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Source: Church History Vol. 4 Chapter 21 Page: 386 (~1882)

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386 by him was true; but the Tribune's report gives the Editor as the author of the saying. If the condition of things has amended since 1876, or if the circle in which the editor of the News moves is free from evidences for making such a statement, we are certainly glad of it. But how can he speak for other circles in which he does not move?

The legitimate result of the teaching of plural marriage is practically, in the language of the man of Proverbs, a little changed: "'Get understanding, my son; but with all your getting,' get wives, my son, get wives; for thus shall you be exalted in the kingdom." Exaltation being made to depend upon the married state, it is to be expected that all faithful devotees should strive diligently to enter into that state. This would put the sexes at a disparity in numbers, and the more men there were plurally married the more men would be unmarried. It is a foregone conclusion, and the News can not escape it, that the bishops would be the first to care for themselves. . . .

Joseph Smith, the editor of the Saints' Herald, did go to Chicago, at the invitation of a committee of citizens, of that city, of whom E. F. Cragin was secretary; and did in Farwell Hall, address an anti-Mormon meeting so-called. At the close of that address, the position assumed by the speaker is as clearly defined as words can make it, and is as follows:

"I am not in favor of persecution, but there is a great difference between persecution and honest demand for honest obedience to law, and it is that demand that all good people want to see made and enforced in polygamous Utah. Congress has the right to do this, and the people should insist on the exercise of that right."

It is not a new position; but is the same that we have constantly been presenting for over twenty years; and we are glad, very glad that at last it has dawned upon the Deseret News, editors and readers, that there is mischief for their pet doctrine in that position.

In plain language, the Utah Latter Day Saints, Brigham Young, John Taylor, George A. Smith, Heber C. Kimball, George Q. Cannon, and others at the lead, have made Joseph Smith, Jr., (the founder under God of the Church of Jesus Christ, these last days), to be the author of one of the most damnable doctrines and practices that has ever cursed its believers since the days of Nicholas; one distinctly and in terms denounced by the Book of Mormon, which contains the gospel of Christ, and forbidden in the Church Articles and Covenants; and because they have done this, and sought to fasten it upon Joseph Smith's legitimate sons, as one of his measures, for the redemption of man, those sons taking the words acknowledge as the gift of God to the church founded by the instrumentality of their father as the basis and ground work of their faith, openly deny such alleged origin and authority for the abominable heresy, and with hundreds of others, believers in the original faith, and children of them who suffered for its establishment, challenge these men to answer for corrupting the church of God. And what is their defense. Why, "Joseph Smith, of Plano, is an anti-Mormon." That he is

(page 386)

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