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Show i24 DOCTRINE OF THE mysterious handwriting upon the wall which tells too plainly the fate of the sect. Polygamy is not claimed to be a privilege allowed the faithful, but a religious duty enjoined by a divine revelation to Joseph Smith in 1843. Strange as it may seem this duty was not taught to the faithful until nine years after Smith claimed to have received the revelation. It was first pro mulgated by Brigham Young, and he bungled in getting it' before the people. He admits that the original draft of the revelation, as transcribed from the inspired (?) lips of the Prophet, was destroyed by Emma, the wife of Joseph, but fortunately for posterity a certain Bishop, who had been in timate with Smith, had previously borrowed the document, and while in his possession a copy was taken, so the malice of Emma availed her nothing. This copy is Brigham's authority. A profane writer, the editor of the Salt Lake Telegraph^ refers to polygamy as a doctrine as precious to the Mormons as was " that of a Redeemer born to the Apostles of old ; " but notwithstanding its importance it was withheld from the church these nine years, while Brig-ham claims to have had it in his possession for several. But he says " everything must come in its time, as there is a time for everything," and in the fullness of time " it was made known. When first announced, he admitted that some, who could be trusted with the secret, had been pre viously let into it, and had enjoyed its privileges. With the announcement of polygamy began the first serious trouble in the church. The Smith family, who had re garded Brigham with jealousy since he first held the position claimed by the son of the first prophet, made this the pretext for organizing a faction, which they claim to be the true church of Latter Day Saints. They deny positively and emphatically the reception of a revelation by Smith enjoin ing polygamy. The controversy so far is rather damaging to both parties. Brigham, and the polygamists generally claiming, not only that Smith was authorized to announce it as a doctrine of the church, but that he practiced it him self. On the other hand the Josephites, or anti- polyga- |
