THE MORMON CHURCH AND POLYGAMY.
“POLYGAMY AGAIN A MENACE” is the title of an article by Eugene Young, in The Independent of October 20. The writer relates these charges of the Presbytery of Utah:— “That the church has returned to politics and decided to govern the people in State affairs as in all other matters. “That the church has decided to take charge of the State schools, and only Mormons or such non-Mormons as are willing to obey it, are to be trustees and teachers. “That the Mormon people are being urged to live their religion, and, in consequence, one thousand children have been born in polygamy since Statehood was conferred. “That church influence so affects men that witnesses are silent, juries refuse to find indictments, and officers refuse to make arrests. “That persons who denounce this state of affairs are made to suffer in business and social affairs.” He quotes Mormon writers who admit that relations have been resumed with plural wives, who were married before Utah became a State. But this is not all. Mr. Young says:— “The question of the maintenance of polygamous marriages made years ago is not one to stir the religious people of America. If we had only to reckon with those we might safely shut our eyes and say to ourselves that patience would bring the end of the institution that has brought so much wo to Mormon women. But no longer than a year ago, when the Methodist ministers made substantially the same charges as are now made by the Presbytery, Angus M. Cannon, brother of George Q. Cannon—the real head of the church—and himself the president of the most important subdivision of Mormonsdom, declared that polygamy was still a belief of the Mormons, and that they did not practise it only because the law was against it and the church had promised to suppress it.” As to the present possibilities and power of the church, Mr. Young concludes:— “It is not going too far to say that whatever the church wills may now be done in Utah. The fact that no movement has been made to enforce the anti-polygamy law during three years of Statehood shows that the officers of the law stand in awe of the priesthood. But even should they attempt to do their duty, it is evident that they would receive little or no encouragement. No conviction for polygamy was ever made in Utah when there was a Mormon on the trial jury, and it is safe to believe that the rule would hold good now. Of course no elective officer would dare to form a jury without a Mormon upon it; and, therefore, the priesthood might solemnize polygamous marriages with impunity, knowing well that only some form of Federal interference not yet evolved could give life to the laws against it.” A church which believes in a union of church and State, or church contest of politics, is not to be trusted with political power, and the true church of Jesus Christ will not seek it. If other denominations are to enter the political arena for the power or the spoils, give the Mormons a chance. The true position is that no church should have political power. “Indifference” is not only an evil as respects Mormonism, but as respects all other religious and church interference in politics.