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Women of Mormonism
Chapter 13 - An Earnest Appeal

THE WOMEN OF MORMONISM:
or
THE STORY OF POLYGAMY
As Told by the Victims Themselves.
Edited By
JENNIE ANDERSON FROISETH
Editor of the Anti-Polygamy Standard, Salt Lake City,
PUBLISHED BY
C.G.G. PAINE, DETROIT, MICH.
1886

Copyright, 1881 and 1882
By Jennie Anderson Froiseth

Quotation from the Deseret News Joseph Smith's Widows.-  Changed Views.-Smith's Denunciation of Polygamy.-Married or Single.-Controversy with God.-Polygamy Binding upon All or None.-No Plural Marriage.

THE following was published in a little different form, but substantially the same, in the columns of the Anti-Polygamy Standard. It was addressed to those Mormon women, collectively, who are public advocates of the doctrine of polygamy, and whose teachings have been potent in influencing hundreds of women to sacrifice themselves upon this cruel altar. Of course, the appeal never elicited any reply or explanation. None could be truthfully given without convicting a number of these sisters of falsehood, as any unprejudiced reader can see for himself by comparing the historical facts quoted below from their own church records.

Writing to the Deseret News, the Mormon church organ, under date Oct. 17, 1879, Eliza R. Snow says:-

"It may be asked, Why defend plurality of wives, since the United States Government forbids [156] its practice? The action of the executors of this Government can neither change nor annihilate a fundamental truth; and this action, in preventing the practice of plural marriage, shoulders a heavier responsibility than any nation has ever assumed, with one exception,-that of the ancient Jews. If the Government can afford it, we can. The controversy is with God, not us."

This was signed "Eliza R. Snow, a wife of Joseph Smith, the prophet."

On the occasion of a woman's meeting at the Theater in Salt Lake City in the fall of 1878, for the purpose of justifying the doctrine of plural marriage, and of protesting against the right of the United States Government to interfere with its practice, Mrs. Zina D. Jacobs, (generally known as Mrs. Zina Young,) proclaimed herself as one of the widows of the prophet Smith. At that same meeting, Miss Eliza R. Snow and Mrs. Phebe Woodruff declared that they knew polygamy was a divine ordinance, and its practice a direct command from God. Miss Snow further said that she looked with sympathy and commiseration upon the misguided Gentile women who were opposing the sacred institution. " They are trying to measure arms with the Almighty," she exclaimed "and they know not what they do. We believe in the principle of plural marriage as sacredly as we believe in any other institution which God has revealed. "

We will not question the sincerity of these "priestesses of polygamy," but we would like to ask them [157] how they have happened to change their minds so completely; for in early days they assumed a very different attitude upon this question. Some of us, workers in the Anti-Polygamy cause, were good Mormons in the days before polygamy was a principle of the Latter-Day faith. Some of us were in Nauvoo when Joseph Smith and John C. Bennett were deceiving any number of sisters, and when "spiritual wifery" was first concocted as a means of allaying, the scandal which had grown to such alarming proportions, that there were threats from the most devout Mormons, of cleaning out the entire iniquitous nest. But worse than all, the scandal was not confined to Nauvoo, but had also gained credence in the outside world.

However, the prophet was a man of sagacity equal to the occasion, and he immediately came out in an article, which can be found in Vol. 3 of Times and Seasons, the Mormon church official organ, denouncing the "secret wife" system as the manufacture of John C. Bennett, who thus perpetrated a foul and infamous slander upon an innocent people.

Elder Hyrum Brown was excommunicated for preaching polygamy in Michigan, and certificates were published, numerously signed, setting forth that the Latter-day church and the people of Nauvoo know of no other system of marriage than that contained in the "Book of Doctrines and Covenants," which, of course, was monogamic.

And some of us remember the indignation manifested by these very sisters who are now so positive [158] of the divinity of polygamy, that such a "foul slander should have been perpetrated upon the innocent Mormons." Some of these sisters who now announce themselves as widows of- the martyred prophet, then testified publicly that polygamy did not exist, as witness the following, which we copy from Times and Seasons of 1843:-

"We, the undersigned, members of the Ladies' Relief Society, and married females, do certify and declare that we know of no system of marriage being practiced in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, save the one contained in the 'Book of Doctrines and Covenants; ' and we give this certificate to the public to show that J.C. Bennett's 'secret wife' system is a disclosure of his own make. " This is signed by Eliza R. Snow, Phebe Woodruff, and fifteen others.

Both of these sisters now call themselves widows of Joseph Smith, who was killed in 1844, only one year subsequent to the time when they testified that the "secret wife" system was a disclosure of J. C. Bennett's own make. We should be gratified if they would explain these conflicting statements, and tell us why they then denied so solemnly the existence of what they now declare they know to be a divine institution, revealed by God. And furthermore, we should be glad if sister Eliza would tell us to whom she was married at the time of that denial, for she publicly avowed herself to be a " married female," and we knew her as Miss Eliza :R. Snow, single woman.

