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Show 408 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. CHAP. IX. toriously the case. " That the young Mormons are frequently guilty of the crimes of Absalom and other horrible offenses." Unprejudiced Gentiles always deny the truth of such accusations. " That the Mormon has no home, and that Mormon houses are dirty, slovenly, and uncomfortable." The Far West is not remarkable for neatness : the only exceptions to the rule of filth which I have seen are in the abodes of the Mormons. " That 'plurality-families' are in a state of perpetual storm." I believe that many a " happy English home" is far stormier, despite the holy presence of monogamy. Even Mrs. Ferris tells of two wives, one young, the other old, "who treated each other with that degree of affectionate cordiality which properly belongs to the intercourse between mother and daughter,"'and-naively wonder-struck by what she could not understand-exclaims, "What a strange spectacle!" "That women must be married to be saved." The orthodox Mormon belief is that human beings are sent into the world to sow seed for heaven; that a woman who wittingly, and for stupid social Bel-gravian- mother motives, fails in so doing, neglects a vital duty, and that whoso gives not children to the republic has lived in vain-an opinion which the Saints are contented to share with Moses and Mohammed, Augustus Caesar and Napoleon Bonaparte. " That the Mormons marry for eternity." They believe that Adam and Eve, when wholly pure, were so married, and that redemption < signifies a complete restoration to all the privileges lost by the fall. " That Mormons are ' sealed' to rich old women." The veiula beata exists, I believe, almost universally. " That Mormons marry and seal for the dead." As has been seen, it is a principle of faith that all ordinances for the living may vicariously be performed for those departed. " That Mormon women are pale, thin, badly and carelessly dressed, and poorly fed-that they exhibit a sense of depression and, degradation." I found them exceedingly pretty and attractive, especially Miss . " That it is dangerous to be the rival of a Mormon elder in love and business." This is true only so far that the Saint is probably a better man than the Gentile. I have been assured by Gentiles that they would rather trust the followers of Mr. Joseph Smith than their own people, and that, under Mormon rule, there never has been, and never can be, a case of bankruptcy. The hunters and Indian traders dislike the Saints for two chief reasons: in the first place, the hunting-grounds have been narrowed; and, secondly, industry and sobriety have taken the place of rollicking and dare-devilism. " That the Mormons are bigoted and intolerant." The Mormon's golden rule is, "Mind your own business, and let your neighbor mind his." At Great Salt Lake City I found all the most violent anti-Mormon books, and have often heard Gentiles talk in a manner which would not be tolerated in Paris, London, and Rome. " That the Church claims possession of, and authority over, a dead disciple's goods and chattels." This is done only in cases when heirs fail. " That it is the Mor- |
