OCR Text |
Show The Grip of Mormonism <br><br> By JAMES S. MARTIN, D.D. <br> General Superintendent, National Reform <br> Association, Pittsburgh, Pa. <br><br> MORMONISM is a National menace-politically, commercially, polygamously. <br><br> During the years 1890-1896 the Mormon hierarchs solemnly covenanted with our country nevermore to teach or practice polygamy; nevermore to corrupt the channels of public communication by the misuse of the system's money; nevermore to attempt to rule the state by their church (so-called), giving as evidence of their good faith the additional pledge that nevermore would any one of their number hold, or aspire to hold, any civil office in the land. <br><br> Every one of these promises are by them flagrantly violated. For years this violation went on under cover, until they grew strong, bold and defiant, since which time it has been going on in the open; and today it has become a veritable National menace, calling for the attention of Christian patriots everywhere. <br><br> Political* <br><br> Mormonism is a kingdom-a literal, temporal kingdom-with Joseph F. Smith as its virtual king. It claims to be the only legal government on earth, its priesthood holding the right to give laws and commands to individuals, churches, rulers, and nations. The Mormon priests have formulated what the United States Committee calls "an oath of vengeance" against this Nation-an oath which is administered in the secret temple rites to probably ninety per cent of all adult Mormons. Thus is bred and maintained a contempt for civil government; and an exaltation of oath-bound deference to the Mormon king and prophet. While assiduously preserving the form of civil government the Mormon hierarchs continually absorb the power thereof. <br><br> Politically the head of the Mormon kingdom holds the backbone of the American continent. Were Joseph F. Smith, the sultan of Mormondom, to float a green glad, as did Mohammed of old, he could today float that flag from Alberta, Canada, to Sonora, Mexico. With absolutely no political power twenty-one years ago-when neither he nor any other of the principal men of Mormondom had even so much as a vote in the United States Senate, he now holds the balance of power in the Senate-the highest law-making body in the land; he controls absolutely the politics of three states, holds the balance of power in three others, and exercises an effective political influence in <br> [Continues on next page.] <br><br><br> * Words are italicized. <br><br> |