The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-15
MORMON WOMEN.
A "Priestess" of the Church Defends Her
Faith - Marriages and Baptisms of the

Faith - Marriages and Baptisms of the
Dead.
Salt Lake Correspondence New York Mail and EXP.
First | want to know if the women of
Utah would not, in their hearts, be glad if
polygamy was aboiished-if, fer instance,
there could be revelation given them to
that effect?"
Mrs. WI answer, emphatically, no;
but, for your more complete satisfaction, al
low me to refer to the memorials to Congress,
signed by thousands of women, and the tes-
timony of 1;i500 women who assembled Nov
IT, 1878, in the Salt Lake Theater at mass
meeting to protest publicly against the in
reference of the anti-polygamy crusade.
Here is a copy of the resolution:
Resolved, That we solemnly avow our belief
in the doctrine of the patrlarchal order of mar
r1age. doctrine which was revealed to and
practiced by GGd's people in past ages, and is
now re-estabshed on the earth by divine COM
mand of Him who is the same yesterday, to-day
and forever; doctrine which if lived up to and
carried out under the direction of the precepts
pertaining to it, and of the higher principles of
our nature, would cOnduce to the long life
strength and glory of the people practicing and
we therefore indorse il as one of the most i'm
portant principles of our holy religion, and claim
the right Of its practice"
Several OF the ladies who addressed that
meeting testified that they had received
actual testimonies or manifestations from
heaven of the doctrine of plurality of
wives, which they could not retist. Further
more, the tender relationships existing in.
the families where there are more wives and
many children are SO closely interviewer in
the hearts of those thus related that to de-
stroy them ard separate these families would
cause more suffering and wretchedness than
those unacquainted with the facts could pos
sibly imagine. Believing as we do that the
practice of the principle is productive of the
highest good to humanity, and for the re-
demption and exaltation of the dead as we'll
as the living, we could not be glad to have
it abolished even by revelation
What is meant by being sealed to a
man?'
1T simply means being married by the au-
thority of God for time and eternity"
Can woman be sealed to dead man
to any one she may choose from the innu-
merable host?'
Yes, she can"
How is it done?'
by proxy, some living person officiating
for the one who is dead"
Can she bear children to the dead man?'
Yes, in this way: that if living woman
is sealed by proxy to dead man, the person
acting for him covenants TO raise up children
for the dead man. There are many passages
of Scripture in the Old Testament to sub
stantiate this, but will only call attention
to Ruth iv., 10. 1t is a well-known fact, re-
corded in the first chapter of St Matthew
that through such lineage, in direct line
came Jesus, the saviour OF the world. There
fore the Lord could not condemn it"
Your faith and works seem to admit of
no doubt of individuality in the spirit world
You baptize for the dead, do you not?'
Eyes, it is one of the most i'm portant points
in our doctrine. See l Cor xiv, %"
what is your faith regarding this?"
Our faith is that, through the ordinance
of baptism performed by the living relatives
and friends for the dead, who have died with
out the knowledge of the true gospel, all who
will accept it in the spirit world may be re-
deemed and brought forth in the resurrec-
ton of the just, to receive the blessings of
the redeemed with their kindred who have
thus officiated 1t is more particularly for
this work that our temples are built
and dedicated to the Most High. Each tenn
pie has baptismal font prepared expressly
for the baptism of the dead and dedicated to
that ordinance alone. They are made after
the pattern given in olden times and yet by
direct revelation in our day, through the
prophet who presides over the church and
receives revelation for the direction of all its
affairs. The font is oval or obong, and sup
| ported on the backs of twelve oxen, these
| turned with heads to each of the four points
of the compass. 1t is grand sight, and no
! thoughtful person can witness the ordinance
without feelings OF solemnity."
How many times can one be pabtized for
| the dead?"
las many times as they desire, as many
| times as they have friends or relatives un-
baptized or not redeemed in the spirit world
There is no limit"