The Cambrian

1841 – 28 August, p. 4

http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3330140/3330144/25/mormon

Mormonism

This new-fangled swindle will, we hope, now receive its death blow in this neighborhood. We have just seen the wife of a small farmer who sailed with her husband and six children last February from Liverpool. They, and about 100 others, landed at New Orleans, went several hundred miles up the country, past St. Louis, and arrived safe at the “promised land,” the New Jerusalem, on the 1^st of May last. A three weeks’ residence was sufficient to let them into the secret, and they arrived safe back in the old country about a fortnight ago. They had frequent communications while on the banks of the Mississippi with the renowned prophet, Joe Smith, and his brother impostors, who took every means in their power to get hold of our informants’ money, by offering to sell them large plots of land, take them into partnership, etc.; but the Gloucestershire yeoman was proof against their wiles, and used his little capital in bringing his family back again. What most staggered the faith of the party was, that this great prophet, Mr. Joseph Smith, could not show the “plates of gold,” on which it was pretended the “Book of Mormon” was written; Joey evaded the question by saying the angel merely showed them to him, and after he had taken a fair copy, took them back again.

Cheltenham Journal

1847 – 24 December

LATTER DAY SAINTS

To the Editor of the Cambrian

“Enthusiasm to the full extent undoubtedly retard the progress of true religion, especially is it be disseminated amongst those of a weak mind, “Having not even the form of godliness.”

Sir. The facts we are about to relate were translated from a Welsh publication called Yr Amserau, and these are but few of the many that continually occur. I shall feel obliged by your inserting in your columns the following:

Some time ago the neighbourhood of Ystradgunlais was visited by some of the preachers of the denomination called “The Latter Day Saints” and very soon they had some of the most superstitious people to join them. They asserted they possessed gifts to heal, cast out devils and speak with new tongues, etc. Few spoke ill of them at first but occasionally some persons endeavoured to convince them of their errors; but those measures did not prevail, and consequently they were left alone. The opinion entertained of them was that if they were of men they would gradually come to “nought,” but if they were of God it would be useless for men to attempt to overthrow them. However at last their deceit was discovered and there are scores of persons in this neighbourhood ready to bear witness to the truth of this narration.

“The wife of one of the Saints became deaf in consequence of fever. Her husband came home one night and said she was possessed of a devil. He set about casting it out; and began by reading part of one chapter and his wife part of another. He then seized her by the head and began to call out with all his might ‘Help! Help!’ – from somewhere. Upon which some of the neighbours, attracted by the noise, hastened to the scene of action (about eleven o’clock at night). The door was locked, but by threatening to break it open it was opened by the Saint. A little after they understood what was the matter and the husband confessed the miraculous attempt, adding that he had taken an office upon him which he was not endued by the spirit, and that the chambers were full of devils at the time. However this again passed and he endeavoured to justify the Saints by saying that he presumptuously ventured to try to fulfil that which he had never received the gifts to perform. The deception of the Saints, however, became more manifest, as may be seen by the following:-

A child of this same man who had tried to bring his wife to hear, fell down and sprained an ankle. His wife would have sent for a medical man, but the husband refused, saying that he would call a special meeting of the Saints, for the Elders to lay their hands on the child and heal him. He called the elders together to his house. One of the other children by this time was taken ill of a fever. The Saints began their fantastical operations to heal the child who had sprained his leg in the following manner: Three of the Elders laid hands on his head and one of them prayed for his healing; but the child of course remained in the same state. After this they went to the one sick of fever, and two of them laid their hands on his head while one was praying for his restoration; but the child received not the least benefit from them , for he has been suffering from the effects of his malady up to the present time. “

Welshmen! Many are your privileges and numerous are your advantages. How long will you be blinded and seek after errors of this kind? Let us rise as one man to expose the Saints’ deceit, that they may not gull the ignorant multitude any longer with their fanaticism.

My countrymen! I am not by speaking thus judging you to be more ignorant than our neighbours, the English; nay I know better things of you; and I know also that more errors exist amongst the English than amongst the Welsh. I know too that there is hardly any Welsh family but who have the Word of God in their possession; and there are but few of the family who cannot read it. But somehow or other we are too inclined to go after new things without searching in the Word of God as to the propriety or impropriety of them. Should the facts here related be compared with the religion of the Bible, it will be evidently seen that the religion of the Latter Day Saints must be considered falsehood and hypocrisy.

I am Mr Editor, etc., a Subscriber. Ystradgunlais, 20 December 1847

1849 – 19 January

The Latter-day Saints at Neath

On Sunday last one of the Latter-day Saints called at a laborer’s house in this town and inquired if he should be allowed to preach there that morning. This request was granted and after the meeting was over and the few that had congregated had dispersed, supper and lodgings were offered him, which he accepted. In the morning he arose very early and left clandestinely taking with him from the poor man’s larder sufficient food for several days. So much for the Latter-day Saint notions of honesty.

1849 – 2 February

A MIRACLE IN PROSPECT.

On Sunday evening the good people of Nolton New Castle were thrown in to state of some excitement by the appearance among them of a preacher of the sect called Latter-day Saints. It appears that he had persuaded a certain party to give him accommodation for “ holding forth” – the condition being that the preacher should work a miracle in favor of the occupant of the house by making a pair of crooked legs straight – the crooked one on his part consenting to be baptised. A large crowd collected to hear the preacher on Sunday who harangued his audience at considerable length. In the meantime the kindly occupant is in daily expectation of getting up some fine morning with a pair of straight legs. We wish he may get ‘em.

1849 – 9 February

Mormon Dishonesty

Sir. A copy of The Cambrian dated January 19^th having been put into my hands a few days ago, my attention was arrested by an article inserted headed “The Latter-day Saints at Neath,” in which was related a circumstance reflecting on the common honesty of that people. It appears one of their preachers having been hospitably entertained at the house of a poor man, thought proper to requite his kindness by stealth, and so decamped secretly with part of the contents of his larder. Certainly this is anything but the feature of a Saint; at any rate he could not have been familiar with the Commandments or else he was resting on the sound of Scripture without a proper attention to its sense. Something like the poor, but pious lad, who used to consider every suggestion in Scripture language as coming from above, was one day distressed for firewood and wishing for some of his neighbor’s hedge when that sentence coming suddenly to his mind, “In all this Job sinned not,” he began to make free with the hedge; till happily he recollected another passage which says, “Thou shalt not steal.” This cured him of his error; and in old age the good man used to exhort persons to live “not by impulses, but by the Ten Commandments.” If, however, the self-styled “Latter-day Saints” learn and know the Commandments, they do not practice them and especially the eighth. This is notorious for when Mr. Caswall visited their paradise in 1842, a respectable gentleman residing at Montrose told him that he had lived five years among heathen Indians and had never been robbed of the most trifling article; but during the three years which had elapsed since the settlement of the ”Latter-day Saints” at Nauvoo and Montrose, fourteen robberies to the amount of two thousand dollars had been committed upon his property. First, his store was robbed of goods worth five hundred dollars; second his warehouse was plundered of one barrel of pork, two barrels of sugar, and five kegs of lard; third, his smokehouse was despoiled of thirty-three hams and eleven shoulders; the fourth robbery deprived him of a barrel and half of salt; the fifth of another barrel of salt; the sixth of a saddle, bridle and martingale, which were taken from his stables; seventhly four wheels were taken from his wagon; eighthly three saddles and bridles and a martingale from his stables; ninthly sixty bushels of wheat from his granary; tenthly six boxes of glass, a hundred and fifty pounds of bacon and two boxes of axes from his warehouse; eleventh six more barrels of salt; twelfth between three and four hundred bushels of Indian corn; thirteenth one wheel was stolen from his chariot within an enclosure; and fourteenth his store was robbed of forty-two pieces of dark prints, five or six pieces of satinette and other articles, worth about four hundred dollars.

The prophet Joe Smith, alluding to these robberies in a sermon said that he “did not care how much was taken” from the gentleman in question, and added the following words: “The world owes me a good living; if I cannot get it otherwise, I will steal it and catch me at it if you can.”

The unlucky Mormon at Neath seems to have imbibed fully the spirit of the Founder and is carrying out his principles. Pity but such impostors could be caught and lodged in durance vile or what that the poor man will meet with due sympathy in his loss and the knaves and clowns who advocate the Mormon humbug with the contempt they so deservedly merit. Forbearing to encroach further on your valuable paper. I have the honor to remain sir, respectfully yours. R. L., Bloomfield, Tipton, Staffordshire. 6 February 1849

1849 – 16 February

Mormonism at Woolwich

The Latter-day Saints have lately made strenuous efforts to extend their singular theory in this populous town, and have during the last three months immersed in the Thames a considerable number of disciples. Dr. Carlisle has delivered two lectures during the last two Sabbaths, in Salem chapel, containing an exposition and argumentative refutation of Mormonism. Great interest has been excited by these lectures, Salem chapel having been crowded to excess; and many waverers, we understand, have returned to the ‘good old way.’ The question is exciting interest in all circles.

