The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1927, Page 52

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52 ; THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

himself a polygamist, issued his so-called “man-
ifesto” on polygamy in 1890. In this pronounce-
ment Woodruff said: “My advice is to refrain from
contracting any marriage forbidden by the law of
the land.” Notice, first, that the wily president
only advises his people in the matter; he does not
command. Notice, in the second place, that he does
not even go so far as to advise the discontinuance
of polygamous relations already contracted. And
those who know, say that the “manifesto” of Pres-
ident Woodruff was just so understood by his people.
Of course, there is very probably not as much
polygamy to-day as there was twenty-five years ago.
But this is very likely more for economic than
religious reasons. The facts remain that the old
cases continue without concealment, that new plural

directly, and in this work we Lutherans have also
been able to have a share. Namely, every Chris-
tian church organized in Mormon territory, even
though it is not intended for direct missionary
work, is a missionary factor. The more Christian
churches are built in Utah, Idaho, and other States
largely occupied by Mormons, not directly for the
Mormons, but spiritually to minister to the wants
of the professed Christians and other “Gentiles” of
the territory, the more will the Mormons of the
territory occupied come under the influence of
Christianity. This indirect Christian influence will
show itself by a greater demand for education, more
interest in, and love for, country, and a gradual, but
sure shifting of Mormon emphasis from non-Chris-
tian doctrines.

Mormon Tabernacle and Temple at Salt Lake City, Utah.

marriages are contracted more or less openly, and
that polygamy is still taught to be the ideal family
state for both worlds. And these facts make it
plain that neither the doctrine nor the practise of
polygamy has been abandoned.

Christian Work among the Mormons.

The Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian de-
nominations have been working with considerable
zeal among the Mormons in their stronghold, the
States of Utah and Idaho. They have planted nu-
merous churches, conducted services and Sunday-
schools, done personal evangelistic work, and, espe-
cially, developed Christian educational activity in
the way of planting schools and colleges. The work
of these denominations among the adults has had no
very great success, but the educational work has
been more satisfactory in its results.

Probably the greatest work has been done in-

The Christian day-school, succeeded by a higher
education under Christian influence, will do more
than anything else to undermine Mormonism.
Working hand in hand with the Christian training
of the children, evangelism among the adult Mor-
mons will be attended with a greater measure of
success. The preparation of literature particularly
fitted to persuade.the Mormon mind in conjunction
with an effective system of colportage for the vil-
lages and smaller towns ought to prove a successful
missionary means. Finally, the delivery of lectures
in public halls would command attention and prob-
ably do much good. - F. J. L.

oo

THE world has become calloused in sin, and
laughs at things that caused our parents to weep.
Has any such formation begun on your heart?
Beware, for it always’comes gradually.