The Mormon Puzzle, And How To Solve It Part 11

3. Another doctrine is _The Pre-existence of Souls_.

All men lived before they were born. They existed for ages as spirits, waiting eagerly for fleshly tabernacles; and mult.i.tudes of these spirits are now waiting, desiring to come to earth; for it is only by the way of the flesh that they can reach the final bliss of their perfected being, and therefore it is a work of great benevolence to provide earthly bodies into which they may come to dwell.

4. _The Doctrine of Polygamy_ springs naturally out of the two preceding doctrines. In the "Book of Mormon" this practice was forbidden; and in the earlier revelations of Joseph Smith it was distinctly condemned; but it was sanctioned in a revelation claimed to have been given to him at Nauvoo, July 12th, 1843, although it was not promulgated until the fall of 1852 in Salt Lake City by Brigham Young. This doctrine is a necessary sequence of their ideas with regard to the celestial world and the pre-existent life of the human soul. Mr. Pratt, in one of his sermons, says: "The spirit that dwells in each man and woman is, I venture to say, more than five thousand years old. The Lord has ordained that these spirits should come here and take tabernacles by a certain law and through a certain channel; and _that_ law is the law of marriage. The Lord ordained marriage on this globe between Adam and Eve as eternal in its nature; hence we believe in marrying for eternity. Among these spirits in the heavens are many more n.o.ble, more intelligent, that were called the great and mighty ones, who were reserved till the fulness of time to come forth upon the face of the earth through a n.o.ble parentage, who shall train their tender minds in the truths of eternity, that they may be prophets, priests, and kings to the Most High G.o.d. Among the Saints is the most likely place for these spirits to take their tabernacles, to be trained up by that people that are the most righteous of any other people upon the earth. This is the reason that the Lord is sending them here, brethren and sisters. The Lord has not kept them in reserve for five or six thousand years, waiting for their bodies, to send them to the Hottentots, the Hindoos, or the negroes, but to the Saints of Zion. Then, is it not reasonable that the Lord should say unto his faithful and chosen servants: 'Take unto yourselves more wives, that more of these n.o.ble spirits should come forth through these my faithful and chosen servants'?"

Thus do the Mormons have as one of the underlying principles of this abominable practice one of the grandest sentiments of humanity--_self-sacrifice for the sake of others_. It is that sentiment which has taken hold of the Mormon women and led them not only to submit in silence to what is entirely counter to their nature, but even to choose it and glory in it. Brigham Young told his people often that the world was rapidly hastening to a close, and there were mult.i.tudes of spirits waiting for honorable bodies. The Gentiles were corrupt, and the ethereal spirits were waiting anxiously for the favors of the Mormons. The women, he said, would be selfish if they could not endure the wandering affections of their husbands. It was their duty to make a self-sacrifice. Jesus had given His life to redeem; why could they not help to save? It is on that account that _the women of Utah_ have made the sacrifice of the most vital principle of their souls.

The principle which has led _the Mormon men_ to embrace this doctrine, which greatly increases their earthly cares and burdens, is _ambition_. In heaven they will rule over their posterity; and, consequently, the more wives they have, and the greater their posterity, the greater will be their rank in heaven. Orson Hyde, in one of his sermons, said: "The revelation of the Almighty to a man ... whom G.o.d designs to make a ruler and a governor in his eternal kingdom is that he may have more wives, that when he goes to another sphere he may still continue to perpetuate his species; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." The Mormons declare that those who have no wives are the servants of those who rule. Therefore the object of the Mormon men in embracing polygamy, as they themselves set forth, is to raise up a numerous posterity here and in the world to come, that they may be exalted to the rank of "G.o.ds to reign upon thrones." They believe that all the G.o.ds have many wives, and they rule over their descendants, who are constantly increasing in number and dominion; and in accordance with that belief, they teach that Jesus was a polygamist, and that Mary and Martha were his plural wives, with whom he is now living in marriage relations in the celestial world.

