Epistle to the Saints

To the Officers and Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: ¶

Brethren and Sisters.—As the time for holding our Semi-annual Conference has again come around, and we are still prevented from addressing the Saints in public, we deem it proper to take this method of communicating with you, that you may know the counsel we have to give, and that we are not neglectful of the duties which devolve upon us as the First Presidency of the Church. ¶

As all the Saints doubtless understand, there has been no cessation since we last wrote, in the work of persecution. It rages, if anything, more fiercely than ever. Under cover of what is called the Edmunds law, the most outrageous acts of oppression are being perpetrated against the Latter-day Saints. The avowal has been openly made that this law was expressly designed for the destruction of a principle of our religion, and in this spirit all the prosecutions have been conducted. Thus far no criminal, however guilty, who has not been a “Mormon,” has been punished under it. Acts of the most sickening depravity have been committed by non-“Mormons” within easy reach of its arm but have scarcely had a passing notice. While it is also worthy of note that, up to the present writing, out of all who have been accused and brought before the District court, only one “Mormon” has been acquitted. The man acquitted, we understand, was charged with being the husband of a woman, on the ground that he had camped in his wagon in a ten acre lot in which her residence stood and had carried some chickens for her to market! ¶

One of the most remarkable features connected with the administration of this law is the extraordinary rulings which are made in its enforcement. The Judge who presides in the Second Judicial District, in the recent trial of a case of unlawful cohabitation, gave instructions to the jury, at the request of the defense. Several accused persons would have been cleared in the Third Judicial District, had the juries which rendered verdicts in their cases, been similarly instructed. They are as follows: ¶

Prior to the act of March 22d, 1882, cohabitation with more than one woman was not unlawful. ¶

If you find from the evidence that the defendant, since the passage of the Edmunds act, March 22d, 1882, and within the dates named in the indictment, has not held out to the world, introduced, or announced more than one of the women named in the indictment as his wife, you should acquit the defendant. ¶

It is not necessary that the parties to a polygamous marriage, or who have lived in the practice of cohabiting with two or more women, should divorce themselves, in order to entitle them to the presumption of innocence of cohabitation after the passage of the law. ¶

As all children of polygamous marriages, begotten before March 22nd, 1882, are legitmated, and no cohabitation before that date was unlawful, no criminating inference can be drawn by the jury from the defendant’s later acknowledgments of his paternity of such children by the women mentioned in the indictment, nor from later recognition of such women as their mothers, and as women whom he had before said date, taken into the polygamous relation with him. ¶

The law presumes innocence, and therefore, that all persons who were cohabiting when the Edmunds act took effect, contrary to the provisions of that act, then ceased to do so. ¶

The law presumes all persons charged with a criminal offense to be innocent until the presumption is overcome by proof; therefore it presumes that all persons who were living with more than one woman as wives prior to March 22d, 1882, have since that date ceased to so live and cohabit. ¶

If you find from the evidence that defendant had children by the women named in the indictment prior to March 22d, 1882, then the defendant had a right to visit his children, and support them and make arrangements as to their welfare. He had a right also to assist their mothers in their support, and for such a purpose could visit the house where they and their mothers live. He could furnish them a home, he could visit the mother, the same as if they had been divorced, or as if no such previous relations had existed between them, but he should not associate with her as a husband associates with his wife. Do we say too much if we state that here are those now undergoing punishment in the penitentiary in the society of thieves and murderers, who would be as free as the prosecuting officers themselves, had the law been construed by the legal canons applied to other laws, and according to the instructions given above? ¶

The practice in these attacks upon us has not been to presume the accused innocent until proved guilty; but view him as undoubtedly guilty because accused; and the rulings of the Court in several instances have been made to secure conviction where the evidence was open to question. The extraordinary ruling concerning “holding out,” is one in point; notwithstanding the Edmunds law specifies that the penalty for unlawful cohabitation, shall not be more than six months’ imprisonment, and three hundred dollars’ fine, the notorious ruling from the same bench concerning the number of indictments which can be found against a person accused of unlawful cohabitation, states that he not only can be indicted once for the whole period since the passage of the law, but an indictment can be found for every week of that time; so that, if found guilty in this manner, a man’s punishment would aggregate an imprisonment of 92 years and fines to the amount of $55,200. ¶

Still more extraordinary is the ruling of another Judge, who, not to be outdone in his zeal, says, that an indictment can be found for this charge against a man for every day, or other distinct interval of time since the enactment of the law! As about 1292 days have passed since then, a man found guilty can be incarcerated in prison for 646 years and made pay fines to the amount of $387,600. Comment upon this absurdity is unnecessary. ¶

