The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-14
MORMONISM is SHAMED
N A PASTORS PHIL|PPIC
Polygamy and Rank Idolatry'
Taken by Rev. Mr.. Hyde as
Causes for Arrangement.
SECRET BOOK IS QUOTED
Newspaper Articles Also Read that
Congregation May Have
Proof of Crimes.

Gould there be found anywhere greater
mass of unintelligible rubbish or nonsense
or rank idOlatry? If this is not blasphemy
of the highest type, then were blasphemy
never uttered" Such was the opinion held
by DR.. NJ. b. Hyde. pastor of the Fletcher
place Methodist Church, of the doctrines of
the Mormon Church. This emphatic state
ment was made after review of the prin-
ciples of the church in which plurality
of wives was encouraged.
I'm Farley p Pratts Key 10 Theology
he said, you will find this writing: The
Godhead is composed of various. beings,
Elohim being first Jehovah second, Adam
third, Jesus Christ fourth and Joseph Smith,
the God of this generation. Such we
find to be some of their fundamental doc
trines.H
DR.. Hyde was earnest in his eXpositions
of the teachings of Mormonism and thought
that some action should be taken by the
government authorities to remove the ex-
listing evil. In answer to some of the
denials that some of the missionaries were
making to the principles as taught by the
church he cited quotations from the book of
Doctrine and Covenants" which he gained
access to and spent several hours in their
study. The book of doctrines over which
the strictest secrecy was maintained was
exposed by him and the exact page cited
The speaker said that perhaps the only rea-
son that he was admitted TO the records was
that he was likely mistaken for one OF the
prophets in the southern part of Utah who
bore the same name as himself.
WASHINGTON MADE A MORMON.
Speaking of the principles, he said: They
also baptize for the dead. That is, one
living person stands in the place of relative
or friend and is baptized for him. 1t is
said that by this means Washington, Clay,
Webster and a host of others have been
made Mormons"
Quoting from the Salt Lake Deseret News.
| October !, 1856, then a Mormon paper, it
was shown that the sacrifice of life was
taught for the forgiveness of sins. The
| News said: Brethren and sisters, we want
| you to repent of your sins. And you who
| have committed sins that cannot be forgiven
| through baptism let your blood be shed
| and let the smoke ascend that the incense
| thereof may come before God as an atone
| ment for your sins and that the sinners in
| Zion may be afraid"
Quoting from another record it cited
| that Brigham Young Endorsed this teaching
by saying, Il could refer you TO plenty of
| cases where men have been righteously
/ slain in order to atone for their sins. i
have seen scores and hundreds Of people for
whom there would have been a chance II
4 their lives had been taken and their blood
| spilled as a smoking incense to the AL
| devil
Concerning the question of polygamy the
| speaker said: THE MormOns are known
| to teach and practice publicly the twin
relic of neutrality-suspicious., or plural
marriage. l would be glad to pass by this
phase of my subject Ny nature turns sick Ok
true to my theme / am aware that there is
| an understanding abroad that within the
| last decade this practice has at last teen
| set aside.
There is a familiar saying which the
| Germans call the eleventh commandment
| Thou shalt not be hoodwinked So L say to
| you, do not suffer yourself TO be hood
winked on this subject. The facts are that
| the Mormons have undergone no change OF
| belief on this question.
! PLURAL MARRIAGES DISCUSSED.
This doctrine of plural marriages, like
the blood atonement.' was not an origina
tenet of Mormonism, but grew out of emer-
gencies. Can virtue be hOnored among 9
people whose are brought down tC
the level of the brutes, satisfied with being
the tool and plaything of men vile and cor
rut?
Plural marriages cannot but be degrad
| ing. Polygamy never prevailed except il
| heather countries and Mormon polygamy
| is as degrading as to women as among the
| heathenS. There can be no difference.
| I'VE used to hear it said by visitors il
| Utah: How stupid and forlorn the womef
look! No wonder, when they were taught
|
| every way he might choose. This is a stand
ing insult to her dignity and womanhood.
when one thinks of the families by tn,
| score that have been ruined, of the hun
dredS of poor women who have beer
brought to an uDtimely grave by this bar
barouS hierarchy, he can but exclaim: oh
Lord, how long shall this upas tree o
crime and shame cast its shadows over thi
fair landi'
"Or, perhaps more appropriately: 'Oh
Congress- how long will this night of heath
enism hang a light of pail over this other
wise fair country. while the power is veste,
in you to lift the veil and dissipate TIL
-.