The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-07-29

MORMON MINISTERS.
The work in Iowa and
Indiana.
How they effect Conversions
IN Gentiles.
Beliefs and Opinions Of the
Faith.



they expect to recruit the numbers of those
1 who believe that en6swife can not make
/ life upon this mundane sphere sufficiently
agreeable for an ordinary mortal. These
missionaries are known by the names of
Elder Eli A. POLAND and Elder Sylvester
bradford. They have been making an ex
tensive tour throughout the state of Iowa,
where they have been moderately success
full in converting people to the new faith.
A gentleman from this city was fellow
passenger with the polygamously inclined
enthusiasts from Salt Lake, and during the
journey held lengthy conversation with
them on different subjects connected with
| their peculiar faith and many of proselyting
believers.
THEIR OPINIONS
The conversation was chiefly carried on
by Mr.. POLAND, the younger of the two
missionaries, who is represented as being
good conversationalist, well informed on
the general topics of the day, and an in
sinuating and pleasing religious fanatic.
In reply to a series of questions the fol-
lowers of the Prophet of Deseret express
ed himself as follows
1--WE have not visited Iowa solely on a
prosecuting mission, although we have not
lost any opportunity of spreading the truth
whenever such opportunity presented it
self.
He said that they had been making Wis
its in various parts of the State with aview
of becoming acquainted. They had seen
number of their relations and had me t
those people, who are contem-
,N1o ol1o IF huS
engaged they had preached several times,
and thought that the words which they had
spoken would eventually lead to good re-
suits They were sent out from Utah with
the idea of securing converts, and they had
united business with pleasure. They were
on their way to Indiana, where they would
follow similar policy, and would return
to Iowa in the fall, when they expected
number would be ready to depart for Salt
Lake with them.
HOW THEY WORK. 81
The missionaries do not confine them
selves to verbal explanations and exposi
tions of the new faith, but are supplied
with number of tracts bearing on the re-
ligion which they represent. These pam
phlets they scatter around, and thus cause
people to talk about the Mormons and while
thus interested the missionaries have
a talk with them and attempt to convince
them of the truths of the new faith. The
tracts include The Doctrines of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, Its faith and Teachings" 1.-The
plan OF Salvation;" Platform of Principles
of Pretended Reformers of Utah Gan anti
Mormon document with Reflections on
the same by one of the Saints.
These books embody the salient points
of the doctrine. Persons reading them,
viii naturally ask for information on the
points brought out, and the missionaries
then come forward and attempt to eluci
date them in such manner as to convince
the questioner.
MAIN POINTS.
The main points on which the Mormons
expect to convert the Gentiles to the new
faith is the power of revelations.
They make this the starting point
and from that seek to prove that those who
fail to accept the new revelation are as bad
as those who failed to accept the presence
ofthe Savior in the days when the christian
religion was first started. They claim to
have special revelations which were given
to Joseph. They also state that Brigham
Young was supplied with these special
revelations John Taylor, the present
head of the church, has not been SO fortu-
nate in this respect, as the elders did not
know whether he had received any special
revelation or not. They offer the converts
no material inducement as they rely solely
on the revelation dodge to cause a change
of heart.
REGULAR SYSTEM =
When the talk and pamphlets have taken
effect, and the person or persons desire to
remove to Salt Lake, the church through
its missionaries does all that is possible to
secure transportation to Salt Lake, and
employment after reaching that place.
The community at Salt Lake is divided
into wards, each ward has a Bishop and
two teachers.
In case carpenter or brick Mason or other
workman is wanted in a particular ward,
the want is reported to the Bishop who in
forms the travelling elders, and thus the
latter offer employment as well as spiritual
assistance to those who embrace the new
faith.
The travelling elders were of the opinion
that the Norman church is more united
| and powerful to-day than it has been in
the past. The death of Brigham Young,
did not effect it in the least, and the adj
mlnistration Of John Taylor was regarded
as very successful
The polygamy question was not gener-
| ally raised in converting people. It was
regarded as apart of there violation, and as
such was taken with the new doctrine
They considered that this question had
been greatly misrepresented.
! "A DIFFERENCE.
They denied that the polygamy plank
had been added by Brigham Young, and
commended that it was the original doctrine
as taught by Joseph Smith, according to
his revelation on celestial marriages given
at Nauvoo. July IL, 1843. The elders re-
garded the intensely religious people as
the best material for converts and next in
order were those who had never given re-
ligion any serious consideration. Their
recruits were mainly composed of women
: The representative Mormons denied the
existence of avcnging angels among the
Letter Day Saints, and thought the Danites
were creatures who had personal grounds
and not religious principles to avenge.
Do not Despond.
, Warmers Safe Kidney ard Liver Cure
will drive off the worst attack of ssblues .
AN UNPLEASANT PREDICAMENT
a short time ago young lady of this city