1849 – 16 February

To the Editor of the Cambrian

Sir. In justice to truth and to the Latter-day Saints I consider it my duty to respond to a letter which appeared in your interesting paper of the 9^th instant, headed “Mormon Dishonesty,” penned by “R. L., Bloomfield, Staffordshire.” The writer seemed to be in a spirit of inaccurate obscurity, inverting false conclusions from mere mock statements, without a shadow of truth pertaining to them. The paragraph that appeared in the Cambrian of the 19^th of January last, relating to the conduct of an individual of that denomination is, I find (after having made diligent enquiries at Neath) altogether false; indeed, I could not even be informed that a Latter-day Saint had preached in any house there on the Sunday in question. If the statement was true, it is a false and unsparing conclusion of “R.L.” that it “reflected on the common honesty of that people.” That one or more individuals amongst them hold criminal notions of honesty does not prove that the sentiments of the whole community of them (numbering nearly 700,000) are criminated, but as the statement is not true, the conclusion he inverts is still more notorious and proves that the various base accusations of “stealth” which he endeavours to establish against these people, have emanated from similar falsifiable sources. If “R. L.” impartially unbosom his moral obligation to the Ten Commandments, he ought not only to take them in theory but also in practice – especially the Ninth – “Thou shalt not bear false witness again thy neighbor.” His animadversions on the principles of the Latter-day Saints are founded upon a total misapprehension of their nature and power; he therefore requires better judgment to guide the numerous readers of the Cambrian even to exemplify the proper and “fitting” characters for “a Lunatic Asylum.” He also requires greater sagacity to direct them to foster right principles, and to guard them from imbibing the principles of “knaves, clowns, etc.” – petulant phrases which he gives to the Latter-day Saints.

I remain, Mr Editor, yours respectfully, H. J., Maesteg, February 13, 1849.

1849 – 16 February

Emigration to California

The Latter-day Saints

On Tuesday last, Swansea was quite enlivened in consequence of the arrival of several wagons loaded with luggage, attended by some scores of the “bold peasantry” of Carmarthenshire, and almost an equal number of the inhabitants of Merthyr and the surrounding district, together with their families. The formidable party were nearly all Latter-day Saints and came to this town for the purpose of proceeding to Liverpool in the Troubadour steamer, where a ship is in readiness to transport them next week to the glittering regions of California. This goodly company is under the command of a popular saint known as Captain Dan Jones, a hardy traveller, and a brother of the well known John Jones, Llangollen, the able disputant on the subject of “Baptism.” He arrived in the town on Tuesday evening and seems to enjoy the respect and confidence of his faithful band. He entered the town amidst the gaze of hundreds of spectators, and in the evening he delivered his valedictory address at the Trades Hall to a numerous audience, the majority of whom were led by curiosity to hear his doctrines, which are quite novel in this town. Amongst the group were many substantial farmers from the neighborhoods of Brechfa and Llanybydder, Carmarthenshire, and although they were well-to-do they disposed of their possessions to get to California, their New Jerusalem as they deem it, where their fanaticism teaches them to believe they will escape from the general destruction and conflagration that is shortly to envelop this earth. It is due to them, however, to state that they are far from being smitten by that mania for gold, the discovery of which has imparted to the modern El Dorado such notoriety of late. They seem animated only with the most devout feelings and aspirations which seem to flow from no other sources (judging from their conversations) than a sincere belief that the end of the world is at hand and that their Great Captain of Salvation is soon to visit his bobl yn ngwlad y Saint [people in the land of the Saints]. It is the intention, we are informed, not to visit the gold regions, but the agricultural district, where they intend, they say, by helping one another, to reside in peace and harmony to exemplify the truth of “brotherly love,” not in name but in practice. Amongst the number who came here were several aged men varying from 70 to 90 years of age and whose “hoary locks” not only proclaimed their “lengthened years” but render it very improbable they will live to see America; yet so deluded are the poor and simple saints that they believe that everyone amongst them, however infirm and old they may be, will as surely land in California safely as they started from Wales. Their faith is most extraordinary. On Wednesday morning after being addressed by their leader, all repaired on board in admirable order and extraordinary resignation. Their departure was witnessed by hundreds of spectators and whilst the steamer gaily passed down the river the saints commenced singing a favourite hymn. On entering the piers, however, they abruptly stopped singing and lustily responded to the cheering with which they were greeted by the inhabitants.

1849 – 2 March

The Mormons or Latter-day Saints are making some progress in Neath, more particularly in the locality of “The Green” where they have several followers; on Sunday week two young women underwent the rite of baptism by immersion in Neath Canal, which was performed by one of the brethren.

1849 – 9 March

1849 – 16 March

Aberavon, Mormonism or the Latter-day Saints

For the past week handbills were posted in this town and neighborhood announcing that a lecture on Mormonism was to be delivered by the Rev. Mr Morgan, Baptist Minister, at the town hall. At the time appointed hundreds of persons were seen wending their way to the hall, and it became apparent that the room would not contain half the multitude which were estimated at one thousand, consequently the meeting was adjourned to the Baptist chapel. The Rev. Richard Morgan, Vicar of the parish, was unanimously voted to the chair. The chairman having briefly stated the objective of the meeting called upon Mr. Morgan the lecturer who labored under indisposition, notwithstanding which he delivered a most able and lucid address upon “The Origin, Rise and Progress of Mormonism” giving a graphic account of Joe Smith – the founder of the sect – his moral character, integrity, etc. pointing out the absurdity of the doctrines. He, in a very solemn and impressive manner urged upon the audience to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest Mormonism, its absurdity and its delusive tendency. The lecturer also expressed as opinion that if his audience did thus, the doctrine of “the new lights” would be treated in its true light. The lecturer occupied an hour and a half, during the whole of the time the greatest attention and silence prevailed. Thanks having been given to the worthy chairman for his impartial conduct in the chair, he acknowledged the same in a very impressive strain and urged upon the audience to treasure up in their minds the eloquent address just delivered. Thanks were then given for the eloquent lecturer, and the meeting broke up well pleased with what they had heard. It is rumored that great apostle of the saints has been sent for to reply. I think really they had better pause, for assuredly the best shots are yet in the locker.

1849 – 6 April

Aberavon, Mormonism or the Latter-day Saints

1849 – 6 April

Neath

On Friday evening last a meeting was held in the town hall of this town to hear a lecture by Mr. Morgan, Baptist Minister, of Aberavon, on the religious principles and superstition of the Mormonites, when long before the appointed hour the hall was filled to excess. Mr. Matthews, minister of Zoar meeting house, moved and A. Cuthbertson Esq. seconded the Rev. D. Jeffreys to the chair. After a few remarks from the Rev. Chairman, Mr. Morgan in a long eloquent speech delivered in Welsh, which was listened to with the greatest attention, and repeatedly cheered by the assembled hundreds, traced the rise and progress of Mormonism, their first settling in America, their disgusting manners and customs while there, the lives of their principle leaders, the fearful extent to which they carried their pernicious doctrine, until the United States government was compelled to interfere, and exterminate or rather expel them from their stronghold, Nauvoo, which was finally done after a protracted siege and great slaughter, a few years ago. Mr. Matthews then addressed the meeting. He hoped after the lucid explanation given by Mr. Morgan of the pernicious effects of the Mormonist doctrine, no one present at any rate would listen to the enticing words of these impostors, nor encourage them by receiving them into their houses or in any other manner, and concluded by stating his intention of preaching on the subject in his meeting house on Sunday night. The Rev. Chairman then proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer which was seconded by Mr. Matthews and acknowledged by Mr. Morgan in a short speech. Mr. Matthews then moved a vote of thanks to the Rev. Chairman for his kindness in taking the chair and his courtesy while occupying it; the lecturer having seconded the motion it was carried unanimously amid much cheering. The meeting then separated, everyone seeming pleased with what had been said, and more opposed than ever to this ridiculous but dangerous doctrine.

1849 – 13 April

The Latter-day Saints

Those deluded but devoted men have of late been very industrious in sowing the seeds of their peculiar tenets in this neighborhood. On Sunday last three of them, evidently very illiterate persons held forth at the Mumbles and at Sketty. Having heard a portion of the leader’s discourse we perceived that his whole mind was enveloped in fanaticism. He avowed himself with much emphasis to be endowed with the Holy Ghost – that he knew it – and that those who worshipped in churches and chapels did not possess it, for if they did they would be endowed with the same miraculous power as the apostles of old possessed; of healing the sick, etc., etc. He averred that the Latter-day Saints did possess that power. At the close of the discourse the preacher announced his intention of visiting Sketty next Sunday and hoped to have a larger audience; one of the hearers here shrewdly observed that if they (the Latter-day Saints) could miraculously heal the sick, as they alleged, they might rely on having a good audience at Sketty. The preacher vaguely replied to this hint and wished him a good evening.

1849 – 11 May

Freaks of the Latter-day Saints!

We learn that the Trades Hall in High Street has been the scene of some extraordinary freaks of late, enacted by the Latter-day Saints. A few days ago, one of them had the misfortune of spraining his ankle and suffering much from the accident. He received medical aid. This it appears was contrary to the tenets of the saints and was considered as a reflection upon their miraculous powers which they allege they plentifully possess if they exercise a sufficient quantum of “faith.” The deluded man partaking largely at this time of their fanatical notions, and afraid of incurring the “pains and penalties” consequent on a refusal, consented to be “cured” by them. The night came and great, we are told, was the anguish of the poor saint, bodily and mentally, while he underwent the operation. His bandages were torn off, his foot exposed and his body prostrate on the ground for three mortal hours. Mighty and loud were the holy invocations made during this long interval but unfortunately for the patient to no effect as the sequel will show. The wife, having got wind of the folly of her better half, at length disturbed the pious conclave and becoming “furious and fast” she at least succeeded in getting him to his home where he soon experienced that his faith, and the saints’ faith, added to, rather than alleviated, his bodily sufferings to such a degree that medical aid became again absolutely necessary at the risk of being placed once more under church discipline. This circumstance we hear has since had its salutary effect and has shaken the man’s faith most materially in the miraculous part of the Latter-day Saints’ powers, at least.

1849 – 8 June

An Ex-Latter-day Saint

On Sunday week a most excellent and impressive sermon was preached at the house of Mr. David Jones of Cwmguedd, Ystradgunlais, by the Rev. John Lloyd (alias John the Blacksmith) late a Latter-day Saint, to a large and respectable congregation from the verse, “O ye, generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”

NOTE: This report was refuted in the Cambrian of the following week.

1849 – 22 June

To the Editor of The Cambrian

Sir. Having seen a paragraph in your Cambrian of the week before last, stating that “the Rev. John Lloyd (alias John the Blacksmith), had been preaching at a house at Cwmguedd, etc.” I beg to state that the whole is a direct falsehood, probably the weak invention of some wiseacre of this neighborhood, to make dupes of the public. By giving insertion to this in your next Cambrian, or by using some other means of contradicting the statement alluded to, you will greatly oblige

Your humble servant,

John Lloyd

Ystradgunlais, June 18^th 1849

1849 – 10 August

A Scene at the Trades Hall

This hall was the scene of great excitement one night this week. A Reverend gentleman who entered the place not relishing the doctrines propounded by the Latter-day Saints thought it no harm to question the parties. This interference it appears gave great offence. Words waxed warm and the Rev. intruder at length got most unceremoniously ejected minus of every button on his coat. We are informed that the interference of the Rev. Gentleman was anything but justifiable.

1849 – 10 August

The Latter-day Saints

One of the “great gurus” of the Latter-day Saints proclaimed the extraordinary tenets of this sect with great earnestness and energy on Monday evening last near the look-out-house. The evening being delightfully calm and fine the uncouth strains of the preacher were heard at a long distance and afforded a fertile theme for the rude jests and pleasantries of many who were amongst the large number assembled, waiting the return of the excursionists from Ilfracombe and Lynton.

1850 – 1 February

THE LATTER DAY SAINTS AND THE PROMISED LAND

About one hundred of the Latter Day Saints from the hills and a neighbouring county arrived at Swansea this week and embarked in the Troubadour for Liverpool en route for the Land of Promise.

1850 – 12 July

YSTALYFERA

The Latter Day Saints, after long-continued and ineffectual efforts to make themselves popular in this place, on Monday evening last had resort to roadside preaching , by which dodge they succeeded to get a crowd of women and children together; but we have not heard of any converts made.

1850 – 13 September

An inquest was, on Thursday last, held at the Vernon Arms, Briton Ferry before Alex Cuthbertson Esq. and a respectable Jury on the body of Mary Ann Richards, aged 6 years, who died in consequence of being burnt, by her clothes taking fire in carrying hot coals from her parents’ house to a public oven. A verdict of accidental death was returned; the jury at the same time strongly censuring Richard Davies , the father, who is a Latter Day Saint, for his interference with, and preventing for a time, the attendance of a medical gentleman.

1850 – 6 December

Swansea Petty Sessions

On Wednesday, before the Mayor, Timothy Davies, a labourer and a Latter-day Saint, was charged with being drunk and disorderly. Remanded to Thursday.

1851 – 21 February

Disgraceful Conduct of the Latter-day Saints at Ystradgynlais

About twelve o’clock on the night of the 10^th inst. as Superintendent Vigors was going his rounds, he met one Mary Philips, a member of this deluded sect, on the canal bank, having in her possession at the time a large bundle wrapped in a shawl; and on enquiry, she informed him that it contained her sister’s clothes and that she took them home to be washed; but the officer soon found the contents to be a large lump of coal. She then informed him that she had taken it from a tram belonging to the Ynyscedwen Iron Company. He took her into custody, and on their arrival at the Station House, she began to cry and saying that her brother was ill at home. Superintendent Vigors then told her that she should go home, with an understanding that she would appear at any other time when called upon. Early on Tuesday morning the 11^th instant, the news got abroad among the (Mormonite) brothers and sisters of the subject of this paragraph – a meeting took place among them, when and where it was unanimously settled that she should loose [sic] no time but go to the Magistrates and make a complaint for attempt of rape against the officer in question. No sooner said than done, she immediately started, accompanied with one Will Bach (a notorious pot-house orator on the principles of Mormonism). She made her complaint in such a manner that it appeared at the time to be of a very serious character, and at the same time she was informed that the case should be heard next morning. Wednesday morning between eleven and twelve o’clock the Magistrates met at the Station-house, when the complainant was examined at great length, and until this time the defendant was quite ignorant of the various points to which she swore, and that apparently with great ease. The lesson for this day was well learnt. At this period the Magistrates thought proper to remand the case until Monday the 17^th inst. in order to test the complainant’s past conduct and that the defendant should have time to bring forward witnesses, who was, up to this time, quite unprepared to meet such an unexpected charge. On Monday, about twelve o’clock the hearing of the case was resumed when the defendant (who was defended by Mr. Howard of Swansea) had by this time several respectable inhabitants whose evidence entirely overturned that of the complainant’s in every point of view. It was also proved that the complainant had on various other occasions threatened several other parties with attempt of rape, and that she succeeded in one instance by threats to obtain some money from a young gentleman in the neighbourhood. And there is not the least doubt but that she intended this time to do the same, but unfortunately she had at this critical period mistook her customer. Such are the doings of this deluded sect in this neighbourhood and how often do we read of their plunging one another to eternity by refusing medical aid when required. There are in this place about twenty of the Latter-day Saints, the greatest number of whom are of the lower order, and outcasts of other societies which are very well known to the inhabitants of the place. We will leave this for the present, hoping at the same time this may be a warning to those parties who had not, in reference to what they say or do.

[From a Correspondent]

1851 – 21 November

CWMTWRCH.

A lecture on the Errors of Mormonism was delivered at the Baptist Chapel Cwmtwrch on last Wednesday evening, by the Rev. J. Rhys Morgan of Aberavon. The chapel was crowded on the occasion. Admission tickets were 6d. each, the profits to be devoted to the funds for the education of young men intended for the Ministry.

1852 – 30 January

The Mormons or Latter-day Saints

To the Editor of The Cambrian

Sir. In the last news from California we have a sad account of the disgusting details of the debauchery of the Mormons, as witnessed in their New City of the Great Salt Lake. The account is taken from the report made to Congress by the Judges of Utah Territory; it is, therefore, official.

