Mormonism: Its Leaders and Designs/Introduction

INTRODUCTION.

It is interesting to learn the peculiarities of a remote nation or an ancient age. It is far more important, however, that we should correctly understand the character and practices of any extraordinary people of our own day. Mormonism and the Mormons are subjects that not only deserve attention or excite interest, but demand the most serious consideration. The meanness of its origin, the singularity of its history, its present anomalous position, its still increasing dissemination, the mysterious influence it exercises on its followers, and its ultimate destiny, should commend its investigation to all persons. As a curious example of successful imposture, and a stern proof of human fanaticism, it must interest the philosopher. As a system of absolute autocracy in the center of a republic, it must attract the attention of politicians. As ensuring human misery, and consummating human degradation, in the cases of thousands of credulous men and women, and thousands more of helpless children, it should be noticed by the philanthropist. As a religious delusion increasing very ​rapidly, and entailing not only present suffering, but eternal loss on its infatuated adherents, it ought to arouse the divine to thought and action.

Mormonism is no longer a myth; and however wise the policy of contemptuous disregard for its mental delusion or its moral contaminations may have previously been, it is wise no longer. It has become a fact, and is every day growing more substantial and consolidated. As such a fact it deserves to be examined, and demands to be met. In so far as it is erroneous, it needs refutation; or wicked, it needs exposure; or criminal, it needs punishment.

To be met it must be understood; and to be understood it must be investigated. There is much falsehood circulated about the Mormons. This every one must perceive. Knowing this, many truthful accusations are successfully denied by their apologists, disbelieved by their followers, and rejected by impartial persons, accustomed to newspaper exaggerations. In such case the testimony of an eye and ear witness, if credible, must be important. As such, the following work is submitted. The author has endeavored to exhibit the people of Utah as they are; and while he has much

Prophetic assumptions must be sustained by prophetic conduct, or they fail The validity of bombastic preten​sions to superior purity can only be determined by the extent of that purity. While this is inevitably true, still the correctness of principles does not depend on consistency of practice. A theory may be admirable and practicable however much neglected or despised. Many sincere believers in Mormonism, as a system, deplore its exhibitions as a practice. To prove to such that the practices of Mormons are the natural consequents of their theory, is another object of this work.

Circumstances throw many persons into controversy with believers of this system, but the press of whose occupations prevents any elaborate and personal investigation of their tenets and history, or of the opposing arguments. In order to supply, to a small extent, such information, and briefly to indicate whence such arguments may be drawn, has been another design of the author.

And if the great Source and Ultimatum of all truth will accept and bless this work, to the inducing any mind to shake off the bondage of a miserable delusion. the author will feel abundantly repaid.