Much complaint is made by the people of England because the Elders from
Utah, who are traveling in this country as missionaries, do not make
any particular effort to explain or urge upon people the doctrine of
plural marriage. Strangers attend our meetings, and are surprised to
hear nothing said upon the subject of plurality of wives, and go away
disappointed; as if our Elders on every occasion should have something
to say upon that subject. I assure my readers that it is not because
the Elders have any disposition to conceal the fact that the Latter-day
Saints believe in the rightfulness of the doctrine under the conditions
herein set down; or through any fear that the Word of God can be shown
to condemn it. The fact is, the Elders from Utah are servants of God
sent {186} forth with a message to the nations of the earth to the
effect that God has spoken from heaven, and restored the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, which, in consequence of the wickedness and violence of
men a few centuries after Christ, was taken from the earth, together
with the authority to administer in its ordinances. But this Gospel is
now restored, together with its ancient powers, gifts, blessings, and
authorities, and by the faithful Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ
is being preached as a witness in all the world. It is the business
of the Elders from Utah to make this important proclamation to the
inhabitants of the earth, and call upon them to repent of their sins,
and warn them that the hour of God's judgment is here, and His glorious
coming at hand. The practice of plural marriage in Utah is a very
insignificant matter in comparison with the importance of the great
message we are here to deliver. We are not here to urge upon people the
acceptance of plural marriage, but to declare the message above alluded
to; though, of course, at proper times and under proper circumstances,
we shrink not from the most rigid inquiry into the various principles
of our faith.