Episodes

14.1—The Instructor publishes four installments of “Female Life among the Mormons”

14.2—Daniel Daniels responds to John Davies’s absurd claims

14.3—Daniel Daniels scolds the editor of the Leader for his accusations

14.4—Various reports are printed of the sixth annual conference of the Latter-day Saints held in London

14.5—Cambrian makes accusations—Daniel Daniels answers

14.6—Various writers react to the Deseret Alphabet

Salient Events

• 10 January 1857. Zion’s Trumpet prints a quote from the Millennial Star with some sad news for those who were counting on assistance from the Perpetual Emigrating Fund to take them to Salt Lake City during 1857:

• This Office will not send any P. E. Fund emigrants to Utah during the year 1857. All the funds that the Company can command will be exhausted in discharging the heavy liabilities, incurred in sending out over two thousand souls, in the year 1856. The Saints will bear in mind that two thousand persons cannot be sent to Utah without incurring an expense of about eighteen thousand pounds sterling. It will probably require nearly two years from the present time for the P. E. Fund Company to discharge the debts contracted by last season’s operations.[1]

• 24 January 1857. Zion’s Trumpet prints a statistical report for Wales for the final six months of 1856. It shows the total number of members at 3,010. Also mentioned are 270 excommunications, 87 deaths, and 528 emigrants. The emigrants for 1856 included many seasoned veterans in leadership positions throughout Wales. The large numbers of excommunications and deaths further diminished the branches and left The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wales in a greatly weakened condition. The days of the wondrous growth of the Church during the late 1840s and early 1850s would never be repeated.

• 27 June 1857. Zion’s Trumpet prints a second letter from Mary Daniels, Daniel Daniels’s wife (see Salient Events in previous chapter). Mary must have wondered at the fairness of the extension of her husband’s mission. After all, he had returned to Wales on his initial mission in September 1852 in the company of Dan Jones and Thomas Jeremy. Jeremy had been released from his mission in April 1855 to accompany a group of Welsh on the Chimborazo. Jones had been released from his mission in March 1856 to accompany a group of Welsh Saints on the S. Curling. And who could say how much longer her husband’s extension would be? In this her second letter, dated 30 March 1857, she wrote:

My dear husband—I was thinking you would be released to return to the bosom of the Church, and to your dear family, this year; but by now I have been brought to understand through the Mormon that you have been appointed to stay in Wales another year. Although my fondest wish is to get to see you, yet, through the power of the Holy Ghost, I shall be content, and I pray daily for the will of God to be done in relation to your important mission.[2]

As it turned out, Daniels was released both as President of the Church in Wales and editor of Zion’s Trumpet at the end of 1857.

• 25 July 1857. The editor of the Usk Observer prints a letter from a passenger on the 1855 crossing of the S. Curling, written to his brother in Abergavenny, in which he gives an account of his travels from Liverpool to Nephi City, his current residence. Despite the death of his wife and numerous hardships associated with the journey, the writer remains very positive about the total experience.[3] Furthermore, he strongly encourages his brother to follow after him. A week later, in the 1 August 1857 issue of Usk Observer, the repentant editor explains why he had printed a letter that contained only positive information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (see below entry).
• 15 August 1857. The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian of this date carries an article entitled “Remarkable Letter from an Escaped Mormon.” The “escaped Mormon” is John Davies, a young man who left Britain with his family on board the S. Curling in April 1856. After his father died along the way, John and his mother and siblings continued on to Salt Lake City. The following year, John decided to travel back to Florence, Nebraska. In his letter to his brother Thomas in Wales, John tells of the great difficulty he had in getting out of Salt Lake City and making his way west. Some of his assertions are outlandish, such as claiming that he was armed with six revolvers and that he—at age twenty—had given his mother $500 before he left. In the next issue of Zion’s Trumpet, Daniel Daniels takes issue with most of what Davies had written, and he chastises the newspaper for publishing such “blatant and contradictory lies.”[4] See Episode 14.2.
• 15 August 1857. In this issue of Zion’s Trumpet, Daniel Daniels defends his religion against the attacks of the Leader (Yr Arweinydd), a newspaper published in Pwllheli, North Wales. Unfortunately, the newspaper is not extant. Daniels begins with this observation about the editor of the Leader:

He gives some unsavory accusations against the Saints, mocking their God in a very unusual way.[5]

Daniels then proceeds to list and address the various accusations. See Episode 14.3.

• 12 September 1857. The sixth annual conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is held in London at the Adelaide Gallery, Lower Arcade, Strand. This event triggered articles in the Monmouthshire Beacon, the North Wales Chronicle, the Usk Observer, the Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, the Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, the Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, and the Star of Wales. Attendance was estimated at about one thousand, and the reaction in all of the articles that appeared in the Welsh press was one of great disdain and even worry as to the growth of this religion in Britain. See Episode 14.4 for a more complete treatment.
• 19 September 1857. On this date two newspapers—the Chepstow Weekly Advertiser—and the Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald—carry the same article about the new “Deseret Alphabet” with this prophecy: “So the Deseret News will probably hereafter be a profound mystery, at least in part, to all but the initiated.” See Episode 14.6.
• 26 September 1857. This issue of Zion’s Trumpet carries Daniel Daniels’s 165-word reaction to a report in the Cambrian of some Latter-day Saint preachers in Llansamlet, who were “pelted with cabbages, potatoes, apples, etc.” by “200 or 300 people.” Daniels asks the editor of the Cambrian to “show where his Bible supports and praises persecutors and maligners.” See Episode 14.5.
• 26 September 1857. Also in this issue of Zion’s Trumpet is Daniel Daniels’s 2,170-word review of a pamphlet entitled Heresies and Deceptions of the Latter-day Saints, and the Book of Mormon, Exposed, written by the Reverend W. J. Morrish. Daniels responds to the “renewed commotion” that had been reported to exist among some of the Church members in North Wales because of this pamphlet, which had been published eight years earlier. To address these concerns, Daniels agrees to “show as much of its [the pamphlet’s] inconsistency” in the limited space of Zion’s Trumpet as he can. In typical polemical fashion, he refutes a number of the so-called heresies and deceptions that the Anglican vicar puts forth in his publication. In doing so, Daniels shows himself to be a first-rate polemicist on the same level as his predecessors, Dan Jones and John S. Davis. A facsimile translation of Morrish’s publication is in the pamphlet section.
• 26 September 1857. The Usk Observer for this date carries an article entitled “Expedition against the Mormons.” This is the first of numerous articles in many Welsh newspapers about the conflict between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the United States Government, often referred to as the “Utah War.”
• 10 October 1857. This issue of Zion’s Trumpet includes the following announcement: “In view of the difficulties which are now threatening the Saints, we deem it wisdom to stop all emigration to the States and Utah for the present.” This information is followed by an optimistic prediction: “We anticipate that it will not be long until the way will again be opened so that you can go home.”[6] It appears that the next ship to sail from Liverpool with Welsh Latter-day Saint emigrants was the William Tapscott on 11 April 1859.

Commentary

1857: 24 January, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 8 (455 words). “Mormon Polygamy.”

Statistics of Latter-day Saint polygamy as reported by a correspondent of the San Francisco Herald. He gives a list of leaders and the number of wives each one has. His final paragraph is as follows:

To which add 68 for the number then living of Governor [Brigham] Young’s wives, and you have the whole number of women thus represented by the members of the Legislature, officers of the same, and his Excellency, amounting to 420; or, in other words, 40 men and 420 wives. These, Mr. Editor, are sober truths, and in what they will end is for the dark and doleful future.

1857: 24 January, Usk Observer, p. 2 (95 words). “Mormon Polygamy.”

A greatly scaled-down version of the information in the 24 January 1857 issue of the Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian (see previous entry).

1857: 24 January, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 10 (95 words). “Mormon Polygamy.”

Same article as in the Usk Observer for 24 January (see previous entry).

1857: 31 January, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 3 (285 words). “Mormon Life in Hull.”

In the town of Hull, a “young married female of respectability” has been deserted by her husband of four years because she would not become a Latter-day Saint along with him. She went to the workhouse to claim relief, but since her position was not sufficiently dire, “the relieving officers were considering whether to grant her any relief or not.” The magistrate issued an order to apprehend her husband, but he “had left the town.”

1857: February, Y Drysorfa (Treasury), pp. 58–59 (320 words). “The Present Situation of Mormonism.”

The goal of the Mormons in going to Utah, no doubt, was to establish an independent government; but it was not long after they moved there that the American Government gained possession of California; and now the Mormons are being squeezed by the growing population of America from the East and from the West.[7]

The writer then explains why he has reason to hope concerning the Latter-day Saints:

Those who leave them with loathing give deplorable accounts of their morals; and those who remain with them are beginning to see the need for a reform. . . . There is a kind of pressure from within and from without on this fanatical, deceived, and unrefined people, which is certain to end in their reform soon.[8]

1857: 14 February, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 3 (20 words).

Letters from the American plains report numerous deaths and great suffering among the Mormon emigrant teams, from want and cold.

1857: 14 February, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p.3 (745 words). “News for Mormon converts.”

A letter by William Hartle to his brother in Leeds. William had sailed on the Horizon from Liverpool to Boston a few months earlier with his wife Elizabeth, their four sons (John, Samuel, William, and Ephraim), William’s father (John), his mother (Lydia), and his sister (Mary). They started across the plains in the Martin Handcart Company. Only William and his son John survived to reach Utah. William’s letter must certainly have given pause to his coreligionists in Britain as they contemplated a similar journey.

1857: 28 February, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 3 (270 words). “Mormons Perishing on the Plains.”

A correspondent of the Missouri Republican gives a dire account of the handcart companies that had encountered heavy snows on their way to Salt Lake City the previous year:

They were very badly clothed, and in consequence of the hardships many of them were dying; in one camp they buried fifteen in one day. The mode of burial, since they cannot dig the frozen ground, is to lay the bodies in heaps, and pile over them willows and heaps of stones. Governor Brigham Young, learning something of their condition dispatched some men and provisions to their relief; but these were met by the mail party returning to the city again, having been turned back by the violence of the storms they encountered. What the poor creatures will do, or what will become of them, is “hard to tell.”

1857: 28 February, Merthyr Telegraph, p. 2 (280 words). “A Mormon Madman.”

A report of a wealthy man in Denmark who became a Latter-day Saint but was frustrated that his wife would not abandon her belief in the Lutheran religion. According to the account, the man claimed that an angel had “charged him in the name of God to convert her to the faith of the Mormons.” Upon her refusal the man reportedly stabbed his wife to death.

Episode 14.1

Start: The Instructor publishes four installments of Female Life among the Mormons

1857: March, Y Dysgedydd (The Instructor), pp. 105–10 (5,145 words). “The Mormons—the Migration of the Mormons, under the leadership of Jo Smith, toward the Salt Lake,” part 1 of 4.

1857: April, Y Dysgedydd (The Instructor), pp. 139–43 (3,645 words). “The Mormons—the Migration of the Mormons, under the leadership of Jo Smith, toward the Salt Lake,” part 2 of 4.

1857: May, Y Dysgedydd (The Instructor), pp. 185–87 (2,450 words). “The Mormons—the Migration of the Mormons, under the leadership of Jo Smith, toward the Salt Lake,” part 3 of 4.

1857: June, Y Dysgedydd (The Instructor), pp. 223–25 (1,455 words). “The Mormons—the Migration of the Mormons, under the leadership of Jo Smith, toward the Salt Lake,” part 4 of 4.

Except for the two opening paragraphs in the March 1857 issue, all the installments consist of the Welsh translations of various segments of Female Life Among the Mormons; a Narrative of Many Years’ Personal Experience. By the Wife of a Mormon Elder, Recently from Utah. The segments selected from the Instructor for translation into Welsh represent but a fraction of the forty-eight chapters (449 pages) of the original English of this anonymous novel, which was written to portray The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the most negative light possible. In his opening paragraph, the editor explains why he had elected to present to his readers the selections from the unnamed novel:

We do not intend to say anything at present about the religious disease of the human mind, of which Mormonism is the lowest and most corrupt form, except insofar as it is essential in order to throw light on something so irresponsible, that such an unclean and odious form of religion should have been accepted by anyone on whom the slightest ray of general knowledge has shone. But Mormonism remains a fact in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven and counts its disciples in the thousands! Some maintain that God, in a judgment, has allowed men to fall into firm error, to believe lies, to give credence to heretical spirits, to deceive, and to be deceived.[9]

In his second paragraph, the editor provides further justification for his decision and labels the followers of Joseph Smith as follows:

Poor, ignorant, little people, only one step above the animal which is destroyed—for whom their Mormonism is more of a misfortune than a sin, and they themselves objects more to be pitied than condemned.[10]

End: The Instructor publishes four installments of Female Life among the Mormons

1857: 7 March, Merthyr Telegraph, p. 3 (110 words). “Sufferings of Mormon Emigrants.”

The Boston Puritan says: “We have dreadful accounts of the sufferings among the Mormon emigrants by the handcart train which is now in the mountains. The train contained 350 souls; one-seventh are already dead; and they are dying at the rate of fifteen per day. There are some 600 more behind, of which we have heard nothing. We hope that they stopped at Laramie. It is impossible for them to get through this fall. The Mormons estimate that there are no less than 1,500 of their brethren yet to come in, and the snow is reported to be not less than a foot deep in the mountains.”

1857: 7 March, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 9 (85 words).

The New York Tribune states that malignant small-pox broke out among a part of emigrants en route through Utah territory to California. The medical men, on making a rigid investigation, discovered that a child had picked up a bead filled with small-pox virus, the ends being stopped with cotton. The theory was that it must have been placed there by Mormons, in the hope that they would thus implant the seeds of that dreadful disease among the Indians, whom they have been unable to make tools of.

1857: 14 March, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 3 (21 words).

The Mormons at Great Salt Lake City are threatened with famine. Their crops have been destroyed by drought, grasshoppers, and worms.