Before the Edmunds bill became law, and while on its passage, it was claimed that its provisions were of general application and in the interests of morality, and not, as we asserted, a measure directly aimed at religious liberty and for purposes of persecution. But time has fully revealed its true character. Stripped of all disguise it stands out now in all its hideousness. The most shocking immorality flourishes in its presence and thrives under the very eyes of its administrators. All forms of vice, if not directly encouraged by those who are charged with the duty of administering the Edmunds law, are at least viewed by them with indifference. They appear to have no care as to the most flagrant sexual crimes, if they are only committed by non-“Mormons,” or outside of the pale of matrimony. “Mormons” also, under the present administration of the law, may do what they please with women, be guilty of the foulest injustice to them and their offspring, if they will only disown them as wives. The war is openly and undisguisedly made upon our religion. To induce men to repudiate that, to violate its precepts and to break its solemn covenants, every encouragement is given. The man who agrees to discard his wife or wives, and to trample upon the most sacred obligations which human beings can enter into, escapes imprisonment and is applauded; while the man who will not make this compact of dishonor, who will not admit that his past life has been a fraud and a lie, who will not say to the world, “I intended to deceive my God, my brethren and my wives by making covenants I did not expect to keep,” is, besides being punished to the full extent of the law, compelled to endure the reproaches, taunts and insults of a brutal judge. ¶

Notwithstanding of these cruelties are practiced against us, we do not feel that, as Latter-day Saints, we should mourn because of them. We should mourn because of our weaknesses, follies and sins, and repent of them. But to be persecuted, to be discriminated against, to be separated from the rest of the world, to be imprisoned and abused are not causes of sorrow to true Saints; they are causes of rejoicing. If, in the great hereafter, we expect to be admitted to the society of the Son of God, our Redeemer, to the society of Prophets and Apostles, and holy men and women, ought we not to be willing to endure the tribulations which they received so joyfully? Where is the Prophet or Apostle who did not endure persecution, whose liberty and life were not in almost constant jeopardy? They did not have an Edmunds law, perhaps, enforced against them; but they had laws which emanated from the same source. With few exceptions they were all punished, deprived of liberty and of life, in the sacred name of the law. Even the holiest Being that ever trod the earth, the great Redeemer of mankind himself, was crucified between two thieves to satisfy Jewish law. ¶

There has probably never been a time in the history of mankind when those whom we now revere as martyrs and whose sacrifices adorn and glorify our humanity and lift it nearer to God, could not, by being recreant to the truth entrusted to them, have escaped the fate which made them so admirable to the generations which followed them. The Savior himself had it in his power to the compromise with his enemies and escape the cruel and ignominious death inflicted upon him. Abraham might have bowed to the gods of his idolatrous father and needed no angel to rescue him from his impending doom. Daniel and his three brethren, also, might have submitted to the decree and law of the ruling powers under which they lived and escaped the fiery furnace and the den of lions. Their refusals to obey the decree and law doubtless appeared to those who had not the knowledge of God which they possessed, as acts of wicked obstinancy that should be summarily punished. But had they, to escape the threatened penalty, obeyed these edicts, posterity would have lost the benefit of their example, and the great God would not have been glorified before their contemporaries as He was by their acts. Instead of their names being, as now, radiant with light and resplendent with heroism, they would, had they reached us, been covered with odium and been mentioned in the same category with the Jews concerning whom the Prophet Jeremiah said: “They bend their tongues like their bow for lies; but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.” ¶

Well-meaning friends of ours have said that our refusal to renounce the principle of celestial marriage invites destruction. They warn us and implore us to yield. They appeal to every human interest and adjure us to bow to a law, which is admitted on all hands to have been framed expressly for the destruction of the principle which we are called upon to reject. They say it is madness to resist the will of so overwhelming a majority. They say they see the gathering clouds, that they hear the premonitory mutterings of the resistless tempest which is about to break in destructive fury upon our heads, and they call upon us to avert its wrath by timely submission. But they perceive not the hand of that Being who controls all storms, whose voice the tempest obeys, at whose flat thrones and empires are thrown down—the Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth, who has made promises to us and who has never failed to fulfill all His words. ¶

We did not reveal celestial marriage. We cannot withdraw or renounce it. God revealed it, and He has promised to maintain it and to bless those who obey it. Whatever fate, then, may threaten us, there is but one course for men of God to take, that is, to keep inviolate the holy covenants they have made in the presence of God and angels. For the remainder, whether it be life or death, freedom or imprisonment, prosperity or adversity, we must trust in God. We may say, however, if any man or woman expects to enter into the celestial kingdom of our God without making sacrifices and without being tested to the very uttermost, they have not understood the Gospel. If there is a weak spot in our nature, or if there is a fibre that can be made to quiver or to shrink, we may rest assured that it will be tested. Our own weaknesses will be brought fully to light, and in seeking for help, the strength of our God will also be made manifest to us. The Latter-day Saints have been taught this from the beginning. Such scenes as we now witness in these mountains and hear about in lands where the Elders are preaching the Gospel ought not to be a surprise to us. The Prophets and Apostles and Elders of this dispensation would be false Prophets and Apostles and Elders if these events did not take place; for they have predicted them and warned the people unceasingly concerning them. ¶

