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The Menace of Mormonism

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 15, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 33.

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The Menace of Mormonism

By C. M. S.

THERE seems to have been recently a great awakening, especially on the part of the religious press, in reference to the menace of Mormonism; and this is finding an echo, too, in the columns of secular publications. This seems to be due quite largely to the publication of a book by Rev. Bruce Kinney, D. D., entitled “Mormonism, the Islam of America.” In this book is laid bare the history of the origin and development of Mormonism, the principles that underlie its propaganda, the methods by which that propaganda is carried on, the demoralizing influence of the system, and the danger to the country from the political activities of the organization.
At the same time that the religious press of the country is emphasizing the dangers of the Mormon propaganda, reports are coming from other countries as to the activities of the Mormon missionaries there, and the prospect of some action by the civil authorities to minimize the danger or put an end to the activities of the missionaries.
Should Mormonism ever become a great political force in this country, a union of church and state would be assured. Whether this will ever be, we may not say; but Mormonism is essentially a church-and-state religion, a religion in which the state exists to serve the interests of the church. It is as much a church-and-state religion as Romanism or Islam ever was; and there is no doubt that were it in power, it would be as relentless as either of these, and as heedless of the rights of men.
The book in question, while declaring that Mormonism is not winning great numbers in this country at the present time, and is losing many of its members through apostasy or indifference, makes it apparent that it is still maintaining and increasing its political power. This is due to the fact that though members drop out of the church, they generally vote on political questions as do their friends and relatives who remain in the organization.
In reference to this, Dr. Kinney says:—
Having no strong anti-Mormon conviction, they naturally vote with the hierarchy. It is true that in Salt Lake City the Gentiles preponderate, but in the State as a whole the Mormons overwhelmingly outnumber the Gentiles. The church can lose thousands of voters from Utah and still absolutely dominate its politics and policies. These spare voters are colonized in the sparsely settled Western States—not in sufficient numbers to outvote all Gentiles, but in sufficient numbers to hold the balance of power between the two dominant political parties when Mormonism is not an issue. Thus it is that the hierarchy can compel the party in power to accede to its demands, and it is not at all modest in making them. The Mormon hierarchy was absolutely regnant in the political affairs of Salt Lake City long after the Gentiles outnumbered them.
The writer declares that in the States of Idaho, Wyoming, Arizona, and Nevada the Mormon Church holds the balance of power, at least in all things vital to themselves, in addition to holding absolute control in Utah. In this connection the author says:—
A very significant thing in this connection is that in the Smoot contest only two senators from that region voted against the apostle. One of these was a Democrat, and he lost his seat at the next election, and turned the State into the Republican column, where it has been ever since. Because of their numbers, organization, solidarity, fanaticism, and unpatriotic political intentions, they constitute the gravest menace to our American and Christian institutions.
We may not deny that the organization is a menace, but that it is the gravest one the country has to face is far from the truth. There is another, wielding much greater political influence throughout the country, whose purposes and doctrines are no whit less unpatriotic than are the purposes and doctrines of Mormonism, and that is the Roman CatholicChurch. It is a greater menace in just the proportion that its numbers and political influence exceed those of Mormonism. If Protestantism would arouse to that menace as it seems to be arousing to the menace of Mormonism, there might still be hope for the preservation of the fundamental principles of Americanism. But professed Protestantism of to-day seems to have come to the conclusion that to oppose Romanism and expose its purposes concerning this country, is to stir up religious controversy and religious strife; and while it turns its attention to the menace of Mormonism, the real menace to the nation's welfare conspires and accomplishes.
The Christian Observer of July 31, 1912, in an editorial on Mormonism, says:—
Mormonism is still one of the greatest menaces to the welfare of our country. With an ardent propagandism and organization that is remarkably effective, it is seeking to win converts in practically every part of our country. Its activities recently have been directed especially toward the South.
Hon. Frank J. Cannon, former United States Senator from Utah, the son of a one-time leader in the Mormon Church, made the charge in a recent magazine article that the Mormon Church leaders have violated the solemn promise upon which statehood was granted to Utah. That is to say, polygamy is being practised openly by adherents of the faith, and new polygamous marriages are being contracted. In his charges Mr. Cannon is backed by writers in at least three other magazines. The fact that over two hundred polygamous marriages have been contracted without rebuke from, or interference by, the Mormon Church authorities is apparently established. It seems also clear that the present head of the church, Joseph F. Smith, believes in polygamy as the religious duty of adherents of the Mormon faith.