1857: 21 March, Merthyr Telegraph, p. 3 (375 words). “Letter from the Salt Lake.”

Rees Llewellyn, “a person well known in the neighborhood of Pentrebach,” reports on his journey in a handcart company to Salt Lake City. Despite the many difficulties he and his wife had experienced, he wrote:

But for all I am quite happy here, and send my best respects to you my dear mother, and all my friends. . . . I have very little to say of the country. It is healthy, and the atmosphere is here much clearer than in the old country. It is a good country for the Mormons; but there are many living here that do not belong to them; whilst there are some of the worst men on the face of the earth here, I know there are a few of the best men. As the net cast into the sea, brings all kinds of fish, so you may depend on my word there are some sharks here.

1857: 25 March, Yr Amserau (Times), p. 3 (570 words). “Saintism in the South.”

The writer, identifying himself as “An Enemy of Deceit,” observes:

These fanatical people have been very successful in Wales during recent years, but by now the majority of them have emigrated to their earthly heaven, although a few of them are to be seen here and there.

The writer is accurate with respect to all three of his above observations. Historical facts are as follows:

• During the previous decade, approximately 7,000 Welsh had converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ministers of other religious were greatly perturbed as they watched members of their own congregations abandon their pews and adopt the Latter-day Saint message.
• In 1849 the first group—approximately 330—of the Welsh converts emigrated to their “earthly heaven.” Each year after this initial departure, smaller groups of the Welsh went on several ships along with English and Scottish converts. And in April 1856, over five hundred Welsh Saints sailed on board the S. Curling, with Salt Lake City as their final destination.
• When this Times article was published in 1857, the Latter-day Saint presence in Wales was considerably diminished, as many leaders and stalwarts in the faith had been among the large S. Curling party.

The writer then tells of a miner who had converted to The Church of Jesus Christ and who had decided to forsake the use of tobacco “to have money to throw into the treasury of the saints.” Also “he withheld permission for his wife to use tea, telling her that it was harmful.” The miner was successful in giving up his pipe, but chewing tobacco presented a much great challenge. The writer explains how the miner succeeded in abandoning his habit:

He went up a small stream and selected a smooth stone, and he kept it in his mouth during the day, moving it as slowly as Atlas moved the world long ago. It was not much smaller at night than it was in the morning, and it did not cost him anything. He met a friend one morning who, when he saw something large in his mouth, asked if he had gone back to chewing. He answered in the negative and explained that it was a stone that he had. His friend wanted him to use a marble, but his answer was that he was afraid that he would swallow it.

The writer offers the following advice to the miner:

Our counsel to the above friend is to use everything that is proper for him as a man, and to stop denying permission for his wife to use anything that is for her good. Let him not be deceived by the saints, and let him not listen to their promises of happiness in Salt Lake. . . . We can assure him that many from South Wales have had to pay dearly for their journey to Salt Lake. This is the secret for the success of saintism in this country, namely their promises for happiness across the ocean; and after reaching the promised land they will experience the disappointment, but then it is too late to turn back. Let them inquire of those who have returned from there, and they will hear what kind of happy place the land of promise of the Saints really is.

1857: 28 March, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, pp. 2–3 (170 words). “A Mormon Worthy.”

Mr. David Wilkins of New York, already happy in the possession of two better halves, who were sisters, fell in love with a pretty Scotch girl. This beauty, however, had an aged mother, whom she refused to leave. David thereupon, with the consent of Brigham, overcame the difficulty by marrying both mother and daughter. But last spring, finding that with the enormous rates for provisions and breadstuffs he could not support four wives without making large inroads into his pile of the needful, he gave the two sisters notice that he had supported them long enough, and that they must find accommodation elsewhere. Accordingly, they had to leave him, and now support themselves by washing for some of the Gentiles. Again, you will find at Springville, on Utah Lake, Mr. Aaron Johnson (its bishop) serving the Lord by supporting as his spirituals five sisters, his own nieces, and the report is that he has engaged to marry the sixth as soon as she reaches her teens. New York Tribune.

1857: 4 April, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 3 (90 words).

The Mormon prophet, Young, recently denounced a man named Gideon, who had spoken against polygamy, in this wise: “Who is this Gideon that has come amongst you? He used to sell tape in St. Louis, and now he is here to blaspheme the Lord, and to destroy the house of Israel. And what should ye, children of the covenant, do in return for this evil work? Out with the bowie knives ye wore like breastpieces at Nauvoo, and, in the name of God and the prophet, give him h—ll!

1857: 11 April, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 1 (50 words). “Mormon Exodus.”

About 150 persons from Gloucester, Cheltenham, and Bristol, left Worcester on Tuesday last, for the Salt Lake, via Liverpool. The party contained persons of all ages, from decrepit old men and women down to infants in arms; and what was a significant fact, there were more females than males.

1857: 11 April, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 2 (37 words).

The Mormons are greatly incensed at the prospect of having a large military force stationed in Utah, and, according to the tenor of the latest advices, were prepared to show a forcible resistance to the federal troops.

1857: 11 April, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 3 (82 words).

We have no doubt that there is positive information in this city that Brigham Young and his crew have burned the United States archives, court records, etc., in Utah territory; that they have demanded the appointment of one or two schedules of federal officers, both headed by Brigham Young for governor, with the avowal of the purpose of driving any other out of the territory by force of arms. The truth is, the Mormons are already practically in a state of rebellion.

1857: 18 April, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 2 (395 words). “The Governorship of Utah.”

An article taken from the New York Times with regard to the future of Utah in which the writer states the importance of replacing Brigham Young as governor. He predicts:

The Mormons are an active, enterprising people, and are more closely to be watched on that account. When they shall have established themselves in the most desirable parts of the territory of Utah, they will be masters of a region, extending from the thirty-seventh degree of north latitude, and from the eastern base of Sierra Nevada to the summits of the Rocky Mountains—a domain more extensive than California, and as healthy and well adapted to the physical development of the human race as any in the world... By prompt action, the vast territory of Utah may be rescued from worse than anarchy, a better class of population may be attracted to its fertile fields, and a source of annoyance for years to come, if not bloodshed, may be averted.

1857: 25 April, North Wales Chronicle, p. 3 (305 words). “Rebellion in Utah.”

An article taken from the New York Herald in which the writer expresses concern about Utah in light of a recent act of rebellion in Salt Lake City. He writes:

In January last a party of Mormons, of high standing in the church, under the advice of Brigham Young, broke into the offices of the United States District Judge, and Clerk of the Supreme Court, and carried away by force all the papers and books belonging to the Supreme Court. The reason they gave for this outrage was, that Congress would not admit them as a state, and that they did not intend to tolerate any United States offices in the territory.

He ends his report with the following recommendation:

One of the very best men in the country should be sent to Salt Lake City, with a sufficient force of United States troops to enforce respect; and an end should be put, once and forever, by fair means or foul, to the series of outrages of which this violation of the records of the Supreme Court of Utah is the last.

1857: 25 April, Usk Observer, p. 2 (305 words). “Rebellion in Utah.”

The same article as in the North Wales Chronicle for 25 April 1857 (see previous entry).

1857: 2 May, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 3 (85 words). “English Mormons.”

On Tuesday afternoon one of the continental steamers brought about 560, in all, men, women, and children, to Grimsby, en route to Liverpool, thence to the Salt Lake. The majority of them looked in a healthy condition, and seemed to enjoy their transmigrating life. So far as intoxicating liquors are concerned, they are said to be total abstainers; and it is also asserted that out of that vast number there is not one who smokes or chews tobacco. Eastern Counties Herald.

1857: 2 May, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 3 (200 words). “The Mormons in Utah.”

A report of the recent action taken by the Buchanan administration regarding Utah:

It is proposed to send to Utah a military force of 2,000 men, officered by persons of character, and who have families; and judges and executive officers of worth and high standing, who have families, are to be appointed in place of Brigham Young and his satellites. The measure will, it is believed, afford ample protection to the territorial functionaries, and at the same time impart an enlightened and purer tone to the morals of the community.

1857: 2 May, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 169 (900 words). “The Mormons in America.”

The accounts received from the Mormon territory in Salt Lake are enough to cause every lover of mankind worry and shame, because of the filth and immorality which flourish in their midst. It is not without cause that they are spoken and written about; and the ministers of the gospel and the teachers of our Sabbath schools should raise their voices loudly against them, exposing their atrocious abomination, so that more of our fellow nation will not be seduced to emigrate to their ungodly Sodom. So that our readers may have a glimpse at the villainy that is carried on by them, we set before them an excerpt of a letter which was sent by a Baptist Minister to his brother in Wales.

The letter contains the minister’s assessment of the practice of plural marriage in Salt Lake City. He expresses shock at learning of the success of the proselytizing efforts of the Latter-day Saints in Wales:

And the thing that surprised me more than anything else was to learn from a Mormon traveler that there were many Welsh among them. O! where are you, friends of religion and mankind? The light of life is in your hands to fill the small Principality with the light of Christ; how is it that you have not done so? Mormonism cannot dwell in the light; therefore, there must be some places remarkably dark, even in Wales, where this monstrous deceit finds quiet to prosper.

The minister then describes the experience of the Latter-day Saint women:

The poor creatures! they suffer frightful tribulations on their journey to Utah as they cross a desert from six to seven hundred miles wide; and when they arrive there those who possess the slightest degree of moral feeling in their bosoms will be so terribly disappointed upon seeing themselves not in paradise, as their deceivers had promised, but in the Great Sodom of the West, where adultery is the law of the land, and where a woman whom God had made to be honored, loved, and respected, as a diadem to crown his fair creation has been cast down from her nobility to the deep mire of affliction and humiliation.

The writer for the Star of Wales concludes:

This is dreadful blasphemy! The abomination of Mormonism is worse than that of Muslimism, and that of the worst system of paganism.

1857: 2 May, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 6 (1,305 words). “The Esoteric Doctrines of Mormonism.”

A New York Tribune correspondent’s letter, dated October 1856, from Salt Lake City. The letter is about polygamy, and the very long response points out the “aspects and atrocities of this practice.” A little story at the end is as follows:

The second wives, or spirituals, are not supported by their husbands; on the contrary, there are numerous cases on record in which the women support the men, going out even in the field to work. The light in which the women are looked upon in this country is illustrated by the following incident: When the first handcart train entered the city, foremost in the line were noticed three buxom Welsh girls, who had drawn their handcart some 1500 miles. Wishing the next day after their arrival to see a Mormon with whom I had some business to transact, I inquired of one of his spirituals where I could find him. She answered me, with an ironical smile on her lips: “He has gone to engage as spirituals those three Welsh girls who were in the lead of the handcart train. He thinks they would be very useful in hauling his winter’s wood from the canoes, they make such an excellent team.”

1857: 2 May, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 6 (85 words). “English Mormons.”

On Tuesday afternoon one of the continental steamers brought about 560, in all, men, women, and children, to Grimsby, en route to Liverpool, thence to the Salt Lake. The majority of them looked in a healthy condition, and seemed to enjoy their transmigrating life. So far as intoxicating liquors are concerned, they are said to be total abstainers; and it is also asserted that out of this vast number there is not one who smokes or chews tobacco.—Eastern Counties Herald.

1857: 9 May, North Wales Chronicle, p. 4 (24 words).

A dispatch from Boston, dated April 20, says: “Eight hundred and fifty Mormons arrived here today from Liverpool, in the packet ship George Washington.”

1857: 9 May, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 6 (265 words). “The Mormons.”

The official report of Judge Drummond, of the Supreme Court of the territory of Utah, to the Hon. Jeremiah S. Black, Attorney-General of the United States, Washington City, D. C.

This very long report is followed by a “leading article” that appeared in the Times, giving credence to every detail of the Drummond report and condemning the Latter-day Saints. Here is a sample:

Mormonism, if conceived in America, is propagated and supported in England, nor do we know of any sign of our times more bewildering than the success of this shocking imposture among a civilized and instructed population. Witchcraft is a mere nothing by the side of this living and moving monstrosity.

1857: 9 May, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 7 (500 words). “The Mormons.”

This official report of Judge Drummond appeared also in the Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald for 9 May 1857 (see previous entry) and is followed by an analysis and commentary taken from the New York Express.

1857: 13 May, Yr Amserau (Times), p. 3 (925 words). “Freaks of Popular Sovereignty Among the Mormons—Resignation of W. W. Drummond, Chief Justice of Utah.”

The Welsh translation of a lengthy article that had appeared in the Orleans Courier for 3 April 1857. The introductory paragraph of the article is the editor’s account of a visit he received from William W. Drummond:

We had the gratification yesterday morning of a call from Judge W. W. Drummond, of Chicago, late Chief Justice of Utah Territory. He was in that condition of fine health and spirits in which we always rejoice to see good, sturdy, manly democrats. He entertained us for a considerable time with an account of his personal and judicial experience among the Saints, and of their manners, habits, history, notions and purposes. Although we were disgusted with this set of miserable fanatics from accounts which had already reached us, some relations given by Judge Drummond, in addition to those contained in his letter to Attorney-General Black, added many revolting shades to the picture.

The “revolting shades” to which the editor refers include details about the following positions the Latter-day Saints took:

• Their hatred for those who were not of their faith.
• Their hatred for the United States.
• Their unquestioned obedience to all instructions given by Brigham Young.
• Their unfair and often cruel treatment of the American Indians.
• Their practice of plural marriage.

The final portion of the article consists of the 30 March 1857 letter of Judge Drummond to the Attorney General of the United States, in which he sets forth the many reasons for his resignation.

1857: 16 May, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 4 (53 words). “Mormonism.”

The apostles of Mormonism are again busy seeking to make converts of the Rhos colliers and are exhorting them to emigrate to that delightful spot, the Salt Lake Valley. What their success has been we do not know; but those who are capable of being thus deluded we can very well spare.

1857: 16 May, Merthyr Telegraph, p. 2, Item 1 (195 words). “Clubs in Public Houses.”