I make no apology for calling public attention to it, simply premising the fact that, in “The Hills” so called, the Mormons are to be reckoned by hundreds, if not thousands, Aberdare being, unfortunately, their stronghold. I leave it, therefore, to those who have the welfare of the people at heart, to consider whether they ought not to be more earnest than ever in providing means for educating the working classes – whether the progress of this insane delusion is not to be imputed, in some measure, to our own lukewarmness – and whether, in the present state of morals, this be not a duty paramount to every other. We can be eloquent in evangelising the heathen, or proselyting the Jew, and we are thankful that it is so. There is scarcely a household that has not its missionary-box, whose swollen contents are outpoured over every land and every clime save our own. I said it some years ago, and incurred no small odium in consequence, that it would be as well if some of this missionary spirit were felt more practically among our own countrymen; and though that were but a niggard spirit that would confine all the efforts of charity at home, yet, charity altogether abroad imputed but an indifferent state of things at home. But matters have much improved since, not so much, however, as to allow one nerve to be the less strung. We need all the efforts that have been made, and more, to carry on the work. Let the progress of Mormonism bear us witness. I appeal to every sect in the Christian community, and ask them, Whither have their backsliders mostly flown? They will answer, one and all, “To Mormonism.” Yet, what is this Mormonism? In vain you tell the deluded perverts – in vain you argue they are altogether besotted and drunken with their folly. When such is the case – when hundreds of them have already left our shores – and when hundreds and thousands still remain, surely I require no apology for calling public attention to the report of the American Judges.

First, Polygamy. “We deem it our duty to state, in this official communication, that polygamy, or plurality of wives, is openly avowed and practised in the territory, under the sanction and in obedience to the direct commands of the Church.”

Secondly, Its Universality. “So universal is this practice, that very few, if any, leading men in that community can be found who have not more than one wife each, which creates a monopoly, and which was peculiarly hard upon the officers sent to reside there. The prominent men in the Church, whose example in all things it is the ambition of the more humble to imitate, have many wives, some of them, we are credibly informed, and believe, as many as twenty or thirty; and Brigham Young, the governor, even a greater number.”

Its Shamelessness. “Only a few days before we left the territory, the Governor was seen riding through the streets of the city, in an omnibus, with a large company of his wives, more than two-thirds of whom had infants in their arms – a sure sign that the evil in increasing.”

Its Incestuous Nature. “It is not uncommon to find two or more sisters married to the same man; and in one instance at least, a mother and her two daughters are among the wives of a leading member of the Church. This practice, regarded and punished as a high and revolting crime in all civilized countries, would, of course, never be made a statutory offence by a Mormon Legislature; and if a crime at common law, the Court would be powerless to correct the evil with Mormon juries.”

Such is Mormonism at the Great Salt Lake. Such is the delusion which numbers its converts by thousands in the Principality of Wales. It is true there is not in this country an open declaration of plurality of wives. The unhappy converts delude themselves, or they are deluded by others, that though a man may have two or more wives, yet is one “the wife spiritual” as distinguished from the “wife natural.” Such is the drapery by which the crime is glossed over. Let them reflect, however, if the power be still left them, on the matter contained in the above extracts. Let others reflect, also, what is their duty therein, as Christians and fellowmen. The Mormons should bear in mind the report is not the report of a newspaper of an ordinary traveller, but it is that of the solemn Judges of the land – men sworn to investigate and to declare the TRUTH.

Your obedient servant,

John Griffith, Vicar of Aberdare

1852 – 9 April

THE AMERICAN MORMONS.

[Missing text due to article being close to binding and therefore unable to read to end of lines]

Evan Howell, a miner who embarked last year, with his wife and family... the Mormons in America has addressed the following to a friend near Swansea. It is dated St Louis, Dec 17.He . . . I have been ill her for five months and now I am . . . better but I have lost all my comforts for I have buried . . . and children in the same grave in Illinois. I am now... Missouri. It is very unhealthy here and I beg of you . . . your influence to persuade my friends to stay where... rather than suffer themselves to be blindfolded into such a . . .of roguery and plunder as Mormonism. It is nothing but . . . humbug—I have found it to my heart’s sorrow. It would ..... better for us not to have been born than to have come . . . be Mormons. They will take all from you at home and.. you when you come here, if they have the chance and .... wives from you. Their chief, Brigham Young has twen........wives and nineteen of them have infants at their breast . . . and those lower in office than he have a smaller number.. portion to their office according to their station. . . . fourteen, some seven, and others different numbers. And...are trying their best to insult the officers of the United States....have left their palaces and gone to Washington and as Congress . . . now sitting we shall hear what they will do. The Mormons.. very unkind one to another. I had to dig my wife’s grave... She had a decent burial but the Mormons did not put them .......to help at all. The men who gave them so much... promises of land and everything else when they reach....they have been left in the workhouse. I wish to tell you . . . the Sabbath is no more regarded than any other day. . . .gaming of every description here on the Sabbath - such... racing, rolling the ten pins, playing cards, &c, and the . . .the Mormons indulge in these to a great extent together... dancing, swearing and everything else that is beyond de...

1852 – 14 May

We understand the Rev. William Griffiths, jun., preaches in the . . . Rooms, Oxford Street, on Sunday morning at eleven, and at Zion Chapel, Mumbles, in the afternoon and evening. We perceive that the Rev. C. Short preaches his second lecture... Mormonism, on Sunday evening next, at Mount Pleasant Chapel.

1852 – 21 May

MORMONISM.

On Sunday evening last the Rev. C. Short delivered the last of a course of lectures at Mount Pleasant to a numerous and crowded assemblage. The lectures.... Mormonism as an ecclesiastical and moral system... gentleman gave a clear and succinct account of the . . . Mormons their mode of making converts and of . . . -rate minds and concluded by making a powerful appeal... of educating the masses in order that they might... right of private judgement, and be capable of examining... they embrace. [blurred]

1852 – 17 December

LATTER DAY SAINTS CONCERT.

A concert of vocal and instrumental music (an accordion) was given by this sect at their chapel at Llanelly on Monday night last. The meeting commenced by prayer offered by “Elder” Abednego Jones, after which President Clarke took the chair, and having addressed the meeting principally to the effect that the saints’ church was the only true church on the earth, invited his audience to observe the concert as a thanksgiving. The Carmarthen and Llanelly choirs sang many popular airs, songs, duets, glees, etc, mostly sentimental and comic – except two or three only sacred. The C The proceedings also included an imitation by “brother” Ephraim of the bleating of sheep! A . Mr Weasel played several airs with the accordion. The chapel was densely crowded and there were present many respectable tradesmen and inhabitants of the town “men of the world,” to enjoy a rare treat. We have never before seen prayers offered up at the commencement and termination of a concert like this.

1853 – 28 January

“Llanelly Latter-day Saints.” About 20 members of this peculiar sect, residing in this neighborhood, departed on Tuesday last for the Salt Lake, California, “Mount Zion,” the land of hope. About 150 from the various parts of Wales embarked in the Troubadour on Wednesday from Swansea for Liverpool, from whence a vessel is chartered to convey them. We believe that the poor deluded people who thus leave their native land and comfortable homes, would, when the time of departure had arrived, gladly wait behind, if the money they had deposited in their treasury was returned to them; and we shall not be surprised to hear of several preferring to remain at New Orleans or St. Louis, or some other of the American town, than proceed onwards; at all events this was the case with several who departed last spring.

1853 – 7 October

CWMTWRCH

On Friday last, the celebrated Robin Parry (Robin Ddu) delivered a sermon on Mormonism, .. the George the Fourth in this place. At first the audience? Appeared but very small , amounting only to about? Half a dozen persons; but a slight accident... near at hand, which brought from thirty to . . . persons together, the greatest part of whom . . . to hear the great orator. The Latter Day Saints number but very few in the neighbourhood.

1854 – 6 October

To the Editor of the Cambrian

SIR. In your newspaper, called the Cambrian, last week you inserted some letters against the Mormonites and the Peace Society, and one of them stabs at me, I suppose, because I delivered an oration on peace at our last gathering. I should like to lay my hands on that man anywhere and in any place, and I demand on you to deliver up that person to me. The workings of the Spirit is on the Mormonites and the men of peace and we will defy the powers of darkness to work evil against us.

Yours obediently, Ichabod Roberts

[It would be unlawful to comply with Mr Roberts demand to deliver up; and his intemperate application can receive no courtesy from us. ED.]

1855 – 16 February

THE MORMONITES.

The emissaries of the Mormonites are most active in various parts of South Wales in spreading the doctrines of the Latter Day Saints, and among the labouring and ignorant population they are particularly zealous in urging the advisability of polygamy. We regret that in too many cases they have succeeded in perverting poor people, and that a considerable number are preparing this spring to seek their fortunes at the great Mormon settlement on the banks of the Salt Lake. Among the colliers and miners of the hill districts of South Wales the peculiar tenets of this sect find favour, and a large number of these have recently joined the ranks. Even wealthier people – persons in the middle-class of life – have also been perverted, and are selling their all in order to emigrate to the “land of promise.”