5. Another doctrine is that _the Latter-Day Gospel must be preached to all men_. Until that gospel is accepted, none can be saved; and so, from the earliest days, zeal for propagandism has been a marked feature of this sect. At the very soonest the world must be conquered by this gospel. This has from the first been their fixed design, and about three hundred missionaries are always in the field. The order is: first, offer salvation to the Gentiles till the Lord proclaims that their opportunity is past, and then turn to the Jews. Moreover, they believe there is need for hot haste; for these are the latter days, and the dread second coming of the Son of G.o.d is at hand. Many of the devout Mormons believe that when the great temple in Salt Lake City is finished, the Lord Jesus will descend to earth and reign with His Saints for a thousand years.

But not only can none be saved until the Mormon gospel is accepted; neither can any be condemned till it has been heard and rejected by him.

And so, not only must _the living_ hear the Latter-Day Gospel, but the same proclamation must be made through all the bounds of the great gathering-place of the dead. To these "spirits in prison," whose sad misfortune it was to die before the Hill of c.u.mmorah gave up its golden plates to the great Prophet, must be made the offer of faith and baptism.

Hence, when Mormon missionaries die they go on preaching just as before--so great is the task, so distant the goal, set before this peculiar people.

6. They also believe in _Baptismal Regeneration_. They bless little children, but baptize none under the age of eight. They practice the mode of immersion, and they teach that it is able to wash away sins, and that it may be repeated for the remission of sins whenever it is needed.

Consequently, when any of the Saints fall into heinous sins, they are taught that those sins can be washed away by their being rebaptized.

7. They also believe in _Baptism for the Dead_. They base this doctrine on Paul's statement in the fifteenth chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians. They claim that since three things are essential to salvation--faith, repentance, and baptism--and the latter is not possible in the world of spirits, one in order to be saved after death must be baptized by proxy--_i.e._, some Saint on earth must be immersed in his behalf. It is claimed that here Mormonism is most unique, and performs its n.o.blest service to the race. In this way the Mormons save their ancestors from everlasting punishment, and bring their souls within Zion; and this service is extended beyond relatives, too, and is given to the heroes and heroines of history. Was.h.i.+ngton, Franklin, and other famous men have thus been vicariously baptized into the Mormon Church. A writer on Mormonism has well said: "In fact, no one is safe from the clutches of Mormonism after death. You may be made a Mormon without desiring it for all eternity."

It is said that in the summer of 1884 a wealthy Mormon, while on a visit to Boston, employed a young lady to look up his genealogy. Having learned the names of about two hundred of his ancestors, he had the rite of baptism performed for them all. And it is related that an old man, long a convert to Mormonism, residing in the southern part of Utah, went thirty miles distant to a place where the Saints were in conference for the purpose of saving nearly one hundred of his ancestors from everlasting destruction by being baptized for them. He made the journey in an ox-cart with his two sons. The baptism, of course, was immersion in a river; and the old man was dipped as many times as he could stand the operation, each dip representing an entrance into the Mormon paradise for some one of the otherwise lost hundred of his forefathers; and then his sons in turn were baptized, until the object of their visit was fully accomplished.

8. Another doctrine is that _a priesthood duly authorized by G.o.d is absolutely essential to salvation_. Without this no sacrament or rite is acceptable to G.o.d or of value to men. It is only through their preaching that sinners can repent and believe; and the remission of sins follows baptism only when priestly hands administer it; and this authority comes by no fancied apostolical succession, but from Joseph Smith as the sole source. Before him for a thousand years there was no authority, and to-day all is illegitimate outside the Mormon Church.

There are two cla.s.ses of priesthood: _The Melchizedek_ and _the Aaronic_.

The Melchizedek priesthood is the higher branch, having special reference to spiritual affairs, while the Aaronic priesthood has most to do with the temporal interests of the Church. Both of these branches are obtained through Joseph Smith, who received his ordination in a supernatural manner. According to Mormon authority, an angelic messenger, calling himself John the Baptist, met him in the woods of New York, May 15th, 1829, and ordained him to the Aaronic priesthood; and soon after, it is claimed, he received his ordination to the Melchizedek priesthood at the hands of the apostles Peter, James, and John.