We give the working men of Merthyr Tydfil credit for entertaining, and, to some extent, adopting, the advice from time to time given them. As regards ourselves we have rarely originated plans, or devised methods whereby the homes of industry might be made happier; but in pointing out what others have suggested, and co-operating where assistance was needed, we have endeavored, however humbly, to do our part, and benefit them and theirs. One instance we may, perhaps, be suffered to mention: the influence once held over great numbers of the artisans of this neighborhood by the Mormons. What is the condition of the Mormon faith now? Hopefully we prophesied its decline in our district; energetically were efforts made by thoughtful, earnest men to effect that decline. Now we see the result. Great numbers used to meet at the White Lion—lately only eleven met. Formerly the Penydarren branch was strong—now it has dwindled into insignificance. A little while ago they numbered many in Georgetown—they are now but three; and these, with a few from Penydarren, and eleven at Mill Street, form the total strength of a foolish body of men!

1857: 16 May, Merthyr Telegraph, p. 2, Item 2 (65 words). “Merthyr Police Court.”

Monday. (Before J. C. Fowler, Esqr.) Mormonism. John Morgan applied for a license to preach the gospel according to Mormonism. He took the oath of adjuration, the oath of allegiance, the oath of supremacy, and subscribed to the declaration of being a Christian Protestant and a believer of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, as translated and used in protestant churches.

1857: 16 May, North Wales Chronicle, p. 4 (940 words). “The Mormons in Utah.”

Taken from the Deseret News, this article contains Brigham Young’s message to the Utah Legislature, numerous observations about the Saints, and general encouragement to the inhabitants of Utah. Here is the final portion of the message, an exhortation from President Jedediah Grant:

This people are asleep, and I will vouch that there are many of them who do not pray; or if they do, three prayers, “would freeze hell over,” as a Methodist minister once said. I want you to pray with the Holy Ghost upon you. It is your duty to keep clean. I have given the teachers a new set of questions to ask the people. I say to them, ask the people to keep clean. Do you wash your bodies once in each week, when circumstances will permit? Do you keep your dwellings, outhouses, and door yards clean? The first work of the reformation with some should be to clear the filth away from their premises. How would some like to have President Young to visit them, and go through their buildings, examine their rooms, bedding, etc.? Many houses stink so bad that a clean man could not live in them. Some men were raised in stink, and so were their fathers before them. I would not attempt to bless anybody in such places. You may inquire why I talk so. Can you talk in a better style about dirt, nastiness, and filth? If you can, I cannot, and at the same time make people feel enough upon the subject to put away their filth and be clean. If you want me to speak smoother, do better, and keep cleaner. Were I to talk about God, Heaven, angels, or anything good, I could talk in a more refined style, but I have to talk about things as they do exist among us.

1857: 16 May, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 4 (67 words). “A Yankee Vatican.”

The Mormons regard Brigham Young as the successor of Joe Smith, and Joe Smith as the viceregent of Heaven. It would be an interesting question to propound to a rapping spirit, whether Mormonism will, or not, ever become a great ecclesiastical organization, and, if it does, whether the United States will not one of these days have to conclude a Concordat with Utah? Punch.

1857: 16 May, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 3 (1,340 words). “The Mormons.”

From the Times. A very long article with a final reaction to Judge Drummond’s report:

Unhappily, the whole case touches us nearly. Mormonism, if conceived in America, is propagated and supported in England, nor do we know of any sign of our times more bewildering than the success of this shocking imposture among a civilized and instructed population. Witchcraft is a mere nothing by the side of this living and moving monstrosity.

1857: 16 May, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 5 (40 words). “The Mormons.”

By the City of Washington, Captain W. Wylie, which arrived at Liverpool on Wednesday morning, we are informed that serious dissensions are reported to have broken out among the Mormons, both at San Bernardino and Salt Lake.

1857: 16 May, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 4 (265 words). “Slave Dealers.”

In this correspondence of the New York Tribune, the Mormons are called “slave dealers.” Children “are suffered to grow up in ignorance and vice. Without the hallowed influence of home to restrain them, they are vicious, profane, and obscene.” The writer points out the “most profane and indecent language” that is heard in the tabernacle and corrupts the “urchins.” He also mentions four hundred Indian children who are “held in bondage under the pretense of apprenticeship.” They are “purchased from the Indians (who steal them from the neighboring tribes) for sums varying from twenty dollars to forty dollars. This traffic is thus encouraged by Mormons, and in fact sanctioned by their laws.”

1857: 23 May, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 5 (65 words). “Mormon Tracts.”

These pestilential productions are still being forced into the houses of the working population of this town, and we therefore again beg to caution the heads of families on the subject, earnestly hoping that our fellow-townsmen, of all ranks, will use their utmost endeavors to stop these systematic attempts to circulate the vile and profligate delusions in which the Mormon impostors trade.

1857: 30 May, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 6 (35 words). “Mormonism.”

George Daken Thomas, Georgetown, subscribed to the usual declaration of being a Christian, and took the usual oaths of abjuration and supremacy, to enable him to follow his profession as a Mormon preacher!

1857: 30 May, Merthyr Telegraph, p. 3 (35 words). “Mormonism.”

The Rev. George Dukir Thomas, Georgetown, subscribed to the usual declaration of being a Christian, and took the usual oaths of adjuration and supremacy, to enable him to follow his profession as a Mormon preacher.

1857: June, Seren Gomer (Star of Gomer), p. 284 (140 words).

A brief report to the effect that Judge Drummond has resigned his office for two reasons. The first reason is “because the Mormons believe that their allegiance to the Church, as they call themselves, is above their allegiance to the United States.” The second reason is as follows:

Because Brigham Young and the Church pervert the jurors, burn the letters of the legal courts, kill officials and put the blame on the Indians, and that Brigham, as governor of the territory, pardons the criminals after they are given a just sentence by the courts.

1857: 6 June, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 2 (170 words). “The Mormon Iniquity.”

The last accounts from the Great Salt Lake represent matters in that quarter as being most unsettled, and contain a narrative of startling facts, showing that unmitigated treason, murder, arson, robbery, and forcible debauch are every day incidents of Mormon life, and that not an effort is made to check the perpetration of any of these terrible crimes. . . . Women are becoming scarce in the territory, and the Mormons consequently are resorting to more children to replenish their harems; while the most fiendish oppression is resorted to for the purpose of forcing reluctant females to become the “spirituals” of Mormon Turks.

1857: 6 June, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 3 (55 words). “The Mormons.”

By the Europa, which arrived at Liverpool on Sunday, we learn that the rumor of Brigham Young having had to flee from Utah is incorrect. He still remains at the Mormon settlement, at Salmon River. For some unknown cause the Mormons at Bernardino and the surrounding settlements had been summoned to Salt Lake City.

1857: 6 June, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 4 (85 words).

The state of things in the Mormon territory grows worse and worse, and every law of decency and nature is now violated in that wretched place. The forcible debaucheries are too horrible to be told, and as women are becoming scarce, it seems the merest children are seized to replenish the harems. President Buchanan must put these monsters down with the strong arm of the sword, and we hear he will do so. General Walker is reported at his last gasp as usual.

1857: 6 June, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 6 (170 words). “Extensive Robbery by a Mormon.”

On Monday last a number of Mormons left Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, for Liverpool, en route for Utah. Among them was a man named Robert Wright, who was one of the executive officers of an Odd Fellows’ lodge held at the Angel Inn, the funds of which were kept in a strong box, locked with three locks, each key being in the possession of a different member, one of whom was Wright. Among the papers and money was a cheque for £218, ready drawn and signed. After Wright had left the town on Monday, some of the members caused the box to be broken open, when it was discovered the cheque was missing. It was subsequently found that the cheque was cashed so far back as the 13th of April. The police started in pursuit of Wright, and arrested him and his family on their way to the station at Sheffield, en route for Liverpool. A portion of the money was found upon the prisoner, who was taken before the magistrates and remanded.

1857: 6 June, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 8 (310 words).

A series of negative reports about Utah:

The news from Utah is becoming anxious; at one time Brigham Young is said to have taken flight—then that the greatest atrocities have been committed to retain his power. . . . The last accounts from the Great Salt Lake contain a narrative of startling facts, showing that unmitigated treason, murder, arson, robbery, and forcible debauch, are everyday incidents of Mormon life, and that not an effort is made to check the perpetration of any of these terrible crimes.

1857: 6 June, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 9 (210 words).

Some information about Brigham Young’s not having to flee from Utah. He was “at Great Salt Lake City, organizing a secret expedition to somewhere in the north, for some purpose unknown to the Gentile world. This fact is corroborated by a dispatch from St. Louis.” Furthermore, “women were becoming scarce in the territory, and the Mormons consequently are resorting to mere children to replenish their harems; while the most fiendish oppression is resorted to for the purpose of forcing reluctant females to become the ‘spirituals’ of Mormon Turks.”

1857: 13 June, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 4 (175 words). “The Mormons.”

More unconfirmed information about Brigham Young and his “proposed expedition to the north.” Also, “the Mormons are about commencing a settlement near Council Bluffs for an outpost or receiving station.”

1857: 13 June, North Wales Chronicle, p. 4 (60 words).

We learn from Washington that major B. M’Culloch has declined the governorship of Utah territory. It is stated a Westernman has been selected for the post. It is furthermore stated that the government has determined upon adopting vigorous measures as regards the Mormons. A large military force is to be dispatched thither, probably under command of General Harney.

1857: 13 June, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 1 (50 words).

Open air preaching is now practiced in Bristol and Clifton, both by Clergy of the Establishment and by Non-conformists. It is hoped by this means to counteract the designs of the Mormons, who are constantly forcing their pestiferous trash on domestic servants and others who will receive them.

1857: 13 June, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 4 (180 words). “The Mormons and the United States Government.”

It is stated that the Government has determined upon adopting vigorous measures as regards the Mormons. A large military force is to be dispatched thither, probably under command of General Harney. The movements of Brigham Young had attracted some attention since the receipt of the report that he had fled from Utah. Now that it has been ascertained that there is no truth in this report, his proposed expedition to the north forms the interesting feature of Mormon intelligence. It was stated, on reliable authority, that the Mormons are about commencing a settlement near Council Bluffs for an outpost or receiving station. The leading men of the new settlement are to be Eastern men, who have not been initiated into the real mysteries of Mormonism, and who will, therefore, be better fitted for taking charge of young disciples and giving them their first lessons in the new faith. It is more than probable that the founding of this settlement is the real cause of Brigham’s “secret expedition to somewhere in the North.”

1857: 13 June, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 6 (35 words).

The Mormons in Merthyr are laboring to obtain proselytes with a zeal worthy of a better cause. During the past fortnight four young men in Merthyr have obtained licenses to officiate as Mormon preachers.

1857: 13 June, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 219 (340 words).

“An Observer” writes that Roger Daniel, a Latter-day Saint from Sirhowy, had been persuaded by his coreligionists “to starve himself, and carry every halfpenny he could get to them”:

Nor did they allow him to eat anything but bread and water; but he failed to continue with his work in a little while, because of physical weakness. He was again persuaded that he did not need a doctor, that they would cure him; and he, poor thing, believed every word they said, as though they were reading the Bible to him.

The writer further describes the cruelty of the Latter-day Saints to Roger Daniel and blames them for his eventual death. The writer then addresses his compatriots:

Oh, people of Wales! how long will you be tricked by these rapacious wolf-hounds, who swarm like locusts all over the world, to trick and cheat innocent men, and slander everyone but themselves? I think these are the voracious dogs mentioned in the Bible.

1857: 13 June, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 4 (160 words).

America sends us intelligence of some importance. The Mormons are to be driven out of Utah root and branch, and a large army is now on its way to Salt Lake, under the able command of General Harney. It is reported that Brigham Young, the Mormon chief, is in treaty with the Indians for a grant of land on which to form a new settlement somewhere on the banks of the Red River. This looks like giving up possession of his old quarters without fighting, and indeed there can be no doubt that discretion would be the better part of valor in his case, being without soldiers or money to pay them with. There is news of General Walker, who at the last accounts was surrounded on all sides and driven up in a corner, but he has been so often in similar straits that we should not be surprised at his managing to extricate himself from this dilemma.

1857: 13 June, Usk Observer, p. 2, Item 1 (330 words). “The Mormons in Utah.”

The announcement of the arrival of Governor Drummond in Utah followed by several dire predictions of the outcome.

1857: 13 June, Usk Observer, p. 2, Item 2 (275 words).

Utah, another territory, is likely to give us more trouble. We have the anomaly of the age to deal with there—Mormonism—the strangest form of heathenism that has ever been found growing up in the neighborhood of civilization.

Possible plans then being devised by the American government are then to deal with “one of the most serious struggles in which it has ever been engaged.”

1857: 20 June, Usk Observer, p. 2 (46 words).

A Mormon preacher at Southampton said in his sermon a Sunday or two ago: “Shall I tell you, my brethren, when the comet shall come and strike this earth? When Brigham Young chooses to say the word, then will the comet come and strike the earth.”

1857: 20 June, North Wales Chronicle, p. 3 (46 words).

The same article as in the Usk Observer for 20 June 1857 (see previous entry).

1857: 20 June, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 2 (46 words).

The same article as in the Usk Observer for 20 June 1857, p. 2 and the North Wales Chronicle for 20 June 1857 (see previous entry).

1857: 20 June, North Wales Chronicle, p. 6 (52 words).

The news from the United States is of considerable importance in a political sense. In the first place there is the Mormon difficulty. Then the news from Utah is certainly of war, for Mr. Brigham Young, the successor of the Prophet, is reported to be driving all Nonconformists out of the State.

1857: 20 June, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 7 (100 words).

The American papers record the death of Orson [Parley] Pratt, the famous Mormon elder. He seduced the wife of a man named M’Lean, in San Francisco, and was conveying her and her children into Utah, where she was to live with him as his ninth wife. M’Lean followed the fugitives and shot Pratt dead at Van Buren, in Arkansas. The deceased was a man of considerable ability, and had traveled as a missionary through Great Britain, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany. He was next in influence to Brigham Young, and was one of the original followers of Joe Smith, the Mormon founder.

