The Mormon Prophet and His Harem

ystem.-Brigham's Private Speculations.-T

was

livery of the

Devil in; in

dow's house and

se, transact

nners durst no

Here his genius shines pre?minent, giving him the character, at hom

the capacity in which he handles and manages the funds of the church. It is calle

t has no prescribed duties or conditions. It has no guards or lim

used and unsatisfactory; and lest they should be too closely examined, they have of late years been entirely abandoned,-the increasing f

ch, the duties of these clerks are merely nominal. Each has another part to perform. The reader will smile to be informed that these clerks are really the principal stock actors in the Salt Lake Theatre. Having but little office business, their time is thus turned to a good account, reading novelettes and newspapers, a plentiful supply of which may be found in their several offices. The theatre is the private property of Brigham, and the proceeds go into

nd deposit the money and property paid in to the tithing-fund. They a

al affairs of the kingdom should be entirely directed and controlled by the Aaronic Priesthood. The presiding B

ollar of church money goes to the private use of the President or his family, without being duly charged and accounted for. But these public declarations are all the assurance the people have that such is the fact. The system of boo

rom the tithing or other public funds the necessary means, paying it back by instalments when convenient, or turning in some other property that he has no immediate use for. In these private arrangements and trades, between himself in propria persona and himself in his fiduciary capacity, it is not to be supposed that he would make them to his own disadvantage, or that he would voluntarily assume losses which he could just as well throw upon the church at large. With this scape-goat upon which to throw

gislative Acts in favor of Brigham Young,

00. Under this grant Brigham exacts from those getting wood in the canyon, every third load; and as this is the only wood within fifteen miles of the city, this alone is the source of an imme

granting to Brigham Young the wate

hich there is no claimant, shall pass into the Perpetual Emigration Fund. Brigham is President of th

igham Young $2500 for building an Academy in

to Brigham Young exclusive right of

r a herd-ground. This valley is fifty miles long, and more than ten mile

ll of Rush Valley, except the United States Reserve,

o Brigham Young exclusive right to

g to Brigham Young a ranch and

Young exclusive right to control the road a

Young of $1000 from the Territorial Treasury, to enab

rizing Brigham Young to establ

reciate the point of the joke perpetrated by Brigham, when he says "he t

thing

ty of the church, and placing it where it is needed. The law of tithing, as originally instituted, calls for one tenth of the annual increase and gains, after providing fo

e, and throughout the world, are required to pay one tenth of their income, without any reference to their ability to meet the demand. Thus the laboring man in Utah, wh

e faithful in Zion, they are visited by a bishop and clerk, and inventories of all their property taken. One tenth of everything must then be sent to the tithing-office

may be formed from the following tithing-song, sung at a meeting of o

hing

of the Canni

ons all, at

ttempt to

n for my t

, and pay up

not be the

ent Holy W

hi, I thi

h with the s

at he had c

or Israeli

hey needed

, and pay up

or

o prosper

keep out o

u to be sa

, and pay up

was in the

saints in o

ow, 'Bring ou

, and pay up

says, 'When

ithing they

selves, and

come within

me now en

counsel; r

all evil

, and pay up

or

to pros

nd female, r

keep your st

alvation m

, and pay up

at is, and

u do or m

herds, and t

poultry, duc

deed, of al

e produce o

've any wi

, and pay up

or

to pros

ry M

. L. Cit

set forth in this song, to wit, exclusion from the church, and deprivation of

or incapacity to labor, have been supported by the parish, receiving one, two, or three shillings per week, have been anathematized an

gham Young. No account has ever been made of this vast amount, nor is there any public work or project r

ng his soul's salvation should he fail. Cases of extreme destitution have not been, in former years, comparatively numerous; but as the rich become richer and the poor poorer, by the operation of this system, these cases become more mark

thing-office price of flour was $6 per hundred. The wages of workmen were nominally $2 per day. But if a poor saint worked for his more affluent brother, as in most cases he was obliged to do, he uniformly received his pay in flour at $6. It was not uncommon to see a laboring man going home at night, with his sack of flour, the result of his day's work, or of the

rise to a price much greater than $6, and when it should do so, the balance would be upon t

his flour, as was customary, the same being his wages for work for a stated period. At the store the flour was weighed out, and he was given a ticket at $12 per hundred. This was the first time he had been charged over $6. The blacksmith left his bag of flour at the store, and proceeded, fired with indignation, to the President's office. Inquiring for him, he was told the President was out, and he could not see him. He replied he must see him, and should remain until he did. After some time the President appeared. "Brother Brigham," said the excited workman, "you

to talk, in a loud tone of voice, until a number of people, attracted by curiosity, gathered around him. To them he explained the cause of the diffic

e replied that he would die of hunger ere he would ever taste of it or touch it. The next day Brigham drove down to the poor man's house,

served out to the mechanics and laborers. Thus the church dignitaries literally live off of "the fat of the land." Often when butter, or some other article not quite so abundant as usual, is called for by the workman, he is told

he church, and his diligence in "attending to counsel," or, in other words, in obeying orders. It is notorious that the Bishops all become quickly wealthy. Appoint a man Bishop of a settlement, and in two or three years his fortune is made; and he who previously lived in a log-cabin, with barely the necessaries of l

was located at Camp Floyd, a Bishop of one of the southern settlements sold to the officers at the camp, at fifty cents per pound, all the bu

the Bishops and other officers of the church. On one occasion Kimball alluded in his sermon to the complaints of the people, that they cou

arge contracts of purchase are usually awarded to him, partly because he has more money with which to fulfil them, and partly because men of lesser means do not wish to cross his path, by interfering with his fin

and minister unto those who remained faithful. There they were to receive blessings that could be obtained in no other place. This has been held out as a strong inducement for the payment of money. Over $100,000 has been paid

cially while such ample means have been constantly on hand,-the tithing system furnishing an immense revenue, and no other public work on which to expend it? And why it is that $200,000 should be expended by Brigham Young upon a theatre for his own benefit, and nearly as much more upon a hot

common speculation is to send a brother who is doing well, and accumulating a handsome property, upon a foreign mission. The call to go upon a mission is considered a trial of the brother's faith, and he is not expected to decline. Should he desire to sell his house or other possess

draught to destroy their brethren." As a sort of expiatory act for their offence he sent them upon a mission to raise cotton in Southern Utah. As soon as they were gone, he opened a distillery himself, in the name and under the sanction of

ere are plenty of vacant and unfenced lots, that they have to pay to Young or Kimball $100 or $150 for a lot. On one occasion a poor Dane having purchased a lot upon credit, built a small house upon it, but his wife falling sick he was unable to pay for the lot

which is used for schools and public meetings. But for dancing their use is forbidden, and the people are obliged to pay Brigham $100 per night for a buildi

By some designing persons he was induced to refuse the payment of his taxes, on the ground that they were exorbitant, and t

ut a currency, established a bank, calling upon the faithful to bring in all their gold and silver, and receive the new paper currency in exchange. This was

by the Elders, under pretence of his becoming a share-holder and partner with Young in grist-mills, sugar machinery, iron-works, &c., solemnly assuring him in relation to its safe investment and future profits. Mr. Tennant died while crossing the Plains, leaving a wife, with a young child. On arriving in Salt Lake, Mrs. Tennant, instead of being comfortably installed in the house purchased by her husband, found herself placed in lodgings, the carria

. Louis, a receipt for his money, stating that the same would entitle him, upon his arrival in Utah, to certificates of stock in the company. But he never was able to get any stock or other equivalent for his money, nor any statement of the affairs of the company. Indeed, the dignitaries of the church, after one or two conversations upon the subject, refused to converse with him further in relation to it. Soon after, the Legislature of Utah, composed in good part of

excused, but openly justified and encouraged by Brigham. The following extract from one of his published s

follow me round and fill my ears with complaints against this brother, and ask me what he has done with your money? I say 'I do not know.' Thus you are distressed, and in misery all the day long, to get it back again. If an Elder has borrowed from you, and you find he is goin

ot; furthermore, it is none of your business, only to listen with open e

t he had been offered. Young said when the Lord wanted his property, that should be the end of it, and the price was none of his business. Goddard and Bishop Woolley, who was present, retired outside and talked the matter over. The Bishop remarked, "He thought when a man had worked hard to accumulate propert

Under this law, those saints who can be induced to do so, place their whole property in the hands of the President, as trustee in trust

n, do you wish this heavenly kingdom to stand? . . . Imitate the policy of that earthly kingdom; identify our interest with the kingdom of God, so

st is firmly united to the kingdom of God, when he arises to go away, he finds the calf is bound, and, lik

igrati

Europe and other foreign countries to Utah, the Zion of the church. In those fo

hing their relations brought over, must pay the required amount, before they are sent for, unless in some special cases, where notes are accepted in payment. The sum of ￡4 10s. is required to pay the transportation of each person to the first American port, and the remaining ￡5 10s. thence to Salt Lake City. The emigrants are st

val in Utah, and as a large portion of the sum is previously raised by contribution, of cou

o many from each ward and settlement, and the owners are given credit for the use of the same in tithing account. Large quantities of provisions are furnish

be preserved on their journey. One man, in obedience to this "counsel," gave up his money, together with a valuable gold watch and chain. Aft

dience. A young man, brother of Walter Sanders, of Salt Lake, wa

saints across the Plains in hand-cart companies. Under this arrangement, every person, male and female, was expected to assist

udence should have dictated their remaining until another year. In consequence of the lateness of the seaso

who crossed the Plains in this company, related

n the name of Israel's God, that the elements should be controlled; and that the winds and snows of winter should be stayed until the faithful arriv

ry article of clothing that they could possibly spare, was left be

men, and children,-and were told, if they had sufficient faith, they should, like the Israelites of old, go over dry shod. Many of the men carried their wives and children over the streams, as long as they were able. If any were unable longer to drag their carts, they were obliged to lighten them by throwing away clothing, cooking utensils, and even provisions,-thus necessitating a reduction from the

e heart-stricken woman, "leave my husband on this barren waste, a prey to wolves? No; while there is breath in his body, I shall remain by his side, and share his fate. Leave us if you will, for the wild beasts of the desert cannot be more cruel than you have been." In five minutes more, he breathed his last; and throwin

e a little while?"-"Draw till you die then," replied the hard-hearted wretch, "for I'll be d--d if you can ride." "Oh, well," said the old man, "I suppose I shall draw till I die."

e like walking skeletons than human beings. They were covered with vermin, and loathsome to behold

e part of the leaders of the church, to save a still larger sum from the emigration fund. It was a speculative experiment, which was never repeated. These people bought their carts wi

TNO

ing in one of the northern settlements, was cajoled into paying ￡50 for that purpose. The good lady, upon arriv

. of Dis., V

. of Dis. Vo