| Show MORMONISM AND MORALITY WE copy from the ogden standard its report of a sermon delivered by rev A J bailey of the congregational church in that city because it is so different in spirit and intent from most of the discourses of denominational preachers on the subject of mormonism this minister appears to desire a union of effort on the part of the mormon people with other professing ch christians rist ians in the interests of order and morality strange to say he stands almost if not entirely alone as a non mormon minister in this worthy and christian C ristian sentiment v it will be found on investigation that most of the preachers in this territory of the various sects which have come to be recognized as aa orthodox have lent their influence to the fostering of agencies which have notoriously supported disorder bisordi r and immorality they have diligently promoted what is known as liberalism in utah and liberalism is intimately allied to the liquor element with the gam bling licentiousness and which fraternize therewith some of them have attended liberal P gatherings in which infidelity has been openly avowed as part of the political creed of the faction and in which the favor of the elements here referred to has been invited without any sign of dissent on their part they have also advocated and supported this kind of liberalism 2 on the rostrum and at the polls anything savoring of a recognition of the mormon people as christians has been distasteful dia tasteful fa the extreme to these sectarian preachers and they have in most instances endeavored to intensify the impression that prevails outside of this territory that the mormon moncree creed dand and people arcanti are anti chris tian the first place then for the reverend gentlemen whose remarks we publish to begin his work will be among his own fraternity we say and the facts prove what we say that their influence has been the very opposite of that which he wisely desires to prevail in utah and they need converting to his views while the cormons mormons Mor mons have always labored to promote the objects which he appears to have in view on the temper temperance atice question the mormon church takes high ground the word of wisdom given by divine revelation stands as part of the church doctrine wine strong drink tobacco hot drinks and excessive use of meat are declared injurious to man and the saints are advised not to indulge in them while promises of great worth are offered to those who abstain As a rule the mormons cormons are a temperate Lem people in practice and if they had bud control the traffic in intoci 1 cants canto in utah would be in many places prohibited and in all restrained As to the grosser vices alces they were entirely held in check under imor mormon power it was only by the aid of gentile courts and influences that they hey were in utah and were protected and saved from demolition the gentleman can satisfy himself on these points if he be really desires information and will seek for it where it can be had unadulterated when plural marriage was taught and encouraged by the mormon l church whatever he may think of the morality of that relationship illicit commerce between the sexes was al viewed as it is now as a heinous crime by the mormon nl church and in no sect of christendom is it more severely condemned in theory and in practice the education of the people the observance of the sabbath the religious development of the masses the spiritual culture of the saints the social and moral elevation of the community cannot be dearer to any one living than to the leaders of the church of jesus christ of lat ter day saints nor is there any one of the ministers of the churches who has done more or will do more than they to promote those desirable objects As to whether a union of effort can be effected between the mormon ministers and those of other denominations we are greatly in dolbi doubt if they were all of the same mind as mr bailey as expressed in his sermon there would be very little difficulty in the way ay As it is there are obstacles which seem to be insurmountable those preachers do not recognize us as christians at all they persistently misrepresent our faith our intentions and our position they do not want any fellowship with us they would rather consort with known infidels and supporters of the evils mr bailey condemns than the xa fraternize with the mormons cormons Mor mons I 1 this is the utah situation f the gentleman saye it is evidently possible to make mormonism niam harmonize with american ideas of political government if ne will learn what really I 1 is r h he e will fi find BLI it needs no DO it is in harmony with those ideas there is nothing incompatible between it and them and as to uie moral and religious 3 sentiments of mormonism they are those of the new testament they are those that were euter cuter tannel by christ and his ADOS A oos clesas expressed in that book boob and while we may differ with mr bailey on many doctrinal points in the promotion of virtue morality intelligence telli gence temperance honesty truth faith in deity devotion to all that is elevating and as to fit man for the society of his hie maker our creed and church stand preeminent pre eminent and the mormons cormons Mor mons wll will unite with the best people of the age in establishing order peace and righteousness and in overcoming the th evils and corruptions corrupt ions of the world |