1857: 20 June, Usk Observer, p. 3 (100 words).

The same article as in Monmouthshire Beacon for 20 June 1857, p. 7 and the Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald for 20 June 1857 (see previous entries).

1857: 20 June, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 9, Item 1 (100 words).

The same article as in Monmouthshire Beacon for 20 June 1857 and Usk Observer for 20 June 1857 (see previous entries).

1857: 20 June, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 7 (100 words).

The same article as in Monmouthshire Beacon for 20 June 1857 and the Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald for 20 June 1857 (see previous entries).

1857: 20 June, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 9, Item 2 (29 words).

It is reported that the schism in the Mormon Church at the Great Salt Lake has assumed a formidable character. Brigham Young is afraid to show himself in public.

1857: 20 June, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 10, Item 1 (14 words).

The number of Mormons in England, according to return of last year, is 22,400.

1857: 20 June, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 3, Item 1 (65 words).

The news from America is not very satisfactory. The Mormon difficulty seems growing upon the Government, and indeed they seem scarcely competent to grapple with it. Brigham Young, the successor of the false prophet Joe Smith, seems to feel his power to be on the increase, for he is now threatening banishment to all who do not give in their adherence to his strange doctrines.

1857: 20 June, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 3, Item 2 (95 words). “Mormonism Vindicated.”

Elder J. Bond, from the Great Salt Lake City, delivered a lecture in the Victoria Room, Newcastle, on Tuesday, in refutation of the charges made against Mormonism. He defended polygamy on Scriptural grounds—contrasted Moses and Brigham Young at the expense of Moses—contrasted civilized and savage life at the expense of civilization—and spoke of the “peculiar institutions” of Utah in language which the Newcastle Chronicle declines to print. At the close, he seems to have been driven by something more than “moral suasion” into arrangements for a public discussion. Gateshead Observer.

1857: 20 June, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 4 (845 words). “Mormon Leader.”

A detailed report about Parley P. Pratt’s assassination and the events that led up to it.

1857: 24 June, Yr Amserau (Times), p. 3, Item 1 (260 words). “Murder of Orson Pratt.”

The editor has obviously confused which of the two Pratt brothers—Orson and Parley—was murdered. The writer refers to Pratt as “the most highly educated and gifted Mormon of all,” but he also claims that the wife of his murderer was “charmed and degraded by him.”

1857: 24 June, Yr Amserau (Times), p. 3, Item 2 (50 words). “The Mormons.”

About the passing of Jedediah M. Grant, a counselor to Brigham Young:

These people have lost one of the great lights, one J. M. Grant, and the notice of his death ends in the following manner: “He is gone now, leaving seven mourning widows and several children, four of which are under eight years of age, to mourn their irretrievable loss.”

1857: 27 June, North Wales Chronicle, p. 4 (195 words). “The Mormons.”

Reports and details of the tension between Brigham Young and the United States government.

1857: 27 June, Usk Observer, p. 3, Item 1 (195 words).

The same as the article in the North Wales Chronicle for 27 June 1857 (see previous entry) with only a few minor differences.

1857: 27 June, Usk Observer, p. 3, Item 2 (375 words).

A description of Brigham Young along with some observations about his lack of intellect by someone who had attended one of his presentations

1857: 27 June, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 3 (45 words).

According to a report from the Great Salt Lake, the schism in the Mormon church had assumed a formidable character. Brigham Young was said to have deserted the Tabernacle and remained shut up in his own house, guarded night and day by his friends.

1857: 27 June, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 5 (60 words).

But it is from Utah that we have the most stirring news. Brigham Young has for some time been bidding defiance to the United States Government, but the General in command of the United States forces is to offer an asylum to all in the Mormon State wishing to get out of it, and many will assuredly avail themselves it.

1857: 27 June, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 241, Item 1 (235 words). “Landing of Mormons in America.”

The first of two articles in this issue of the Star of Wales, both of which are designed to cast members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a bad light. In this one, taken from the Boston Courier, the writer tells of the arrival of the ship George Washington from Liverpool and quotes the captain as making the following claim:

There were many families who had considerable goods. The captain estimated that the travelers had about £20,000 of gold on the ship; and he said that he knew that many persons possessed £1,000 each. . . . There were many women who had left their husbands so that they could go to dwell in the land of the Saints. When the captain asked one woman what had caused her to leave her husband, she answered that she had done so for the sake of Christ; he had promised that if anyone were to leave father, mother, and husband for his sake, they would receive so much in this world and they would receive eternal life in the world to come.

1857: 27 June, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 241, Item 2 (320 words). “A Mormon Robbery.”

The second article in this issue of Star of Wales has to do with a man by the name of Wright who was arrested in Sheffield, along with his wife, for stealing money and property from Colonel Cook for whom Wright had worked. The writer indicates that the Wrights were “Mormons” and that they had worked with two other members of the same faith whose names were Hollis and Bentley. Having determined that Wright had sent luggage from Mansfield to Liverpool in the name of Ann Jones, Palethorpe [a detective] sent a telegram to the authorities in Liverpool ordering them to hold the luggage. He and his assistant went by train immediately to Liverpool, hired a boat, and chased after the ship on which Ann Jones had just set sail. Palethorpe was able to board the ship, search Ann Jones, and locate a bag of gold coins worth £150.

On the passenger list of the Tuscarora, which sailed from Liverpool on 30 May 1857, are the names of Robert Wright, age 26; Ann Wright, age 24; George Wright, age 4; and Sarah Wright, age 1. Beneath their names is the name of Ann Jones, age 25, “Spinster.” The amount paid—£15, 10 shillings, and then £20, 10 shillings—is crossed out with a double line, and the note below that reads “Transfd to Ann Jones below, advice of Mr. Cook”.[11]

1857: 27 June, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 9 (575 words).

An article taken from the Daily News about the affairs in Utah, which “seem to be rapidly approaching a crisis.” Brigham Young has at last determined to drive “all heathen gentiles” out “from the Canaan of the saints.” More details are given about the sad state of affairs. “It is said that there are not less than forty thousand women in Utah, who are held in the most degrading state of concubinage, utterly helpless either to fly from their wrongs or to redress them. Among them are many of superior education, who now recall the recollection of their distant English, Scotch, or Welsh homes, where they were virtuously brought up, where they first loved and became wives and mothers.”

1857: July, Seren Gomer (Star of Gomer), p. 323 (110 words). “The Things of Zion.”

A brief and very negative report of the situation in Salt Lake City. Here is the complete assessment:

The things of the Zion of the Great Salt Lake are getting darker and darker; from within all signs are committed in the same space, burning and tearing down houses, robberies, murders, and as for adultery, there is no sin there by that name—spiritual wifery is that name; and because women are scarce, the lascivious degenerates force young girls into their harems. It is said that Brigham Young has bargained with the Pa Uta Indians to flee to the north. Outside this salty paradise, United States soldiers are gathering under the command of General Harney, with full purpose of putting things in order.

1857: July, Y Cyfaill o’r Hen Wlad yn America (Friend of the Old Country in America), p. 286, Item 1 (68 words). “The Shooting of One of the ‘Mormon Apostles.’”

The first of three articles in this issue having to do with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here is the entire article:

Recently in Utah, Parley P. Pratt, a brother of Orson Pratt, a native of England and one of the “Mormon Apostles,” while traveling with the wife of one Hector McLean, from New Orleans, was overtaken by her husband and was shot to death. The wife is complaining bitterly about her husband and sympathizing with the apostle, but the country in general approves of the deed of the husband.

1857: July, Y Cyfaill o’r Hen Wlad yn America (Friend of the Old Country in America), p. 286, Item 2 (109 words). “Mormon Immigrants.”

The second of three articles to appear in this issue. Here is the entire article:

The Baltimore Sun for the 4th reports: That the train from Philadelphia on the day before had brought there over five hundred Mormons on their way to Salt Lake. They were mainly Norwegian. They were under the direction of a “high priest” by the name of Mathias Crowley [sic], who is a strong and healthy-looking man. He is about five and a half feet tall, of light complexion, with red hair. His face was almost all hair. He wore a beard similar to those of the old patriarchs. There are many craftsmen among the immigrants. There was one handsome man who bragged of having six wives already, and twenty-one children!

1857: July, Y Cyfaill o’r Hen Wlad yn America (Friend of the Old Country in America), pp. 286–87, Item 3 (220 words). “Utah and Mormonism.”

The final article of three to appear in this issue. It is a brief assessment of “the condition of things in Utah,” as the writer sees them. He states that Brigham Young has “far too much power” and that “the more the principles of Mormonism come to light in their deeds, as is happening daily in Utah, the more repugnant it appears.” But he expresses a certain degree of hope:

The aim of the government, as soon as the new Governor arrives there, is to make known the protection offered to whoever wishes to return to the States. It is expected that the women in general will accept the offer. After that, the circumstances must reveal.

1857: July, Y Dysgedydd (Instructor), p. 279 (15 words).

A great disagreement has broken out between the Mormons in San Bernardino and Salt Lake.

1857: July, Yr Haul (Sun), p. 221 (175 words). “Mormonism.”

The writer declares,

There is no limit to the gullibility of men; otherwise, Mormonism would not be able to catch so many in its snares and get them to bow under the yoke, thus making a man less than a man in order to follow it. Mormonism, as a system of religion, is unreasonable, inconsistent, deceitful, superstitious, impudent, and corrupt to the extreme degree.

He is glad to report the following:

It is now said that the North American Government has begun a serious undertaking with regard to the Mormons in California by sending troops there to oust that great corrupt beast known by the name of Brigham Young, together with bringing the people to some sort of order.

1857: 4 July, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 3 (580 words). “The Mormonites in Utah.”

The writer of this New York Times article begins: “Affairs in Utah, the Mormon territory, seem to be rapidly approaching a crisis.” He sees only bleak prospects of the Latter-day Saints in Utah and offers considerable speculation as to what Brigham Young will do about the crisis.

1857: 4 July, Usk Observer, p. 4 (65 words).

With regard to the Mormons, the New York papers say: “Colonel Cummings will receive this week a commission from the President as successor to Brigham Young in the government of the Mormon territory General Harney is already moving troops across the plains to support the Governor in taking possession of his new office, should it be necessary, and vindicate the authority of the federal government.”

1857: 11 July, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 257 (110 words). “Llanidloes.”

The writer, Dafydd Risiart, reports that no one in this town was listening to the “Satanists” as they preached in the old market hall. He explains:

No one of this wandering, unprincipled tribe dares present himself here, because the Sunday Schools are too numerous, and their adherents too knowledgeable to be tricked by such rogues as these vagabonds.

1857: 11 July, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), pp. 260–61 (110 words). “Shooting of a Mormon Leader.”

A report of the death of Parley P. Pratt.

1857: 11 July, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 3 (30 words).

The difficulties of the United States with the Mormons, and with Mexico, however, continue. United States troops have been dispatched to Utah, to enforce American laws among the Mormons.

1857: 11 July, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 8 (75 words).

The last mail from New York states that General Scott had been summoned to Washington to perfect arrangements for the dispatch of troops to Utah; the troops were already in motion for the Mormon territory, but it is said that no attempt will be made to interfere with the religious or social arrangements of the Mormons, the only purpose of the Government being to secure the enforcement of the laws of the United States.

1857: 18 July, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 5 (130 words). “The Mormons at Bath.”

The disclosures which have recently been made with regard to this sect have caused considerable excitement amongst some of the lower orders of this city. A few evenings since a large number of persons congregated outside the Mormon chapel, Westgate buildings, and on the appearance of the elders, who had been conducting the service, they were hooted by the mob along the Lower Borough walls and down Southgate street. Not content with this demonstration, they pelted the Mormon leaders with stones, one of whom received a severe wound in the head, and they were obliged to run for protection to the Widcome police station. The mob continued outside hooting and yelling, and it was feared that an attempt would be made to force the station.

1857: 18 July, North Wales Chronicle, p. 6 (480 words). “The Rebellious Saints.”

Developments relating to the United States troops being sent to Utah in order to bring “Young and his subjects to their senses.”

1857: 18 July, Usk Observer, p. 2 (480 words). “The Rebellious Saints.”

The same article as in the North Wales Chronicle for 18 July 1857 (see previous entry).

1857: 25 July, Usk Observer, p. 1 (1,835 words). “Mormonism.”

A letter from a Saint who sailed on the S. Curling in 1855, writing now to his brother in Abergavenny. The writer gives an account of his travels from Liverpool to Nephi City, his current residence. Despite the death of his wife and numerous hardships associated with the journey, the writer remains very positive about the total experience. He also strongly encourages his brother to follow after him:

I think yourself, wife, and family will believe me (it would be no benefit to me to tell you untruths, or endeavor to lead you into errors, and God knows it never was in my head to do any such thing) when I testify to you all, in the name of God, that the doctrine taught by the Latter-day Saints is truth, and the only plan of salvation that ever was or ever will be offered to the human family; and I do exhort your wife and children, as one who loves their souls, to embrace it; and be sure to remain steadfast yourself; and all of you come to these valleys as soon as the Lord shall open a way for you.

1857: 25 July, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 8 (780 words). “Troubles of Polygamists.”

A report from the Deseret News about discourses of Jedediah Grant and Brigham Young, who wished to grant liberty to the whiners from among their wives to leave and go somewhere else.

1857: 25 July, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 3 (95 words).

The Millennial Star, the organ of the Mormons, in noticing the murder of Parley P. Pratt, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, thus commences to lament his death: “Another martyr has fallen!—another faithful servant of God has sealed his pure and heavenly testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon with his blood.” Our readers will recollect that the apostle was murdered by a man whose wife he had seduced. If they had begun their chant thus: “Another rascal has fallen,” it would have been more suited to the occasion.

