The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-03-14
poLYGAMY.
A Mormon Woman's story OF Its Opera
fions.

A Mormon Womam's story OF ass opera
ftOns.
From Mrs. stenhouses Lecture on life in Utah
She was proud to say that the Nor
mon women did not willingly accept
poIygamy. They were betrayed into
obeving a revelation which was said to
come from God, which made it neeessa- |
nv to their salvation and exaltation III
heaven that they should give to their
husbands other wives even though that
act of obedience should cruelty them
selves; and they were betrayed by that
abnegation which women have always
shown in a religious cause. The more
alluring doctrine of q kinship of Spirit,
the assertion that all women must have
husbands in order to be saved, and that
true marriage was not for time only,
but for all eternity, was taught.
The first symptom of coming polyga-
my that is perceiyable by the first wife
is generally little quiet signing on the
part of the husband. He becomes very
serious. His is evidently occupied.
He exhits a more than usual zeal for
the faith. He goes regularly to church.
He becomes concerned about his future
kingdom. Coming events cast their
shadows before" LII in good circum-
stances, he IS certain to bring home
some present, and tells his sweet little
wife" how much he loves her, that ''she
fills his heart, and that he els so hap
py of her affection" When a wife IN
Utah hears this kind of language she
may be certain that there is another
revelation awaiting her. The affection
ate husband becomes very reflective ana
observing. His Brother Jones has three
ov.H Prot hnp
Robinson, who has not been half so
many years in the church rs he has,
has one. He then begins very gently
with. "Th.s viii never do, my dear,
we are not living our religion. / am
sometimes afraid that the anger of the
Lord will kindle against us. He
makes his wife feel that it is as much
her duty as his. He asks his wife
which of all the young girls Of her ac-
quaintance would make good wlfe-a
pleasant companion for her-One who
would respect her. He mentious half
dozen, one OF whom he has determined
upon, and that one is selected. The
wife, Of course, IS not deceived she
feels that opposition is useless. Soon
the husband has meetings TO attend,
business engagements alter business
hours. He IS seen walking or riding
with young girl, and the wife finds
that it is nothing new, and then she
feels that she has been deceived, and
her idol is broken. Ii q man has TWEEN
ty wives he makes the last one believe
that she is the first and only true love.
There is a class of women in Utah
professedly devoted to POligamy, as
they are to faith in Christ, who act as
drill-sergeauts TO the other women.
These lead Mormon pOlyamic society
and get up memorials to Congress, etc.
They form what is called the female re-
lief society, and to women who object
to marriage they say, " Would it not be
better for you to be one of the officers
of a fine ship of war than to be the cap
tain of a small fishing smack q mean
ing it is better to he one of the wives of
a great man than to be the wife of an
obscure man.
A broken hearted wife went to Miss
Eliza r. Snow-one of the wives of
Brigham YOung-and told her the mis-
cry of her life. Il cannot endure it, "
exclaimed the unhappy woman. But
you must endure if, replied her com
forter. cit Will kill me, I know it
will p she uttered in despair. Then
you will wear martyrs crown, sister, "
replied the sonIless woman.
In Utah 10 Is no common thing to find
a wife's own sister or sisters brought
home as wives and some mothers have
been obliged 10 give their own daugh-
ters to be wives to their husbands
Brigham Young once admitted to Hep
worth Dixon that he saw no objection to
brothers and sisters marrying.
Glrs. Stenhouse told the funny story
of Sister Picknel's funeral. The fol-
lowing was Bishop Hardy's sermon -
oval, bruthrun and sisters, you are all
here, I 'spose, and so well begin. Wal,
our sister is dead let her rest. Our
sister has suffered and made others suf-
fer, but now she's dead we'll let her
rest. She opened the door to the devils
and let them IN Eve years ago when her
husband took his young wife 7 told
her then they would kill her if she did
not take care, and now they've done it.
She was torment to her husband, and
7 guest If ho'G a luewd that she'd q
BIN such a torment he'd never a mar
ried her. Anti that so. Brother Pick
el?' That's so, bishop" Wal
Brother Pickel. have YOU got anything
to say?" Not as [ knOw'd on, but 1
'spOse L ought ter say sum at, and if /
do be sure to Offend some Of the sis
tiers, so / 'spose we'd better close the
meetin'. Thus ended the funeral SER
vice.