LATER FROM UTAH.
From Our Special Correspondent.
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, U. T., Aug. 20.
I notice that a great number of newspapers in the States, in discussing that portion of Judge Eckels's charge to the Grand Jury of the First District which relates to polygamy, assert roundly that there is a Territorial statute here which legalizes that practice The Journal of Commerce was the first, I believe, to venture such a state- ment. It is wholly incorrect. No such statute exists, and so far as concerns the letter of the law, the charge of Judge Eckels is impregnable. The prohibition of adultery is contained in Sec. 32 of Title III of "An Act in Relation to Crimes and Punishment" and is in the following language:
"Every person who commits the crime of adultery shall be punished by imprisonment not exceeding twenty years and not less than three years, or by fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, and not less than three hundred dollars, or by both fine and imprison- ment at the discretion of the Court. And when the crime is committed between parties any one of whom is married, both are guilty of adultery, and shall be punished accordingly." No prosecution for adultery can be commenced but on the complaint of the hus- band or wife."
The first public announcement of polygamy as a a religious practice was made on August 29, 1852, by Orson Pratt, one of the apostles, more than five months after the act was passed against adultery. The sermon in which the announcement was made, or as Brigham Young expresses it, "in which the cat was let out of the bag" is so remarkable that I extract several passages from it. It may be found in full in the "Journal of Discourses" o the Mormon leaders, vol. I, pp. 53, published a Liverpool in 1854. The sermon was delivered in the Tabernacle in this city. I ought to premise by saying that Orson Pratt and John Taylor are the only two Mormon leaders who pretend to the possession of more than ordinary mental cultivation They are both unquestionably able men, but Prat is more careful of his language than Taylor, who often shows himself as great a blackguard in the pulpit as Kimball or Grant. It was for that reason that Pratt was selected to enunciate the dogma, which he did as follows:
"It is quite unexpected to me, brethren and sisters, to be called upon to address you this forenoon; and still more so, to address you upon the principle which has been named, namely, a plurality of wives. It is rather new ground for me, that is, I nave not been in the habit of publicly speaking upon this subject; and it is rather new ground to the inhabitants of the United States, and not only to them, but to a portion of the inhabitants of Europe. A portion of them have not been in the habit of preaching a doctrine of this description, consequently we shall have to break new ground.
"It is well known, however, to the congregation be-fore me, that the Latter-Day Saints have embraced the doctrine of a plurality of wives as a part of their religious faith. It is not, as many have supposed, a doctrine embraced by them to gratify the carnal lusts and feelings of man; that is not the object of the doc- trine. We shall endeavor to set forth before this en-lightened assembly some of the causes why the Al-mighty has revealed such a doctrine, and why it is considered a part and portion of our religious faith. And I believe that they will not under our present form of government (I mean the government of the United States) try us for treason for believing aud practicing our religious notions and ideas. I think, if I am not mistaken, that the Constitution gives the privilege to all the inhabitants of this country, of the free exercise of their religious notions, and the freedom of their faith, and the practice of it. Then, if it can be proved to a demonstration that the Latter-Day Saints have ac- tually embraced, as a part and portion of their religion, the doctrine of a plurality of wives, it is constitutional. And should there ever be laws enacted by this Govern-ment to restrict them from the free exercise of thiapart of their religion, such laws must be unconstitutional.
"But, says the objector, we cannot see how this doctrine can be embraced as a matter of religion and faith; we can hardly conceive how it can be embraced only as a kind of domestic concern, something that pertains to domestic pleasures, in no way connected with religion. In reply we will show you that it is incorporated as a part of our religion, and necessary for our exaltation to the fullness of the Lord's glory in the eternal world. Would you like to know the reasons? * * * The Mormons have a peculiar doctrine in regard to our preexistence different from the views of the Christian world, so called. * * * Do the Scriptures declare that the spirit was formed at the time the tabernacle was made? No. All the tabernacles of the children of men that were ever formed, from remote generations, have been formed out of the earth. We are of the earth, earthy. Now, where do you suppose all these tabernacles got their spirits? Does the Lord make a new spirit every time a tabernacle is made? If so, the work of creation, according to the belief of Christendom, did not cease on the seventh day. If we admit their views, the Lord must be continually making spirits to inhabit all the tabernacles of the children of men; he must make something like one thousand millions of spirits every century; he must be working at it every day, for there are hundreds of individuals being born into the world every day. Does the Lord create a new spirit every time a new tabernacle comes, into the world? That does not look reasonable nor godlike.
