The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-14
MORMON CHURCH FACTIONS.
Differences of Views Between the
Patrinrcbs and the Young Folks.

From the New Orleans Times Democrat.)
Yes. I believe it is true that the Nor
mons are buying IMMENSE tracts of land
for colonies in Mexico" said visitor
from Salt Lake City. at one of the hotels,
and mark this prediction: The next
twelve months will see the beginning of
great religious exodus unparalleled in
the history of the country. The situation
of the Mormon Church. in Utah at pres
ent is very peculiar, he Continued, and
not at all understood by the outside
world. To state the case briefly, it has
gradually divided itself into two distinct
taCtions-the young and the old. The
young element comprises the present
generation-men and women born In Utah,
after the hardships of the original settle
ment were all over. AS rule they are
well educated and progressive, and they
form the present leaders of business and
social life. The other faction is made up
of the patriarchs and their followers. who
hold sternly to tho old traditions, includ-
ing polysamy.
'The younger people, with modern ideas
Of home life. have never favored plural
marriage. and the truth is, they gave
quiet support TO the legislation that now
makes ii crime; but the elders insisted
on retaining il as an institution having di-
vine sanction. and they have been secretly
practicing ii ever since. Even from this
rough outline of the situation. the speak
er went on, lit may be easily understood
how these two antagoniStic elements have
drifted further and further apart, and
are now ON the brink of definite schism.
cally, but they absolutely control the ma
chinery of the church and its immense
holdings are vested in them, personally.
Their followers are the country people,
who still stick to the old forms and Gus
toms, and when the split comes il will di-
vide the Mormon population about equally
in half. I am sure from what ! have
seen and heard. that the plan of break
ing away and forming a new settlement
elsewhere has been taking shape among
the elders for n number of years past.
Their idea is TO preserve the old Mormon
Church intact, and they are shrewd
enough to see. that it can't be done in
Utah
1t is very significant fact that since
lsSS none Of the converts tley are con-
tinualiy recruiting abroad have been
brought into The ;tate. byt without OK
ception they have Deen Temporarily lucat-
ed in Texas and A:Izonc- near the Eexi-
can frontier. These newcomers are from
The European &C lsdut classes ;tr1 are INST
the material waIstCd n IL establishing
patriaTciliul government. According to
reports, the church agents have huTght
enough land in northern ArAico 10 make
a small principdity. ard I'm convinced
that the nligrlsion will s2in in the near
future. There viii be nothing abrupt or
sensational about the mo-. nerI- but it
viii he a steady drift ami before it at
tracts any great atteation the original
primitive MoTm3nsm Of .ioc smith the
prophet. will be fully rchahiitated he
Hond the Rio lralde. y it'll EOiNgaThy en-
dowment houses danites, tithes. end all
its other cnSa Sing features. ~ Ear as in
reference 10y the Mexican Governni.n ut
is concerned. ! suppose that was fully ar
ranged before any lind WIS bought.