1855 – 30 March

LETTERS [LECTURES] ON MORMONISM

It cannot be denied that within the past few years Mormonism has made extraordinary strides amongst the poorer and more illiterate classes of the community, more especially in the Carmarthenshire districts and other parts of Wales: and almost every week witnesses large numbers of these deluded people leaving their native shores and emigrating to the land of Promise”, the Salt Lakes of America. There doctrines the most blasphemous are promulgated, and scenes the most atrocious perpetrated, sanctioned and approved of by the “saints” and priests of the sect. The agents and elders of the so-called religious sect are scattered throughout this country where they are engaged in advocating the same doctrines, delivering tracts and making house to house visitations, declaring “they are charged with a mission from the most high God to call people to the Kingdom of Grace. We should not have troubled our readers with any remarks upon the peculiar views held by the fanatics, were it not that they have, within the past week or two, made quite a stir in our town, declaring (to use their own language) “that unless people believed their doctrines they would be d—d.” More blasphemous doctrines, uttered as they are with such unblushing effrontery, can scarcely be conceived, and incredible as it may appear, hundreds, and even thousands are still found who receive these doctrines as “the revealed revelations of God’s word.”

On the evenings of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week Mr A.B. Hepburn delivered three lectures at our Town hall expository of the blasphemous doctrines and absurdities by the Mormons. Notwithstanding the unpropitious state of the weather, on Monday night the attendance was numerous and respectable. The Rev. G. P. Evans presided and opened the proceedings in an appropriate speech, remarking that he had consented to occupy the chair on that occasion on the one condition that any Mormon who desired to address the meeting should be allowed fair play. The chairman then read the creed of the Mormons. The lecturer (who spoke with very great energy) commenced by observing that he did not appear before them as a learned or an educated man, never having had a day’s or an hour’s schooling in his life, and it was therefore probable that he should make many grammatical blunders, which however he hoped they would overlook. The Chairman had read what the Mormons wished the people of Swansea to believe was the creed of the Mormon church but he (the lecturer) was prepared to prove that the actual creed taught and practised was a very different thing indeed to that read, and it would be his duty to show that the creed of the Mormons was a bundle of lies and absurdities. He would admit that he himself had been a Mormon and some had impeached him as a hypocrite; but when he became a Mormon he had never heard of Joe Smith: never heard of a New Revelation nor of the Book of Mormon. When subsequently he found that the Mormons believed in Joe Smith and the book of the New Revelations, he expostulated with them, when he was told that “unless he believed these things he should be d—d.” He did not leave them then but continued with them some ten months, and from the experience he then gained and heard and saw, he could prove that the whole system of Mormonism was the most barefaced imposition which ever disgraced the world. The lecturer here referred to the Millennial Star, “Mormonism Triumphant,“ “The Devil Mad, “ and “Lies Refuted” and other Mormon publications from which he read extracts to prove the truth of his assertions, stating at the same time that he courted discussion, and challenged all and every one of the Mormon elders and priests to come forward and refute one of his statements. In these books it was stated that in December 1829 Joe Smith (the Yankee swindler) first received a visit from an Angel, who informed him where the hidden plates (containing the revelation from God) were to be found. It was also recorded in these books that Joseph Smith was Jesus Christ’s own brother and that he was a partaker of the same glory. If this was not blasphemy, he did not know what was. Other doctrines taught by the Mormon church, equally blasphemous and absurd were read by the lecturer. The people of this country knew but little or nothing of Mormonism – they must go to America where Mormonism was rampant, to see its principles carried out – there young girls of the tender age of 11 years had been made prostitutes to those professing themselves the apostles of Jesus Christ. The great God of the Mormons was money – nothing could be done without money – one tenth part of all they possessed went to the priests and elders to get “their dead out of prison.” The lecturer next referred to the statement made in one of the Mormon publications, to the effect that Capt. Daniel Jones had cast out a whole legion of devils “from a room in Merthyr,” – (Extract read). In concluding the first lecture Mr Hepburn challenged any Mormon to a public discussion, and stated if they did not now come forward they would henceforward be looked upon as a set of impostors and cowards, A Mormon named Mills (who had interrupted the lecture on several occasions during the evening) declared with great vehemence that what Mr Hepburn had stated in his bills that his lectures had been patronized by the Mayor of Newbury and Hungerford was not correct; no corporations existed in these towns. A gentleman present stated that Newbury was certainly a corporate town, and as such had a mayor and had such an officer for the past century. The lecturer said that in reference to Hungerford all he could say was that he had been introduced to a gentleman as the Mayor of the town. A vote of thanks to the lecturer and the chairman concluded the first lecture. (We will refer to other lectures in our next.)

1855 – 11 May

POCKET PICKING IN THE SAINTS’ HALL, ORANGE STREET

Most of our readers are doubtless well aware that the ‘saints’ have been in a complete “stew“ for the past few weeks, and finding their congregation getting ‘small by degrees and beautifully less’ have resorted to delivering a series of lectures on week night evenings for the purpose of filling their now exhausted coffers. On Tuesday evening last Mr Murray, French polisher, and his wife, were lead by curiosity to enter the hall, perhaps being anxious to hear the peculiar tenets held and practised by these fanatics. We know not whether the preacher was descanting upon the first great principle of human nature “protect thyself” (ergo thy pockets) or whether he was enforcing with equal warmth the commandment “Thou shalt not steal” but true it is that after Mrs Murray had been in the hall for about 20 minutes she discovered that her pocket had been picked of five shillings and a penny; thus proving that whilst Captain Dan. Jones or one of his satellites was talking, one of his audience (setting at defiance every principle of morality or common honesty) was acting and leisurely helping himself to the contents of his neighbour’s pocket. It is true Mr Hepburn has informed us that the great god of the Mormons is money – that without it no blessings can be obtained, diseases cured or miracles performed – but he owing to his bashfulness had forgotten to impress upon his hearers the advisability of always leaving their money at home when they went into bad company, which advice our readers will do well to follow when they are led by curiosity to walk into the Saints’ hall. Mrs Murray, upon discovering her loss, called out that she had been robbed, whereupon she was immediately bundled out of the room by the “Saints”, the only consolation generally afforded by them to parties in distress. We must not enlarge but consider that this is a literal translation of the passage of Scripture “Ye have turned my Father’s house into a den of thieves.”

1855 – 25 May

SWANSEA BOARD OF GUARDIANS

The usual weekly meetings of the Guardians of the poor for the Swansea district was held at the Board room yesterday (Thursday). The attendance of Guardians was very limited, which is to be accounted for from the fact that there was nothing of special interest on the notice paper. The chair was taken by M. Moggridge Esq in the unavoidable absence of Mr T. Glasbrook.

The public business was commenced by some of the Guardians referring to the late arrangement made with reference to admitting the clergymen and dissenting ministers to hold religious services in the house on Sundays.

Mr T. Williams suggested that a deputation should wait on Mr Squire, and Mr Cook of Trinity Church, to know whether they would fall in with the arrangements turn with the other minsters of religion.

Mr Willett did not like the idea of singling out Mr Squire and Mr Cook. He would suggest that a circular be sent to all the clergy and dissenting minsters asking them to meet together and draw up some plan for their future guidance.

Mr Wilson: If you send this circular to all the dissenting ministers, of course, you must send to Mr Kavanagh, the Roman Catholic priest; the Rabbi of the Jewish church; and to Captain Daniel Jones of the Mormon church. They must admit all and could exclude none if they sent to all the dissenting ministers. For his own part he wished to see the working of the voluntary system, and he thought that at present it worked perfectly well, but if it failed then he should move that a paid Church of England chaplain be appointed.

After a conversation it was agreed to leave the religious instruction of the paupers on the Sabbath as it is at present – it being understood that Mr Wilson would, in his private capacity, ask Mr Squire and Mr Cook to take part in the duties.

Mr Willett wished to draw the attention of the Guardians to one or two subjects in the visitors’ books of Tuesday last. On the visitors going over the house on that day, they found a large number of old but able-bodied paupers sitting round the fire, completely idle, the excuse being that there was no oakum for them to pick. The visitors thought it highly desirable that the men should be constantly employed and they had therefore suggested that when there was no oakum to pick the paupers should be employed in the garden. Mr Willett then moved a resolution to the effect that the master be empowered to purchase junk, so as to keep the paupers regularly engaged in picking oakum, and when not so engaged that they be employed in the garden.

Mr T. Williams seconded this proposition.

Several Guardians briefly spoke on the subject – one or two gentlemen considering it would be beneficial even if the paupers were merely employed to dig a hole and fill it up again, rather than allow them to spend the whole day in idleness.

The resolution was then carried unanimously.

1855 – 29 June

Monday (before J.T. Jenkins, Esq., Mayor)

James George, horse jobber, of Norton; John Cutliffe, an Elder of the Latter-day Saints Church; [and others] were severally charged with drunken and disorderly conduct in the public streets and were each fined 5s. and costs.

