Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
MoRMoNIsM DISCUSSED
 BY LOCAL BAPTISTS
F. D. versason, C. D. Moves, H. H. Pettis and James M. Young the Speakers at Central Church.

Mormonism was the topic for the second meeting in the Week of fCIs- sions at the Central Baptist church Wednesday evening, and the subject aroused much interest in the good sized audience present. The pastor, Rev. P. c. Wright, led the meeting, and there were four addresses, the speakers being F. D. Vergason, c. D. Moves, H. H. Pettis and James M Young.
 History Presented.
 MT. Vergason was the first speaker, and his talk was on the history of the Mormons and their books. He traced in an interesting manner the life of the cult from its founding to the pres ent day. The Golden Bible, the book on which Mormonisn1 is based, the speaker designated as a big fraud from start to finish, setting forth the most improbable occurrences and con- tradicting it's own statements. The only element of truth in the book, he said, is in certain passages which are taken almost word for word from the Christian Bible. Joseph Smith, the founder of the sect the embodiment of cruelty and immortality. he said, is hardly the man whom we would con- ceive as of Gods choice for the reve- lation of His Word.
 Mormons in Politics.
 Charles D. Moves spoke on the rela- ton of the Mormon church to politi- cal life. In delving into the matter, MT. Moves said, he had been amazed to discover the tremendous influence which is today exercised in politics by the Mormon church. How few of us know or realize the influence of this un-American institution not only in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming, but in all the Pacific coast states and even up into Alberta! All through this ter ritory the Mormons exercise a politi- cal influence entirely out of propor- ton to their numbers. They always vote in unit Any political party unless possibly the prohibitionists, would deal with the Mormons provid- republican and democratic parties have had political dealings with the Nor mons and the leader, certainly of the progressives has dealt with the Nor mon vote.
 Playing Politics in Utah. When Utah became a state she con- tinued to be under the thumb of the Mormon. Brigham Young was a great
 
 the bitter end all attempts on the part of the Gentiles and of the government to gain footing in Utah. The state charter prohibited forever any union of church and state and also prohib- ited polygamy. With Utah admitted to the union, big business began to take a hand in affairs, eastern capi- . talists and business men began to look for foothold there, and all these had to deal with one man, the head of the Mormon church The politician fol- lowed big business into Utah. In 1900 Utah went democratic and the uniform marriage laws which would have been g. serious blow to Mormon ism was killed. This looks like poli- tvs. When the Mormons desired to send Shoot to congress, Theodore Roosevelt objected strenuously, but he later changed his position and adVo- cated Shoots election. Roosevelts S Influence was doubtless in a large measure responsible for Shoots cleo tion- Roosevelt wanted to be elected president and needed Utah's vote. Roosevest's attitude towards Shoot | was repaid. for Utah went republican in 1904. More politics. With the seat i ing of Shoot in congress the opposi- ton in Utah was paralyzed. The Gen tile in Utah realizes that he must shut up or be driven out. The Mormon himself must stand pat or he is os- tracized. The Mormons have no par l ty politics outside of Mormon poli- l tics. They vote with the party in pow | er
 On the close of MT. Noyes' talk Mrs. Grace Aldrich Crowen rendered pleasing solo. The third speaker gas H. H. Pettis, and his topic was l Polygamy.
 Mormonism and PoIysamy synony- l nous.
 Most of us. said MT. Pettis, connect with the word Mormonism, polygamy, and with the word polygamy, Mormon ism, and for once the public is right | in its opinion, for Mormonism is polyg- amy and polygamy is Mormonism in America You will learn with surprise the fact that the Golden Bible, on l which Mormonism is founded, neither excuses nor advocates pOlygamy. From 1882 to 1852, polygamy was officially denied as existing among the Mor- mons, although in reality it did exist In 1852. having taken possession of | Utah and conquered the desert, and feeling that they had sufficient strength to combat successfully the moral sense of the American people | the Mormons announced a revelation | permitting and even commanding po- lygamy. Thus polygamy was openly practiced for period of thirty years In 1882 it was again denied that poIyg- amy existed in Utah, but from 1S94 until time to admit Utah to statehood polygamy was openly practiced. ! There is today the law on the stat. ute books of Utah which forbids DO. lygamy. Today the Mormon admit, that poiygamy is very wrong, admits that 1t once existed in Utah and wa. a very great evil, but that it is nov thing of the past, and that is jus ! what the average American thinks But 1t IS not thing of the past, it ii not dying out 1t is alive and growine i In 1911, out Of fifteen Mormon churel | leaders, eight were living in open DO lygamy, and if the leaders, the mej who look to the people for their cleo
 ton, openly practice poiygan1y, il must be with the approval of thei people who must do likewise. Tn same conditions exist in 1912 and iron present indications will exist in 191:
 Degradation of Women,
 Poiygamy's effect on the Mormon
 themselves can be but the most de grading, and especially true is this 0
 the women. Absolute degradation Q
 woman, the wiping out of All that greatest and best in wenanhoed i
 the result of polygamy and the Mor
 mon Wemans life is a burden of sdaii
 shame to herself. Peiygang is 4filliR Ilofe, and breeding strife aHd <dissen
 sien. It has taken the people Of U ta
 ana made them a race of hypocrite and liars.
 The orest;op rn,1rt oanno fo ,,S +o7