1857: August, Yr Eurgrawn Wesleyaidd (Wesleyan Treasury), p. 280 (140 words).

A report of the intention of the United States government to send troops to Utah in order to “uphold the authority of Colonel Cummings.” Also mentioned is the death of Parley P. Pratt.

1857: August, Y Dysgedydd (Instructor), p. 319 (45 words).

A report that most likely has reference to the death of Parley P. Pratt.

The Mormons have lost one of their great luminaries, about whom it can be said, “He is gone at present, leaving behind him seven inconsolable widows, and several children, four of which are under the age of eight, to mourn their irretrievable loss.”

1857: 1 August, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 2 (65 words).

Since the 1st of January last there have arrived in the United States by different vessels upwards of two thousand one hundred emigrants who had espoused the Mormon faith in the old country, and were en route to Utah Territory, in the Great Salt Lake basin. These Mormons were composed mostly of Welsh and English, with a sprinkling of Danes and Norwegians, and a few Germans.

1857: 1 August, Usk Observer, p. 1 (460 words). “The Mormons.”

A repentant explanation from the editor as to why a week earlier he had printed a letter (see 25 July 1857 entry for this publication above) that contained only positive information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The letters which have reached this country from the proselytes to this absurd and erring faith, hold out inducements to the friends of the converts to join them at the Salt Lake, and become regenerated. A specimen of one of these letters we inserted last week, to show up the fallacy of their creed, which appears to be so demoralizing and dangerous, that none but the most illiterate of the community can possibly be led to place reliance in it.

The editor also suggests censorship of negative letters sent from Utah:

Letters written by the Mormons to their friends in this country, pass through the hands of the Prophets, and are inspected by them. If they are found to contain any statement unfavorable to the cause they are suppressed.

He ends with a warning:

The illiterate portion of the community should avoid the snare laid to entrap them, or they will too soon prove they have become the dupe of a Mokanna—a humbug—a delusion.

1857: 1 August, Usk Observer, p. 3, Item 1 (210 words).

The Mormons who are somewhat numerous in the district of Vestra Sallerup, near Malmoe, in Sweden, have built in the village of the former name a house and chapel. On the 25th June they assembled in the chapel for some grand ceremony of their form of assembled in the chapel for some grand ceremony of their form of worship, and when they were so engaged a band of peasants, armed with thick sticks, some of them with guns also, marched on the chapel, and summoned them to disperse. The Mormons refused, on which the peasants expelled them by force, and drove them from the village. As some of the Mormons were armed with guns, and made use of them, several of the combatants on both sides were wounded. The peasants having driven the Mormons to a tan-pit, dipped several of them in it, and then let them go. At Burlof, the local authorities have decided that any person who may lend his house to the Mormons for their meetings, or may take any of that sect into his service, or even receive them into his house, shall be fined 25 rixdalers. Several inhabitants of the district who had embraced Mormonism have abandoned it, to return to the Lutheran religion.

1857: 1 August, Usk Observer, p. 3, Item 2 (65 words).

Since the 1^st of January last there have arrived in the United States by four different vessels upwards of two thousand one hundred emigrants who had espoused the Mormon faith in the old country, and were en route to Utah Territory, in the Great Salt Lake basin. These Mormons were composed mostly of Welsh and English, with a sprinkling of Danes and Norwegians, and a few Germans.

1857: 1 August, North Wales Chronicle, p. 4 (400 words). “Anti-Mormon Riot in Birmingham.”

Following a lecture of Dr. Brindley about “the abominations of Joseph Smith’s followers,” some of his listeners went to a chapel where a large number of Latter-day Saints were meeting. The writer describes the scene that resulted:

The aisles and unoccupied seats were speedily filled, and then a running fire of comment on the sermon was commenced and carried on by the intruders for some five or ten minutes. It is stated that much of the language used was of the lowest and most disgraceful kind. At last Aubrey abruptly closed his discourse, and dismissed his congregation. It was with great difficulty that they forced their way through the crowds in the chapel yard and street. The females were hustled, insulted and bespattered in mud; the men had their hats knocked off and were struck on every side.

The police were sent for, and they were able to restore order to some extent. But when the constables left, “the door of the chapel was burst open, the crowd rushed in, the front windows were smashed, and Bibles and several other books stolen. The interior of the chapel was a scene of utmost riot.” Here is the scene that followed:

A body of police arrived at this moment, and dispersed the mob, or in all probability there would have been very serious results, as hints of an intention to burn the chapel were freely circulated. No other disturbance took place that night, but on Monday morning the chapel doors were again burst; lockfast closets entered and ransacked, and a large number of school and music hooks were torn in pieces and strewn about the yard. Except when a policeman made his appearance, the crowd remained in possession of the building during the day. In the evening, showers of stones were hurled through the smashed windows. Yesterday, however, the police took active measures to prevent a repetition of these scenes. Manchester Guardian.

1857: 8 August, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 2, Item 1 (210 words). “The Mormons in Sweden.”

The same article as in the Usk Observer for 1 August 1857, Item #1 (see previous entry).

1857: 8 August, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 2, Item 2 (40 words).

A Birmingham mob attacked a Mormon congregation on Sunday evening, maltreating both women and men, and destroying property in the interior of the chapel. The mob had been excited by a lecture against Mormonism delivered on the Sunday by Dr. Brindley.

1857: 8 August, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 4 (75 words).

Turning our eyes again to Utah, we find those abominable pests to humanity, the Mormons carrying matters with a high hand, and the feeling of these misguided zealots will be seen in an original letter we publish in another part of our paper. President Buchanan has fallen on troublous times, but we believe him equal to the emergency; and it will be remembered that a great man is greatest in the hour of danger.

1857: 8 August, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 3 (32 words).

Owing to a preaching crusade against Mormons and Mormonism, by Dr. Brindley, in Birmingham, the Latter-day Saints in that town are mobbed in the streets and in their own places of worship.

Episode 14.2

Start: Daniel Daniels responds to John Davies’s absurd claims

1857: 15 August, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 6 (1,275 words). “Remarkable Letter from an Escaped Mormon.”

In his introduction to this letter, the editor indicates that it had previously appeared in the Swansea Herald. John Davies, the writer of the letter and a former resident of the Maesteg neighborhood, had left Wales two years earlier with his parents to journey to Salt Lake City, a city which he describes as follows:

The walls about the city are 15 feet high, and surrounded by a deep ditch. The city is entered by four gates, which are all guarded by night. Those gates or entrances are so narrow that only one wagon can pass at a time.

Davies tells of some of the obligations of any male resident of the city:

The next thing he has to do is to give a tenth of what he gets, and the tenth day in every year, and must keep from two to ten wives; and the man who refuses to obey these laws must quit the place, and in doing so is in danger of losing his life every moment—as they would sooner kill him than that he should be the means of conveying to the States, or elsewhere, information of their proceedings.

He then claims to have witnessed many murders:

Great numbers have been shot whilst attempting to leave. I myself have been scores of persons shot down in the streets, and a few days before I made my escape, I witnessed three persons being killed only because they were preparing to go away.

Some of the details Davies provides of his escape and Patrick Lynch’s efforts to take him back to Salt Lake City are a test of the reader’s credulity:

This man fired a shot from a revolver—the ball whizzed by me. They then rode up and inquired my name, which I gave, when they said I must go back with them to the city; and upon my refusing to obey their command, they said they would “blow my d--- brains out.” One of them seized a revolver—he had one on each side of his horse. I then took a revolver from my belt, and told him to fire if he wished. I was armed with six revolvers—four in my belt and one in each of my boots, and also a rifle.

Davies’s account becomes even more spectacular as he reaches Fort Bridger:

The number of our pursuers had by this time increased to twenty, and we were again compelled to take refuge in the woods. We traveled the whole of that night, and were fortunate in meeting with a party of friendly Indians, and partook of some Buffalo meat with them. On the day following we came up with a train of wagons, called “Mrs. Babbit’s train,” 28 in number. I was engaged to drive one of the wagons drawn by six mules. We had some trouble with a party of Indians, known as the Crow tribe, numbering about 1,000 horsemen, armed with rifles, bows and arrows, etc. We had about 600 shots in our camp, and killed about thirty of the Indians, losing five of our own men.

Davies ends his letter by reporting his safe arrival in Florence and expressing hope that his mother and siblings would join him:

I am desirous that mother and the children should quit the Salt Lake and join me here, as if they do, I will buy some land, which I can get for a dollar and a quarter. I left 500 dollars with mother to keep until she may be enabled to leave. I am employed here as superintendent in a brickyard, at 30 dollars per month, board and lodgings inclusive.

1857: 29 August, Udgorn Seion (Zion’s Trumpet), p. 286–88 (820 words).

Daniel Daniels, then the editor of Zion’s Trumpet, indicates that he had read John Davies’s account in the Welsh Herald (Yr Herald Cymraeg), a weekly Welsh-language newspaper published in Caernarvon. No issues of this newspaper appear to have survived from this time period.

Daniels begins his response to Davies’s letter:

Until last week we could not believe that Welsh Editors could be so obtuse in their anti-Mormon zeal as to put the blatant and contradictory lies which they claim have all come from one John Davies.

Regarding Davies’s description of Salt Lake City, Daniels writes:

Although we have been in the Salt Lake Valley ourselves, and although our beloved family is there, we did not learn about the walls, the narrow gates, or the moat around Salt Lake City before reading this “interesting” account, as it is called by the Welsh Herald, which smacks its lips after consuming the carcass.

To the editor of the Welsh Herald, Daniels poses the following questions:

• Where did the poor lad get the means to purchase “six revolvers and one rifle?”
• What kind of boots did he have to hold two revolvers and to enable him to be so nimble?
• How did his sneaky friends escape on foot from men on horseback?
• What trees were they in? We do not know about them. Surprising that three armed men failed to kill one. Even more surprising, that one of the three, after getting J. Davies on the ground, did nothing but cut his belt with a knife, taking four revolvers, instead of cutting his throat and taking everything!
• Where else can one find the story that Mrs. Babbit’s company defeated a thousand Indian warriors? A thousand!!
• Where did the poor boy get the 500 dollars to leave to his mother?

1857: 5 September, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 341 (1,210 words). “Letter from a Mormon Refugee.”

A slightly shorter version of the letter that appeared in the Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian for 15 August 1857 (see previous entry).

1857: 24 October, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 4 (920 words). “An Escape from Salt Lake.”

A considerably shorter version of the letter that appeared in the Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian for 15 August 1857 (see previous entry).

1857: 14 November, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 2 (935 words). “Narrow Escape from the Mormon Murderers at Salt Lake.”

Except for the differences in the editor’s introduction, this is the same article as in the Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald for 24 October 1857 (see previous entry).

End: Daniel Daniels responds to John Davies’s absurd claims

Episode 14.3

Start: Daniel Daniels scolds the editor of the Leader for his accusations

1857: 15 August, Udgorn Seion (Zion’s Trumpet), pp. 257–61 (1,660 words). “A Nut or Two for the Leader to Chew on.”

Daniel Daniels defends his religion against the attacks of the Leader (Yr Arweinydd), a newspaper published in Pwllheli, North Wales. Unfortunately, the newspaper is not extant. Daniels begins with this observation about the editor of the Leader: “He gives some savory accusations against the Saints, mocking their God in a very unusual way.”[12] He then proceeds to list and address each of the following accusations:

• With regard to his first accusation, namely, “that ‘Mormonism’ does not have established beliefs, but that its principles and its doctrines are open to being changed according to whim, and according to the special purposes of church leaders.”
• That “it is a mixture of paganism, Judaism, Christianity, Mohammedanism, idol worship, and atheism.” As part of his argument to disprove this accusation, Daniels reprints John Richards’s rather long poem, “Great God of the Sectarians,” which first appeared in Zion’s Trumpet in the 25 January 1851 issue.[13]
• That their “ideas have changed considerably with respect to the Godhood from the beginning of [their] organization.”
• That they “are reaching to obtain in the end the crown of Godhood for their own heads.” Daniels agrees with this “accusation” and cites the verses of Philippians 2:5–6 to confirm the accuracy of the goal. He also tells the editor that “in order to prove and establish these topics,” he is sending a copy of Dan Jones’s pamphlet entitled “Who is the God of the Saints?”[14] Daniels explains a second reason for sending the pamphlet: “So that we will not take up too much of our space in answering you, since the treatise explains its topic, and disproves your false accusations.”
• Daniels mocks the editor of the Leader for accusing the Latter-day Saints of practicing polygamy as if it were a recent development: “Hasten to the patent office with your remarkable discovery, and stop saying what you do not know.” He also suggests “that you get a new name for the Leader, namely The Follower.”

He ends his answer to the editor of the Leader with an appeal to the subscribers of Zion’s Trumpet: “Whenever our readers see some piece in any publication touching on ‘Mormonism,’ do us the kindness of sending it here.”[15]

End: Daniel Daniels scolds the editor of the Leader for his accusations

1857: 15 August, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 6 (400 words).

The same article as in the North Wales Chronicle for 1 August 1857 (see previous entry).

1857: 15 August, North Wales Chronicle, p. 6 (80 words).

Sir Benjamin Hall added that it had been found necessary to put a stop to preaching in the parks, as advantage had been taken of the permission for Mormons, Infidels, and advocates of all sorts of dangerous and immoral doctrines to promulgate them. He might add that many states contained in a memorial lately addressed to the Government by the friends of preaching, setting forth that the Sunday bands gave rise to scenes of drunkenness, were wholly unfounded.

1857: 15 August, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 10 (555 words). “Mormon Blasphemy.”

The opening comments by the editor to the quotation of parts of a sermon given by Orson Hyde in defense of polygamy:

The Mormon elders are going far, by their extreme ignorance and gross sensuality, to break up the community they have formed in Utah. Even the most callous cannot but realize disgust at hearing words such as these which follow.

1857: 22 August, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 320, Item 1 (60 words). “The Mormons.”