The Aaronic priesthood includes (beginning with the lowest) the offices of deacon, teacher, priest, and bishop. The Melchizedek priesthood includes the offices of elder, high-priest, patriarch, seventy, and apostle. A worse despotism than is exercised over the people by this priesthood cannot be found on earth. Claiming to have the keys of heaven and h.e.l.l, and to have its authority directly from the Lord, it wields absolute power, not only in spiritual but in all temporal affairs.

9. Another peculiar doctrine is with reference to _Endowments_. To get one's endowments const.i.tutes one of the most exalted privileges and ambitions of the devout Mormon. These can be had only in Utah and in connection with the temples, although in Salt Lake City, where as yet the temple is unfinished, the Endowment House is used. After divers was.h.i.+ngs and anointings and rubbings, the acting of an historic drama, the taking of oaths and grips, and the giving of a new name, celestial wisdom and joy are supposed to descend and forever rest upon the favored soul. Secret marriage rites, which seal husband and wife for time and eternity, form part of the ceremony.

In that hour, also, is put on the "endowment robe," a garment reaching from head to foot, and made all in one piece, high-necked and with long sleeves. This robe is said to be a sure defence against the adversary and all physical ills. One must never be caught without it; but if, living and dying, he wears that garment, and remembers the grips and his celestial name, he is sure of heaven whatever may befall him.

The rites of the Endowment House are said to be a kind of b.a.s.t.a.r.d Masonry, inst.i.tuted by Joseph Smith at Nauvoo. A remarkable resemblance has been pointed out between the ancient Eleusinian Mysteries and the mysteries of the Endowment House as they are represented by some of the historians of Mormonism. Their object, according to Brigham Young, is "to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, pa.s.sing the angels, who stand as sentinels, being enabled to give them the key-words, the signs and tokens pertaining to the holy priesthood, and gain your eternal exaltation in spite of earth and h.e.l.l."

10. Another doctrine, which is peculiarly a Mormon doctrine, and the most horrible doctrine ever taught by their leaders, is the doctrine of _Blood Atonement_.

According to this doctrine there are some sins which cannot be forgiven or atoned for except by cutting the throat of the man who committed them and pouring out his blood as an atonement. Three of these sins are apostasy, disclosing the secrets of the Endowment House, and marital unfaithfulness on the part of a wife.

This doctrine has been frequently taught by the leaders of the Church, who have declared that it is a meritorious act for any Saint to spill the blood of a person guilty of any of these sins, and that he would thereby be carrying out the golden rule of love. Thus, Brigham Young, in a sermon delivered in the Bowery at Salt Lake City, September 21st, 1856, said: "There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world or in that which is to come, and if they had their eyes open to see their true condition they would be perfectly willing to have their blood spilled upon the ground, that the smoke thereof might ascend to heaven as an offering for their sins; and the smoking incense would atone for their sins, whereas, if such is not the case, they will stick to them and remain upon them in the spirit world.

"I know when you hear my brethren telling about cutting people off from the earth that you consider it strong doctrine; but it is to save them, not to destroy them."

And in another discourse, delivered in the Tabernacle of Salt Lake City, February 8th, 1857, Brigham Young said: "I have known a great many men who have left this Church, for whom there is no chance whatever for exaltation; but if their blood had been spilled, it would have been better for them. This is loving our neighbor as ourselves; if he needs help, help him; and if he wants salvation, and it is necessary to spill his blood on the earth in order that he may be saved, spill it. Any of you who understand the principles of eternity, if you have sinned a sin requiring the shedding of blood, except the sin unto death, would not be satisfied nor rest until your blood should be spilled, that you might gain that salvation you desire. This is the way to love mankind."

But although this horrible doctrine has been publicly preached again and again, yet many of the Mormons deny that it was ever carried into actual practice. The editor of the _Deseret News_, one of the Mormon leaders, not long ago denied that blood atonement had ever been practised among the Mormons, but he said "in the good time coming it will be." On the other hand, it is claimed by many Gentiles that not only has it been put into practice frequently in past years, but that it is actually done at the present time. A Gentile observer, after several months' residence in Salt Lake City in 1884, wrote: "As to the blood atonement, which Mormons generally deny, you may be sure it is still practised."

