Women of Mormonism

Chapter 4 - Classes of Mormon Women

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

Apostates. - Anti-Polygamous Mormons. - Full Believers. - Courage of the Apostates.

[48] THE women of Mormonism-(in this general classification are included all who have ever been identified with the church)-may be divided into two classes, first and plural wives. Each of these classes may be again subdivided, and distinguished as, first, apostate, that is, those who have withdrawn entirely from the Mormon church; second, those who have not yet severed their connection with it, and who believe in all its doctrines with the exception of polygamy; and third, those who believe in the institution as a divine ordinance, or pretend they do.

The apostate element is, of course, very much in the minority, but it counts among its ranks many noble women who have burst from their trammels under innumerable difficulties,-women who have suffered untold martyrdom for the sake of a false god It is our intention to say but little about this class, preferring to let them speak for themselves. In the stories which follow, there is nothing exaggerated nor set down in malice. Indeed, exaggeration [49] is impossible, since language is inadequate to half unveil the horrors of this loathsome object called celestial marriage. These pages are simple, truthful relations of how women have been beguiled and deluded; how their hearts have been crushed, their womanly feelings outraged, their homes desecrated, and they made almost physical, mental, and moral wreckage.

Plate Engraving in Original Book

Mrs. Sarah A. Cooke

President of the Women’s National Anti-Polygamy Society

We can scarcely give too high a tribute to the courage of the apostate Mormon women. It may be thought a very easy matter to leave the church; but when it is remembered that leaving the church meant the entire breaking away from all old friendships, complete ostracism from all old associations, and perhaps starvation for their children, it will be seen that it required more moral strength than is possessed by every woman to cross the line that proclaimed her an outcast. Women, whose lives had been as pure and innocent as their yearling babe's, have had their reputations sullied and their character assailed in every imaginable manner; others have been sent out like Hagar into the wilderness, with, alas, no angel near to comfort them, while every one was warned not to take them in. Many have laid life's burden down, too grievous, to be longer borne; but to those who carried it bravely - through to the end, we can safely say, " Verily, verily, ye shall have your reward "

Next: CHAPTER V. WOMAN'S CONSENT First Wife's Story.-Counseled to Humble His Wife.-"Wives Have no Rights in this Territory."-A Mother's Reason for Going to Utah.-The New House.- The Baby.-Persecutions. - Husband Persuaded.-Death of the Baby.-Wife Reluctantly Consents.-Consequences.-A Death-Bed Scene.-Escape

Back: CHAPTER III. POLYGAMY PROPAGATED Polygamy Denied Abroad While Practiced at Home. - Ingenious Liars. - Danger of Admitting Utah as a State. - Relief Societies.

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