Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-09-01
UTAH.
An Address to ,ne Mormons.

SALT LAKE, August 31st.-The following
extracts were taken from an address to the
Latter Day Saints, signed by John Taylor,
George Q. Cannon and Joe +. Smith, pub
lished in the Church organ this evening:
There have been many times in our past history
when great exigeneies have arisen and it is the i'm
peratye duty OF the First Presidency of the Church
OF Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to give plain
and pointed counsel to the peop'e over whom in
the providence Of God, they have been called to
preside. condition Of affairs exists at the present
time which makes it emiuently proper that We as
the First Presidency of the Church. should address
you this epistle. The Edmunds law designed for
the repression and destruction of portion Of your
religion, by DISTINGUISHING all persons in
the Territory or other places over which
the United States have exclusive Jurisdiction
who had adopted, in obedience to the requirements
OF their religion, the principle of celestial marriage
became the law OF the land on March %, 1882 As
the law required. five Commissioners, selected by
the President and confirmed by the Senate, were
sent TO this Territory to enforce its provisions AS
Church we have repeatedly testified in the most
solemn manner that the institution OF marriage
which this law is aimed at, has been revealed to us
by the Almighty, and that it is part of our relig-
ion; that it is interviewer with dearest and
hottest hopes connected with eternity, and that not
from any lustful motives, but because We believe
that we should incur the ettrna displeasure OF cur
Heavenly Father ii We did not comply with its re.
quirements, we have espoused this doctrine.
1t has been argued by those who are ig-
norant OF the true nature Of this doc
trne, and how inseperaby connected it is
with all our hopes Of eternal happiness In that
world beyond the tomb, that this is not part Of
our religion that this system Of marriage is not re
llglon that it is an immoral and odious practice
that is shocking to the religious of the nation
and to the civilization OF age and that legislation
framed for its repression and eXtrpation should be
enacted. The Federal Legislature has therefore
passed this Act, and the Federal Executive has at.
fixed to it his signature. In regard to our religion
or our eternal covenants, We have compromise to
make nor principles to barter away. They emanate
from God and are founded upon the rock of eternal
ages. They will exist when empires. powers and
nations shall crumble and decay, and with the help
Of the Almighty we will guard sacredly our cove.
nants, and maintain our interests, and be true to
our God while time exists and eternity endures.
Let guard well franchise and in one unbroken
phalanN maintain and sustain political status,
and as patriots and freemen operate together In de-
Tense OF what few liberties left to us in the de-
Tense OF the Constitution and in the defense of the
nallenable rights of man, which rights always ex-
st, and above and before all Constitutions and
thus to perpetuate to posterity the inestimahe
blessings of freedom, including the right to live the
right to be free, and the right pursue happiness
uumolested by any influence, power or combination.