Speaking concerning law, the Lord, in a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph, August 6th, 1833, says: ¶

And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them; ¶

And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me; ¶

Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land; ¶

And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than these cometh of evil. ¶

I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore, ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free; ¶

Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn. ¶

Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil. ¶

And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God; ¶

For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith; ¶

And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name’s sake, shall find it again, even life eternal; ¶

Therefore be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant even unto death, that you may be found worthy; ¶

For if ye will not abide in my covenant, ye are not worthy of me. Fifty-two years have passed since this was given to the Church, and we are now witnessing its fulfillment. The Saints are required to do whatsoever the Lord commands them, to live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God. They are also instructed to befriend every constitutional law of the land; for such laws support the principle of freedom; they maintain rights and privileges. This, as a people, we have striven to do from the beginning of our organizations. We have ever been a law-abiding people. Times without number we have suffered the most grievous wrongs without resenting them. We have ever thought it better to suffer wrong than to do wrong. ¶

Such was the case when we suffered expatriation from the State of Missouri. We were robbed and pillaged, despoiled and persecuted, yet we had no idea of retaliating on account of these wrongs upon the government and its institutions, which to us are sacred. The same loyal spirit animated us when we were beset by bloodthirsty mobs in Illinois, one of which murdered Joseph Smith, our Prophet, and Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch, while they were under the pledged protection of the State, given through the governor. On the same occasion one of signers of this address was also brought to the gate of death, by being shot by the same band of assassins. When driven from the homes we had established in Illinois, we had no disposition to hold the nation at large nor the government of our beloved country responsible for those inhuman deeds, nor to allow the spirit of vengeance to rankle in our hearts. We took the first opportunity to exhibit the spirit of true patriotism. While undergoing great hardship on account of being subjected to a compulsory exodus, when called upon by the government to furnish a body of men to take part in the war with Mexico, 500 of the flower of our camp responded with alacrity, and in accordance with the call of our country, traversed the great American desert, penetrated to Mexico, and completed an arduous and hazardous campaign, and journey to California. ¶

You have no doubt read, through the papers, an account of the terrible affair which recently occurred at Rock Springs, in Wyoming Territory. We could not help feeling a little anxiety lest some of our people should have been connected with that bloody riot, and immediately requested Brother Cluff, President of Summit Stake, to inquire into the matter. So far as we have obtained information to the present, however, we find that not more than one has been in any way mixed up with that matter, and he a person of doubtful standing. We are pleased to learn of this, because we cannot associate with any deeds so revolting and inhuman, and we take this opportunity to express our opinion on this subject to the Saints. A great number of secret socieites are being formed with which we cannot affiliate. Such organizations are generally inimical to law, to good order, and in many instances subversive of the rights of man. We cannot amalgamate with them. They are very distinctly spoken against in the Book of Mormon, as among the calamities which should afflict the people. ¶

We are expressly commanded, and it becomes our duty, to uphold and sustain every law of the land which is constitutional; we have always had a strong desire to obey such laws, and to place ourselves in harmony with all the institutions of the country. ¶

We repeat that we desire that all men should be aware of the fact that we have been the upholders of the Constitution and laws enacted in pursuance of that sacred instrument. We still entertain the same patriotic disposition, and propose to continue acting in conformity with it to the last. Neither have we any desire to come in active conflict even with statutes that we deem opposed to the Constitution both in letter and spirit. Whatever opposition has been offered in that line has been only of such a character as is justified by the usages and customs of this and all other civilized countries, and such as the laws and institutions of this nation provide. Nor have we the least desire to shun the consequences of our acts in their relationship to the laws to which we refer, providing there were any assurance that our cases would be submitted to a fair and just adjudication. Events of the past few months give no ground for hope that such treatment would be accorded. It must be contended, however, that, as stated elsewhere, connected with this disposition to have our conduct passed upon as provided by law administered in the genius of justice, there never can be any hope of our yielding up, under any circumstances, a principle of conscientious or religious conviction. Were we to make such a surrender our conduct in that respect would not be in harmony with the guaranties of the Constitution, which we are in duty bound to uphold. ¶

