Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-02-18
MORMONISM.
SCENTS AT MORMON MEETINGS IN
SALT LAKE CITY.
The Temple-Fanatical Devotion-Taylor,
the Prophet = Sacramento
Service Polygamy.

SALT LAKE Cry, February Is, 1882.
Within the high walls which surround
the ten acres of land upon which stand the
immense tabernacle, the unfinished temple,
and the endowment house, they have re.
Gently finished and dedicated large and
handsome building in Gothic architecture,
for use in winter, when it is impractical to
heat the big tabernacle. This is known as
the Central Assembly Hall. The inside
finish is substantial rather than artistic,
and gives an idea of solidity, especially
when filled with two or three thousand
people, whose faces indicate the poverty
of the head, and whose clothing declares
the scantiness of the purse. A motley
crowd gathered from the lower strata of
human existence meets the eye on every
side, from the topmost row in the gallery
to the seats reserved for the apostles Just
below that occupied by the prophet, John
Taylor.
THE DOME SHAPED CEILING
Is badly freseoed with pictures of Joe
Smith, Brigham Young and representations
of six of the larger temples in the Terri
tory, all imposing structures, and giving a
slight idea of the tithing wrung from the
hapiess believers, who, in consequence.
often suffer relationships of hunger aud cold
when the winter proves severe. A fine
pipe. organ and choir of sixty voices furnish
the music. The service opens with the
singing of hymn, followed by prayer
from one of the apostles, who last Sunday
distinctly invoked Gods curse upon the
enemies who are seeking to DESTROY the
influence of the Latter. Day Saints and in
terfere with their religious liberties. The
bread is then briefly blessed and broken
into bits by six apostles, one of whom
takes one of the six silver baskets, passing
it first to John Taylor, after which six
priests proceed to pass it to the multitude,
and the multitude partake-men, women,
youths, maidens, children, and even the
babies in arms are fed of the consecrated
loaf, in a matter of fact manner which
proves how little meaning it conveys to
their minds and detracts greatly from the
soiemnity usually attendant upon
THE sAGRAMENTAL SERVICE.
1t requires nearly sixty minutes to give
the vast concourse mouthful all round.
and during that time an old bishop talks
about the good work being done in this and
foreign lands by the missionaries sent out.
Inquiry reveals the fact that that old gray.
beard is DANTE, and would commit any
crime in Gods name. No chapter or lesson
is read from either the Bible or the Book
OF Mormon throughout the service. When
the spirit moves, President Taylor talks.
He is of venerable appearance, tall, broad
shouldered, full-chested, with an almost
square face framed by snowy hair and
short, white beard, worn under the chin
from ear to ear. His sunken, dark ewes
are ever Swallowed by bushy, black brows,
and the slightly hollow cheeks are of rudy
hue. He moves slowly ard carries himself
with easy dignity. His enunciation is dis
tinctly deliberate, language we'll chosen.
calm and reassuring in the faith, and lis.
tened to with eager attention by his de-
voted followers, who believe every word is
that of wisdom. He is cautious and reti.
cent, and with bis complacent smile dis
arms the fears of the comparative few who
know of