"But how is it? you inquire. Why, the fact is, that being that animates this body, that gives life and energy and power to move, to act, and to think; that being that dwells within this tabernacle, is much older than what the tabernacle is. * * * We read of a certain time when the corner stones of the earth were laid, and the foundations thereof were made sure, of a certain time when the Lord began to erect this beautiful and glorious habitation, the earth; then they had a time of joy. I do not know whether they had instruments of music or whether they were engaged in the dance; but one thing is certain, they had great joy, and the heavens resounded with their shouts. The "Son's of God" recollect, shouted for joy because there was a beautiful habitation being built, so that they could get tabernacles and dwell thereon; they expected the time, they looked forward to the period, and it was joyful for them to reflect that the creation was about being formed on which they might in their times, and in their seasons, and in their generations, to forth and receive tabernacles for their spirits to well in. Do you bring it home to yourselves, breth-ren and sisters? Do you realize that you and I were there? Can you bring it to your minds that you and I were among that happy number that shouted for joy when this creation was made? Says one, I don't recollect it. No wonder! for your recollection is taken from you because you are in a tabernacle that is earthly; and all this is right and necessary.
" * * * We have ascertained that we had a previous existence. We find that Solomon, that wise man, says that when the body returns to the dust the spirit returns to God who gave it. Now, all this con-gregation very well know that if we never existed there we could not return there. I could not return to California. Why? Because I never have been there.
"Much more evidence might be derived in relation to this subject, even from the English translation of the Bible; but I do not feel disposed to dwell too long upon any particular testimony; suffice it to say that the Prophet Joseph Smith's translation of the fore part of the Book of Genesis is in print, and is exceedingly plain upon this matter. In this inspired translation we find the preexistence of man clearly laid down, and that the spirit of all men, male and female, did have an exist- ence before man was formed out of the dust of the ground. But who was their Father? I have already quoted a saying that God is the Father of our spirits.
"In one sense of the word there are more gods than one; and in another sense there is but one God. The Scriptures speak of more gods than one. Moses was called a god to Aaron in plain terms; and our Savior, when speaking upon this subject, says: "If "the Scriptures called them gods unto whom the Word "of. God came, why is it that you should seek to perse- "cute me and kill me because I testify that I am the Son "of God." If one god has the power to become the Father of Spirits, so has another; if one God can propagate his species and raise up spirits after his own family and likeness, and call them his sons and daughters, so can all other gods that become like him do the same thing; consequently, there will be many fathers, and there will be many families, and many sons and daughters; and they will be the children of those glorified, celestial beings that are counted worthy to be gods.
" * * * We come now to the second division of our subject, or the entrance of these spirits upon their second estate, or their birth and existence in mortal tabernacles. We are told that among this great family of spirits, some were more noble and great than others, having more intelligence. Where do you read that? says one out of the Book of Abraham, translated from the Egyptian papyrus by the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Lord has ordained that these spirits should come here and take tabernacles by a certain law, through a certain channel, and that law is the Jaw of marriage. The Lord ordained marriage between male and female as a law through which spirits should come here and take tabernacles, and enter into the second state of existence. The Lord himself solemn-ized the first marriage pertaining to this globe, and pertaining to flesh and bones here upon this earth. I do not say pertaining to mortality; for when the first two immortal beings— old Father Adam and old marriage was celebrated no mortality was there; the first marriage that we have any account of was between Mother Eve; they were immortal beings; death had no dominion, no power over them; they were capable of enduring forever and ever in their organization. Had they fulfilled the law and kept within certain con- ditions and bounds, their tabernacles would never have been seizedg by death. This marriage was cele- brated between two immortal beings. For how long? Until death? No. That was entirely out of the ques-tion ; there could have been no such thing in the cere-mony.
"What would yon consider, my hearers, if a marriage was to be celebrated between two beings not subject to death? Would you consider them joined together for a certain number of years, and that then all their covenants were to cease forever and the marriage con- tract be dissolved?— would it look reasonable and con- sistent? No. Every heart would say that the work of God is perfect in and of itself, and inasmuch as sin had not brought imperfection upon the globe, what God joined together could not be dissolved and de- stroyed and torn asunder by any power beneath the celestial world; consequently it was eternal; the ordi- nance of union was eternal; the sealing of the great Jehovah upon Adam and Eve was eternal. It is known that the Mormons are a peculiar people about marriage; we believe in marrying not only for time but for all eternity. This is a curious idea, says one, to be married for all eternity. It is not curious at all, for when we come to examine the Scriptures we find it the very first example set for the whole human family to follow.
" * * * What is the object of this union? is the next question. We are told the object of it; it is al- ready expressed, for, says the Lord unto the male and female, I command you to multiply and replenish the earth. And, inasmuch as we have proved that the marriage ordinance was eternal in its nature previous to the fall, if we are restored back to what was lost by the fall, we are restored for the purpose of carrying out the commandment given before the fall, namely, to multiply and replenish the earth. Does it say, con-tinue to multiply for a few years, and then the mar- riage contract must cease, and there shall be no fur- ther opportunity of carrying out this command, but it shall have an end? No, there is nothing specified of this kind; but the fall has brought in disunion through death; it is not a part of the original plan; conse- quently, when male and female are restored from the fall, by virtue of the everlasting and eternal covenant of marriage they will continue to multiply and increase to all ages of eternity, to raise up beings after their own order and in their own likeness, germs of intelli- gence that are destined, in their times and seasons, to become not only sons of God, but gods themselves.
"The peopling of worlds, or an endless increase even of one family, would require an endless increase of worlds; and if one family calls for this, what would innumerable millions of families call for? They would call for as many worlds as have already been discov-ered by the telescope.
"Do you begin to understand how these worlds got their inhabitants? Have you learned that the sons and daughters of God before me this day are His off- spring— made after his own image; that they are to multiply their species until they become innumerable?
" * * * If men cease to multiply, where is the prom- ise made to Abraham? Is it fulfilled? No, for the sand representing his seed might all be drawn in a one-horse cart; and yet the Lord said unto Abraham. Thy seed shall be as numerous as the sand upon the sea shore; that is, to carry out the idea in full, it was to be endless, and therefore there must be an infinity of worlds for their residence. We read that those who do the works of Abraham are to be blessed with the blessing of Abraham. The Lord blessed him with a promise of seed as numerous as the sand upon the sea-shore; so will you be blessed.
"How did Abraham manage to get a foundation laid for this mighty kingdom? Was he to accomplish it all through one wife ? No. It would have been rather a slow process if Abraham had been confined to one wife like some of those narrow, contracted nations of modern Christianity. I think there is only about one-fifth of the population of the globe that believe in the one-wife sys- tem. The other four-fifths believe in the doctrine of a plurality of wives. They have had it handed down from time immemorial, and are not half so narrow and contracted in their minds as some of the nations of Europe and America who have done away with the promises and deprived themselves of the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The nations do not know anything about the blessings of Abraham, and even those who have only one wife cannot get rid of their covetousness and get their little hearts large enough to share their property with a numerous family; they are so penurious and so narrow and contracted in their feelings, that they take every possible care not to have their families large; they do not know what is in the future, nor what blessings they are depriving them- selves of, because of the traditions of their fathers; they do not know that a man's posterity in the eternal worlds are to constitute his glory, his kingdom and dominion.
" * * * But, again, there is another reason why this plurality should exist among the Latter-Day Saints. I have already told you that the spirits of men and women all had a previous existence thousands of years ago in the heavens, in the presence of God; and I have already told you that among them are many spirits that are more noble, more intelligent than others, that were called the great and mighty one, re-served until the dispensation of the fullness of times. Among the Saints is the most likely place for these spirits to take their tabernacles through a just and righteous parentage. They are appointed to come and take their bodies here. The Lord has not kept them in store for five or six thousand years past, and kept them waiting for their bodies all this time to send them among the Hottentots, the African negroes, the idolatrous Hindoos or any other of the fallen nations.
" * * * Let me announce to this congregation that there is but one man in all the world, at the same time, who can hold the keys of this matter; but one man has power to turn the key to inquire of the Lord, and to say whether I, or these my brethren, or any of the rest of this congregation, or the Saints upon the face of the whole earth, may have this blessing of Abraham conferred upon them; he holds the keys of these matters now, the same as Nathan in his day. But, says one, how have you obtained this informa- tion? By new revelation. When was it given, and to whom? It was given to our Prophet, Seer and Revelator, Joseph Smith, on the 12th day of July, 1843.
" * * * jet us inquire what will become of those individuals who have this law taught unto them in plainess, if they reject it? [A voice—'They will be damned.'] I will tell you. They will be damned, saith the Lord God Almighty in the revelation he has given.
" * * * Suppose a man and a woman should enter into covenant and agreement, and conclude, be- tween themselves, to live together to all eternity, and never have it sealed by the Lord's sealing power, by the Holy Priesthood, would they have any claim on each other on the morning of the resurrection? No; it would not be valid nor legal, and the Lord would say, it was not by me.
" * * * What does the Lord intend to do with this people? He intends to make them a kingdom of kings and priests, a kingdom unto Himself, or, in other words, a kingdom of Gods, if they will hearken to this law. There will be many who will not hearken; there will be the foolish among the wise, who will not re- ceive the new and everlasting covenant in its fullness; and they never will attain to their exaltation; they never will be counted worthy to hold the scepter of power over a numerous progeny, that shall multiply themselves without end, like the sand upon the sea- shore."
I should not have ventured upon such extensive quotations, had I not been requested by certain prominent Mormons to give to the public a fair representation of the grounds on which they up-hold polygamy, which, they complain, has never been done by the Gentile press. The grounds of a belief which has affected the fundamental social relations of at least 30,000 people within the last five years, are surely worthy of investigation, and I know of no fairer mode of stating them than by quoting the language of the person who was se- lected to make the first annunciation of the doc- trine to the public.
Mr. J. W. Cummings has at last delivered to Mr. Gilbert what he says is all the property of the Clerk of the United States District Court for this County, and which consists of a record-book, two small blank books, a bundle of papers and a seal without a press. He did not yield possession ex-cept after writing two impertinent letters to Judge Sinclair, copies of which I will send to you as they are placed on the files of the court, and at the end he entered a solumn protest against his re- moval as a "breach of his privileges as a citizen" "an infringment upon the liberties of an Ameri-can." It is evident that there is a determination among certain Mormons to throw every possible obstacle in the way of an organization of the courts. I might detail several incidents in proof of the fact, but I will content myself with saying that it is notorious.
Judges Eckles and Sinclair start for Fillmore on Monday, with an escort of dragoons. Secretary Hartnett will accompany them. I presume that the purpose of their journey is in order to fix the terms of the Courts, which they are obliged by law to do at the capital of the Territory. It is, or rather has been, a doubtful question what town is the capital, and if it is decided to be Fillmore, all the legislation for the last two years is upset. After sitting at Fillmore for a year or two, the Legisla- ture of 1856-7 passed a pettish resolution to re-move the seat of Government to Salt Lake City, because the United States had not made an addi- tional appropriation to finish th capitol building. The question turns upon the legality of that reslu-tion. The Legislature which sat here last Win- ter adjourned to Parowan, 300 miles south, but of course none of its acts will be sanctioned.
The Indians have been troublesome in the vi- cinity of Gen. Johnston's camp. The inhabitants of the settlement in Cedar Valley complained to the General that they were in danger of an attack, and on the same day two men who were cutting hay in Rush Valley were fired upon by the savages. The General immediately sent a squadron of dragoons under Lieut. Tyler in pursuit of the as-sailants.
The 6th Infantry is collected at Fort Bridger, and will proceed to Oregon via California, and not, as I wrote you last week, by marching directly to Fort Hall and thence northward.