In order to place our people at a disadvantage, and to crush out their religious system, the Constitution has been violated in a number of ways. It does not require any depth of legal learning to understand what is meant by a religious test, which is forbidden by the “supreme law of the land.” Yet laws have been passed applicable to a wide section of this northwestern country, disfranchising and inflicting total political disability upon our people, without regard to their acts. The offense for which this restriction has been prescribed is simply religious belief, and the means of application is a religious test. It is consequently unconstitutional upon its face. This and other laws—notably the Edmunds act—inflict disabilities upon those of our people who are not in any way associated, by their acts, with polygamy. Thus probably about nine-tenths of our community are punished for alleged offenses for which they are in no way responsible, and in which they have taken no part. Surely no person who is unbiased, that gives this subject even the most casual attention can characterize such treatment as other than flagrantly unjust. ¶

It has been estimated that out of a community of about 200,000 people, more or less, from 10,000 to 12,000 are identified with polygamy. When the Edmunds act was passed this small minority were deprived by it of the right to vote or hold office, voluntarily, without the application of coercion, withdrew from those privileges, notwithstanding the high estimate they placed upon them. It may well be asked wherein is the justice of placing the bulk of the people at a disadvantage as well, seeing they have done nothing to furnish an excuse for such treatment? Granting that the small minority connected with polygamy are criminals before the law, what justification is there, on that account, for punishing, as the Edmunds and other acts do, the overwhelming majority? If such doings were perpetrated in any other connection they would be unsparingly denounced as oppressive and tyrannical in the most extreme degree. If one portion of a community are designated as criminal, to hold the older and much the greater portion responsible for such a condition is not only unjust, but decidedly absurd. ¶

Statements upon this subject have been made to the Chief Executive of the nation, in the form of a protest and petition for redress of grievances. Knowing that misrepresentations have taken the place of impartial scrutiny of the question with which the Latter-day Saints are associated, the consequences being a general misapprehension of the community and their affairs, we presumed that Mr. Cleveland was not acquainted with the real situation. An opportunity was thus sought to acquaint him with the facts. The very reasonable desire was expressed in this connection that a commission of inquiry be appointed, that the truth might appear and be given to the nation. Was it too much to expect that this action, supported by a representation of 200,000 people, would meet with some favorable response, which thus far has not, however, been made? Yet it would be unfair to attribute the delay of the President either to indifference or a disposition to refuse to accord justice to a people whose liberties are being trampled upon to an extent that is almost past human endurance. It is still hoped that he will take some consistent and humane action in the premises. In alluding to the delay in granting a response to the representations made to the President, we must not forget the extensive and arduous character of the duties devolving upon him, as the head of the administration of a great government. We mention this that you may not be disposed to be too censorious in regard to the action of men in high places who have the power to redress our grievances. And even when we feel that we are wronged, it is proper for us to follow the example of the Lord and Master, and say: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” ¶

Referring once more to the situation in a more local sense, we are not oblivious to the anomalous position in which the Federal judicial officers are placed in dealing with a subject which appears to occupy a large share of popular attention. While it is impossible for them to escape pronounced exceptions being taken to their official course, on account of its harshness, undue rigor, an unjust discrimination in administering the laws, they are entitled to some consideration, justified by well understood circumstances. The Latter-day Saints are the objects of popular obloquy. Their institutions appear to be greatly disliked. The officers are doubtless influenced by the general clamor for the application of heroic treatment to the Saints. They themselves have doubtless been influenced to some degree by personal prejudices, and their official conduct, by these conditions, is thrown out of balance. While their course cannot be sustained in the light of fair play, some allowances should be made on account of the liability of the human mind to be warped by influences in conflict with the principles which should universally obtain in courts of law and presumed justice. Neither would it be justifiable on the part of the Saints to entertain toward them, on account of their departures from their proper line of duty any rancorous or vengeful feeling. A spirit of the character is not in unity with the genius of the Gospel of peace. All men are in the hands of a just God, whose mighty, penetrating power is capable of analyzing all the motives which prompt human action, and He can and will deal with us and them and all men according to the principles of eternal justice. ¶

Upwards of forty years ago the Lord revealed to His Church the principle of celestial marriage. The idea of marrying more wives than one was as naturally abhorrent to the leading men and women of the Church at that day as it could be to any people. They shrank with dread from the bare thought of entering into such relationships. But the command of God was before them in language which no faithful soul dare disobey. ¶

“For, behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant, and be permitted to enter into my glory. ... And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof, must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.” ¶

