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Show ANTI-POLYGAM- Graphic Exposure f the Treason able lustituti u V.liere Polygamous Marriages are Solemnized. BY AX EYE WITNESS. I From the Salt Lake Daily Tribune of Sept. 28, 187:). J STANDARD. Y member of my body: Mv .head, that I might have a knowledge of the truths of God; my eyes, that I might see the glories of the kingdom; my mouth, that I might at all' times speak the truth; my arms, that they might be strong in the defence of the gospel; my bosom and here I must ask my readers not to think I want to tell this part of the story, but I do want people to know the truth, ami how disgusting and indelicate this thing is. Mormon people deny many of these things, and civilized and decent people can scarcely realize that this institution is as infamous as it really is, but I solemnly assert that these tilings do exist. To continue: My children the nourish I bosom, that might whom I might raise by my husband, (I was not then married, but expected to be,) and another part of m body, that I might raise up a goodly seed, that they might bo pillars of strength to the upbuilding and strengthening of Gods kingdom upon the earth. And so she got down to mv feet, when she hoped they might be swift in the paths of righteousness and truth. The Mormon Endowment House is a plain adobe building, two stories high, built like a small dwelling house, so as not to attract attention. There are blinds to all the windows, which are nearly always kept down. It is situated in the northwest corner of the Temple Block, (which includes the Tabernacle, New Temple, New Assembly Ilall, &c.,) and the whole block is surrounded by a very high wall. On a certain day, not necessary to mention, I went to the Endowment House at eight oclock in the morning, taking with me my endowment clothes, (consisting ot garments, robe, cap, apron and moccasins.) 1 believe people used to take their own oil, but that is now discontinued, as fees are charged. I went into a small room attached to the main building, (designated in the plan by the name of Reception Room,) which was crowded with men and women, having their bundles of clothing. The entrance door is on the east side, and in the southwest corner there is another, next to which the desk stood, where the APRON. (Worn by Men and Women.) clerk recorded the names, etc. Around She then turned me over to the woman the north and west. sides were benches for who had washed me, and who whispered the people to sit. MY NEW AND CELESTIAL time we heard him going back the same wav, to where Elohim and Jehovah were I waiting. Wlvui he got back he said: have collected all the elements together and founded an earth, what wouldst thou BE EVERLASTINGLY DAMNED, have me do next? Using the same forfor they were things to holy to be spoken mula time they sent him down to every of between each other, after we had once the world, they then told him to separate left the Endowment House. We were then told to be very quiet and listen. the land from the water, light from dark-s- o they went regularly ness, etc., and Joseph F. Smith then went away. told us that if ever any of us attempted to and heard in the i e veal what we saw House our memories would be blighted, and we should GROUND FLOUR OF THE ENDOWMENT HOUSE. Outer Wall East, Endowment House. S BUM MES. W- - Keceptioi. Room. desk I i Hatn&shue left. e room. Stalrway to Veil and Sea'll 0) 3 3 J 2a BENCH 88. 3 3 Q 3 I 9 3 S? 9 e 91 3 4 s 3 9 2 33 ' 9 i V 3 4 9 NAME SUtrirajr to Veil and Sealing room 2 I believe I am to be called up in the morning of the resurrection bv it. It was Sarah. I felt disappointed. I thought I should have received a more distinguished name. She told me that new name must never be spoken, but often in my ear. Table. OttoiAU Boom I thought of, to keep away evil spirits. should be required to speak it once that day, but she would tell me what part of the ceremony, and that I should never again have to speak it. UPPER FLOOR OF THE ENDOWMENT HOUSE, r w ENDOWMENT ROBES. She then told me to put on my garments. These are made in one piece. On the right breast is a square, on the left a compass, in the centre a small hole, and on the knee a large hole, which is called the Stone. We were told that as long as we kept them on no harm could befall us, and that when we changed them we were not to take them all off at once, but slip out a limb at a time and immcdiatfdv dive into the clean ones. The neck was never to be cut low, or the sleeves short, GARMENT. as that would be patterning after the On going it) to the desk I presented fashions of the Gentiles. my recommend from the bishop m whose ward I was