The Mormon Prophet and His Harem

m, and becomes a Leader.-Is appointed President of the Twelve, and finally placed at the

1, 1801. A short sketch of the family of this noted adventurer may n

was a physician and surgeon

period of his life, a member of the Methodist Church. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in the American Revolutionary War, and served under General Washington; he was

Whitingham, Windham County, Vermont, where h

York, in 1804, where he followed farming, enduring many

nsisted of five sons a

, Middlesex County, Massa

the same place,

uva District, New Yor

, Middlesex County, Mass

n same place,

n in same plac

n the same plac

rn in same place,

ingham, Windham County

n, Chenango County, New

n in same place,

as constituted first patriarch of the church, and died at Quincy, Illinois, October 12, 1839.

ost half the people at Salt Lake are in some way related to the ruling dynasty. This i

until his conversion to Mormonism. In 1832, being then thirty-one years of age, he heard and embraced this new religion. He

lmost intuitive knowledge of character, soon attracted the attention of his brethren, and gave him influence and position in this weak and despised church. They recogn

y-organized quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Armed with his new power, and fired with a zea

igham was chosen to succeed him, as Pr

re driven from Kirtland. Smith fled to save his life; Brigham accompanied him, and after many hair-bread

, seeking a home this time in Illinois. During all this time Brigham stood firm, counselling and directing his brethren

ately commenced preaching. Brigham superintended affairs, issued an edition of the "Book of Mormon," and commenced the publication of the "Millennial Star," a periodi

ally, who appreciated and acknowledged his services, and it w

he Twelve Apostles scattered. Sidney Rigdon assumed the Presidency, he being Smith's first counsel

don as an impostor and his revelations as emanations from the Devil, cut off both him and his adherents from the true church, cursed Rig

did not love, feared him; and all suffered themselves to be l

. He dreamed of the kingly robe and the jewelled crown in some far-off valley of the Rocky Mountains, where gentiles or their laws could not annoy the saint

future. He completed the Temple, the Mansion-House was in a forward sta

d toward the "gentiles;" wrought upon their pride, ambition, and revenge, until they were ready to do and dare anything for their religion and their leader. When his power was thus fully established, he revealed to them "the will of the Lord concerning them." They must leave their beautiful Nauvoo, their sacred temple, their altars and their homes, and follow him as the Mos

ham comforted, counselled, and blessed the weeping emigrants. He told them of the land where they should worship "under their own vine and fig-tree, with none to molest or make them afraid." Alas for t

r new Zion. Various schemes were resorted to for the purpose of "raising the wind." A band of Danites was sent out to steal cattle and horses, and convey them beyond the jurisdiction of the State authorities. Others were detailed to make and circulat

nment, which Brigham could appropriate; and thirdly, they were to be discharged in Mexico, where, at that time, he designed to found his theocratic monarchy. It has been asserted by some persons that Brigham recei

tory o

alt Lak

f the battalion, who were in a state of destitution. That he, Brigham, informed them he would send to St Louis, purchase goods, and deal them out for the benefit of said families at wholesale prices. Also made a covenant with them, calling upon God and angels to witness the same. That he would transport their families to them in Mexico, now California, even if he had to leave his own family behind; also would provide hous

ting in good faith to receive according to promise, he laughed, mimicked, and made fun of them on the public stand; showing how they cried and whined. On the arrival of the money at Council Bluffs, some of the women, being entirely destitut

worth, for the first month and a half's pay, with the understanding from the soldiers it was to be paid to their

, 1847, he found his family not here, and was prevented by the church authorities from going after them; and was not permitted to leave until January following

Alexande

ory of

foregoing statement by him subscribed, of his own knowledge, are true, and

Alexande

n to before me, this

as J.

tice U. S. Sup

nts, he made the journey to Salt Lake, where they arrived July 24, 1847. A colony was at once established, and a part of the number left to commence farming operations. Brigham, with the remainder, returned to "Winter Quarters." Here he found the people on the

ore difficult, as the people venerated the memory of Joseph Smith, sanctified as it was by the remembrance of his cruel and untimely death. Brigham knew well the extent of this feeling, and that it would be impossible to supplant Joseph in t

em. The effect was electrical. Women screamed and fainted; strong men wept; the delusion was complete. "The mantle of Joseph had fallen upon Brigham;" he was henceforth their Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, the rightful successor to the Presidency. One old brother told me that he really believed that Joseph was present in the flesh, so strong was the personal resemblance at the time. As soon as the tumult sub

ch was to be removed over a thousand miles, through an a

hich this difficult undertaking was exec

rrived at Salt Lake Valley, destitute and feeble, in 1848. The desert to which they had come was as cheerless as their past history. From cruel foes they had fled to as unfeeling a wilderness. Renewed difficulties demanded a renewed effort from Brigham. Everything depended on him. Starvation and nakedness stared in the gloomy faces of the desponding people. Murmurs and complaints were uttered. He quelled everything; scolded, plead, threatened, prophesied, and subdued them. With a restless but resistless energy he set them to work, and worked himself as their example. He direct

ortant changes were going on in the political condition of the country. Mexico was conquered, and much of its territory, includi

various r?les,-as "Governor of Utah and Superintendent of Indian Affairs;" "President of the Church, Prophet, Seer, and Revelator;" "Trustee in Tru

TNO

esigns, by John Hyde, Jr. New York: