The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1908-10-16
IMPoRTATIoNs FOR PoLYGAMY

II the companies are composed solely
OF young females they may come by tens
never yet seen anything In this market
that can equal tho handcart CIrls.-Ser-
mon OF President Brigham Young In Salt
Lake tabernacle, February J. 1857; Jour
nal OF Dlscourses, volume 4. page zoe.
This is interesting as exposing the
policy of the Mormon church with re.
spect to the importation of converts
from foreign lands; and it is especially
valuable In the light Of an investiga-
tlon which was recently had at the
port Of Boston. 1t VIII be remembered
that one of the young women among
the immigrants held up at Boston was
detained because she expressed a be-
lief III the doctrine of polygamy. Now,
II one will examine the literature of
all the other Christian churches
throughout the world it will be found
that IN none of it is there any incuIca-
ton Of the doctrine of plural marriage.
Advocacy OF that practice as being 4
tenet of religious faith is to be found
only In the doctrinal works of the Nor.
mon church. The Doctrine and Coven-
ants, which is regarded as the quid-
ing law book 10 all The Mormon
people, carries within It's covers a pre-
tended revelation from the Almighty
commanding mankind TO enter into
polygamy, under penalty Of damnation
upon refusal so TO do. Therefore. IL is
by no means difficult TO conclude
that if the young woman in question
acquired belief in polygamy at all,
she received 1t from Mormon literature
or from the teaching Of Mormon mis-
slonaries In her own country, There
are no other modern means by which
she could have come by the belief And
1t is reasonable to assume that if she
entertained belief in the principle of
plural marriage, She came TO this coun-
try with the intention OF putting that
belief INTO practice upon request of anv
member of the priesthood who should
feel inclined TO take her into his house
hold
III Is fact that those who are secret.
ly perpetuating polygamy in this coun.
try and upon its borders are tx.
pcrienclng more and more difficulty in
the matter Of inducing Utah born Young
women to lend themselves 10 their
lecherous purpose. They know the evils
of plural marriage In order 10 over.
come this difficulty the church officials
are especially anxious TO import for
clgn women converts 10 this country,
whose Ignorance of the miscrics i'm
posed upon plural families causes them
more readily TO consent TO engaging
IN polygamy. 1t is for this purpose
more than for any other. that the pur.
ported revelation commanding the prac.
tlce Of polygamy is permitted 10 re.
main in the Doctrine and Covenants
notwithstanding the promise of the (,
president of the church. given to the
Senate committee in March 1904. TO /
have this particular section elimi. |
mated. or ut least TO print the manifesto /
of Wilford Woodruff in the book.
OF course, We hear no such re-. I.
marks rs those made by Brigham /
Young preached from the taber- |
nacle pulpit in these days. bnt .
the sentiment still exists. although 4
hidden. In the present time polygamv
IS taught III more guarded way. and !
the traffic iii women is carried ON in
greater secrecy than formerly. Now.
adays, if the leaders desire 10 i'm.
press congregation of Mormous with
the idea that the practice Of polvgamy
is still eounteuauced by the church.
they commend those who adhere TO
the new and everlasting covenant"
which is the designation given TO the
polygamous revelation in the Doctrine
and Covenants, Ia the secret meetings.