History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

THEOCRACY AND REPUBLICANISM. 375
True, the evils of the practice are not so great under
a theocratic and patriarchal system like that of the
Mormons, as it would be if allowed to run riot round
the world, giving libertines the widest opportunity to
deceive and then desert women; in which case there
would be no need of prostitution to satisfy men's passions,
as the great barriers between the virtuous and
the lewd would be for the most part broken down.
Among the Mormons, this is prevented by strong religious
feeling, and by the patriarchal influence of the
leaders. But the majority of mankind in the great
outside world are not controlled by religion or reason
—they simply drift.
Whether for this reason or some other reason, Mormons
are not loyal to the government, and the issue
is between polygamic theocracy and American repub-
licanism. Nor are the fears of the friends of the lat-
ter wholly groundless; for, as one writer said of it,
"the Mormon church is one of the best organized
systems in the world. The cunning of the devil and
the sophistry of error are so mingled with truth as to
make it one of the most powerful agencies to delude
the ignorant." The truth is, the theocratic organization
has already become absolute. Opposition stimu-
lates propagandism, and persecution brings only defiance
of federal authority and the moral sense of the
nation. Legislation is defeated at every turn. The
history of Utah is the history of the Mormon priesthood
in its attempt to subordinate the state to the
church, and make the authority of the priesthood superior
to that of the United States government.
So says civilization.
In answer, polygamy reiterates scriptural example
and divine command, and repudiates civilization
wherever it interferes with religion. Culture and
progress, which set at defiance God's law, are of the
devil. There is no retrogression in keeping the commands
of the most high. God blessed Abraham, and