The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-04-12
Tho Mormon Reformation.

The completion of the Mormon temple
is great occasion for the saints, and they
are celebrating it right royalty. AS other
of their public buildings it is freaky in
architecture. The plans OF public build
ings have usually been revealed" to the
prophet or some of his associates. and the
buildings have been revelations to every
one else. Like most Millerarisns the
Mormons go in for extremely solid srchi-
lecture. Their one exception to this rule
is the tabernacle, but il also is curiosity
in shape and construction, being IN the
form of an ellipse, with a rounded roof. It
will probably be retained as a general as
semblv building, and the temple will be
devoted to the mysteries" of the faith,
inasmuch as the tabernacle seats about
1900, while the assembly room of the
temple will accommodate only about
$500. Indeed, the first thing that strikes
one on seeing the temple is a wondering
how people could put so much material
into building and have so little room in
it. For the general purposes for which
buildings are supposed to be constructed
il would seem about as useful as one of
the pyramids.
The most striking feature of the dedics-
ton is the evident change of spirit in the
Mormon church. In it's earlier days no
organization was more autocratic and in
solent than this theocracy, and it was en-
tirely natural that it should be so. Its
doctrine was that the MormOns were the
saints of bible prophecy that the millen-
ium was at hand that the Mormon church
was about TO be established as the supreme
power on earth aud its opponents were to
be reduced 20 abject submission by the
direct visitations of avengeful Con. With
such q faith. and with the further belief
that the commands of their church was
superior to ali human government, these
people were easily led into open resistance
10 the government at one time, and since
then they have gradually passed through
all the stages Of passive resistance until,
by bitter experience. they have been led
to acknowledge the supremacy Of the laws
Of the country. Only a year or so since an
opportune revelation e'eased them from
any need of practising polygsmy. and so
disposed OF the chief objection TO their re-
ligion from a popular standpoint The
PRAYER at the opening Of the dedication
services ia a strong presentation of the
latest phase of mOrmOnism and it is a
very encouraging one. No one can object
to the following:
Our hearts are filled with gratitude TO
Thee for Tiny kindness to US in softeninG
the hearts of our fellew- citizens and peO-
pie OF the nation toward US; that which
Thou hast done has been marvellous in
our race. We thank Thee that Thou
didst move upon the heart of the presi-
dent of our nation 10 issue a general
amnesty; that Thou hast removed
prejudice and misunderstanding from the
minds OF many people concerning us and
treat Us as fellOw-cltizens and not as enc
mics
The common objections to mormonism
will quickly go to pieces before spirit of
this kind. All that is asked of them is that
they take their stand in loyalty to the
laws, es other religionists, and then they
can believe whatever they like. When
thew are far enough along in their reform
10 pay the heirs of the victims of the
Mountain Meadow massacre for the prop
erty taken and destroyed on that occasion,
we shall be ready to take them into full
fellowship.