In light of Romney’s recent defense of religious tolerance and freedom, I thought I might share a few gems on a similar topic from another well-known American Mormon: Old Brigham Young. These are from the New York Herald 29 Apr 1855, page 3, columns 1–3:
“I ask you, friends, how is this? Are not our religious sentiments as sacred to us as to any other portion of the community? And should it not be the duty as well and the pride of every American citizen to extend that provision of the Constitution to us which he claims for himself? And is not the sacred instrument invaded and broken as much in debarring and excluding this people from its privileges, rights and blessings as it would be if your rights and privileges were thus invaded? No, gentlemen, we have broken no laws; our glorious constitution guarantees unto us all that we claim. Under its broad folds, in its obvious meaning and intents, we are safe, and can always rejoice in peace. All that we have ever claimed, or wish to, on the part of the government, is the just administration of the powers and privileges of the national compact….
“Again, it was industriously circulated that we were going to declare our independence, not that we had, or intended to do so absurd a thing; yet anything, no matter how absurd, seemed sufficiently to excuse to startle the fears of the community, and they began to drive, plunder, rob, burn our houses, and lay waste our fields, and this was called “Mormon disturbances,” and the aid of the government was invoked to quell the “Mormon insurrection, “Mormon Troubles,” and “turbulent Mormons.” And although it was found necessary, as they state to drive us from Missouri, and the frontiers to prevent us from tampering with the slaves and Indians, yet I teas found equally necessary, ten years afterwards, when were were a hundred to one at that time, to drive us from Nauvoo into the very midst of the Indians, as unworthy of any other society.”
“….And again was the aid of the government invoked to quell the so-called “Mormon disturbances,” and still we see the newspapers teeming with these and the like epithets, “Turbulent Mormons,” “what shall be done with these turbulent Mormons?” is the cry, from one end of the Union to the other. In the name of Heaven, what have we done to excite the fears of any people or government, that the sound of war and blood must eternally be kept ringing in our ears? I answer, nothing. It is the same as before, in the case of tampering with the slaves and the Indians, a certain fearfulness that if we are not looked to, driven, plundered of our homes and possessions, slain and massacred as before, that we may do something, they have not yet, to my knowledge, defined precisely what.”
Snap. Can’t you see the spittle flying from Brigham Young’s mouth? This is an excerpt from a lengthy speech (3 columns, 50 ¼ inches) he gave in the tabernacle. It contains many more gems, but I got tired of typing it down. If you are interested in the rest, see HBLL special collections.
What stands out to me the most is his comments about “Mormon disturbances” and “Turbulent Mormons.” In my job looking through old newspapers, I have found that most articles about Mormons, especially during the Missouri and Nauvoo expulsion periods, have similar titles. I found such titles quite amusing and entertaining, especially in light of our calm, conservative culture today. But Brigham Young, and perhaps the other Mormons about whom these articles were written, obviously took offense. With good reason: they really believed in the constitution; these Americans believed first that the government would save them from lawless mobs, and later that the federal government would redress their grievances. Which it didn’t: “Gentlemen, your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you.” That was said by Pres. Van Bruen to Joseph Smith and Co. In fact, it was this experience with corrupt government and party politics that inspired Joseph to run for president himself.
Many of the articles that I have read from a non-Mormon perspective accuse the Mormons of anti-American sentiment at best, treason at worse. This particular speech by Brigham Young was supposed to quell such accusations, but it may have perpetuated them. I wish I had time to type everything! But really, can’t you understand why the Mormons would have at least some “anti-American sentiments?” If not, go reread everything above this paragraph. Of course the Mormons harbored some hard feelings about being driven from their homes. I think it is this sentiment that non-Mormon officials and visitors in Utah interpreted as disloyalty. But this speech shows that they still value the constitution.
Oh wait, I typed more:
“Know all men, governments, nations, kindreds, tongues and people, that this is our calling, intention and design. We aim to live our religion and have communion with our God. We aim to clear our skirts of the blood of this generation by our faithfulness in preaching the truth of heaven in all plainness and simplicity; and I have often said, and repeat it now, that all other considerations of whatever name or nature sink into insignificancy in comparison with this. To serve God and keep his commandments are first and foremost with me. If this is the higher law, so be it. As it is with me, so it should be with every department of the government; for this doctrine is based upon the principles of virtue and integrity. With it the government, her constitution and free institutions are safe; without it no power can avert their speedy destruction. It is the life giving power to the government; it is the vital element on which she exists and prospers; in its absence she sinks to rise no more.”
Well, snap. Quite strong stuff, yeah? Prophets don’t talk like this anymore. I love his statements of dedication to his faith. And this makes me think that he would have highly approved of Romney’s statement this morning that there is no freedom without religion.
One thing more: this is a response to Young’s manifesto published the following day (pg 4). It is subtly sarcastic.
“His political programme is very clearly laid down. He is for the constitution, the Union, and for the patriarchal rights of the saints at all hazards. He agrees with…the doctrine of popular sovereignty, and insists that the people of Utah have as much right to it as the squatters of Kansas. Upon this point he is jealous, vigilant, and bold and courage as a gamecock among a flock of favorite hens in a barnyard….[more stuff about polygamy and popular sovereignty and slavery (I didn’t mention this before, but Brigham Young does make a very racist comment in his “manifesto”; he basically says that blacks are slaves because they are supposed to be and will be so as long as it is the will of God; the author of this critique picks up on that)]….We commend to the President and the Cabinet…a careful and thoughtful perusal of this great pronunciamento of Governor Young, for their future guidance in the territorial affairs of the saints of the Great Salt Lake.”
Don’t you love the sarcasm and double meaning of the last sentence? Beautiful!
I love Brigham Young. Very much.
The end. If you read all of this, you get a cookie.
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