After a careful study of the facts in the case, it seems to be clear that the evidence is overwhelming in substantiation of the declaration that _it was often practised in the past_; and it seems to be equally clear that, while it _may_ be _the fact_ that this abominable practice is still carried on, only more adroitly than formerly, yet _the ma.s.s of evidence_ is overwhelming in opposition to that view and in favor of the opinion that the incoming of thousands of Gentiles and Federal officers have effectually stopped the practice of that barbarous doctrine.

_Nevertheless, it remains one of their doctrines._

11. Another Mormon doctrine, and one of which much is made, is the doctrine of the _Fulness of Times_. The Mormons claim that whatever good thing in doctrine and practice has ever existed in the world under former dispensations has been restored in these last days; and so to the Latter-Day Saints have come all the blessings of all past ages, especially the priesthood, polygamy, and all the offices and gifts of the days of the apostles. They believe the day of miracles has not ceased, but that many such have been wrought, especially healings of the sick, in the latter-day dispensation. They believe, also, in giving one tenth of their income and increase for the building of the temples and the progress of the Church.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE RELIGIOUS PUZZLE (_continued_).

_Professor Coyner's_ a.n.a.lysis of Mormonism--_Rev. Dr. McNiece's_ a.n.a.lysis--Reasons for the growth and tenacity of Mormonism--The Christian element its chief source of strength--No Mormon converts from heathenism--Protestantism the source of its recruits--Bible doctrines in the Mormon "Catechism for Children"--The Mormon Articles of Faith--The Mormon heresy compared with Gnosticism in the early Christian Church--A clue to the solution of the religious puzzle.

From the enumeration of some of the prominent and peculiar doctrines of Mormonism which was given in the preceding chapter, it can very clearly be seen that it is naught else than a jumble of a half dozen different systems of religion.

_Professor Coyner_, Princ.i.p.al of the Salt Lake Collegiate Inst.i.tute for ten years, has a.n.a.lyzed it as follows: "Mormonism is made of twenty parts.

Take eight parts of diabolism, three parts of animalism from the Mohammedan system, one part bigotry from old Judaism, four parts cunning and treachery from Jesuitism, two parts Thugism from India, and two parts Arnoldism, and then shake the mixture over the fires of animal pa.s.sion and throw in the forms and ceremonies of the Christian religion, and you will have this system in its true component elements." But, subtle as that a.n.a.lysis is, it cannot be true; for it does not include in the system, as even one of its twenty parts, Christianity; and yet it seems to me that it is the Christian element in the system which, mingled with a great deal of error, gives it its real strength.

The a.n.a.lysis given by _Rev. Dr. R. G. McNiece_, of Salt Lake City, in the _Presbyterian Review_, April, 1881, seems to be more correct, and about as near the real truth as any one, perhaps, can come. He says: "Let Paganism, Judaism, Mohammedanism, Jesuitism, Protestantism, and Diabolism be shaken up together, and the result is Mormonism; for from Paganism comes its idea of G.o.d; from Judaism its theory of the priesthood and special revelation; from Mohammedanism its plural wife notions, and its sensual ideas of heaven; from Jesuitism its cunning and arbitrary form of government, in which the end is continually made to justify the means; from Protestantism its talk about faith in Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and its general policy from the devil, as any intelligent man will have to confess after a careful study of its cunning, devilish ways and means."

From this a.n.a.lysis it is seen that its great strength lies in the shrewd way in which it has blended Christian truth with heathen error.

The reasons of its growth and tenacity are many. It is especially adapted to the intellectual capacities of the ma.s.ses. To these are offered just what they are sure to hunger after--bold a.s.sumption and boundless a.s.sertion, together with great show of authority. For the superst.i.tious it has miracles, ecstasies, visions, and revelations. The secrecy of the endowments, too, has a charm. The minds of the ignorant delight in prodigies. "_Omne ignotum, pro mirifico._" For the lovers of prophecy there is promised the New Jerusalem, an actual reign of the Saints, and an equality with the Redeemer. The gross see charms in its sensual paradise, and listen eagerly to the announcement that a conversation with their spiritual ruler, or a journey on a mission while facing a frowning world, will immediately clear them from their iniquities. These are all elements in the system, which have led to its growth, and now keep it from falling to pieces.

