Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-11-15
.eMORnoSIsMu AS 1t Is.

Out It's property POlygamy and
"Mormonism" are synonymous.
some OF them assert. Others saw
"'Mormonism' was only held to.
gether by faith in the righteousness
Of polygamy."
These remarks are further illus.
trations Of the invincible Ignorance
Of most editor in the United States
concerning a system which has at.
tractei greater attention than any
other in this century. 1t is marvel.
GUS that SO few persons who write
and speak about it know anything
concerning ITS principles, its spirit
and its history.
The doctrine Of plural marriage
was not revealed to the Church I'M
til 1888, aud was not publicly pro-
claimed until 1852 Previous 70 these
dates the Church OF Jesus Christ of
Latter-dsy Saints, commonly called
the "MormOn'' Church. organized
April s, 1880, had penetrated to most
of the States Of the Union and into
theBritish Isles, aud had made many
thousands Of converts and passed
through most Of its terrible persecu-
tons. Its doctrines had been fought
and ridiculed ami its people plum
dered, driven and misrepresentej.
Polygamy was not ami could not
be. even alleged as the cause Of the
fierce opposition TO its teachings, or
the excuse for mlltreating Its fol-
lowers.
1t is evident, then, that ssNIor-
monism" and polygamy are not
synonomous, that "AIormonism, ,,
will not necessarily perish because
plural marriages Cease TO he solemn
lied, and that faith in something
more than the righteousness of
Polygamy held Mormonism togeth-
er'' before plural marriage was
adopted and may hold it together
now that it is forbidden.
1t may surprise some of the SEN
lighteners Of the world, 10 know.
that the terms 'AIormonisu,, and
"polygamy" have no essential rela-
ton. The word "Mormonism', is
nickname for the system which
has grown out Of the doctrines of
the Book Of Mormon. That record
Of the early inhabitants Of America
Is an infringement OF prophetic and
historical writings, containing
mainly the same doctrines, simply
taught, as Christ delivered TO His
people in Palestine. But there is
this popularity about it: According
to this book the ancient dwellers on
this land were not considered
worthy to have plural families like
some Of their Asiatic progenitors.
but We're commanded of God to
haye,but one wife and no concu-
bines. SO that the word "Alor-
monism," so far as it is derived from
the word "Mormou," cannot be
construed as meaning polygamy,
and, indeed, by some opponents has
been considered to mean the very
opposite.
Putting Polygamy aside, the fun
dame Ital principles of mormon
isms" whic1 attracted the people
who have embraced it in many
lands, remlin uniistur5ei aud un.
impeachei. They form a system
Of Theology which is more COM
prehensive, scripJural rational and
consistent than any other in all the
world. These principles have been
attacked, deriiei, repu lated and
held up TO scorn, but have never
been c1ntrovertel either by reason
or scripture. They have scarcely
ever been given a fair field, but
where this has been ac.JrleI they
have ever been victorisus.
"MOrmonism" embraces all the
great questions which have agitaued
ChristeniOm as subjects Of religious
controversy. Ani it has solved
these problems 80 as % settle them
definitely and satisfactorily to those
who have accepted itas a religious
system Being rooted in revelation.
that is, living, present continuous
Divine revelation, il is a vital.
growing and developing system.
adopted and adapting itself to the
needs ofprogressing aui diversified
humanity in every land and OF sue
ceeding generations.
Plural marriage has not been per.
mttted under its regulations except
by authority Of the head OF the
Church, who alone holds the KEYS
OF this power according to the rev
citation which made its PRINCIPLES
known to the Church. He has for
bidien further plural marriages. bv
virtue Of that authority, aud there
fore there is no inconsistency or
improper subservience in the ac-
ceptAnce by the Church Of his De-
claratioa to this effect. And if is a |
demonstrated fact. that the great |
majority Of the members have never |
enteredint that relation.
The principle of celestial, that is
eternal, marriage is one of the
grandest AMI most sublime doc
trines ever male known to man. BY
this We mela the union, under Di.
vine authority, Of man and woman
for ever. This is the order Of mar
rage which united Adam and Eve
in Para iise before there was any
death within or upon them. and
was therefore an eternal covenant
entered into by immortaIs. and
upon them eteraauv
The death that came bv
ransgression was remedied by
he Savior. And the parents Of h
The race, restored by the aUonemen,
from the effects Of the fall. stand in
he resurrection exactly as they
were when first united, with the {
benefits o. experience added TO their
knowledge Of good and evil.
Under a similar covenant, sealed
IN heaven because sealed on earth /
BY Divine authority, a man and > 8
woman SO united are husband and {
wife for ever, and though death ,
nay part thsm the separation is bur !
temporary, and Christ's redemption :
will place them side by side in III,
,ternal world, at the head Of tbei, I