History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

648
SCHISMS AND APOSTASIES.
which offenders are examined before being sent for
trial by the high council, and though the most serious
charge against them was the publication of the article
on mineral developments, both Godbe and Harrison
were expelled from the church. 13
That the elders should have openly advocated the
development of the rich mineral resources of Utah
may appear from a gentile standpoint a slight provocation
for so extreme a measure ; but it should be remembered
that from the earliest occupation of the
territory mining for the precious metals had been
strongly discountenanced by the priesthood. _ This
was in fact a most essential part of the policy in accordance
with which the Mormons had sought for
seclusion in the vales of Deseret, in order to preserve
their liberty and individuality as a religious community.
From the day when news arrived of the gold
discovery, their leaders had denounced all emigration
to California. Gold-seekers were indiscriminately
classed as worldlings and apostates, or at least held
to be weak in the faith. Nevertheless, the accounts
received from members of the Mormon battalion, who
had witnessed the discovery and shared, in the excitement
which followed it, produced a crisis that threatened
their very existence as a people, and one which,
perhaps, none but the Mormons could have withstood.
When, in later years, mineral prospects were disclosed
in Utah, and prospecting largely carried on by gentiles,
all such efforts were discouraged ; for they could
result only in drawing into the territory a class of
men dangerous to its institutions, and might even seduce
from their allegiance the members of the church.
Thus in the light of its full history must the policy
of the Mormon hierarchy be considered in excluding
from its fold this disturbing element.
No attempt was made, however, by either of the
elders to excuse this portion of the charges brought
against them. Their defence was confined merely to
the question of their alleged apostasy, and to the au-
13 Ibid.; Harrisons Crit. Notes on Utah, MS., 48.