Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-04-26
The Mormon Doctrine Of POIyuamy.

We
Mrs. Helen Jackson (H. H J writes in the May
Century OF The Women of the Bee Hive, and
says in part: 1.-THE doctrine to be completely
studied must be considered both from the
mans point of view and the wOman's. the two
being. for many reasons, not identical. But it
is the wOman's view of it. her belief and posi-
ton in regard TO it, which are most misrepre-
scented and misunderstood by the world. If the
truth were known. there would be few persons
In whose minds would be any Sc ntiment eXcept
profound pity for the Mormon Woman-pty
moreover, intensified by admiration. There has
never been class or sect Of women since the
world began who have endured for RELIGIONS
sake 1.-THE of what has been and is and for
ever must be endured by the women of the
Mormon church. 1t has become customary to
hold them as disreputable women, light and
loose, unfit to associate with the virtuolis I'M
deserving of any esteem. Never was greater
injustice committed
This has been partly due. however. to mis-
take many enthusiastic Mormon women have
themselves committed, in trying to uphold the
plural marriage systehl-perhaps even to fortify
their own powers of endurance of it-by declar--
Ing that they were happy in it, by not admitting
that it entailed sufering-a pathetic and boot
less deceit. The most intelligent among them
now make no such pretense.
said one OF them to me; i implored my own
daughters and do the same to all young wo-
marry into pOlygamy. never think tor one mo-
ment OF marrying into pOlygamy, unless you are
sure that religion is more to you than all else in
this world. Nothing else can enable woman
to endure the torture of it, or to live I'D to the
prccepts ofthe church."
:. One of my daughters especially, I went
and prayed over, to keep her out of it. feared
that 1t was beyond the power of grace to SO
modify her natural temperament as to make the
life endurabe to her.
ic
which makes this torture. And if we were
wholly Christians and good Mormons we should
rise above that sefshness, and never have any
jealousy or pain; but it is born in all of us, and
there is no getting free from it,
we know that we are committing sin every
time we have an unkind feeling toward any
bOdy,-hOw much more towards our husbands
other wives, who ought to be Just like sisters to
us. We are no good MormOns if we do not live
on kind and friendly terms with them but
anybody that says 1t isn't terrible suffering
doesn't know Mormon women-nor human ma
ture either, | should think. There are very
few who are hit to live In pOlygamy'
1.-The two doctrines which most help the
Mormon woman to endure the suffering of
living in plural marriage are the doctrines of
pre-existence and of the eternal continuance of
the patriarchal order. The mere revelation
from Joseph Smith. to the effect that poIygamy
was to be permitted and was praiseworthy and
desirable. would never. alone have brought the
institution.
''1hey are taught. and most unouestiOninuly
believe, that the universe full OF spirits wait
lng aid waiting impatiently, to be born OH this
earth These spirits have already passed
through one stage of discipline and probation
and are to enter upon second one here. The Rev.
Edward Beecher once published book setting
forth similar doctrine. The Mormon doctrine
goes farther than DIR. Beecher's, inasmuch as it
teaches that these spirits may select of their
own free will where and how they will be
born into their earthly probation; and that they
are, one and all, anxious to be born in the Nor
mon church. as the one true Zon where
alone are to be found safety and salvation.
They also believe that the time is limited
during which these spirits can avail them
selves OF this privilege of being born into
Zion. They look for the return of Jesus Christ
to the earth before long, and for the establish
ment then Of the millennial dispensation, after
which no more OF the spirits can be reborn and
reclaimed. Hence the Obgat ion resting upon
every faithful Mormon woman to bring into the
world; in the course of her life, as many children
as possible Not only does she thus contribute
to the building up and strengthening OF the
true church, but she rescues souls already exist
ing and In danger of eternal death. 1t is easy
to sheer at this doctrine as incOnceivable rub
Dish; and in truth, it must be admitted that 1t
is hard to conceive of an educated mind receiy-
ing 1t: but 1t Is no more absurd or unprOyable
than hundreds of kindred speculations and no.
tons which have been devised preached and
passiOnately believed In times past. Neither has
the absurdty or nOn-absurdity, falsity or truth
OF the belief ANYTHING to do with our Judgment
OF its believers.