A recent issue of the Evening Despatch of Wilmington, N. C., in an article treating upon the activities of the Mormon propagandists in Colorado, contains the following:—
The last few years have seen a great revival of polygamy among the Mormons, but not in outlying places like Denver. Polygamy in Denver would get the church into trouble, and it is not seeking trouble. One may listen to Mormon missionaries by the hour, and even be won over to their faith, and perhaps be baptized into the church, without hearing polygamy mentioned. If a visitor at one of the missionary meetings asks about the “sacred custom,” he is told it is no longer practised, being forbidden by a new revelation. If that visitor becomes converted, however, and rises high in the church, and finally emigrates to Utah, it is generally found that he leaves at least two sets of heirs at his death.
In a special despatch to the New York Times, dated Berlin, July 27, the menace of Mormonism in Germany is emphatically set forth. The article of which this despatch is a rather copious extract appeared in the National Zeitung, and was written by one who has had thirteen years' closest association with Mormonism. The writer of the article declares that the Mormon propaganda is making great headway in Germany, despite all the efforts of the authorities to discover and expel the Mormon missionaries. Occasionally these missionaries are discovered and sent out of the country. Two were recently driven out of Bavaria. This author also declares that polygamy is secretly taught and practised, despite the Mormon Church's proclamation following the Edmunds Act. She states that at a meeting which she attended, and which was called to permit the president of the organization to explain the antipolygamy order, the following statement was made by the president:—
“There are three heavens or grades of perfection. Every one, man or woman, bachelor or maid, may enter the first. Into the second can enter only the man who has had more than one wife, and the woman who is the first or second wife of one man. Into the highest can enter only the man who has had more than two wives, and the woman who is one of three or more wives.” I heard this announcement with my own ears.
According to this despatch, no Mormon can enter Germany if his belief is discovered. Sweden has recently expelled two Mormon missionaries, and has warned twenty-nine others who will be expelled if they carry on an active propaganda. A report from London states that Mormons are again infesting the suburban districts lying on either side of Brixton Hill, and that servant girls are being attracted and lured by golden prospects awaiting them in Salt Lake City. These efforts have aroused the indignation of the community, and a counter-campaign has been started. One clergyman has organized the members of the Church of England Men's Society into a “peaceful picketing” party to prevent the Mormons from getting these servant girls into their meetings.
The New York Times of July 14 contains a long article entitled “The Mormon Blight Menaces Hawaii.” In this article, which is by a special correspondent residing in Hawaii, it is stated that polygamy is openly taught to the natives of the islands, and that hundreds of plural marriages have already been contracted among the natives. Says the writer:—
They have become so strong in those remoter regions where the white man is in a very small minority that they have come out not only openly but aggressively for Mormonism and polygamy. . . . Some of them [missionaries], as I have positive proof, with wives in Utah, have married one or more native women here. . . . They teach polygamy in the native tongue, and limit the number of wives one man may have to his capacity for supporting them.
It is felt by Territorial officials that it is the purpose of the Mormon Church to make of Hawaii an island Utah. And some of these officials, as well as officials of Protestant and Roman Catholic churches in the islands, are planning ways and means to frustrate the purpose of the Mormon hierarchy. But while Mormonism is a menace to whatever country or State it obtains a foothold in, the inhabitants of these States and nations should not let their dread of that menace and their opposition to it blind their eyes to the greater menace that is threatening every nation of the world in the plans and successes of the Roman Church. That church has many times the numbers of the Mormon Church, and many times its power and influence with politicians. Mormonism could not hope to exert in a quarter of a century the political influence and political pressure for the attainment of its aims that Romanism is able to exert to-day. While Romanism opposes Mormonism, and will gladly join with Protestantism in that opposition, it has a program as un-American as hers, and a hundred times more possible of accomplishment.
With American principles and the principles of the gospel of Christ thus threatened by two such strong organizations, the duty of every American and of every Protestant Christian ought to be plainly evident. As never before should those principles be expounded and exalted, to bear their witness in the hour of the nation's trial.
C. M. S.