staving, and George Revnolds, who was then acting as clerk, asked me my name, those of my parents, when and where I was born, and when T was baptised into the Mormon Church. That over, he told me to leave my hat, cloak and shoes in that room; and taking u) my. bundle, 1 went into the room marked J on the plan, whore 1 sat waiting till it came my turn to be washed. i U o H One of the women, an officiating high priestess, told mo to come behind toe curtain (which I have indicated by a waving line), where 1 could hear a great deal of o After this I put on my clothes, and in my stocking feet, waited with those who were washed and anointed until she had finished the remaining two or three. This done, the little calico curtains (marked A. and B.) were drawn aside and the men and women stood revealed to each other. The men looked very uncomfortable, and not at all picturesque. They only had their garments and shirts on, and they really did seem as though they were ashamed of themselves, as well they might be. I splashing and subdued conversation. 1 1 and Was had alter to went, undressed, into about full half of bath, along step water, when another woman proceeded to wash me. I objected strongly to this part of the business, but was told to show a more humble spirit. However, when she got down to my feet, she let me go, and I was turned over to the woman who had spoken to me at first, and whose name was Bathsheba Smith, (one of the widows of Apostle George A. Smith.) She wore "a CAN BACK OUT. THE large shiny apron, and her sleeves tucked She looked thorup above her elbows. Joseph F. Smith then came to where business. like oughly we were all waiting, and told us that if THE ANONTING. we wanted to back out, now was our was beside Another woman time, because we should not be able standing her with a large wooden spoon and some afterward, and that wc were bound to go green olive oil in a cows horn. This wo- right through. All those that wanted to man poured the oil out of the spoon into go through were to hold lip their hands, Basthebas hand, who immediately put it which, of course, everyone did, believing that all the good and holy things that my on head, ears, eyes, mouth, and every were to be seen and heard in t,he House part of my body, and as she greased me, of the Lord were yet to come. He then she muttered a kind of prayer over each WEAK-KNEE- D 9 0 a B Marriage Altar, Gentlemen Dressing Room. Sealing; Room. 9 Stairway to World Room. w. B LA SIM I E M O US M DEVILS APRON. 9 a 4 53 I.7 THE WASHING. a U-- M windows, E 111 ES. In a few moments we heard voices talking loudly so that the people could hear them in the adjoining room. (I afterin wards found out passing through that it was the prayer circle room.) It was supposed to be a conversation between Elo-iiii- n The con(Head God) and Jehovah. versation was as follows: Elohim to Jehovah Well, Jehovah, I think we will create an earth; let Michael go down and collect all the elements together and found one. Answer Very well, 0 Lord God, it shall be done. Then calling to another man, we could hear him say: Michael, go down and collect all the elements together and form an earth, and then report to us what you have done. Ans. Very well, 0 Lord God. The man they called Michael then left the prayer circle room and came through the room they called the World, into the Garden of Eden, the door of which was shut that faced the places C and D, where we were standing, listening and waiting. He remained there a second or two, and everything was quiet. At the end of that stairs. through the creation, but they always told him to come up and report what he had done. When the creation was supposed to be finished, Michael wontback and told them it was very fair and beautiful to look upon. Elohim then said to Jehovah, that he thought they had better a look at it, which they with Michael that it was that it seemed a pity it go down and have did and agreed a beautiful place ; should be of no particular use, but thought it would be a good idea to create man to live in it and cultivate these things. They then came out of the Garden of Eden (which was supposed to have been newly finished) and shutting the door after them came to where wc were standing. We were then told to shut our eyes, and Jehovah said to Michael, Give me a handful of dust and I will create man. We were then told to open our eyes, and we saw a man that he had taken from the crowd, standing beside Jehovah, and to whom Jehovah said: I will call tlieo Adam, for thou shalt be the father of all mankind. Jehovah then said it was not for to be alone so he would man good create a woman and a hc),m.aS for him. Continued on r - |