This, the first of two brief articles in this issue of the Star of Wales, simply reports the following:

Since the 1^st of last January, in four different ships, more than two thousand one hundred immigrants who had embraced the Mormon faith in the old country, arrived in the United States, and they went ahead to the Utah territory. These Mormons were composed chiefly of English and Welsh, together with a few Danes, Norwegians, and Germans.

1857: 22 August, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 320, Item 2 (155 words). “The Mormons in Birmingham.”

This second of two articles in this issue of the Star of Wales has to do with a powerful lecture on the “Abomination of Mormonism,” delivered to a large congregation in Birmingham by a “Dr. Brindley” from Leamington. The listeners were so stirred up by what they heard that they “went straightway to the nearby chapel of the Mormons, where President Aubrey was preaching at the time”:

Every empty space was filled immediately, and some began to make observations on the sermon, so that Aubrey was obligated to end in the middle, and the “Saints” had to flee for their lives through the crowd. The greatest scorn was shown them; and it was said that they would have set the chapel on fire had not the police not come to the place. They attacked the chapel again on Monday; they broke the windows and the doors, and they tore their books into shreds.

1857: 29 August, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 4 (1,890 words). “Adventures of a Mormon.”

The editor introduces quotations from this lengthy letter, which was first printed in the Edinburgh News, by pointing out that they are taken from “a private letter, dated Western Missouri, July 11, 1857.” The Edinburgh News had “purposely suppressed the names mentioned” in the letter and added that the writer “was about fifteen years a member of the Mormon body, and an active propagandist; but has at length abandoned that body, having seen the villainy of its leaders, and the misery of their dupes.”

The writer begins the letter by describing the extreme hardships suffered by many who crossed the plains in the Martin Handcart Company and the manner in which hundreds lost their lives in the process. He points out:

It is the policy of the Church to leave the weak, the infirm, and the old by the way, that they may have no paupers to support.

Upon arriving in Salt Lake City, the writer was not inclined at first to be rebaptized. But he changed his mind when he was told the following by the teachers who visited him:

They said I should shut my eyes and open my mouth, and swallow everything; at least it amounted to that.

He then provides several examples of very harsh treatment given to some of the disobedient by the “Danites”:

Some have their houses pulled down, some their horses, oxen, and other property stolen. Good honest people! And all this is done under the name of religion!

The editor adds this note at the end of the article:

He then describes how he got back to the States with nothing left but his “pluck,” which we should say was considerable.

1857: September, Yr Haul (Sun), pp. 270–74 (665 words). “Mormonism.”

In the editor’s first few paragraphs, he presents a reaction to this new religion that is typical of its various opponents from among the Nonconformists as well as from the Anglicans which he represents:

It is a great surprise that hundreds in Wales have embraced this religious deceit; yes, a deceit that immediately attacks the revealed religion of the Old and the New Testaments.[16]

He takes particular exception to the Latter-day Saints’ teaching about God:

What does Mormonism teach us? It teaches us that the eternal blessed God is not Spirit, but a corporeal being who has a body like a man’s body! This religion must be deceitful, since it, united with the pagans, lowers the immortal and invisible Great King to the level of mortal men, the dust of the earth![17]

And he is incredulous at the success of this new religion:

It is so sad to think that a polluted religion such as this one could have acceptance in the last part of the nineteenth century! Who would think that there could be men so superstitious and ignorant as to receive such dreadful and frightful deceit as their religion.[18]

The remainder of the article is quoted from Y Cymro Americanaidd (The American Welshman), a Welsh-language periodical published at that time in New York. The quotation consists of the Welsh translation of parts of a pamphlet, by John (Increase) and Maria Van Duesen, entitled “Mormonism Laid Bare, the Seventh Degree of the Temple.”[19]

The Van Duesen’s had participated in the Nauvoo Temple endowment ceremony in 1846, and soon afterward they apostatized from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and began publishing pamphlets in an attempt to expose the deceit of the Latter-day Saints and to generate income for themselves.

1857: 5 September, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 344 (120 words).

A brief paragraph about the Latter-day Saints in Utah:

Not only are they threatened by the soldiers of the United States, who are on their way to Utah, but it is affirmed that great hosts of the Indians are attacking their possessions and stealing and destroying their cattle and their horses; there is frightful contention and division among the Saints themselves.

The writer concludes that Brigham Young has been searching for a new home for his followers and that they will eventually migrate “further to the north and to the west.”

1857: 11 September, The Cambrian (970 words). “The City of the Mormons.”

A detailed depiction of Salt Lake City taken from the New York Tribune.

1857: 12 September, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 2 (60 words).

The Bund says: It is positively stated that an extensive baptism of Mormons lately took place at night in the lake of Zurich. The police did not interfere to prevent the ceremony, but the people who had assembled in crowds attacked the new converts, and drove them away with blows from sticks. The Mormon priest, it is said, was particularly ill-treated.

1857: 12 September, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 2 (540 words). “News from Mormon Land.”

A group of about twenty people had “escaped” and had gone to San Francisco where they reported their negative experiences of living in Salt Lake City.

They say one-half the population of Salt Lake will leave, if the United States Government sends a military force sufficient to protect them from the punishments inflicted upon apostates.

The party told of numerous “atrocious practices,” such as the advocation of “open and avowed murder of all who have and are becoming obnoxious,” the increasing murders and robberies by the “Destroying Angels,” and the “Earthly Hell” of polygamy. The writer concludes:

Here are warnings enough, one would think, to prevent deluded women from throwing themselves into the fangs of these lecherous, incestuous murderers. One blushes to hear that many of these wretched victims are English and most Welsh.

1857: 12 September, Merthyr Telegraph, p. 3 (540 words). “California.”

The same article as appears in the Chepstow Weekly Advertiser for 12 September 1857 (see previous entry).

1857: 12 September, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 4, Item 1 (930 words). “The Times on the Mormons.”

A reflective article on the current condition of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The writer’s opening statement is as follows:

It said that Mr. Buchanan is resolved to put down Mormonism—at any rate, to break up the community at Utah. There will be great difficulties, owing to the weakness of the Federal Government, half of whose force is reported to have deserted already. But the new President is a resolute man when he has undertaken a thing, and we hope the days of this abomination are counted.

The writer laments that possibly as many as nine-tenths of Latter-day Saints are “English, Scotch, and Welsh”:

How is this? Who is responsible for this? What have our orthodox parish priests been doing, and what have our orthodox Dissenting ministers been doing, that their own congregations have been the feeders of such an enormity as this?

Concluding that fanaticism was the cause, the writer delves into a philosophical and historical explanation of the success of this new religion.

1857: 12 September, North Wales Chronicle, p. 3, Item 1 (335 words). “An Escape from Utah.”

Joseph Routledge had taken his wife, Alice, and their baby daughter, Elizabeth, on the Golconda in January 1853 to New Orleans, and from there to Salt Lake City. In his 11 July 1857 letter to his parents, he tells of the very negative experience he had during his four-year stay in Utah:

It is not very pleasant to be forced to serve God whether you will or not, and even, if you won’t, to have your throat cut, which was the threat used towards us because we would not stay to become serfs to Brigham.

He declares:

You see they got us out there under the cloak of religion; but I was not there long before I found out that it was nothing more than a political scheme to gain power and a usurpation.

Episode 14.4

Start: Various reports are printed of the sixth annual conference of the Latter-day Saints held in London

1857: 12 September, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 5 (90 words).

The annual Mormon conference in London is a disgrace to the age. This miserable delusion so far from abating, seems really to be taking a firmer hold on the public mind, and the fact that one thousand persons of both sexes can be brought together to testify to its success in the metropolis of the civilized world, is a phenomenon not easily account for. The assembly is said to have been composed chiefly of elders and saints, but we should imagine the far great number was made up of egregious dupes.

1857: 12 September, North Wales Chronicle, p. 3, Item 2 (600 words). “Mormon Conference in London.”

An account of the proceedings of a recent conference held in London. Here is the opening paragraph:

This sect held its sixth annual conference on Sunday, at the Adelaide Gallery, Lower Arcade, Strand. It was presided over by “two of the apostles,” Brothers Orson Pratt and Ezra Benson. About 600 persons were present in the morning, about 1,000 in the afternoon, and upwards of 1,000 in the evening, most of whom judging from appearances, were Latter-day Saints, or Mormons. The proceedings consisted chiefly of addresses.

Reports from a number of conference presidents are then summarized in the article. Here are the final lines of the article:

The proceedings of the afternoon were pleasantly varied by refreshments, such as ginger beer and other cooling drinks. The proceedings of the evening consisted chiefly of a rapid review of the origin and history of Mormonism down to the present time, by Mr. Orson Pratt. Collections were made after each meeting.

1857: 12 September, Usk Observer, p. 2, Item 1 (600 words). “Mormon Conference in London.”

The same article as in North Wales Chronicle for 12 September 1857 (see previous entry, Item 2).

1857: 12 September, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 2, Supplement (600 words). “Mormon Conference in London.”

The same article as in North Wales Chronicle for 12 September 1857 (see previous entry, Item 2).

1857: 12 September, North Wales Chronicle, p. 3, Item 3 (1,070 words). “Another Mormon Meeting.”

Following the account of the conference held at the Adelaide Gallery in London is the account of a “social meeting” held the following night at the Teetotal Hall, Broadway, Westminster. Here is the opening paragraph:

Last night the Mormon Conference was brought to a close by a social meeting at the Teetotal Hall, Broadway, Westminster. The proceedings were certainly of such a character as were never witnessed in a “conference” before. The attendance was not very numerous, but it comprised all the leading members of the Conference. At the outset, the assemblage sang, in a loud strain, one of their favorite hymns, led on by Elder Bernard, to the tune of “The Low-backed Car.” The purport of this song was the long looked-for day when they would all get to Zion Utah. It seemed to be rather a painful effort to Brother Bernard, and it was decidedly so to those of the audience who happened not be Mormons.

The writer then reports on a number of songs sung, recitations given, and discourses presented. Here, as an example of the writer’s very condescending tone throughout the entire article, is the final paragraph:

Ezra Benson, another Apostle from the Salt Lake Valley, addressed the audience in his shirt sleeves. His speech was full of Yankee humor, rather coarse, but it told well with the saints. He said he felt “fust rate.” He referred to the subject of marriage, and to his own wives and children whom he had left in Utah, and said he believed that all his wives would not apostatize, and that, he would not be likely to undergo the misery of remaining single in heaven. He described Brigham Young as the best and holiest man in the world, and said he did not wonder at the sisters falling in love with him. Every good man, he said, ought to have more than one wife. He said he would advise the editors who abused them to consult their works, and they would find everything “as right as taturs.” He indulged in a variety of jokes of the same class. The proceedings terminated shortly after ten o’clock. (We omit to record some of the more improper sayings and doings of the evening.)

1857: 12 September, Usk Observer, p. 2, Item 2 (1,070 words). “Another Meeting.”

Same as the article in North Wales Chronicle for 12 September 1857 (see previous entry, Item #3).

1857: 12 September, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 4, Item 2 (1,075 words).

The writer provides only sketchy information regarding the Sunday meeting of this conference held at the Adelaide Gallery. However, his report of the Monday meeting held at the Teetotal Hall, Broadway, Westminster, has considerable overlap with the North Wales Chronicle article (see previous entry) and contains many word-for-word segments.

1857: 19 September, p. 3 Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian (320 words). “A Mormon Meeting.”

This report does not cover the conference held at the Adelaide Gallery, Lower Arcade, Strand. Rather, it is a shorter account of the meeting held the following evening at the Teetotal Hall, Broadway, Westminster.

1857: 3 October, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 380 (230 words). “Mormon Conference.”

A shorter account than the one in North Wales Chronicle for 12 September 1857 (see previous entry, Item 2).

End: Various reports are printed of the sixth annual conference of the Latter-day Saints held in London

Episode 14.5

Start: The Cambrian makes accusations—Daniel Daniels answers

1857: 18 September, The Cambrian (85 words). “The Mormons.”

This fanatical sect have of late been holding forth in various localities contiguous to our town, and they seem to have attained something like a “stronghold” in Llansamlet. On Sunday last (the 13th), however, they so disgusted their hearers with their profane and preposterous “sermons” and their assertions in reference to the impostor Joe Smith, that they were pelted with cabbages, potatoes, apples, etc., and were compelled to beat a precipitate retreat followed by the hootings and jeers of 200 or 300 people. [Llansamlet is a town just above Swansea]

1857: 26 September, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 6 (85 words). “The Mormons.”

The same article as in the Cambrian for 18 September 1857.

1857: 26 September, Udgorn Seion (Zion’s Trumpet), p. 314 (165 words). “Religious Persecution.”

After presenting the Welsh translation of the 18 September 1857 article in the Cambrian, Daniel Daniels responds:

Here is another example of the boastful “Christianity” of the nineteenth century! Can the slanderous asp, the Cambrian, show where his Bible supports and praises persecutors and maligners, and we ask from which sections are the persecutors and the persecuted—the one who strikes and the one who turns the other cheek? Stronger preachers than the Saints will come, soon, when perhaps the cabbage, the potato, or any other bits and pieces will not be so plentiful!

End: The Cambrian makes accusations—Daniel Daniels answers

1857: 19 September, North Wales Chronicle, p. 4, Item 1 (350 words). “The Mormons’ Land of Plenty.”

Here are the first few lines of this paragraph taken from the Saturday Review:

The Mormons promise a land of plenty. They address the senses. They hold out to the small farmer, and to the starving, scrambling, petty tradesman, the assurance of plenty to eat and drink; and they point to the Bible for confirmation of the fact that God’s chosen people have always had the blessings as well as the promises of the present world. . . . Theirs is the reverse of spiritual religion. It is of the earth, earthy; and the earth is with them the mother of abundance, and of all sorts of riches and mere animal enjoyments—flocks and herds, feasts and concubines. . . . This is the sort of language which tells on the pining, hard-working laborer, either in field or factory; and this is what wins to the Mormon cause. Saturday Review.

