The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-27
MORMON RITES.
Device for Sending Unbaptlzed Dead te

Device for Sending Unbaptlzed Dead to
Heaven.
Salt Lake Letter in Philadelphia Ledger.
Unique celebrations were recently held
here, when the family Of Brigham Young
was gathered for the observance Of his
birthday, as well as to hear reports of the
work done by an association that has been
formed by the descendants OF the Nor
mon prophet and HIS brothers. This cele.
bration has become to be one Of the events
of the year in; Utah. asi 's.'..sE
It is estimated that at tie party given
here on june ] mo. more thanasoo Of the de-
scseened lsa Of the second Mormon prophet
who numbered .fft yy2si xlhave generally
reared large families, qandoJnaay Of these
were gathered FROM far and: near to meet
and take up the work Hat stlre family is
to do according to the Mormon creed.
Some came from the Mormon settlements
others from sthe regions between. Several
of the widows Of the sprophet were also
present, althor most of these survivors are
becoming feeble with age. IA
The interesting feature of the annual
meeting, however, lies In the purpose Of
the family organization, which is to zdo
.baptisn1al work for; the ancestors Of Brig
ham Young. 1T is cardinal doctrine OF
the Mormon church hat no person can
reach the highest Of the kingdoms In the
after life unless he orsshe is baptized BY
one OF the priests Of the church, In order
to provide for the time existing between
the withdrawal of the. true gospel from
the earth-according to the Mormon theol-
ogy, in about 400 A. D.-and its RETURN
thru Joseph Smith in the early part Of the
last century, 1t was revealed" to Smith
that q descendant Of any person who was
dead could be baptized in his or her name
and so make the record complete -
It Is the Mormon belief that the spirits
of unbaptized persons are held in the
celestial or terrestrial Kingdoms-the
lower, Kingdoms in the ether world
to- permit them to ascend into the tee
lestial' kingdom, which is reserved for
the elect. Consequently the leaders of the
Young family several years ago undertook
to trace back their ancestry as far as they
could go and provide for all whose re-
lationship could be shown an entry into
the highest of the other worlds.
Ihey have gone to the early part of the
eighteenth century already learning that
the first ancestor Of Brigham Young, who
came to America, was q resident Of the
providence Plantations, being one Of the
earlier settlers. Other ancestors served in
the Indian wars, and one fought with dis
tinction in the war Of the revolution
Efforts are now being made to trace the
relationship across the Atlantic and carry
the family records as far as possible into
England, the plan being to go back to 400
A. D., If any records can be found, which,
OF course, is out of the question, in view
OF the state Of England about that time
Whenever a new ancestor Is found, one
Of the members Of the family, who is en-
gagged in what is known as the temple
work, goes to the big temple In this city
and passes, thru various peculiar ceremo-
mics akin to those Of the endowment" so
called, by which a novice is@initiated into
the mysteries Of the church. This worker
takes the name Of: the person. for whom the
rite is to be performed, is amounted with
oil and baptized. and then goth thru yari-
Gus secret ceremonies.
The worker in the final degrees ascends
into a room representing the terrestrial
kingdom. This is painted Enthusiastically
ito. represent condition Of disorder in the
world. with birds and beasts fighting,
storms blowing, and disaster on every
hand. Another room represents the Gee
lesttal kingdom, where peace reigns, but
still one Is bound to earthly things. The
celestial room Is a handsomely fitted
up place, hung with costly fabrics and
ablaze with light, with the ceiling covered
with clusters Of fruits and vines arranged
to give the idea that here one gamers all
the rewards OF the world.
The, work OF the Young family is being 4
duplicated by various other families in /
M0rmondon, and the baptismal rites at !
the various temples. tax their CAPACITY.