But _its chief source of strength is its recognition of many of the truths of the Bible_. If its strength came from its heathenish doctrines and practices, then it would naturally follow that its converts would be gathered mainly from heathendom, whereas ninety-nine proselytes in every hundred have been obtained from Christian churches.

About thirty years ago swarms of Mormon missionaries were sent to China, j.a.pan, India, Australia, South Africa, South America, and the Society and Sandwich Islands, and they fondly hoped that many converts would be gathered; but in less than five years they had all returned, completely baffled and disgusted. They reported that the devil was far too lively in those lands, and that, among the Hindoos especially, stupidity and awful depravity were universal. Since then we hear of no more attempts to evangelize the pagan world. A few hundred Sandwich Islanders and New Zealanders have been baptized, but only after American and English missionaries had first brought them to a knowledge of Gospel truth.

And it is said that no Roman Catholic has ever been brought into the Mormon fold, Protestantism furnis.h.i.+ng Mormonism its entire supplies. Yes, the fact is that Mormonism has grown in strength and power by the addition of those once members of Protestant Christian churches, or those very near the entrance. Perhaps eight out of every ten who have come to Utah were of that cla.s.s; and it cannot well be questioned that hundreds of so-called Mormons, though laboring under a great delusion and greatly misled by the hierarchy, are still sincere believers in Christ and His Gospel. Rev. Dr.

McNiece says in the _Presbyterian Review_, April, 1881: "It is only just to say that scattered all through the Mormon ranks are hundreds of devout, worthy, kind-hearted, hospitable people, who came from England, Scotland, and the Scandinavian countries, bringing their Bibles and Christian sentiments with them, and who, although nominally Mormons, have never been persuaded to embrace these odious pagan doctrines, which are the distinctive features of Mormonism."

Besides, the Mormons believe in the Old and New Testaments as inspired, and in the "Book of Mormon" itself there is much that is taken directly from the Bible--as the Decalogue, the Sermon on the Mount, and other teachings of our Lord; and in their "Catechism for Children," published in 1877, one finds mingled with many false teachings such sound biblical propositions as these: that our first parents, having fallen under the influence of Satan, "had not the least power to recover themselves from the effects of that fall;" that in this condition "the justice of G.o.d required a sacrifice to atone for the broken law, and our first parents being subject, through transgression, to the penalty of the law, could not make this sacrifice;" that to meet such a state of things, "G.o.d sent His only begotten Son, who knew no sin, to die for the sins of the world, and thus to satisfy divine justice;" that "this redemption by Jesus Christ is the only one," and that it is available to all mankind, "but only on conditions of obedience;" that these conditions are "as unchangeable as their Author," and include faith, which is described as "a principle of power" within the soul, and repentance, which is defined as a "forsaking of sin, with full purpose of heart to work righteousness;" and that even little children are "considered sinners in the sight of G.o.d," and as such are "redeemed solely through the atonement of Christ," and are therefore to be taught to repent and believe.

In reading such statements, and seeing them corroborated continually by quotations from Scripture, it is not hard to imagine ourselves studying the catechism of some Christian sect, differing from other sects in detail and expression, but agreeing with them in the essentials of the common Christianity. How far such truths are proclaimed by the Mormon teachers and missionaries, or how far they still remain as vital convictions in the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of thousands who once professed them in other communions, or who have been taught them catechetically in the Mormon fold, it is very difficult to determine.

In the Mormon Articles of Faith there is very little but what could be subscribed to by some Christian denomination. It is presumed that these Articles comprise all the essential beliefs of Mormonism. They are what their missionaries constantly teach, and what the Mormons always give forth as their creed. They are just one third the number of the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England. They are as follows:

"1. We believe in G.o.d, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

"2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

"3. We believe that, through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

"4. We believe that these ordinances are: First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"5. We believe that a man must be called of G.o.d by prophecy and by the laying on of hands' by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer the ordinances thereof.

"6. We believe in the same organization that exists in the Primitive Church--viz.: apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, etc.

"7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc.