The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1899-08-30
Historical Sketch OF MOrmonism
Rev. ID. j. MCMILLAN, ID. ID.

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CoHciud,d mis weot
In 1882, Brigham Young, a painter
and glazier, became a convert. He
first met Smith in the fall of that
year at Kirkland, and was the first to
use the gable called "the gift OF
tongues"
The next effort at permanent set
Element was made at Independence,
jackson county, Missouri, which
Joseph Smith said was 'the centre Of
the earth" the site Of the ancient
Garden OF Eden" This was then
our national frontier. But there were
sturdy settlers in advance of the
saints, who had acquired rights
which they were not ready to surren-
der, even at the command OF the Nor
mon prophet. Trouble followed,
there was war which resulted in the
defeat Of the Mormons. Eastward
they went and settled on the bank Of
the Mississippi river at Nauvoo, Ill.
Here beautiful city was built, and
here they grew in strength and num-
bers. Their missionaries abroad, set
ting up the cry of persecution, were
meeting with great success in win
ming converts. intoxicated with
prosperity and popularity, the pro.
phet became reckless With an utter
disregard of the rights of others, he
appropriated property and wives, "for
spiritual purposes right and left.
Evil reports and quarrels followed.
The prophet was arrested again and
again, but since the hope of the
church was centered in him and his
reputation, the saints we're compelled
to obtain his release and justification
at any cost. The prophet was evil
IDENTITY nearing the end of his mad
career. In 1874, DIR. X. ID. Foster
and William Law, editors of a paper
in Nauvoo, openly charged Smith
with having taken Mrs. Foster as
spiritual wife. The city authorities
being under Joseph Smiths power,
punished these gentlemen and des-
troyed their press and type. Gov
ernor Ford persuaded him and his
council to yield their arms and place
themselves under the protection of the
militia. The prophet and his three
associates were conducted to the jail
at Carthage for safety. Here 5000
Mormons were in arms, and their
safety seemed assured. But three
days after, company of Missourians
numbering two hundred, armed and
masked, assaulted the Jail and killed
the prophet and his brother Hyrum
Smith, and wounded John Taylor.
The blood of these so-called martyrs
proved indeed the seed Of the church.
The system had been fast falling
TO pieces until this event. Sympathy
for the saints who claimed to be per
secuted because they were holy and
good, won them friends everywhere,
in this country and Europe. The
success OF Mormonism was then as
sured. Joseph, the prophet, died
just at the right time. He had run his
course. The church had outgrown
him. He had alienated his wisest
counsellors, and the saints were los
ing heart. Sidney Rigdon then
wanted to be prophet, but Brigham
Young assumed the reins of govern
ment by right of his forceful and
superior personality. He told the
saints that God had called him TO the
throne, and that, together with his
strong will, settled the succession.
Rigdon, disappointed in his ambition
of leadership, left the church forever.
The conflict between the saints and
their gentle and apostate neighbors
was irrepressible. Brigham had not
the courage to face il. Accordingly |
the long journey to the Rocky Noun
tains was undertaken, which ended |
at Salt Lake in July, 1S47. Here
they were within the boundaries of
Mexico, safe from the pesterage pow
er of the "Babylonish" government of
the United States. But much to their
chagrin, the fortunes of the Mexican
War brought them again under the
dominion of the much hated govern
ment. However they were beyond
the probable reach of civilization, and
undisturbed, they have been for fifty
years dehantly eutrenched in those
mountain Businesses. Here the /
prophet had things his own way with /
none TO modest or make afraid. To
justify the peculiar habits of the
priesthood pretended revelation
making polygamy condition of ex-
sltation in the next world, was con-
veniently received. To give it sacred .
ness and added force it was dated
back to 1913 and ascribed to Joseph .
Smith, the martyr prophet. But the
trans continental travel was increas-
ing, and isolation OF the saints threat
ened. Gentiles must be kept out aud
apostacy prevented. So the the fer
tile brain of that master af men, Brig /
ham Young, devised the doctrine of .
"Blood Atonement." This means
that the only way TO save the soul of .
a gentle or apostate is to shed his .
blood. The Reformation" set in. .
The Mountain Meadow massacre &C.
cured in Southern Utah in 1857 when
at least 10 gentle emigrants were
massacred, and their horses, wagons,
cattle, clothes, and money were con
iiscated, enriching the church by
many thousands of dollars. The mas
sacre in the valley of the Rio Virgin.