1857: 19 September, North Wales Chronicle, p. 4, Item 2 (715 words). “The Mormon ‘Deceit’ in America.”

The writer compares the defiance of the Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City—toward the United States military expedition sent to subdue them—to the current troubles the British were then experiencing with the rebels in Delhi.

Episode 14.6

Start: Various writers react to the Deseret Alphabet

1857: 19 September, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 4 (115 words). “Mormon Secretiveness.”

The following articles have reference to the Deseret Alphabet, which Brigham Young had asked George D. Watt to devise in order to facilitate the learning of English. Considerable effort and expense were invested in the project during the early years of the settling of Utah.

The new “Deseret Alphabet” is completed, and a fount of pica type has been cast in St. Louis. Specimens of the type are published in the St. Louis papers, but they are unproducible [sic] in types that common people use. The type founders have supplied the Mormons with molds and other apparatus for re-casting their old metal. So the Deseret News will probably hereafter be a profound mystery, at least in part, to all but the initiated. The new characters are 41 in number, and bear a striking resemblance to those of the Ethiopic alphabet. The ukases of Brother Brigham will hereafter be a sealed letter, literally, to Gentile eyes. New York Paper.

1857: 19 September, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 6 (115 words). “Mormon Secretiveness.”

The same article as in Chepstow Weekly Advertiser for 19 September 1857 (see previous entry).

1857: 26 September, Usk Observer, p. 4 (235 words). “Mormon Intelligence.”

The Mormons have invented a new alphabet. They are to have a newspaper of their own, set up in type that they only can read. The Mormons are a separate type of people, and as such we see no harm in their having a separate type to themselves. On the contrary, we are rejoiced that the good, honest type which is generally used for the purposes of civilization, will not be defiled by their foul fingers. In truth, we possessed no type that could have suited their base purposes. “Bougeois,” for a set of dissolute reprobates that have not a good Bourgeois amongst them, would have been far too respectable. “Minion” would have been about the most congenial representative of a minion race like them. We fervently hope that the Mormon characters are such as cannot possibly be met with in any other part of the world—characters of so base a cast that no respectable printer would think of admitting them into his establishment. It should be with Englishmen a great source of congratulation that a people, that has not a single thought in common with us, should have adopted a distinctive medium for giving shape to their thoughts on paper. It is a safeguard, for which we should be grateful, as there will be less danger of our simple-minded cooks and housemaids being for the future corrupted by their dangerous doctrines.

1857: 3 October, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 381 (75 words). “New Plan of the Mormons to Keep their Deeds Secret.”

The Mormons have devised a new alphabet, and their new letters have been made for printing. They intend to print the newspaper which is published by them in Utah with these new letters; and thus it will be a secret to all except for those who are taught by them. Their new alphabet has forty-one letters which are very similar to the Ethiopian letters.

End: Various writers react to the Deseret Alphabet

1857: 19 September, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 5 (140 words).

While Birmingham is about to hold its conference on all social subjects, London has had its meeting on the prospects of Mormonism, or rather has had a series of meetings. There were few Apostles on the ground, and as to disciples their name is Legion. Human ignorance is boundless, and all who are dissatisfied with their present condition listen eagerly to those who point to something else. Joe Smith, like his predecessor Mahomet, knew how to take advantage of the weaknesses of humanity; and it cannot be denied that he has brought together, and so far, kept together, what the auctioneers would call “a miscellaneous lot.” It is said that the President of the United States has resolved on rooting the Mormons out of Utah, and certainly they will get little sympathy from this side of the water.

1857: 19 September, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 6, Item 1 (30 words). “Mormon Polygamy.”

Thirteen members of the council of the Utah territory have no less than 171 wives, of whom fifty-seven constitute the seraglio of the President of the Council.

1857: 19 September, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 6, Item 2 (85 words). “The Mormons.”

By the Royal mail steamship Arabia, which arrived at Liverpool, on Sunday last, we learn that the military expedition for Utah had been ordered to proceed to its destination. Dr. Forny had accepted the appointment of superintendent of Indian affairs in Utah. General Harney or Colonel Johnson would have the command of the force. Ten companies had been dispatched to Kansas to replace those ordered to Utah. The New York Times states that one-third of the force selected for the expedition had deserted.

1857: 26 September, Udgorn Seion (Zion’s Trumpet), pp. 308–13 (2,170 words). “Review of the Treatise, Heresies and Deceptions of the Latter-day Saints, and the Book of Mormon, Exposed, by the Reverend W. J. Morrish, translated from the English by David Roberts, from Caernarvon.”

Daniel Daniels responds to the “renewed commotion” that had been reported to exist among some of the Church members in North Wales because of this twenty-four-page pamphlet published eight years earlier. To address these concerns, Daniels has agreed to “show as much of its inconsistency” in the limited space of Zion’s Trumpet as he can. In typical polemical fashion, he refutes a number of the so-called heresies and deceptions that the Anglican vicar puts forth in his publication. In doing so, Daniels shows himself to be a first-rate polemicist on the same level as his predecessors Dan Jones and John Davis.

1857: 26 September, Usk Observer, p. 2 (165 words).

The Mormonite delusion, I fear, is spreading. A map of London has been divided into sections: each of these sections has been sent to one or other of the “Branches of the Church.” In each “Branch” a society is organized, with a president, secretary, and treasurer, to superintend the distribution of tracts; to see that every house in their several districts, as indicated on their sections of the map, is visited; and to raise funds. They hold meetings and report progress in the “Branches,” and every six weeks delegates from all the branches meet and receive instructions from the president of all the tract societies, who is also assisted by a general secretary and treasurer. Now, when we consider that there are about 2,000 Mormons in London alone, and that nearly every one of these “Brethren and Sisters,” as they are called, is doing something to spread their peculiar doctrines, have we not sufficient cause for alarm, and ought not our clergy to stir themselves up?

1857: 26 September, Usk Observer, p. 3 (285 words). “Expedition against the Mormons.”

A letter from New York says:—About 1,500 men, a large proportion cavalry, are on their way to Utah, and one from Salt Lake Valley says,—A part of Californians which passed Salt Lake City on the 1st of July, and arrived here yesterday, brings the intelligence that the Mormons, when they learned they were about to receive a visit from a large number of troops, became very much excited, and forthwith instituted a regular system of drills and other warlike preparations. Besides pushing onward their defenses around the city with more than ordinary vigor, they are also engaged with a strong force in fortifying Fort Bridger, an old trading post in the Mountains, near the head of one of the branches of Green River, about one hundred miles this side of Salt Lake. It is also stated that they intend occupying some of the passes between that point and their city. There are several of these passes, which, as military positions, are said to be almost as defensible as Gibraltar. One of them is a gorge or canyon (as it is called) eighteen miles in length, so very tortuous and narrow, with the escarpments on each side so lofty and precipitous, that an army once shut into and threating it might be easily cut to pieces by a comparatively inferior force occupying the adjoining heights. Should there be no way of turning these defiles, the army will be under the necessity of operating at great disadvantage in penetrating them in the face of fixed batteries. Whether the Mormons will have the temerity to attempt to arrest the march of our troops at Bridger’s Fort or any other point remains to be seen.

1857: October, Y Dysgedydd (The Instructor), p. 399 (42 words). “The Mormons.”

There is a group of Mormons that numbers about 400, who arrived in Peoria, Illinois, who have become disgusted with the story they hear from Salt Lake, and they are likely to disperse and settle wherever they can purchase homes.

1857: 2 October, The Cambrian (100 words). “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.

1857: 3 October, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 2 (37 words).

The Mormons are greatly incensed at the prospect of having a large military force stationed in Utah, and, according to the tenor of the latest advices, were prepared to show a forcible resistance to the federal troops.

1857: 3 October, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 380 (230 words). “Mormon Conference.”

The conference was one held on 7 September 1857 at the Adelaide Gallery in London. Elders Orson Pratt and Ezra Benson gave a presentation on the topic of polygamy:

Women are encouraged not to marry anyone except Mormons; otherwise, when they awake on judgment day, they will find themselves without men, and they will be alone for eternity... Ezra Benson also referred to the topic of marriage, and to his own wives and children whom he left in Utah; and he said that he believed that not all his wives would apostatize, and for that reason he would not have to suffer the misfortune of being without a wife in heaven.

Surprisingly, the writer summarized the events and messages of the conference without offering a single criticism or negative remark.

1857: 3 October, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 3 (16 words).

Mormon theatricals at Salt Lake are opened with prayer, and the actors dismissed with a benediction.

1857: 3 October, North Wales Chronicle, p. 4 (175 words). “The Mormon Campaign.”

Newspapers from Salt Lake City report a public speech of Brigham Young, in which he uttered the following threats: “Now, let me tell you one thing; I shall take it as a witness that God designs to cut the thread between us and the world when an army undertakes to make their appearances in this territory to chastise me or to destroy my life from the earth. I lay it down that right is—or at least should be—might with Heaven, with its servants and with all its people on the earth. As for the rest, we will wait a little while to see, but I shall take a hostile movement by our enemies as an evidence that it is time for the thread to be cut. I think that we will find 300 who will lap water, and we can wipe out Midianites. Brother Heber said that he could turn out his women, and they would whip them. I ask no odds of the wicked, the best way they can fix it.

1857: 10 October, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 5 (50 words).

The Mormons it is quite evident are a great source of trouble to President Buchanan, and Brigham Young seems to be a man of action, for he has suspended relations with the American government, closed the Mormon chapels in New York, and bids the great ruler at Washington open defiance.

1857: 17 October, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 404, Item 1 (180 words). “Fugitives from the Mormons.”

A letter has been received from Lawrence, Kansas, reporting the arrival of a hundred persons who “had escaped from the Mormons in order to obtain deliverance from the injustices of the government of Brigham Young.” The writer adds:

They said that about one thousand had left the area of Salt Lake at about the same time—some to the states, about four hundred to Oregon, and themselves to Kansas—and that there were many others who were still there who would flee if they could; but that there were also many there who were firm in their faith of the corrupt principles of this deceiver and prepared if necessary to give their lives for him.

1857: 17 October, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 404, Item 2 (31 words).

The large number of 740 new Mormon missionaries [a clear exaggeration] arrived in England from the Utah territory. It appears that they wish to make a special effort to win disciples in this country.

1857: 24 October, North Wales Chronicle, p. 6 (20 words).

America. It is stated that the Mormons had fortified Fort Bridger, intending to defend it against the United States troops.

1857: 24 October, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 9 (33 words).

Our advices from Salt Lake state that the Mormons were fortifying the fort and bridges, with the intention of contesting the progress of the United States troops now on the way to Utah.

1857: 24 October, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 3 (33 words).

The same article as in the Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald for 24 October 1857 (see previous entry).

1857: 31 October, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 7 (18 words).

The Mormon newspaper, published in New York, has suspended, after an existence of two years and seven months.

1857: 31 October, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 3 (25 words).

The Mormons have been fortifying For Bridges, with the intention of contesting the progress of the United States troops now on their way to Utah.

1857: 7 November, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 3 (20 words).

The chief Siamese Ambassador acknowledges to the luxury of no fewer than fifty-eight wives. He is called “the Eastern Mormon.”

1857: 14 November, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 444 (73 words).

There were several officials in the service of the government who had been chased away from the great city of Salt Lake by the Saints, who had placed themselves in a defense position against any attacks from the outside. Some of the top officials of the Saints assert that by now they are sufficiently powerful to challenge the strongest army of the United States!

1857: 14 November, Usk Observer, p. 3 (135 words).

Heber C. Kimball, one of the most prominent of the Mormon elders, has lately delivered a discourse at Salt Lake City, in which he takes strong ground against the government of the United States, and expresses the determination of the Mormons to resist the troops to the last extremity. Brigham Young also made a speech in the same vein. In view of the anticipated difficulty with the Mormons, an unfortunate occurrence took place on the Great Plains. A drover, without any provocation, killed a woman a child belonging to a tribe of Indians which has hitherto refused to join the Mormons against the government, and also fired at the chief. It is feared that this may have the effect of creating a hostile feeling, which will end in alliance of the tribe with Brigham Young.

1857: 14 November, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 6 (110 words).

The St. Louis Republican publishes a discourse delivered by Heber C. Kimball, at Salt Lake City, August 30th, in which strong grounds are taken against the United States Government, and a determination is expressed to resist their troops to the last extremity. The “Mormon Children” are called upon to arm themselves and people generally are exhorted to lay up grain and otherwise prepare for the conflict. During the discourse, Kimball says: “We are the Kingdom of God and the State of the Deseret, and will have Brigham Young for Governor just so long as he lives.” Young made a speech equally bold in its declarations of hostility against the United States.

1857: 21 November, North Wales Chronicle, p. 5 (96 words). “Mormonism Exposed.”

A lecture was delivered on Tuesday by the Rev. John Brindley, LL. D., at the British Institution, Cowper Street, City Road, on the subject of Mormonism, the object of which was to refute the pretensions of Mormonism, and expose the abominable practices of the self-styled Latter-day Saints. Mr. Joseph Payne occupied the chair. The Rev. lecturer, who traced the Mormon imposture to its source, and ably set before his audience the iniquitous doings of its professors, was well received. At the close of the lecture a vote of thanks to Mr. Brindley was unanimously awarded. Star.

1857: 21 November, North Wales Chronicle, p. 6 (130 words). “The Mormons Getting Ready for War.”

The Mormons, according to a letter from Omaha City, in the New York Times, are on the march; and only ten or twelve days since, on the Loupa Fork of the Platte River, near the mouth of Beaver, and known as Beaver settlement of Mormons, about one hundred miles from Omaha City. Some renegade Mormons or seceders from the Mormon Church, fleeing from the Danites of Salt Lake, had reached that settlement, bringing the news that a large force of the Mormon militia, under Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, were preparing to leave Salt Lake City, with provision and ammunition for a six weeks’ campaign in the mountains to the eastward, and thus stop, if possible, the progress of the United States’ Corps.