Damnation was the awful penalty affixed to a refusal to obey this law. It became an acknowledged doctrine of the Church; it was indissolubly interwoven in the minds of its members with their hopes of eternal salvation and exaltation in the presence of God. For nearly twenty years this continued to be our faith and practice. Then a law was enacted against it. Another twenty years elapsed, and the Edmunds law was passed. Nearly forty years had thus elapsed from the first revelation of this doctrine, during which period thousands had lived and died, firmly believing and solemnly testifying that it was divine. At great sacrifice they had obeyed it, and based their hopes of eternal felicity upon the promises which the revelation contained. They never dreamed that they had not a constitutional right to obey God, especially when in obeying Him they did not interfere with nor encroach upon the rights of any human being, either man or woman. It never entered into their minds to supposed for a moment that man had a right, after God had given a law to His Church for its salvation and exaltation, to enact a counter law forbidding, under severe penalties, man’s obedience to God’s law. Who could suppose that any man, in this land of religious liberty, would presume to say to his fellowman that he had no right to take such steps as he thought necessary to escape damnation! Or that Congress would enact a law which would present the alternative to religious believers of being consigned to a penitentiary if they should attempt to obey a law of God which would deliver them from damnation! Or that, under a plea of maintaining a certain form of civilization, God’s authority to direct His people how to escape from the abominable corruptions and evils which are eating out the vitals of man’s much vaunted civilization, should be disputed and utterly rejected! What is this “Mormon” problem, so-called, and why should it disturb the people? It is an unpopular religion. But so was that of the ancient Prophets. Jesus told the Jews that they garnished the tombs of the dead Prophets; but killed the living ones. They crucified Jesus and were almost unanimous in their cry to crucify Him, as the people and rulers of the United States are to-day to destroy the “Mormons.” They killed all of His Apostles except one, and he was banished to work as a slave on the Isle of Patmos. It is said they cast him into a caldron of boiling oil, but he was not killed; and if the Scriptures are true, he still lives, for he was to tarry till the coming of the Savior. We receive as the word of God, and so do millions of the human family, the writings and testimony of the Prophets who were killed. It is published by the millions of copies and sent to the various nations of the earth, by the very people who would now seek to destroy us. Jesus, who was crucified between two thieves, is now worshiped by millions in Christendom as the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. The Twelve Apostles, his disciples, who suffered such ignominious contumely and death are now designated by the millions of Christendom as “The Apostles of the Lamb of God,” and churches and cathedrals are called after them, as St. Peter, St. John, St. Mark, St. Luke, etc. It was then the “Christian problem;” it is now “the Mormon problem”—the same problem though called by a different name. Was Jesus the enemy of the people in His day? Only as He told them the truth. “What evil hath He done?” asked Pilate, the Gentile Judge. No matter what evil or what good, vociferated the Jews: “Crucify him! crucify him!” What evil have the “Mormons” done? is asked and the cry comes back: No matter, no matter, let them be destroyed. ¶

By the circulation of endless slanders and falsehoods concerning us and our marriages, wrath and indignation have been aroused against us in our nation. The ignorance of the people concerning us and our doctrines and system have been taken advantage of. Constant attempts have been, and still are being made to induce the world to believe that our motive in espousing patriarchal marriage has been the gratification of gross sensuality—that our belief in and practice of the doctrine had its origin in licentiousness, and that the sanction of religion is merely invoked to furnish greater license for the indulgence of base passions and devouring lust. This, as you know, is the exact antipodes of the truth. But the world generally do not know it. Those of them who know how utterly false are these charges are either so cowed down by a fierce public opinion that they dare not speak, or if they have the courage to speak are almost unheard amid the noisy clamor against us. Thousands upon thousands of honest people in this and other nations, whose voices, did they know the truth, would be raised in our favor, are deceived by these lies and are arrayed against us. This persecution, if it serve no other purpose, will do good in this direction. It brings home to the hearts of the people, as no protestations or arguments of ours ever could do, that there is something more in this doctrine and practice than they have been led to believe. Reflecting people will see that there must be a great principle involved in this, or men and women would not be willing to suffer fines, bonds and imprisonment as they do. ¶

Is there any necessity for lustful men and women in this age and nation to suffer martyrdom to gratify their passions? Whoever heard of a people preferring imprisonment and all manner of cruel treatment for the indulgence of appetites which they could gratify to the fullest extent in popular ways, especially when the judges upon the bench, the prosecuting attorneys at the bar, the juries who bring in verdicts, point out the way in which marriage obligations can be discarded and sensuality be gratified without risk or without punishment? The press and sectarian pulpits also echo the advice. The universal voice is: Put away your wives, cease to support them and their children; be as we are, and you need not be put under bonds, be fined or be incarcerated in prison.” ¶

Foul desire opens wide her arms and invites all to her lecherous embrace by easier paths than honorable marriage and the begetting of numerous children to be carefully trained and educated and made respectable and useful citizens. ¶

