History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

THE MORMON LEADERS COMPARED. 205
for example, Mornionism would have split into half a
dozen petty factions, the strongest of which would
hardly be worthy of notice.
Discussing the great Mormon leaders, Hyde, who
though an apostate was one of the most impartial of
writers, says: "Brigham Young is far superior to
Smith in everything that constitutes a great leader.
Smith was not a man of genius; his forte was tact.
He only embraced opportunities that presented themselves.
He used circumstances, but did not create
them. The compiling genius of Mormonism was
Sidney Bigdon. Smith had boisterous impetuosity,
but no foresight. Polygamy was not the result of his
policy, but of his passions. Sidney gave point, direction,
and apparent consistency to the Mormon system
of theology. He invented its forms and many of its
arguments. He and Parley Pratt were its leading
orators and polemics. Had it not been for the acces-
sion of these two men, Smith would have been lost,
and his schemes frustrated and abandoned. That
Brigham was superior not only to Smith but also to
Bigdon is evident."
Burton says: "His manner is at once affable and
impressive, simple and courteous, . . . shows no sign of
dogmatism, . . . impresses a stranger with a certain
sense of power; his followers are, of course, wholly
fascinated by his superior strength of brain." Temper
even and placid, manner cold, but he is neither morose
nor methodistic. Often reproves in violent language
powers of observation acute; has an excellent mem-
ory, and is a keen judge of character. "If he dis-
likes a stranger at the first interview, he never sees
him again. Of his temperance and sobriety there is
but one opinion. His life is ascetic; his favorite food
is baked potatoes with a little buttermilk, and his
drink water." 22
21
City of the Saints, 292-3; Mormonism, 170. Hyde is by no means one of
Brigham's flatterers, but appears to speak from conviction. On the same
• page he remarks: Brigham may be a great man, greatly deceived, but he
;