History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

362 MORMONISM AND POLYGAMY.
about the half-dozen wives of the Mormon than about
the half-dozen mistresses of the congressman. As
Judge Roseborough, in a very able dictation to my
stenographer, remarks: "When I came here I was a
consecrated; and from 12 to 24 sprigs of cassia, olive branches, cedar boughs,
or other evergreens, are tastefully arranged about it. These are intended to
represent the eternal life and unmingled bliss, which, in the celestial kingdom,
will be enjoyed by all who continue in full fellowship.'. . .The candidate is
stripped naked, b.indfolded, and in this condition marched around t.,e lodgeroom,
the most excellent Grand Master repeating: 'I will bring the blind by
a way they know not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known;
I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These
things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.' The candidate having
knelt before the altar, the following oath is administered: 'In the name of
Jesus Christ, the son of God, I now promise and swear, truly, faithfully, and
without reserve, that I will serve the Lord with a perfect heart and a willing
mind, dedicating mj*self, wholly end unreservedly, in my person and effects,
to the upbuilding of his kingdom on earth, according to his revealed will. I
furthermore promise and swear that I will regard the first president of the
church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints as the supreme head of the church
on earth, and obey him the same as the supreme God, in all written revelations,
given under the solemnities of a "thus saith the Lord," and that I will
always uphold the presidency, right or wrong. I furthermore promise and
swear that I will never touch a daughter of Adam unless she is given me of
the Lord. I furthermore promise and swear that no gentile shall ever be
admitted to the secrets of this holy institution, or participate in its blessings.
I furthermore promise and swear that I will assist the Daughter of Zion
in the utter destruction of apostates, and that I will assist in setting up the
Kingdom of Daniel in these last days, by the power of the highest and the
sword of his might. I furthermore promise and swear that I will never communicate
the secrets of this degree to any person in the known world, except
it be to a true and lawful brother, binding myself under no less a penalty
than that of having melted lead poured into my ear. So help me God and
keep me faithful.' Hist, of the Saints, 275-0.
I have thousands of references to articles written and sermons preached on
the d ictrines of the church. The tabernacle and bowery sermons have been
reported and published in the Deseret A'ews, from its first publication up to
1SG0. Besides President Young, the prominent speakers were Parley P.
Pratt, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Lorenzo Snow, Heber C. Kimball, George
A. Smith, John Taylor, Franklin D. Richards, David Fullmer, J. W. Cum-
mings, John Young, Wilford Woodruff, John D. McAllister, Joseph Young,
D; niel H. Wells, Cyrus H. WT heelock, L\obertT. Burton, Jacob Gates, Charle3
H. Bassett, and many others. For duties of bishops, see Dexeret Neioa, 1850,
Aug. 10; patriarchal notice, Sept. 21; revelation, Dec. 28; 1S51, for religious
questions and answers, Jan. 11; minutes special conference of seventies, Jan.
25; appel. presidency and apostolate, Mar. 8; min. gen. con., 19: Patriarch
Smith's letter to the saints throughout the world, and letter from P. P.
Pratt to Brigham Young, Nov. 29; letter from Thos Bullock, president
of seventies, Dec. 27; 1832, letter from O. Jones to Pres. Young, Jan.
10; offices in church, authority explained, Jan. 24; signs of the times, and
advice to the saints, Feb. 7; disc, by Brigham, Feb. 9; letter, Patriarch
Smith, Feb. 20; opinions about Mormonism (from Harpers May. ), Feb.
21; min. con. new tabernacle, Apr. 17; Mormon question {N. Y. Tribune
and Herald), May 1; letter of defence (in A7". Y. Herald), May 15;
reflections, O. Pratt, June 20; disc, by Kimball, Aug. 15; gen. funeral sermon
by O. Pratt, Aug. 21; Brigham on apostles, News extra, p. 25; remarks
by Taylor and Kimball, Sept. 4; speech by Kimball, Sept. 14; special con.,