Will the world see this? Every man who goes to prison for his religion, every woman who, for love of truth and the husband to whom she is bound for time and eternity, submits to bonds an imprisonment, bears a powerful testimony to the world concerning the falsity of the views they entertain respecting us and our religion. If such noble and heroic sacrifices as men and women are now called upon to make for their religion by Federal Courts do not teach the world the truth concerning us, then woe to the world, for nothing but the wrath of Almighty God will reach it. ¶

We join with all Saints in invoking blessings upon the noble men and women who have exhibited their integrity to God and His cause, and their devotion to principle by submitting to bonds and imprisonment rather than deny their faith or break their covenants. If anything were needed to show to the world that our marriages cannot be reduced to the level of the vile practices to which our defamers would drag them down, their heroic conduct has furnished it. Thank God that, so far in this persecution, at least as large a proportion have stood the test, without flinching or cowering, as Jesus in his parable of the ten virgins, intimated would be ready to meet the Bridegroom at his coming. Their names will be held in everlasting honor in time and eternity, not only as martyrs for religious truth, but as patriots who suffered in defense of the principle of religious liberty. ¶

Truths, such as God has revealed in these days, are not established without suffering and sacrifice on the part of those who espouse and advocate them. It was for these truths that we were driven time and again from our homes, and were finally compelled to seek refuge in this mountain country, then known as the American desert. And now again we are menaced with ruin; and for what? Whom have we injured? Upon whose rights have we trespassed? It can be truthfully said we have not injured or trespassed upon any. Have we not, under the blessing of the Lord, changed these barren valleys into fruitful fields and gardens? Have we not established and maintained good and cheap government in every place which we have settled? Has not every man who came into our borders and behaved himself been safe in his property, person and religion? Have not peace and good order been the fruits of our presence? To all these we can answer in the affirmative. Have we endeavored to force our doctrines or practices upon any one? Have we in any manner threatened the peace of our neighbors or of the nation? We certainly have not. ¶

Respecting the doctrine of celestial marriage, we could not, however much we might be disposed to do so, teach it to or enforce it upon, others not of our faith, without violating a command of God. We do not stand in the attitude of propagandists of polygamy. We never have believed or taught that the doctrine of celestial marriage was designed for universal practice. The Lord has made this clear, and recent events among us have also made it clear. “Strait is the gate,” says Jesus, “and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it.” ¶

There appears to be a fallacious idea abroad regarding this doctrine. It has been asserted that there was a design to propagate it outside of our community, and thus introduce into the United States an element opposed to the Christian views of this and other nations. On the contrary, our Elders have been instructed not to introduce the practise of that principle anywhere outside of the gathering place of the Saints; and they do not preach it abroad to any extent even in theory, except on occasions when it is called for, or when they are assailed on account of it. At such times they respond by defending it as a doctrine of the Bible and not inconsistent with the laws of nature. It should also be understood that the practice is not generally admissible even among the Latter-day Saints. It is strictly guarded, the intention being to allow only those who are above reproach to enter into the relationship. The practice of the doctrine is not for extension beyond the Church, and is even limited within its pale. The idea, therefore, that plural marriage is a menace to the general monogamous system is without foundation. This fallacy is further exhibited by the fact of the popular antipathy with which it is regarded, people outside of our Church exhibiting a disposition the reverse of favorable to its establishment in other communities, making the extension of its practice abroad impossible. Furthermore, being strict believers in freewill, you Latter-day Saints know that no man or woman has ever been coerced into obligations of that kind, much less would we desire to enforce it upon any other class of people. ¶

