The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1921-02-04
GOODWIN SAYS MORMONS
WRECKED HOMES HERE
Elizabeth City Man Has Followed The Vicissi-
tudes Of Elizabeth City Converts, Even Co
ing to Salt Lake City to See Them

with Mormonis1n and who only
recently returned to Elizabeth
City from an extended sojourn in
Sat Lake City, Utah, doesn't
think much of the Church of Je-
sus Christ Latter Day Saints. Mr..
Goodwin has asked this newspaper
for space to publish his views on
the subject. The space is given
him. Mr.. Goodwin writes :
Editor The Independent
My attention was attracted by the ar
tlcle IN week before lasts issue of your
paper, regarding the four Mormon eld-
ers now in our midst. Also the address
of Mrs. Lula Loveland Shepard, in last
weeks issue. Having been closely as
sociated with several Mormons for more
than twenty years and having-Iisited Tin
1910 their city (Salt Lake,, their hos
pitfalls, their dance halls, their tabernacle
and many other places of interest, one
of which was the home where one of
their prophets once kept twelve of his
wives, and feeling that I might be able
to impart profitable message to some
one who might be considering their faith,
L ask permission to do so thru the COL
Hmns of your worthy paper.
We note in their statement that they
believe the Bible so far as it is trans
lated correctly. In this connection I
wish to say that I suppose they dis
covered these mistranslations in the
several passages of Holy Scripture that
so openly condem many of their habit,
which during the early history of their
church made fugitives of the whole bunch
from the laws of our country-which they
now claim to respect and obey - and
prompted them to take refuge on the
other side OF the Rockies in mo mans
land' so that they might be able to in
dulge their po4ygamous appetites with
out being molested by our laws, or law
abiding citizens. BY this move many
good homes were broken up. As result
of this they were pursued by a posse of
men to what is now the eastern boundary
OF the state of Utah, but the "liberty''
seekers finally succeeded in making good
their escape, which enabled them to en-
joy thir freedom until 1890 at which
time our Government had. a reckoning
with them and discovered that there
were several hundred polygamous fam
lilies in the church
We also note that they refer to our
statements as t'many stories" regard.
ing their faith habits, etc This is true
of all Mormons with whom I have come
IN contact. When interviewed regarding
certain reports, most of which are true,
they invariably deny them. There are
some facts, however, that they cannot de-
ny because we have the proof, and for
the benefit of those who are in sympa-
thy with their faith, 1 will state that
since they first began preaching their
new gospel in this country two fam
lilies have been broken up in this town
and county, a part of whom were lured
away to that Western land of sunshine
and happiness" where they can worship
with their own kind. They left behind in
one home the husband and in the other
the son who had taken the part of the
father in the home for more than ten
years. 1t is also true that families have
l.
joining counties.
For more than twelve years have had
in mind, and kept in close touch thru
correspondence with one family consist
ing of husband, wife and wife's sister,
who left loved ones and friends, to en-
ter in to this Promised Land'' where
they might be healed of their afflictions
nf
from the bountiful storehouse of food
which the church provides for the un-
fortunate. But it seems that all the
mamma had been gobbled up before they
arrived in Utah as their struggle there
these years for the sustenance of life,
has been exceedingly hard. 1t also seems
true that their Mormon power of healing
is less effective, for stood by the bed
side of one of this number who was reg
ularly visited and administered to by
two of the saints, only to see her pass
away. I then asked those ministers why
hey did not possess the power they claim
ID and they put the whole blame on the
Door soul that was dead and could not
speak for herself, saying her faith was
90 weak.
Jesus said: 'tHe that loveth father
II mother, son or daughter more than
Ne is not worthy of Me." This being
rue every Individual who forsakes
riends and relatives for the sake of Je-
;us should be highly commended, but
;uch action as a result of ignorance, pre-
udice or bigotry carries with it no re-
ward and invariably results in disap
continent and utter failure.
As a rule the N1ormons are a good
pleasant and congenial people.
They love their church, their dance halls
md their theatres, and every good Nor
non is well prepared to furnish you with
ertain passages of Scripture confirming
lis belief as he sees it. But the tree is
,nown by its fruits, hence we have their
lumber.
Our country is just what our churches
make it, thus we find just as much cor
upton in their holy city and holy tenn
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