Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-09-30
Another Blow at Mormonism.

In spite # the fact that the Reed
Smoot agitation is practically forgot
ten, the Mormon question" is still be-
ing agitated. Miss Marian Bonsall is
writing for the Housekeeper a series of
articles in which she claims to expo
the bare mendacity of the whole sys-
tenn of Mornonism. In the September
issue the writer, after explaining as
much as she was able to gather of the
mystic and deep-shrouded secrets of
the religion, gives the following account
of what the church ritual really is:
The ceremony proper is III reality a
burlesque upon the opening chapters of
Genesis. 1t is regarded by the mass
OF Lateral Saints, however, with
even reverential awe, and the mem
ory of it is treasured by them as the
most sacred and wonderful event in
their lives. To persons Of intelligence
it has sometimes proved so revolving
that they have become apostates be-
cause of it. The characters OF Flo
helm, Yahovah, and Michael are as
sumed by Mormons of high standing in
the church. Their voices are heard In
conversation, a crude paraphrase of
the Scriptural account OF the creation,
in which this space is perceived to be
good and they decide to launch plan
ct therein, which is to become the
world The part of Eve is taken by
Mormon woman, and the part OF the
devil by a Mormon man. The tempta-
ton in the Garden of Eden is portrayed
with theatrical display. After Adam
makes his appearance and has been
persuaded to eat of the forbidden fruit,
Eve and himself, and also the specta-
tors, don green silk fig-leaf aprons.
This dramatic scene is supposed to end
the first degree, and the spectators are
taught certain grips and PASSWORDS. IL
is easily seen that by their means any
two members Of the church could make
themselves known to- each othef as
Mormons. under any circumstances,
without giving any signs OF. unusual
communications
1t is not, however. the account OF the
crudeness of the temple ritual. nor the
account of how the people have SUB
iugated themselves body and soul 10
Joseph F. Smith, direct representative
of God, which makes Mormonism
thing to be feared. Not the religion IT.
self. but its consequences, are to be
dreaded. OF these results Miss Bon
SAIL SAYS: Greater and more terrible
than all else, from the standpoint OF
American women, it leads to the prac-
tice Of plural marriage. 1t is possible
that one may mention the manifesto In
contradiction to this statement. l say
that the manifesto is purely blind to
the eyes Of the Gentiles and the gov
eminent. Granted, there is no higher
ut y,1y of fI1a
church. President Smith, as we all
know, is living at the present time
with five wives. OF the twelve apos-
ties, there have taken plural wives,
since the manifesto, Apostle Teasdale,
Apostle Cowley, Apostle Taylor. and
Apostle Abram Cannon, deceased, and
Apostle Woodruff, deceased One of
the few admissions of Reed Smoot dur
ing the Mormon investigation at Wash
ington, was that he had brought the
unlawful marriages of Apostle Cow
ley and Apostle Taylor before the at
tention of President Smith. These
men, however, retain their ecclesiastl
cal office with regulations of undim
med luster. There are only four of
the present twelve apostles who are not
known to be living in polygamous re-
lations with several wives. Elder
Henry S. Tanner, judge in one of the
Salt Lake City courts and super
intendent of the Sunday schools
of the Church Of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is openly
charged with having married two
young women as plural wives since the
manifesto. Charles H. Merrill, son of
Apostle Merrill has taken a plural wife
since that declaration was issued. At
least three of Apostle Merrill's sons
are living in polygamy. Apostle Mer-
rill himself has seven wives and forty
five children. Brigham H. Roberts,
whose election from congress is well
remembered, is living with three wives,
and registers himself as living with his
last kns n plural, Dr. Margaret C..
Shipp, in q ct Lake City. Think, moth
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