History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

PREFACE.
the cause of the Mormons as the weaker party, and
defend them from the seeming injustice to which from
the first they have been subjected; third, in a spirit of
equity to present both sides, leaving the reader to
draw his own conclusions. The first course, however
popular, would be beyond my power to follow; the
second method, likewise, is not to be considered; I
therefore adopt the third course, and while giving
the new sect a full and respectful hearing, withhold
nothing that their most violent opposers have to say
against them.
Anything written at the present day which may
properly be called a history of Utah must be largely
a history of the Mormons, these being the first white
people to settle in the country, and at present largely
occupying it. As others with opposing interests and
influences appear, they and the great principles thereby
brought to an issue receive the most careful considera-
tion. And I have deemed it but fair, in presenting the
early history of the church, to give respectful consid-
eration to and a sober recital of Mormon faith and
experiences, common and miraculous. The story of
Mormonism, therefore, beginning with chapter hi., as
told in the text, is from the Mormon standpoint, and
based entirely on Mormon authorities; while in the
notes, and running side by side with the subject-
matter in the text, I give in full all anti-Mormon
arguments and counter-statements, thus enabling the
reader to carry along both sides at once, instead of
having to consider first all that is to be said on one
side, and then all that is to be said on the other.
In following this plan, I only apply to the history
of Utah the same principles employed in all my his-
torical efforts, namely, to give all the facts on every
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