[159] If she was married to Joseph Smith at that time, as a plural wife, then she signed her name to what she must have known was a falsehood; and if she was not married to the prophet, then she publicly acknowledges herself to be an impostor in now claiming to be his widow.

It is these glaring discrepancies that make us doubt their ability to lead the masses of the Mormon women, of whom they are the acknowledged head and teachers, in the paths of truth and virtue. It is these which make us think, even at the risk of being deemed uncharitable, that they are more culpable than " blind leaders of the blind."

But, in regard to the declaration of E. R. Snow that "the controversy is with God, not us," we would say:-

Be that as it may, we of the Anti-Polygamy cause, in behalf of ourselves, and in the interest of the innocent women,-yes, of all women, innocent or guilty,-and of the girls in this Territory, " with charity to all, and with malice toward none,"-we have a controversy with E. R. Snow, and Mrs. Jacobs, and Mrs. Woodruff, and with any other polygamous person who publicly proclaims adherence to and belief in polygamy. We desire to know fully and explicitly upon what such belief and adherence is based.

Come, and let us reason awhile together upon this all-important subject. If polygamy is good for you, why would it not be good for us? and if it is a blessing and benefit for one, it should be a benefit [160] and blessing for all. If there be any obligation to accept, or any condemnation in rejecting, polygamy, we stand ready, in desire at least, to share in your story, present and prospective, through accepting it; and on the other hand, to be made partakers of the "condemnation" which you tell us, and tell your non-polygamous Mormon sisters, must follow the rejection of the doctrine.

If polygamy is right, and especially if it be a command of God, then it is our duty to look upon it in that light, and to yield obedience to it. If it is wrong, and especially if, upon full and fair canvassing of the whole matter, it becomes evident that upon no valid claim can it be regarded as the command of God, then it is your duty and that of all others to regard it accordingly, and to turn away from it.

Is there anything to prevent us from seeing eye to eye in this matter? Is there a beam in our eye, and but a mote in yours, or vice versa? Let us pluck out from our eyes every beam and every mote, and then we shall see with clearness. We have reflected long, written much, conversed and corresponded with many on this vexed question. Peaceably or forcibly it must be settled,-it will be settled. But harsh measures-force-cannot  eradicate an idea when once that idea has taken root in the mind of man or woman. The Divine Spirit only co-operating with human reason and science, has power to do that. It is useless to enter into any argument respecting [161] the origin of polygamy. That is not a matter of obscurity, but of plain historic record, so well authenticated that it would be as foolish to question whether or not the battle of Waterloo ever occurred.

Of course, the advocates of the system persistently ignore this historical record; but that is no evidence of its incorrectness, as there are people living in Utah to-day, whose word is as worthy of confidence as that of the polygamy advocates can be, whose personal experience will fully corroborate and sustain the historical fact. In the quotation at the head of this article, E. R. Snow says,-and we are quite pleased to agree with her in this,-"The action of the Government can neither change nor annihilate a fundamental truth." That proposition is so plain as to require no argument, no defense. But when she adds that "this nation, in preventing the practice of plural marriage, shoulders a responsibility heavier than any other nation has ever assumed, with one exception, that of the ancient Jews,"-as Christian wives and mothers, as lovers of our sex and of our country, we call upon her to indicate more clearly than she seems inclined to do, in what this awful responsibility consists.

And first, that E. R. Snow may learn where we stand, and where we claim the country stands upon this matter, we hold there can in reality be no such thing under our, or any other, civilized Government as "plural marriage." Marriage is the union of one [162] man with one woman. Any arrangement aside from this is not of the nature of marriage at all. And if, leaving our country and time, she insists upon "fundamental truth,"-upon the fundamental basis of marriage,-we need only cite our first parents. They certainly were one pair,-one man and one woman,-that was God's original ordaining. That, we claim, may fairly be esteemed "fundamental. " Now, if E. R. Snow, or any other person, claims that a union of the sexes upon any other basis is marriage, it must be made clear beyond all controversy or doubt, that that basis which is to supersede the original or " fundamenta1 " ordaining of the sexual relation, is not of man and his lusts, but of God and his love.

Although man changes, God is the same, yesterday, to-day, and forever. Although our views, of truth may change or enlarge, truth itself is forever unchangeable, forever the same. What seemed a truth yesterday, may not seem a truth to-day. But God is God, and truth is truth. And we perfectly agree with her, that any Government would assume a very great responsibility in presuming to interfere with the “fundamental" law of marriage.

Eliza R. Snow, Mrs. Jacobs, and others, we mildly and in all sincerity and charity of soul suggest to you, that before leaving this checkered scene of mortal life,-and your time, our time, may be short,-you could not possibly do a better or a nobler thing than to come out boldly and frankly, [163] and tell us, and especially your non-polygamous Mormon sisters, just what influences and agencies were brought to bear upon you to induce you to accept polygamy as having the sanction of God.

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