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Show 106 THE MORMON CHURCH. not define the termination of the water from the beginning of the sky, nor distinguish between the shining mountains and the shining clouds. Italian skies and seas could not have presented a more gorgeous sunset. This letter concludes my description of the journey and what I saw ; in those to follow I will endeavor to tell the reader what I have learned about one of the most remarkable people of modern times. CHAPTER XIV. THE MORMON CHURCH. A HISTORY of the Mormon Church, condense it as I might, so as to give a tolerably clear idea of what it has been, what it has done, and what it teaches at the pres ent day, would of itself make a book. What I shall write, therefore, may be regarded as merely fragmentary ; but it is a subject of too much interest, for one writing from Utah, to pass over without some notice. I shall endeavor to present to the reader such facts con nected with the history of this strange people, and such in cidents of both their inner and outward life, as have passed under my observation, or come to my knowledge through reliable channels. I will discard the extravagant and unsubstantiated stories which are constantly in the mouths of anti- Mormons, who, from prejudice arising from a real or imaginary injury, can see nothing in the lives or characters of individuals holding allegiance to Brigham Young, but to despise and contemn, and are constantly traducing them. I started for Utah with a very superficial knowledge of the Mormons, and with my mind made up not to prejudge them upon the mere hearsay evidence of their enemies, but determined to see and learn of them for myself, and not to base my opinion upon the |