History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

CHAPTER XXV.
CHURCH AND STATE.
1877-1885.
Conference of the Church—Reorganization of the First Presidency
—John Taylor Appointed Presidemt—His Appearance and Mien—
The Edmunds Bill—Its Penalties—An Ex Post Facto Law—Polygamists
Disfranchised—Utah again Refused Admission as a State—
Operations of the Utah Commission—Governor Murray's Message
—His Administration.
Many years before the death of Brigham Young it
was predicted that whenever that event should happen
dissensions would occur among the Mormons, if
not entire disintegration of the sect; for die when he
would, or succeed him who might, such absolute
power as he possessed would never be tolerated in
another. He was elected at a time when his people
were in distress, and accepting him as their deliverer,
they had almost sunk their individuality, vesting him
with all the powers of pope and potentate. But now,
it was said, all was changed. Contact with the gentile
world, the establishment of gentile schools and
churches, together with other influences that had long
been at work, were telling gradually upon their faith.
Already they had grown weary of the yoke, and once
Brigham was laid in the tomb, his followers would no
longer exist as a people. Never was anticipation so
ill-founded. The world was now to learn that the
inherent vitality of Mormonism depended not on the
existence of any one man or body of men, not even
on the existence of the twelve. "If every apostle
was slain but one," remarked George Q. Cannon at
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