1855 – 6 July

[Swansea Petty Sessions]

[We are requested by some three or four members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to contradict the statement made in our last to the effect that John Cutliffe, the man charged on Monday week with drunken and disorderly conduct in the public streets, belongs to the Church. As we wish to give fair play to everyone, we willingly recall our statement; but may add that some three or four police officers can testify that the defendant himself admitted whilst drunk that he did belong to this body.]

1856 – 18 April

THE MORMONS.

A large number of these deluded fanatics left our port on Wednesday by the Troubadour for Liverpool en route for the Salt Lakes. They consisted chiefly of the very ___ class of society from the surrounding hills... of their relatives and friends were assembled on the quay to bid them adieu, and many shed tears ____ separation. Society at large however has _____ deplore their departure.

1856 – 25 July

A LATTER DAY SAINT IN TROUBLE

Wm. Phillips and Sarah Phillips, his wife, were summoned by George Watts, a latter-day saint, with having made use of threats towards him, and against whom he applied for sureties of the peace. From the statement made by Watts it appeared that both the defendants had made use of the most dreadful oaths and threats towards him, from which he was in bodily fear he would have some harm done to him. Ordered to find sureties to keep the peace for three months.

1856 – 14 November

MORMONISM

On the evenings of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week, Mr. W. Parrott of Bristol has delivered a series of three lectures at our Town Hall upon the fallacies and absurdities of the Mormon belief. In the course of his addresses, he glanced at the state of these fanatics in the Great Salt Lake Valley of Utica, and portrayed the trials, difficulties and dangers which pilgrims to that spot have to encounter on the journey and the still greater troubles which crowd upon them upon their arrival. Mr. Parrott was at one time a believer in the Mormon faith but being convinced of its absurdity has now the manliness to denounce it throughout the length and breadth of the land, especially in the Principality, which alas is considered one of the strongholds of this sect. The lectures have been presided over by the Rev. E. B. Squire, vicar, and have been well attended.

1857 – 31 July

SWANSEA HOME MISSIONS

Many of our readers are probably not aware that for the past three months an eminently Christian man has been engaged in visiting our back streets, our lanes, and our alleys, reading, praying and conversing with the abandoned creatures of both sexes there to be found, and distributing tracts which contain truths necessary and essential to their eternal welfare. Such however has been the case and we have reason to believe that already has resulted some good from his labours. The first quarterly meeting of the friends and supporters of the Home Missionary Society was held on Tuesday last at the Wesleyan chapel. The leading dissenting ministers of the town were present and the congregation was highly respectable. The Rev. Mr Heeley, minister of the chapel, was called upon to preside and the proceedings were opened with reading, singing, and prayer. The chairman in addressing the meeting dwelt upon the necessity of having such a society in their midst. He was indeed thankful that they had a missionary in the town and hoped they would all feel more and more interested in the great object for which the society was established. The Rev J. Whitby, after expressing the great pleasure which he experienced in meeting the friends of the society, observed that as friends of humanity and as followers of Christ, they were about entering on a new work, a new order of things at least in this town for seeking the salvation of lost souls. Most of the large cities and towns in the British empire had been engaged in this work for many years and it had proved eminently successful. They could not forget the fact that there were thousands living and dying around them in the grossest ignorance—whilst in this and other large towns they had heathenism in its worst features. And this was not only existing but it was positively increasing. A very great amount of responsibility therefore lay somewhere in respect to these neglected classes, for there was a vast amount of ignorance and neglected humanity at present around them. They had their local Board of Health in the town which contemplated the sanitary improvement of the people, the removal of those things which were injurious and even destructive to health and life. They complained not of this – they thought it was necessary and they must pay for it nolens volens. They wanted a Local Board for spiritual things also – an institution which should seek the spiritual health and salvation of their fellow man; and this was the Town Missionary Society-- and perhaps they would find this the very best auxiliary to the Local Board of Health which ever existed, for if it were successful in promoting true godliness it would be found that godliness was profitable for all things, having the life which now is and which is to come. As followers of Christ then and as lovers of humanity they met together to adopt some means by which they could save the ignorant and neglected who were perishing in their midst. This society was established on a broad and catholic basis – they had found and engaged a servant of Christ to go forth to this work – not to propagate a creed but with the Bible in his hand and the love of Christ in his heart, to explain the simple truths by which man may be saved. The speaker then proceeded to dwell at some length first upon the necessity of the work and secondly the spiritual character of the work in which they were engaged, and remarked that there were none so wretched and vile but the gospel of Christ could reach and reclaim. He concluded by saying that the missionary whom the society had engaged was no novice in the work, having laboured for a great number of years in it, especially in the metropolis. The Rev. Mr Berry, the missionary, expressed the joy and delight which he had experienced at the manner in which he had been received. It was pleasing to any man to have his heart warmed, but especially to the poor missionary who walked through the back lanes and alleys. He commenced his labours on the fourteenth of April last, and after walking over those places which were to be the sphere of his future operations in order to become acquainted with them, it was decided that Back-street should be made the centre of his operations. That was in the middle of a dense population and no one who had not seen with his own eyes and heard with his own ears could form any idea of them or be acquainted with the scenes. There were a great number of loose women and sailors and abandoned characters of all descriptions, whilst vice and immorality abounded. This street was in the centre of a most neglected and poor part of the town, and containing upwards of 1500 visitable families, most of them living without God. There was a goodly sprinkling of Roman Catholics – some Mormonites. It was in fact a motley group whose habits were as diversified as their occupations – some of them were filthy in the extreme whilst others were clean; whilst the dear children were as happy as birds, or he would rather say ‘ducks’, digging holes in the mud. The speaker then read copiously extracts from his journal, from which we ascertained that he had distributed many tracts, had prayed with old and infirm and bed-ridden people, and spoke to many of their everlasting welfare. Many received the tracts kindly and promised to read them, whilst others refused, saying they were all lies. He had offered a tract to a bold blasphemer. He asked what it was about and he was told it was about the Lord Jesus Christ. He said “Where does he live. I do not know such a ‘fellow’ as he.” Others had reviled him whilst some on the other hand had thrown open their rooms in which to hold prayer meetings. The places which he had visited abounded with prostitution, the women being more like incarnate fiends than modest women. If any would just walk through these places they would find gin and beer, cards and dice, abandoned women and wretched sailors, during all hours of the day, all doing the work of Satan. Surely there is work enough to engage any missionary, however zealous he may be. The Rev. C. Short stated the financial condition of the society. The subscriptions in the whole amounted to about £55; about £20 more was wanted and he did hope that those present and one and all would contribute liberally, remembering the importance of the work in which they were engaged. The doxology was then sung, which concluded the proceedings.

1857 – 11 September

The City of the Mormons

The City of the Saints is fortified with a wall of mud twelve feet high, with a broad deep ditch in front of it, and semi-bastions at half-musket range. These are pierced with loop-holes to afford a front and flank fire in case of attack. Entering through a gate of the wall, we find the city divided into blocks, often of ten acres each, intersected at right angles by streets 180 feet wide, running due north and south and east and west, and in wet weather almost impassable. The houses in the suburb are scattered, and consist mostly of mud hovels, with dirt roofs and log shanties. The center of the city is more thickly settled, and better built. The sidewalls are of respectable width, often with a stream of water flowing through them, on which are planted cotton wood and other trees of rapid growth. Everything bears the impress of industry and toil. Improvements are visible in all quarters, which no drones could have effected. The number of inhabitants is about fifteen thousand. Most of them are English or Scotch, few Americans, many Welsh, and some Danes. The Americans, who are principally from the Western borders of the United States, although composing less than a third part of the population, possess a complete monopoly of political power, fill all the offices, ecclesiastical and civil, and receive all the emoluments. Almost without exception, they are polygamists, bitter in their hatred of the Gentiles, and full of religious zeal for their miserable faith. Arriving at the center of the city, we come upon Temple Block and a street full of stores. The premises are favorable to business, and the merchants make enormous profits, often amounting from 150 to 600 per cent, large stocks of merchandise are yearly imported across the plains in huge wagons drawn by oxen. The stores are built of adobe, sun-dried bricks, and their white color gives a lively appearance to the streets.

In this portion of the city reside the principal dignitaries of the Church. Their houses are generally comfortable, though with slight pretension to elegance. You see a large barrack-like house on the corner. This is the residence of Elder Benson and his four wives. Brother Grant, with his five wives, lately occupied the pretty house you see on the east side. The celebrated anchorite, Parley P. Pratt, with his nine wives, lived in more ascetic style, and was content with the mean-looking house you pass on the west. Dr. Richards, with his eleven helpmates, lived in that long dirty row of single rooms, half hidden by a very beautiful orchard and garden. Looking toward the north, we see the whole square covered with houses, barns, gardens, and orchards. Here, in serene domestic bliss, resides the great apostle, H. C. Kimball, with his eighteen or twenty wives, their families and dependents. Here is a pompous edifice, with a fierce lion in repose sculptured on its front. It can only be the dwelling of the champion of the faithful, the “Lion of the Lord,” as he is sometimes called, the world-renowned Brigham Young. Here, with his seventeen wives, he watches over the welfare of his charming colony. This house was erected at an expense of over £30,000, in addition to the shingling, which was performed by all the carpenters in the city at the command of Brigham, “in the name of the Lord, and by the authority of the holy priesthood.”

