Mormons by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 23, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 28.

Mormons.

By Editor

IT is doubtless well known that there are two branches of this body; the larger branch is the one with headquarters at Salt Lake City, Utah, and is indissolubly connected with the name of that apostle of lust—Brigham Young. The other branch professes to be the original stock, descended from Joseph Smith; it differs from the Utah branch only in repudiating polygamy. The “Josephites” assume the name of “Latter-day Saints,” and profess to feel greatly aggrieved when they are called Mormons. We have always avoided using their assumed name—“Latter-day Saints”—as we have never seen one whom we thought deserving of the appellation “saint.” Should we apply this title to them, we would not know how to designate those worthies who have faithfully kept God's commandments. Since both branches of the Mormons repudiate the decalogue, we think that they are more worthy of the name “Latter-day Sinners” than of “Latter-day Saints.”

We have before us a copy of a Mormon (Josephite) paper published in Oakland. In the advertising column we find the “Book of Mormon” and the “Visions of Joseph Smith, the Seer,” and other books of a similar nature, that are “issued and for sale” by the Board of Publication of that body. In another column we find two extracts from the Book of Mormon. The leading article, occupying more than a page, stating the characteristics of the body, is entitled “Mormonism Proper.” And in still another article we find these words from a correspondent in Pennsylvania:

“In reading the May number of the ———, I was well pleased. It was just such a paper as I wanted to present to my acquaintances. The article on first page . . . is one of the best I ever read, and will convince any reasonable mind that Mormonism is not a delusion, as some will have it.”

We have been accused of uncharitableness, and of using “nicknames,” because on the very few occasions when we have found it necessary to speak of these people, we have called them Mormons. The above, with much more which might be added from their own works, shows that this is a perfectly legitimate title. We shall continue to apply the term “saints” only to those whose lives entitle them to it.