History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

THE MORMON CHURCH. 369
be perfected. There can be but one perfect government—that
organized by God, a government by apostles,
prophets, priests, teachers, and evangelists; the
order of the original church of all churches acknowledged
by God."
Early in this narrative we saw plainly, and remarked
upon it as we proceeded, that it has been
chiefly the political character and aspirations of the
church that have brought it into all its difficulties
everywhere—in Ohio, in Missouri, in Illinois. And
its thirty years of isolation and independence in
Utah, during which time it came in contact with
the American people or with the government only
in a limited degree, intensified its desire for control.
The only way the Mormons can live in peace
with gentile neighbors is for them to follow the example
of their brethren, the Josephites—leave politics
and government out of their ethics, and not combine
for the purpose of controlling counties, states, or ter-
ritories. But this strikes at the very root of their
religion, which has already given them for an inheritance
all counties and countries and peoples throughout
the world, as they modestly claim.
There is here much more than the religious unity
of ancient Israel. As a cooperative association, Mormonism
has not its equal in the history of the world.
In every conceivable relation, position, interest, and
idea; in every sentiment of hope and fear, of joy and
sorrow—there is mutual assistance and sympathy. It
enters into all affairs, whether for time or eternity;
there is an absolute unity in religion, government, and
society, and to the fullest extent short of communism,
mutual assistance in agriculture, commerce, and manufactures.
If a foreign convert wishes to come to America,
he is helped hither; if he wants land, farming implements,
seed, stock, he is helped to them ; trade and manufactures
are largely cooperative. And this bond of
strength, whether it be called the holiness of saints or
Hist. Utah. 24