But we have not arrived at the grand seraglio of our Occidental sultan. This is a large, showy, adobe building, finely plastered, brilliantly white, balconied from ground to roof, an observatory on the top, and the whole surmounted by the Mormon symbol of industry, a beehive. It cost over 65,000 dollars, and is the most splendid building in the territory. It is occupied by the senior wife of the patriarch and her family. Orchards and gardens lie behind it and surround it. Nearby is the Social Hall, devoted to dramatic representations and to the dance. This last is a great institution with the Mormons, and Brigham himself does not disdain to initiate the unenlightened into the mysteries of Terpsichore. He is an accomplished dancing master, as well as an inspired prophet. The Mormons show a discriminating taste in their choice of dances. They especially affect cotillions, country dances, and reels, but show no favor to the polka, schottische, and similar ambitious performances, being averse, as they say, to seeing their wives and daughters in such close proximity to other men. An original genius among them, equally bent on piety and pleasure, has invented a double cotillon, giving two ladies to each gentleman, a necessary arrangement, as the ballroom generally numbers from three to four women to one of the ruder sex.

The Tabernacle is an imposing structure or temple block, a square containing ten acres. And surrounded with a wall and handsome shade trees. The Tabernacle will seat over 2,000 persons, and here Brigham and the other leaders will give the word of the Lord every Sabbath to the people. They have an instrumental band which plays marches, waltzes, and other lively tunes, besides a choir who sing the original productions of the Mormon music to the air of Old Dan Tucker, Bach’s chants, and Handel’s oratorios. Their religious meetings commence with singing and prayer, which are followed with discourses on adobe-making, clothes-washing, house-cleaning, ditch-digging, and similar instructive topics, the whole service winding up with the announcements of letters in the post office, plans for picnics, and the arrangement of work. Mormons love to combine the interest of religion and of the world. Even their theatrical performances are opened with prayer, and the actors are dismissed with a benediction, often while in a state of pythonic excitement from bad liquor.

New York Tribune

1857 – 18 September

THE MORMONS.

This fanatical sect of late... holding forth in various localities contiguous... town, and they seem to have attained something of a stronghold in Llansamlet. On Sunday last... however they so disgusted their hearers with their... and preposterous ‘sermons’ and their . . . in reference to the impostor Joe Smith, that they were pelted with cabbages, potatoes, apples, &c. . . . were compelled to beat a precipitate retreat . . . by the hootings and jeers of 200 or 300 people.

1857 – 2 October

THE MORMONS AGAIN.

On Monday evening last the Rev. Williams delivered a lecture at Waunarlwydd on the absurdities and blasphemies of the faith of this fanatical sect. The creed of the book of Mormon was shown to be a delusion and a snare invented by the crafty devices of man to entrap the simple minded. A Mr John Davies, president of the West Glamorganshire conference of the Latter Day Saints addressed the meeting in which he attempted but in vain to confute the arguments and statements of the lecturer. Davies was loudly hissed and hooted and the proceedings terminated very uproariously.

1858 – 3 September

The Mormonites at Stepney have become objects of the popular indignation, and on Friday a discourse was delivered in the street outside their conventicle. By Mr Hepburn of Swansea notoriety which had the effect of inciting the mob to an attack upon the elders and their followers, who were at the time engaged in the mysteries of their worship. The affair became serious and the Mormons would have fared badly but for the protection of the police who had great difficulty in escorting them to a place of safety. The anti-Mormonite agitator and his lieutenant have been bound over to keep the peace.

1858 – 3 September

THE GREAT SALT LAKE CITY

Imagine a perfect level plain, apparently 20 miles wide and 100 miles long, almost surrounded by mountains. Near to the mountains on the east of the plan conceive a section of land six miles square laid out as a city, the streets – all of which are much wider than Broadway – regularly laid out and running exactly at right angles to each other, either due north and south, or due east and wast; they are 130 feet wide; the sidewalks are 20 feet wide; the blocks are very large, often containing 10 acres of land. The city has 13 streets in one direction and 18 in the other; they are unpaved, and if much trampled during wet weather must be very muddy.

The site of the city gradually slopes from north to south at the present time there is a fresh stream of water running down the sides of every street lying north and south; water is conveyed into almost every garden in the city for irrigation purposes. Cotton, wood and other trees have been set out along every street; their bright green verdure and shade gives a peculiar charm to the smooth and regular thoroughfares. Small foot-bridges have been built over the streams where they intersect the sidewalks.

The town is very sparely covered with houses; in the major part of it there are only two or three little habitations on a square block and it will be remembered that the blocks are very large. The houses are built close to the sides of the blocks, the rest of the ten acres being tilled as gardens and fields; thus the city at present contains numerous small fields of wheat and some very fine gardens. The houses are all built of adobe sun-dried brick; they are about five inches wide, ten inches long, and four inches thick; they are made of a superior quality of clay for building purposes and seem to form very substantial structures. The colour of the buildings is a sort of slate white, and though with an individual house it is not very agreeable yet it gives to the tout ensemble of the city a very lively and pleasant appearance. The building look neat and comfortable; they are generally small modest structures, laying no claim to architectural beauty; their style is variegated but not remarkably so.

Probably no other city in the world of the size presents to the eye of the approaching voyageur so magnificent a prospect; the exact space it occupies, the streets set as it were in a jewel of rippling brooks which glisten bright as silver in the sunlight, their breadth and regularity; the rows of young verdant tree that border upon them, the lively colour of the houses, the beautiful gardens and orchards with the small fields thick covered with flowing wheat give to it an aspect singularly attractive, especially when it is contrasted with the bordering bleak and barren mountains. This city at present so full of interest to the world with its pleasant orchards and gardens is the work of but ten years, and that too in a barren valley, without spontaneous vegetation higher than a willow bush. There were almost 15,000 inhabitants in this city before it was depopulated by the order of Brigham.

So much for the city in general. Now for its great and marvellous buildings. First there are Brigham’s lion-house and his mansion. They are the first prominent specific objects that attract the traveller’s eye on descending the mountains. They are near the centre of the city on the square adjoining the temple, and with it occupy the best sites in the town. Brigham’s home in the most densely populated part of the city, occupies a square containing 10 acres of land. The entire square is surrounded by a stone wall 10 feet high, 2 feet wide at the top, and four or five feet at the bottom. At either side of all the gates and at short distances along the wall, columns are built. They are rounded and extend one foot beyond the wall. The wall is very substantial. It is built of cut and cobble stone, with mortar sand. It must have been constructed at an immense expenditure of time and labour, one in looking at it could not help asking for what on earth was such a great wall erected. An answer suggests itself – Brigham did not know but that at some time there might be a movement of the people against him, so he determined to strongly fortify himself against such as emergency. He might also consider the wall a good safeguard against the escape of an outraged, indignant or revolting wife. It keeps close dark or secret things that transpire within. None can see through or over it; none can enter and none can escape but whom, when and how the prophet wills. I asked one of the faithful why the wall was built. He replied, jesting “There are many women in there; it is to prevent such Gentiles as you from getting at them.” He may have told more truth than he intended to; for his remark fairly translated means it is to keep Brigham’s women from escaping, for Gentiles would not dream of entering the lion’s den to seduce them.

