Mormon History
RLDS Versus LDS - 1865
Chicago Evening Journal – May 15, 1865
A DIVISION IN THE MORMON CHURCH.
A Letter from Joseph Smith, leader of the Mormon Opposition
to Brigham Young, Defining his Creed, Etc.
_______
Plano. Ill., May 22, 1865
Editor of the Chicago Evening Journal:
Spying in your issue of the 19th instant, [among] the "Gleanings," an item
referring to "Trouble Among the Mormons," and being one of individuals referred
to in that article of news, I thought a line from [me] concerning the difference
existing as [to] points of doctrines between Brigham Young and myself, might not
be uninteresting to your readers.
[I am] aware of the impracticality of making the news journals of the day the
vehicles of quarrels between churchmen or religious monomaniacs; but as those
journals [---- hape], in a great measure, to the opinions of the public, I am in
hopes that a [few] lines may not be considered amiss in [my] behalf.
Philanthropists and reformers have never occupied an enviable position at the
[start] of their career in the estimation of mankind, however truthful time may
have proved their theories to be. This, in the religion to which I refer, I am
placed before the public as antagonistic to Brigham Young, in a contest for the
possible emoluments of a ruler. This is directly true; [but] if this were the
only ambition that [stirred] me to effort (promising that success was attainable
under the auspices by which the tenure of his office is held) then [he], and all
others within the influence of a healthier state of moral ethics, might. [in
all] propriety, declare the ambition to be [a wrong] one.
Regarded as an item of news only, giving notice that a new sect has come into
existence, it is five years too late, for, during the last five years, while the
nation has been struggling with the Southern rebellion, I, with many others,
have been engaged in an endeavor to arrest the progress of Utah Mormonism. It
might be [assumed] by some that I was in the Territory of Utah waging this
dispute with [Brighamism], while the truth is I have never [been] west of Omaha,
Nebraska, and have [never] yet seen the Mecca of modern polygamist believers.
I am not alone in this contest, for rising [seven] thousand earnest minded men
and women are united at the present time in a [fight] as fatal to the creed of
Brigham Young and fellow-believers, as was the command: "Thou shalt have no
other Gods before me," to the idolatrous worshippers the day in which the words
were uttered.
[The] scattered from Maine to the thriving cities on the west shores of
California [on this] land and over the sea, whence have come the many thousands
of those who have gone to Utah, we are earnestly striving [to] make head against
the perverters of the doctrines of Christ.
[Concerned] this letter should become too intrusive, I will briefly state some
points of difference between our faith and doctrines [against] that of Brigham
Young.
We
worship God, and not Adam.
We believe this to be a gathering dispensation, but do not believe in gathering
to the Salt land.
We believe that loyalty is becoming to the Christian: and do not believe that
rebellion and sedition are justifiable in [those] people whose rights are
guaranteed to them by a benevolent government.
I now quote from a book
published in 1845, one year after my father was killed, and since re-published
by us in 1864. It is a book called the "Doctrine and Covenants of the Church."
and is to us in the place of a book of discipline. In an article on marriage, it
is declared:
"That we believe that one man should have one wife" and the woman but one
husband, except in case of death, when either is at liberty to marry again."
This was published by the church during the regime of laws under which it was
[operating] at my father's death, which took place in June, 1844, and the
difference between myself and Brigham is easily measured, when I affirm the
foregoing quotation as my belief on that point.
In the Book of Mormon, which has been [more] commonly known as the Mormon Bible,
but which is by all so-called "Mormons" [received] as good authority in mooted
questions, there occurs the following emphatic language:
"Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was
abominable before me, said the Lord. Wherefore, my brethren, hear me and hearken
to the word of the Lord, for there shall not any man among you have save
it be one wife: and concubines he shall have none."
We, therefore, believe that it is lawful in the sight of God for a man to have
one wife, and do not believe it to be lawful for any man to have a plurality of
wives.
We believe that murder, arson, theft, [------], in fact all the crimes known to
the law, are criminal in any one, and do not believe that God commands men to
disregard the rights of his fellow-man in any particular.
We believe there is one body and one faith, even as men are called in one hope
[in] their calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all,
who is above all, and through all, and in all. We believe that men will be
punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgressions. We believe that
God is no respector of persons; but that whoever [receiveth] him and worketh
righteousness, [in] every nation, is accepted of Him.
I have the pleasure of signing myself, yours most respectfully.
JOSEPH SMITH.