But in all these events which are now taking place we recognize and acknowledge the hand of God. There is a wise purpose in it all which He will yet more fully make plain to us. One thing is clear, the Saints are being tried in a manner never before known among us. The faithful rejoice and are steadfast; the unfaithful fear and tremble. Those who have oil in their lamps and have kept them trimmed and burning now have a light for their feet and they do not stumble or fall; those who have neither light nor oil are in perplexity and doubt; they know not what to do. Is not this the fulfilment of the word of God and the teachings of His servants? Have not the Latter-day Saints been taught all the day long that, if they would remain faithful and endure to the end, they must live their religion by keeping every commandment of God? Have they not been continually warned of the fate which awaited them if they committed sin? Can adulterers, fornicators, liars, thieves, drunkards, Sabbath-breakers, blasphemers, or sinners of any kind endure the trials which Saints must pass through and expect to stand? If there are any who entertain such hope, they deceive themselves. Upon these sins God has pronounced judgment. No man or woman who is guilty of any of these transgressions of God’s law can stand and retain His Spirit. They must repent of them and put them far from them, or they will be left in darkness, and misery will be their doom. The Lord will not be mocked. He will not bear with hypocrites; but they will be spewed out. If all who call themselves Latter-day Saints were true and faithful to their God, to His holy covenants and laws, and were living as Saints should, persecution would roll off from us without disturbing us in the least. But it is painful to know that this is not their condition. There are secret abominations practiced by those who are called Saints, which the trials we are now passing through will reveal in a manner terrible to them. Open sins are also winked at and condoned by Presidents, Bishops, Teachers and parents in a manner offensive to God and grievous to man. Proper care and vigilance are not exercised to keep Wards and Stakes cleansed from iniquity and to have transgressors dealt with. The innocent are thus made to suffer with the guilty; for the Lord has commanded that the inhabitants of Zion must purge themselves from iniquity, folly, covetousness and vanity, and listen to and obey His laws, or they cannot have His protection. He has also said that if His people will obey His laws and keep His commandments, to do them, not in name only, but in reality, He will be their shield and protector and strong tower, and no man will be able to hurt them, for He will be their defense. These trials of our faith and constancy which we are now passing through will be overruled for our good and future prosperity. In days to come we shall be able to look back and perceive with clearness how visibly God’s providence is in all that we now witness. Let us do all in our power to so live before the Lord that if we are persecuted, it shall not be for wrong-doing, but for righteousness. ¶

At the present time we may very pertinently inquire: Why are the people of these mountains treated as we now are? Where in this broad land is the virtue of women so amply guarded or so jealously protected as here? No cry of hungry, naked or outraged humanity has ever ascended to heaven from our borders against the men whom the courts are now so busy in sending to prison and treating as criminals. There was a time in these mountains when adultery, fornication, whoredom and illegitimacy were almost unknown. A woman was as safe from insult in traversing over our streets and highways as if she were under her husband’s or father’s roof. Marriage was encouraged, vice was repressed. Women were free to form connections with the opposite sex to suit themselves, so long as those connections were sanctified by marriage. But what a change we now behold! A tide of evil surges around us. It threatens to overwhelm us and to reduce us to ruin. The flood-gates of vice are opened upon us, and not content with the rush of this filthy stream into our cities and settlements, those who hate us would do more. They would invade our dwellings; they would destroy our families; they would loosen every bond which has held society together; they would array wife against husband, child against parent, friend against friend; they would make every man, woman and child a spy, an informer and a betrayer; they would sap the foundation of faith, confidence and honor and make every one distrust his fellow. Satan never wrought greater ruin in Eden than these enemies of ours would work in our midst if we would listen to their blandishments or be frightened by their threats. And is all this havoc to be wrought because of our wickedness? No; ten thousand times, NO. Let those who are so loud in denouncing us, so active in persecuting us, look around them. Are there no people but the “Mormons” to regenerate and purge from sin? Read the daily record of black crime which fills the journals of the land. If the correction of evil, the improvement of morals, the uprooting of vice, the repression of violence and crime were the objects which animate those who seek to destroy society in these mountains, then we could say in the language of the Savior: “Thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye. Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” ¶

We speak to you, a people who have traveled and mingled much in society all over the world. You are not ignorant of the world, its ways or its corruptions. You know, therefore, how great is the beam that is in the eyes of those who reprove us for the mote they imagine they perceive in our eye. We know that from the household of every faithful Latter-day Saint daily and fervent thanksgiving ascends to the God of heaven for having shown them how to escape from the frightful evils under which society groans in so-called civilized lands. Nevertheless, we will not indulge in recrimination. We sincerely mourn over the existence of the dreadful sins which are permitted to flourish and to spread with unblushing front through the land. As a people we have lifted our voices in warning against these sins and against those who practice them. We shall still continue to do so. If in return for all this we are treated with violence and reproach, it is no more than our Lord and Master was before us. We may rest assured that the predictions concerning the calamities and judgments which are about to fall upon the wicked, the unbelieving and the unrepentant will all be fulfilled, as will every word and promise which the Lord has spoken to us. But while we warn others, let us not forget ourselves, or our families. Let us look well to our own lives and the conduct and lives of those who belong to our households. If we keep ourselves unspotted from sin, rest assured the Lord will never forget or forsake us. ¶

Upon Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and other leading officers great responsibility rests. They are placed as shepherds over the flock of Christ. If through any neglect of theirs the flock is injured or destroyed, the blood of those souls will be found upon their garments. The Melchizedec and Aaronic Priesthoods confer great power and authority upon man; they lift man nearer to God and make him His representative. But woe to the men who use their Priesthood for base purposes, and fail to use it for God’s glory and the salvation of His children. Far better for them if they had never received it. ¶

