History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

360
MORMONISM AND POLYGAMY.
After all that can be said about Mormomsm and
polygamy in their social or moral relations, it is only
when we come to consider them in their political aspect,
in their relations to government and governing,
things, both in money and in meat, which is more than is needful for the wants
of this people, be kept in the hands of the bishop.' Times and Seasons, v.
41G. 1 ins revelation was for the information and guidance of the first bishop,
Partridge, who is authorized therein to take what he wants for himself aud
family. The prophet's revelation concerning the order of Enoch is without
date, and is entitled ' Revelation given to Enoch concerning the order of the
church for the benefit of the poor.' In it is prescribed that there shall be
two treasuries: from the first, to be called ' the sacred treasury of the Lord,'
nothing can be taken but by the voice of the order, or by commandment;
into the second treasury are to be cast all moneys except those reserved for
sacred purposes. It is'also provided that general consent is necessary for the
withdrawal of funds from this, as in the case of the first repository, but
common consent in this case is construed to be, if any man shall say to the
treasurer, ' I have need of a certain sum,' he shall receive it, provided the asker
shall be in full fellowship. The revelation in full will be found in Doctrine
and Covenants, 283-9. One of the grounds of complaint brought against the
saints in Caldwell county, by the Missourians, was that the former were communists,
as has been narrated already. Says the Salt Lake Tribune of May
9, P.74: ' The Mormons paid the United States authorities $31S,000 for public
lands in Missouri, but were not allowed to enjoy one acre of their purchase.'
See also Deseret Neivs, May 13, 1S74. At Nauvoo, Joseph had himself
appointed trustee in trust of the whole church, and thereafter we hear no
more of the order of Enoch until some years subsequent to the establishment
of the Deseret colonies. Soon after Joseph's death we find Brigham sole
trustee of affairs. During the scenes following the murder of the Smiths,
the expulsion from Illinois, and up to the settlement of the migratory saints
in Utah, there was little property to care for; but after that, attention was
again turned to the matter. Robinson, in his Sinners and Saints, gives a
copy of a deed: ' Be it known by these presents, that I, Jessie W. Pox, of
Great Salt Lake City, in the county of Great Salt Lake, and territory of
Utah, for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred ($100) dollars and
the good-will which I have to the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day
saints, give and convey unto Brigham Young, trustee in trust for the said
church, his successor in office and assigns, all my claims to and ownership of
the following-described property, to wit: One house and lot, $1,000; one city
lot, $100: east half of lot 1, block 12, $50; lot 1, block 14, $75; two cows,
$50; two calves, $15; one mare, $100; one colt, $50; one watch, $20; one
clock, $12; clothing, $300; beds and bedding, $125; one stove, $20; household
furniture, $210; total, $2,127; together with all the rights, privileges, and
appurtenances thereunto belonging or appertaining. I also covenant and
agree that I am the lawful claimant and owner of said property, and will
warrant and forever defend the same unto the said trustee in trust, his successor
in office and assigns, against the claims of my heirs, assigns, or any
person whomsoever.' Then follows the attestation of the witness, and the
formal certificate of the judge of the probate court that the signer of the
above transfer personally appeared before him on April 2, 1857, and made
the customary acknowledgment. Robinson also gives a list of rules, which
I have not room for in detail, but which the reader may find in pp. 223-5, in
the work already quoted. William Hall, who was a member of the church
from 1840 until 1S47, says that at the time of the exodus from Nauvoo a
mercantile firm was appointed to act as trustees, not only for the church
property, but also for individuals. These trustees were to sell the property