S. G. HUNTINGTON by S. G. Huntington

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 21, 1907

S. G. HUNTINGTON

By S. G. Huntington

Utah

The work in this field is making encouraging progress. Recently sixteen have been baptized within our conference, while nearly half as many others have been reported as keeping the Sabbath. During the last quarter one new Sabbath-school of twenty-three members has been organized, while our Sabbath-school membership has been increased fifty-six. Our tithes are also on the increase. The laborers, and also our brethren throughout the State, are of good courage.

As all are aware, this is the land of Mormonism, Salt Lake City forming the Mecca of this peculiar people. It has been the writer's lot to labor in different parts of the home field and Canada, but without exception the Mormon element is the most difficult to labor with of any he has ever met. Mormonism, however, here is not what it is represented to be by its missionaries in the East and elsewhere. Missionaries pretend to use the Bible, but here it is virtually thrown aside, and the writings of Joseph Smith, the founder and first prophet of this cult, are substituted in its stead. This, of course, Mormons will deny, but nevertheless it is a fact.

In the big tabernacle, with its seating capacity of eight thousand, the praises of Joseph Smith are declared every Sunday. A few weeks ago the writer heard one leading speaker assert, in substance, that “next to Jesus Christ as the world's benefactor stands Joseph Smith.”

Would space permit, we might note many interesting things about this people and their religion. That they are deluded goes without saying. The elders, bishops, and those in authority domineer over the laity like masters over their servants. Priestcraft, therefore, predominates to a superlative degree, and it is this that makes the people so hard to reach. But God has a people here also, and it rejoices our hearts to see some taking their stand for the truth. About half of those who have recently stepped out into the light of truth were Mormons.