1857: 21 November, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 6 (18 words).

It is stated that there are no less than 33 Mormon meeting houses in London and the suburbs.

1857: 21 November, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 4 (68 words).

The Mormons were to leave Carson Valley on the 25th of October. Brigham Young has ordered a secret cavalry company to organize from the Saints in Carson Valley, armed and equipped with one year’s provisions and clothing. It is said to be their intention, should matters go too serious, to seek a refuge in the Russian possessions, where they have already driven the stakes for a new Zion.

1857: 28 November, Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, p. 6 (88 words).

The Mormons are on the march, and only ten or twelve days since, on the Loupa Fork of the Platte river, near the mouth of Beaver, and known as Beaver settlement of Mormons about one hundred miles inland from Omaha city. A large force of the Mormon militia, under Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, are preparing to leave Salt Lake City, with provision and ammunition for a six-weeks’ campaign in the mountains to the eastward, and thus stop, if possible, the progress of the United States Corps.

1857: 28 November, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 8 (130 words).

The military expedition against the Mormons has been postponed. A military officer sent across the Rocky Mountains to report on the state of affairs found the Mormons bent on resistance; and, as the only road into their valley from the Missouri country is a deep and rugged pass fifty miles long, he was of opinion that they resist great odds without much difficulty. It is also reported that the Mormon militia, under Brigham Young and Heber Kimball, had marched from Salt Lake City to meet the advancing United States troops at a pass in the mountains known as the Steeple Rocks, “with an almost certainty of ‘wiping out’ the force sent against them.” Should they fail in defeating the invaders, the Mormons would found a new Zion in Russian territory.

1857: 28 November, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 9 (183 words).

The opening sentences are as follows:

The government has received intelligence from the military post at Leavenworth to the effect that the Mormons are calling in their people and making preparations to resist the troops now on their way to Utah, under the command of Col. Johnston. There is no doubt of the truth of this report.

The remainder of the article has a few more sentences about the impending Utah war.

1857: 28 November, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 10 (77 words).

A report on Colonel Johnston’s current position and a forecast that the expedition will not reach Salt Lake City this season.

1857: 28 November, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p.452 (1,270 words). “The Great Temple of the Latter-day Saints in the Valley of the Salt Lake, Utah.”

This lengthy article is taken from Y Drych a’r Gwiliedydd (The Mirror and the Sentinel), a Welsh-language newspaper then being published in New York. In the opening paragraph, the writer expresses concern that the Latter-day Saints are increasing so rapidly in number and that so many Welsh are among them:

The Mormon matter is creating quite a stir amongst the populace these days, for many reasons. The moral and civilized class feel for the reputation of our country and nation; and they are worried by the constant reports that the Mormons are increasing so rapidly. Also, many a Welshman is compelled to bow his head, as he reads about the emigration ships, that nearly every one contains some number of Welsh. That was the nature of the recent news from Boston, about some ship that came there fairly recently, when it was said that all the Saints were English or Welsh.

The writer then presents detailed information about the building of the temple and the tabernacle in Salt Lake City as well as the large homes being built for Church leaders, their numerous wives, and their children. He ends his article with this comment:

And the feast is released by a blessing with clasped hands; and often the prophets will be so drunk that they can hardly stand on their feet while talking.

1857: 28 November, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 464, Item 1 (90 words).

The news from the Mormon settlement is extremely hostile and uncertain. The latest stories report that the strong force of the Mormon soldiers, under Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, is ready to leave Salt Lake City, with military resources for six weeks; it is said that their aim is to keep the United States soldiers from coming to the city. Another account is given that the aim of the Mormons is, if things get too hot for them, to move to Russian territories and build their New Jerusalem there.

1857: 28 November, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 464, Item 2 (155 words).

From Y Drych a’r Gwiliedydd (The Mirror and the Sentinel). Here is the lead statement:

News has been received that recently the Mormons have attacked the soldiers of the United States, in the borders of the ‘holy city,’ and have defeated them, and have killed 1,400 of them. We do not know to what extent we can rely on the foregoing report, since there are many who doubt it. Nevertheless, it is generally believed that all the Saints are armed and determined to defend their rights. The news from St. Louis, on the 21^st, say that the military expedition against Utah has arrived at Fort Laramie by the 24th of September. Also, at the same time there were eight regiments with large cannons. The arrival of Captain Cook at the fort was expected at any day in the lead of six regiments. They intend to exact full revenge on them for opposing the laws of the United States. All success to Uncle Sam, we say.

1857: 28 November, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 4 (580 words). “The Mormon Church Militant.”

The writer of this Times article compares Johnston’s Army, then on their way to subdue the rebels in Salt Lake City, to several armies in the Old Testament who were defeated by the Israelites. He then compares the Latter-day Saints to the Puritans:

They are fighters, at least they appear to be prepared to fight and make a bold stand. We should not quarrel with them for being able to fight, if it was for a good cause, but death in the cause of concubinage is a strange martyrdom. The Puritan was savage and relentless, but his severe morals redeem him. He fought cruelly, but it was for a stern creed and an ascetic standard of life. A sensualized Puritan is an abomination and a monster. Such a monster is Mormonism.

1857: 5 December, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 2, Item 1 (205 words).

More official dispatches about the progress of Colonel Johnston.

1857: 5 December, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 2, Item 2 (95 words).

From Carson Valley we learn that the Mormons had departed in a body for SLC. They numbered nearly 1,000 souls, of whom only 350 were men. They numbered nearly 1,000 souls, of whom only 350 were men. Their departure left the remaining inhabitants partly unprotected from the ravages of hostile Indians, and an application had been made to the Governor of California for assistance. The emigration across the plains was very large, and we have an account of one party from Missouri and Arkansas, numbering over 100 persons, having been massacred by the Indians.

1857: 5 December, Usk Observer, p. 2 (30 words).

The Mormons are reported by the New York papers to have committed their first overt act of treason against the federal authorities by the seizure of the provision trains.

1857: 5 December, North Wales Chronicle, p. 4 (520 words). “The Expedition against the Mormons.”

The first paragraph is as follows:

The War Department today received some highly interesting official dispatches, including a proclamation of Brigham Young, declaring martial law in Utah.

1857: 5 December, North Wales Chronicle, p. 6 (725 words). “The Mormons and the United States. Brigham Young’s Declaration of War.”

This declaration is dated 15 September 1857. Following the declaration is Colonel Alexander’s reply:

Colonel Alexander, in reply, states to Brigham Young that the troops were there by order of the President, and would be disposed of as the commanding General saw proper.

1857: 5 December, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 4 (165 words).

The latest report of the military campaign against Salt Lake City:

The Mormons are victorious so far. It is now quite evident that the martial prowess of these misguided people has been much underrated, and their Yankee foes will have a dangerous enemy to encounter.

The report then says that President Buchanan has given orders to abandon his winter campaign.

1857: 12 December, Seren Cymru (Star of Wales), p. 452 (455 words).

The editor again copies an article from Y Drych a’r Gwiliedydd (The Mirror and the Sentinel). The writer tells of Brigham Young’s careful planning to stop the advance of the large number of soldiers headed for Salt Lake City as well as his invitation to the native Americans to join Young’s people in this “holy war.”

1857: 12 December, Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, p. 4 (555 words). “Prospect of the Mormon ‘Saints.’”

The first part of the article is as follows:

The military expedition sent against “the Saints” of Utah (says the Times correspondent) may be pronounced a failure.” It will not reach Zion on the Salt Lake this winter, as it is understood it has gone into quarters at some station short of the holy city, with the loss of 75 wagons loaded with stores, on which a roving and armed body of Mormons pounced suddenly, finding the train marching without a guard, plundered it of what suited them, and burnt the rest, the wagons inclusive. It was a bold stroke, and a clear act of rebellion; but, as a military operation, it was very neatly executed. It was not supposed, probably, that so audacious an act of defiance of the Federal troops would be attempted.

Further analysis is provided about the efforts of the United States government to take control of Utah, as well as about the relationship between the Latter-day Saints and the Indians.

1857: 12 December, Usk Observer, p. 2 (295 words).

Here are the first two sentences:

It would seem that Brigham Young has assumed the powers of an independent sovereign, and formally declared war against the United States. His reasons for this high-handed course, or rather the reasons assigned by the telegraphic reports, are rather contradictory, and will not be accepted by the government as entirely satisfactory.

The remainder of the article consists of musings as to Brigham Young’s method of dealing with this difficult situation and what the government’s reaction ought to be.

1857: 19 December, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 9 (19 words).

Brigham Young, the Mormon leader, has claimed the independence of Utah, and thrown off allegiance to the United States.

1857: 19 December, North Wales Chronicle, p. 4 (150 words). “The Mormon Expedition.”

A gentleman just arrived from Leavenworth states that before he left a rumor had reached that city, and obtained credence among the officers at the fort, that the Mormons had raised forces and blockaded all the avenues to Salt Lake City by the route taken by the United States forces, in many cases rendering the canyons impassable, by means of rocks and other impediments. Brigham Young declares that it is not the design of the Mormons to shed blood, unless provoked to do so by a similar action on the part of the Government. It is believed that they will endeavor to possess themselves of the horses, mules, and stores of the expedition, in order to a removal early in the spring. From the exposed position now occupied by the advance, this will be a comparatively easy task, unless the army shall fall back upon Fort Laramie.

1857: 26 December, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 4, Item 1 (27 words).

There has been a skirmish between Colonel Alexander’s forces and the Mormons. A large force is sent against the latter, and a protracted war is considered inevitable.

1857: 26 December, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 4, Item 2 (64 words).

The Mormons are to be signally chastised for their defiance of the Sovereign Authority, and an increase of the army is demanded for the purpose. Meanwhile we hear that Brigham Young intends coming to close quarters at once. He will fight the United States troops while he can, before reinforcements have arrived, and after destroying the Mormon possessions in Utah leave for another country.

1857: 26 December, Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, p. 9 (1,040 words). “Utah—the Mormons.”

A very long review of the relationship of Brigham Young and the United States government, the current status, predictions, etc.

1857: 26 December, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 5 (115 words).

Further intelligence from the Utah expedition states that, on the 3rd of November, Colonel Cook’s command was 150 miles west of Fort Laramie, proceeding as fast as possible towards the winter quarters fixed upon by Colonel Johnson, on the Honey Fork of Green River. A rumor prevailed that Brigham Young intended to fight the troops this winter, while there was a chance for an equal, or rather for an unequal conflict, and that before reinforcements could be sent out in the spring, he would destroy all the Mormon possessions in Utah, and proceed to some other locality. Various Indian tribes had offered their services to the Federal Government in the suppression of the Mormon rebellion.

1857: 26 December, Monmouthshire Beacon, p. 6 (63 words).

Decided measures are called for against the Mormons, and the formation of four new regiments is urged. A territorial government for Arizona, and construction of a railroad to the Pacific, are recommended. Other portions of the message possess only local importance. . . . The Mormons are giving more trouble to the Federal troops. Some of them in a skirmish had been taken prisoners.

1857: 26 December, North Wales Chronicle, p. 6 (80 words). “The Mormons’ Expedition.”

Further advices had been received from the Utah expedition. Six hundred cattle had been run off by them in sight of Colonel Alexander’s command. It was expected that the three divisions of the army under Colonels Johnston, Alexander, and Cook would soon be concentrated, and Governor Cummins and the other territorial officers were determined to enter Salt Lake City, if possible. A skirmish had taken place, in which three or four of the Mormons were taken prisoners.

1857: 26 December, Usk Observer, p. 4 (45 words). “A Death Blow to Mormonism.”

President Buchanan had better not throw away powder and shot upon the Mormons. Let him send them fashion books. The necessity of crinoline will destroy polygamy. It will render Brigham Young himself unable to support more wives than one.

1857: 26 December, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 2 (225 words). “More Trouble with the Mormons.”

A communication dated St. Louis, 8th December, says: An express passed through this city yesterday for Washington, with dispatches from Colonel Johnston. The Republican received letters this morning from the army to November 3. The Mormons had run off six hundred cattle in sight of Colonel Alexander’s camp, near Ham’s Fork, Green River. At the date of the letter it was supposed that Colonel Johnston had concentrated his force with Alexander’s and that in a fortnight from that time Colonel Cook’s command would be with them. They expected to winter on Henry’s Fort, Green River. There was a good deal of suffering for want of provisions and clothing, and the horses were giving out for want of forage. Governor Cumming and the other territorial officers were determined to get into Salt Lake City if possible. The Mormons were determined on resistance to either the military or civil officers. A skirmish had taken place between Colonel Alexander’s troops and the Mormons and three or four of the latter were captured. Colonel Hoffman, from Fort Laramie, last of October, arrived here on Sunday night, but he brings no news of the Utah expedition. The Democrat learns that news has been received at Fort Leavenworth from Major’s and Russell’s trains, that the government animals were dying in great numbers on the plains.

Notes

[1] Zion’s Trumpet, 10 January 1857, 10.

[2] Zion’s Trumpet, 27 June 1857, 209.

[3] Usk Observer, 25 July 1857, 1.

[4] Zion’s Trumpet, 29 August 1857, 286–88.

[5] Zion’s Trumpet, 15 August 1857, 257.

[6] Zion’s Trumpet, 10 October 1857, 331.

[7] The Treasury, February 1857, 58.

[8] Ibid., 58–59.

[9] The Instructor, June 1857, 105.

[10] Ibid.

[11] See the Saints by Sea website at saintsbysea.lib.byu.edu.

[12] Zion’s Trumpet, 15 August 1857, 257.

[13] Zion’s Trumpet, 25 January 1851, 35–36.

[14] Defending the Faith: Early Welsh Missionary Publications, Item J15.

[15] Ibid., 263.

[16] Sun, September 1857, 270.

[17] Ibid.

[18] Ibid.

[19] The portion quoted in the Sun comprises pages 27–35 of Pamphlet #16 in the pamphlet section of this study.