We have been commanded of the Lord to set our households in order. Apostles, Presidents of Stakes and Bishops, have you done this with your own households? Have you also seen that the Saints have done the same? Have you impressed upon the people under your charge the absolute necessity of purity if they desire the blessing and protection of the Most High? Wolves never watched with greater cunning and more ravenous hunger a flock of sheep and lambs than the people of your Wards and Stakes are now being watched by those who are ready to devour them. Are you awake to this danger, and do you take every precaution against it? ¶

Parents, are you full of fidelity yourselves to every principle of godliness, and do you surround your sons and daughters with every safeguard as shield them from the arts of the vile? Do you teach them that chastity in both man and woman should be more highly esteemed than life itself? Or do you leave them in their ignorance and inexperience to mix with any society they may choose, at any hour that may be convenient to them, and to be exposed to the wiles of the seducer and the corrupt? These are questions you will all have to answer either to your shame and condemnation or to your joy and eternal happiness. Know this, that God, in giving us the precious blessings we possess, demands from us a suitable return. By receiving them we are placed under obligations. If these are not discharged, condemnation inevitably follows. ¶

We hear favorable accounts of the action of Primary Associations, Sunday Schools, Young Men’s and Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Associations, and Relief Societies. These organizations have unlimited opportunities of doing good. If those who have them in charge are faithful in attending to their duties, great will be their reward. If we desire the prosperity of Zion, we will carefully guard and train our young. They come to us pure from the Lord. By proper training we can make them mighty instruments for good. But, Superintendents and Teachers of Primary Associations and Sunday Schools, and Presidents of Young Men and Young Women’s Associations and Relief Societies, remember this, that God will never bless an unvirtuous people, and while a flood tide of corruption, destructive of all true morality and virtue, is sweeping over the land, we must erect barriers to stop its contaminating influence. You have the young in your charge. Teach and impress upon them by every means in your power how dreadful a sin is unchastity. They are taught to shrink in horror from murder; but they should be taught to shrink with abhorrence from the next great sin to shedding blood, and that is unchastity. ¶

From the Elders who are abroad in our own and in other lands we hear generally favorable reports. They have much to contend with. The world is waxing worse and worse. Iniquity abounds. Men’s hearts are hardened against the truth, and the nations are fast being prepared for the judgments which the Lord has said He will pour out in the last days. The Elders are required to carry the message which God has sent to mankind to every nation and to warn them, not in anger or in scorn, but in meekness and humility, that they may flee from the wrath to come. To them we say, Be pure in all your thoughts, words and acts. Keep yourselves unspotted from evil. Avoid all vulgarity of act and expression. Put away all your light speeches, and be sober men of God, filled with the Holy Ghost and the power of your Priesthood. ¶

To the Twelve Apostles and their Counselors we say: Remember the weight of your high calling in Christ Jesus. You are called to be His special witnesses in all the world, to bear testimony that He lives and reigns on high, to see that the Gospel is preached to all the inhabitants of the earth, and that the earth is prepared by suitable warning for the coming of the Son of Man. How great and all-important is your calling. It may be said that the souls of a world are entrusted to you. Through your labors and testimony, either in person or through other chosen messengers whose labors you direct, the inhabitants of the earth will be judged. Is there any law of God, then, which you should neglect, is there any degree of purity which you should not reach, is there any sacrifice which you should not be willing to make? Can men with such a calling as yours be other than holy and yet please our God? Who among you can neglect the duties of your high calling to devote time and care to the world and its pursuits? We say to you in all truth and solemnity that no one of you can do this without displeasing your God and endangering your salvation. ¶

To the Saints we say that President Woodruff, at our accounts, was in good health and spirits notwithstanding his advanced age, and as full of zeal and faith as ever. ¶

President Joseph F. Smith, our fellow laborer in the First Presidency, though not with us, is actively employed in the ministry and rejoicing greatly in the work of God. He is as ardent, as devote and as persevering as ever. Were he here, his name, without doubt, would appear with ours to this epistle. ¶

Notwithstanding all that we are now passing through, our hearts are filled with joy and peace. We can truly say, Hosannah to God in the highest. We know that Zion will not be overthrown or be made desolate. Every promise made concerning Zion by the Almighty will be fulfilled. The only thing which ever disturbs our serenity is the report of wrong-doing by those who are called Latter-day Saints. ¶

Praying that God will bless and preserve you and lead you in the path of righteousness, and that you may all operate together in the accomplishment of the purposes of God and the purification of His Church and the establishment of His Kingdom, we remain, with much love, ¶

Your friends and fellow-laborers in the New and Everlasting Covenant, John Taylor, George Q. Cannon, ¶

Of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ¶