked in this man.
ner' snch women, strange to say. usually
preferring poylgamists. Well, there's no
telling what woman will do when she
takes notion into her head
When any of the venerable old sinners
in Zion gets his eye upon some innocent
young virgin he does not act like an old
saint in the Gentle world-that is, to get
up stolen interviews, make costly presents
and appeal TO her vanity. love of dress and
luxury. he father in Israel goes boldly
in open day, OF by the smiling moon, calls
unon'the object of bis devotion, and then
talks religion to her. The Holy Book is
quoted, from Genesis to Revelations, and
plural marriages are proved to be of God.
Appeals are made and continued, and if
the beauty remains unconvinced, then the
climax is attained by the fTtber biblical
proof that 1.-THE Savior of Mankind, the
Lord Jesus Christ" came OF polygamous
stock. and hence his great power and eter-
nal glory. Finally the poor girl yields to
this religious onslaught ani is led like
lamb to the delicious slaughter This
may al seem like dream or huge joke
to the wicked world outside Zion, but it is
a matter of solemn religious duty here -
O'd men. who have been faithful to the
Lord who have built up the kingdom of
Israel and suffered persecution for its sake,
are thus. like David of old. rewarded with
the virgins of the land d--Corresponde9t of
San Francisco Chronicle