River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-12-30
A GLIMPSE AT MORMONISM.
A Lecture by Brigham Young's Nine-
teenth Wifc-uorm0n Rites.

A Lecture by Brigham Young,s Nine-
teenth Wifc--mOrmOn Rites.
Mrs. Ann Eliza Young, the last and
recently divorced wife of Brigham
Young, told the story of her life at
Denver, Colorado, ia a public lecture
last Wednesday evening. The Denver
News, which reports the lecture at
length, says her manner was quiet and
straightforward, creating a very favor
able impression. Subioined are the
more interesting portions of her lee
ture:
Her parents we're born in New York,
her father Joining the Mormon church
at twenty. three, and her mother be-
coming convert at sixteen years.
They had five children, she being the
youngest She was born September
10, 1874. In 1S48 she emigrated TO Salt
Lake. She had never known anything
but the Mormon religion from her ear,
liest years she believed il TO be true
because her parents so believed it. At
the age of eight years she was baptised
10y immersion, and again when sixteen
years old, after which she was received
into the endowment house.
The endowments, or secret rights of
Mormonlsm, are sort OF allegory in
blank verse, paraphrased from the
scriptures and Milton's Paradise
Lost" There are rooms fitted up with
scenery adapted to the performance Of
a drama representing the creation OF
man, his fall, the coming of Christ and
the priesthood of Joseph Smith. In
the performance Brigham Young takes
/ the part of Eloim, or head of God,
while other prominent men represent
Jesus, Satan, Michael and the Apos-
ties. Different degrees of the Aaronic
and Melchizedek priesthood are con-
ferred, at each stage of which the can.
didate is required to take oaths of
secrecy, accompanied with barbarous
penalties, should they dare to violate
them. They are also given a new
name, by which they will be known in
the kingdom of God. The entire
ceremony is profane and of lit
| tie interest to the outside
world, except where the candidate
takes solemn oath to "bear eternal
hostility TO the Government OF the
United States, and avenge the murder
of the prophet Joseph Smith. " In
this ceremony the women wear a long
robe, which is placed ON the right
shoulder, is gathered mt the waist with
strings, and flows to the floor ; there
is an apron of linen covered with green
silk, aud embroidered with fig leaves
1.-The nearest approach to the para
daisical apron that is consistent with
our climate. The men wear cap OF
linen similar to those worn by the
stone masons. The ladies' caps are
of Swiss mlslin, with veil OF the
same, which pretty effect. The in
tensely funny appearance of the men
in this costume is irresistible, This is
the costume in which the MoImons are
prepared for the grave.
When she was eighteen years ole
Brigham Young sent for her to study
for the stage, and she complied, al
though she was not remunerateC
therefor. She was married in he
nineteenth year to James l.. Dee; wa
his only wife, and lived in constant fea
, lest he should take a second. She ha'
two children bv him, and was treate
! most brutally. She then submitted
, the WISHES of her friends and left hin
A year later, by the advice of Brigham
, and the assistance of George q. Car
non, delegate TO Congress, she was d
voreed in the probate court. She wa
married secretly to Brigham Young
April Z, 1868, IN the endowment house
, Heber G. Kimball sealed them up I
everlasting lives. Shew charged nc
to tell anybody, for fear the Gentle
, would hear of il and have him aIreste
! for taking more wives in the faceof tn
[ law.
! After the ceremony che went home
, and didn't see Brigham Tor a weeh
: Her house was poorly provided fol
9 having barely the necessities OF life
In the Presidents household they hav
? what is called ration day. Once
7 month each family receives five pound
of sugar, one pound of candles, a ba
\ of soap and box OF matches. III
. lecturess emphatically stated that sh
o neve. received $1,000 a year, as hs
!. been reported. The rule with all III
;. prophets wives-except the favorite-
r is that all food beyond the PLANES
a fare, and all clothing except what nj
o ture demands for the protection OF u
I person, the wife is expected to provid
b Tor herself and children. Brigham
4 promises his wives $1,000 a year PHI
1 money and a good home, but they 60
q neither.