Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-14

him. They were to have high position in
the celestial kingdom.
Among the first to adopt the doctrine OF
the plural marriage was a Mr.. Noble. One
night on the banks of the Mississippi river
the prophet sealed Noble to second
wife, and Noble performed the same SER
vice for Joseph, the latter being married to
Mobiles sisterin-law. These are said to
be the first plural marriages. They were
performed with great secrecy and were not
acknowledged for a long time afterward.
Noble was later pointed to as one OF the
greatest of the saints, as he had been the
first to obey the command of Joseph to
take plural wife. 1t is said that this
first plural wife became insane as result
of the notoriety she received and the misery
of her condition
Polygamists in Secret.
The practice of polygamy was in force
many years secretly before it was gwen
to the world. Brigham Young announced
the doctrine in Salt Lake City in 1852, then
claiming that the revelation had been
given to Joseph Smith, July II, 1S43. The
sons of the Prophet Joseph denied that
their father had ever had such a revela-
ton. Along with the revea ion was an an
nouncement that all contracts m itrimonial
and otherwise, We're null and void unless
ratified by the prophet. 1t was announced
that if a woman should not be married by
the church. she would be mere servant
in heaven, to min ster to the more worthy.
olie Woulu IciId II separately anu SlISiy
throughout eternity. That is part of the
doctrine of the celestial marriage. Those
who were married by the church were to
inherit Kingdoms and receive special favor
in heaven.
The revelation concerning plural and
celestial marriages also conferred supreme
power on the head of the Mormon church.
One of the parts of the revelation states:
For L have conferred upon you the keys
and the power of the priesthood wherein [
restore all things and make known unto you
all things in due time.
The Lords Promise.
And verify, verify, say unto you, that
whatsoever you seal on earth, shall be
sealed In heaven; and whatsoever you bind
on earth, in my name and by my word,
saith the Lord. 1t shall be eternally bound
IN the heavens; and whatsoever sins you
remit on earth shall be rem tied eternally
IN the heavens. and whatsoever sins You
retain on earth shall be retained in heaven.
ana. again verify. L say, whom soever
you bless will bless, and whomsoever you
curse. VIII curse, saith the Lord; for l.
the Lord, am thy Cod
ne revelation contained an especial ad-
dress to the wife of the Prophet Joseph.
Sne IS toid to remain with her hush nd
she had threatened to leave if the shen,e
.r, the celestial marriage was carried out.
Inc twenty-third clause of. the reveal tion
sets the Prophet Joseph free from all ra
SpohSiD'llty, and he is left at liberty to fol-
low the dictates of his own will Tho paa
cuilhe portion of humanity s. given uh-
81 81 ~ Without res r int. and the weaker seq
Is warned of the penalties of doubt and dis>
obedience. anu oi'-
verify. II is declared, eff a man he call
Gu Oh my Father as WAS Aaron. mine own
voice and by the voice of him that son.
me ana have endowed him with tbe Us
VI me Fewer OF this priesthood If he do
a,nythlng IN my name. ard according to nv
law and by my word he will not commit
SIN, and l will justify him. Let no ono
eiiVIelore, set on my servant Joseph: for
VIII Justify him; for he shall do the sacrifice
Mhlcn require at his hands, for mis- trans
e'eSSiohs' satin the Lord your God"
Revelation for Emma.
When Joseph released all his other wives
from their marriage contracts his wife
Emma was released 1t is said she thought
Oh making another choice of a lord and mas
ter having tired of the tumultuous course
OF Joseph, but the revelation came in time
to prevent it. Joseph offered to make the
sacrifice but the Lord told Emma to ..abide
and cleaVe to my servant Joseph"
The copy of these revelations produced by
Brigham Young in 1852 as the revelations of
Joseph was identical with those given by
Joseph himself to few of his followers in
IS43.
The stories of the manner in which this
revelation has been obeyed indicate the ter
itble force of religious fanaticiSm. The Wo-
men rebelled at first, but when they were
told that it was the will of God and that
they owed their religion the sacrifice of
pOgamy they either became polygamous
polygamous. Polygamy became the test of
church fealty. To refuse to enter into he
state was - defy the Lord who
had given the revelation.