Passing east from the Temple block, we came by crossing the street to the southwest corner of Brigham’s block. A tithing-house stands there, in which every man pays the tenth part of his possessions and income to the church, and is in that and other ways annually robbed of one fifth of what pertains to him. Continuing east to the centre of the same block we come to Brigham’s house. It is two storeys high, about 25 feet in front and 100 feet deep; it is built in the same style with peaked gable and narrow-pointed windows projecting from the steep roof. The high stone wall in front of it completely obstructed my view of the lower part of the house. The first storey is built, I believe, of stone, on the ridge of which, in front, is a well sculptured lion “resting but watchful.” This is understood the indicate the character of Brigham for he is known among the Saints as the “Lion of the Lord.” The house is said to have cost over 30,000 dollars and would have cost much more but for Brigham’s peculiar method of completing it, which is thus described by an apostate: “It (the house) was completed and ready for shingling in 1845; the shingles were ready and waiting. At a Sunday meeting, in the Tabernacle, Brigham announced that he had a mission for all the carpenters and demanded if they would accept of it. The raised their hands and were then coolly commanded to “shingle the lion-house in the name of the Lord and by the authority of the holy priesthood.” So Brigham’s lion-house was shingled, for although the carpenters grumbled, still they obeyed. Close by the east side of the lion-house there is a small structure which contains Brigham’s office and his clerk’s rooms. The building resembles a gentleman’s summer-house only it is smaller. It makes pretensions to considerable architectural beauty, and justifiably too. Close the east side of the office stands Brigham’s mansion. The three buildings – Brigham’s lion-house, office and mansion – probably are connected at the side or rear, though they seem independent from the front. Brigham’s mansion is said to be the finest building in the territory. It is a large handsome adobe, three storeys high, and balconied from ground to roof. It was erected at the cost of 65,000 dollars. It has been plastered on the outside and the work done remarkably well for the sides of the house are smooth as ice and dazzling white. On the top of the house there is an observatory, surmounted by a beehive, which is the Mormon emblem of the territorial seal, which the Gentiles would say is particularly inappropriate because there are no bees in the territory; but the saints are ready to overcome incongruities which would master other people. Thus their prophet Brigham has received a revelation direct from God instructing him where there is a mountain in the country full of honey, where millions of bees have been for millions of years (in eternal snow) depositing the sweet fruit of their sweaty labour in the exhumed belly of the mountain. Before leaving Brigham’s house I should remark that the most of his wives live, or rather have lived in the lion-house. His senior wife and family live in the mansion. He has some 18 better halves.

Utah Correspondent of the New York Herald

1858 – 10 September

THE MORMONS

A long and interesting letter has appeared in The Times from a correspondent who was present with the United States expedition against Utah. He expresses his doubts that the peace patched up with the United States Government and the Mormons will be lasting and thinks that a reaction will follow worse than the original disease. The measures taken to oppose the invading army were contemptible. The works of defense erected sustain everything we had been told in regard to the entire absence of anything like military knowledge or skill among the Mormons. With nearly a year to prepare for resistance, they had erected no single work which would have been a spider’s web in the way of a light battery posted on the heights. A more complete or pitiable abortion of defenses could not possibly have been devised; and yet the Mormon ‘colonels’ and ‘generals’ assert that their sharpshooters would have picked off the army with their rifles so rapidly that they could have made no visible progress. The Mormon leaders, fearful of losing their prestige, circulated the story that the United States Government had yielded to conditions of their exacting. The real facts are that the commissioners, Messrs Powell and McCulloch, upon obtaining an interview with Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and General Wells constituting the “First Presidency” of the Church of Latter-day Saints laid before them the President’s proclamation of pardon and stated that they had no other business than to inquire whether the people were ready to accept this act of grace, to receive the Federal authorities and to obey the constitution and the laws of the Union. After some temporizing it was agreed that the Federal officers should be received, and Brigham Young accepted the tendered pardon.

Upon arriving in Salt Lake, the writer found the city almost deserted. Under orders from Brigham the entire population has vacated their homes and marched to the southern settlements. There was not a single woman left in the town except the wife of Governor Cumming. All the rest had been compelled to leave, the leaders having declared their fixed purpose not to let one of them remain here to witness the entrance of the army and be “corrupted and demoralized” by its officers. The houses were all closed, and windows and doors closed up with rough boards. Scarce a human being could be seen in the streets for in the entire city there were only two or three hundred men left to guard the property and to apply the torch if orders should come to do so.

The mass of the people had been tarrying at Provo, a town about fifty miles south. Thither the Times correspondent repaired and had an interview with Brigham Young, whom he thus describes: “I found him a well-presented man of fifty-seven years of age, of medium height, of figure rather inclined to corpulency with sandy complexion and a vulgar, sensual mouth. He was well but plainly dressed, rather austere in manner, and evidently fully conscious of the necessity of maintaining a sort of royal dignity becoming a prophet. I should judge him to be shrewd in worldly affairs, a good business manager, a judge of human nature and capable of adapting it to his will. The cast of his mind, however, is evidently low and vulgar.” He next gives us a portrait of another leader, Heber C. Kimball: “No one knows with certainty how many wives Brigham has, but Heber pleads guilty to about forty.His reputation as a husband and father is bad, and many are the secretly whispered tales of his jealous cruelty to his wives, some of whom are younger than his firstborn child. He is certainly the most vulgar and blasphemous wretch it has been my misfortune to meet.”

The population of the valley has been, it appears, greatly over-estimated, 35,000 being the highest amount at which they can be reckoned, and of these only 5,000 men are capable of bearing arms – the utter futility therefore of their resisting the United States government must be apparent. There is scarce an acre in the whole territory of Utah that can be cultivated without irrigation. The taxes are enormous; and it is impossible to get on unless high up in the church.

The women appear to be, as a class, discontented and unhappy, painfully conscious that their natural affections must ever be stifled, and the love they would share alone with a husband be divided with several female partners. They are all meanly clad, many of them having scarcely sufficient to cover their nakedness. This arises not merely from poverty but from the fact that in consequence of the merchants having been driven away from the valley there have been no fabrics here to be purchased fit for female apparel. The writer adds: “The men are excessively jealous which makes it difficult to get opportunity to converse with the women. I have been able, however, to steal brief interviews with a few of them, two being ‘spiritual’ wives of polygamous husbands. Slight as was the opportunity to converse with them, they found time to express their secret abhorrence of the whole system, and their earnest desire to be rescued from degradations.” The mass of the people are described as industrious, honest and conscientious, paying their debts promptly, observing family worship morning and evening, living quietly and peaceably with each other (with the exception of jealous differences in the double-wived households) and in all other respects, under ordinary circumstances living the lives of good citizens and neighbors. To all outward appearance the best order prevails; but it is evident that it is the good order of despotism.

1858 – 24 December

[SWANSEA POLICE]

The Second Charge – the same defendant

William Lewis was then charged by Mr. Supt. Dunn with being absent from duty on the night of the 24^th inst., and being found concealed under the bed in a brothel, for which offence he had rendered himself liable to a fine of 40s or to be sent to prison for ten days.

The defendant, upon being asked whether he was guilty or not guilty, replied that he was guilty of being found in the house alluded to, but not guilty of being off his beat. Upon the night in question he heard that there was a quarrel in one of the houses in John Street and being in his beat he went there to see what was the matter. While he was there, he heard the sergeant’s voice at the door, and his first impulse was to secret himself. He gave way to this fatal impulse and got under the bed, where he was found by the sergeant.

Mr. Dunn said that the defendant had been up to many tricks before, but he had always some paltry excuse ready. This, however, was such a gross neglect of duty that he was bound to bring the defendant before the Magistrates.

P.S. Schubert, No. 5, was then sworn, and stated that on the night in question he missed the defendant off his beat and heard his voice inside the house, No. 10 John Street. He heard the defendant ask some woman there to go out and fetch some beer, but she replied that it was too late. He then had a conversation with the woman about a sixpence and a shilling which he said he had given her upon a previous occasion. Being convinced the defendant was inside, he (Schubert) wrapped at the door, but he received no answer. He wrapped again, but they would not open the door. He then said if they would not open the door he would burst it in, and it was then opened by a woman. He looked about for the defendant but could not find him anywhere. Feeling certain, however, he was still inside the house, he went upstairs and on looking under the bed saw him there. He then called the defendant, but he would not reply. He called him a second, third and fourth time, still no reply. At last, getting no answer he took hold of his collar and brought him out from under the bed. He met the defendant subsequently and he then called him most improper names.

The defendant was here asked if he had anything further to say in defense, when he replied “Either of your Worships may throw a stone at me, but nobody in the force can.”

In reply to a question by the Bench, the Superintendent stated that the defendant had been apprehended some twenty or thirty miles off, although he had not then been dismissed from the force – merely suspended and consequently he had no right to leave as he had.

The Magistrates having consulted, Mr Moggridge said that the Bench were of opinion that this case was a most serious and aggravated one, and he regretted very much that the punishment awarded was not more severe. It was a most gross dereliction of duty and certainly deserved a severe punishment. However, they must take the law as they found it, and therefore he was sentenced to ten days’ imprisonment with hard labor – the full penalty inflicted by the law.

[The defendant is a married man and was for some time one of the chief members of those fanatics – the Latter-day Saints – in which capacity, so we are informed, he would sometimes be engaged preaching.]

1859 – 18 March

Marriage. On 15^th inst. at Llanelly parish church (by license) Rev. D.M. Rees, curate, Mr Henry Harries President of the Latter-day Saint conference, to Miss Mary Rees of ..... Meadow, Bedwellty, Mon.

On Trial in the Welsh Press Supplements

Latter-day Saints in Welsh Newspapers and Periodicals, 1840–1860

Ronald D. Dennis, Editor

The Cambrian

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