Strength of Mormonism

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 5, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 10.

Strength of Mormonism.

We have just read an article on the growth of the communist spirit in the United States, which says that anarchist or agrarian ideas take readily with the poor laborers from Europe, to whom the prospect of the possession of land is as the restoration of Paradise. In their native countries it was simply impossible for them to own land; and never having had anything to say about the administration of Government, and looking upon rulers as tyrants, their highest ideas of earthly happiness are of the possession of riches and freedom from restraint. In considering such matters they have but the minds of children; they do not perceive that in overthrowing the law in order to acquire that which others now possess, they open the way for others in turn to rob them with impunity.

And this is one of the strongholds of Mormonism. We have repeatedly been informed that the great reason why Mormon missionaries are so successful in bringing converts from the countries of Europe, is that they hold out before the people glowing descriptions of the richness of Utah, and the certainty that they will all become land owners if they go there. It is indeed “the promised land” to them. And it is not surprising that they embrace the delusion. What if they do not find things as they expected? They have been aided to come across the sea, and they are powerless to return as they are to resist the mandates of “the church” where they live.

Most of the States of Europe are in a pitiable condition because of the prevalence of the spirit of anarchy and the efforts of dynamiters. They are trembling, not knowing which way to turn for security of life or property. The United States is in a condition of almost equal danger, with this difference: she does not seem to realize it. Communism is no where else so bold, so defiant, so open in its utterances and its preparations to overthrow law and order, as in the United States. The supineness, we might say the effeminacy, of our Government and rulers in meeting these questions is shown by their dallying with this leprosy of Mormonism, which is plotting, not only for the entire subversion of purity and morality, but for the overthrow of the Government itself.