In conclusion, I wish to say that I have been reared in Utah, have
grown up in a Mormon community, taught in their schools, instructed
in their faith. It has been my good fortune to listen frequently
to the public discourses of their leading Elders, and to enjoy a
personal acquaintance with many of them, and never, either in public
or in private have I been taught anything contrary to the strictest
interpretation of the principles of morality. I know that the entire
people, and especially the young, are taught and always have been
to regard virtue as the pearl of great price, while adultery and
fornication are considered sins next in degree of enormity to the
shedding of innocent blood.
It has fallen to my lot to travel through nearly all the States of
America and the greater part of England, which has given me the
advantage of comparing the "Mormon" community with communities existing
under other systems of religion and different social customs. I need
only say that that comparison--reviled, scorned, even hated as the
"Mormons" are--has {187} made me more proud of my people, and my heart
swells with gratitude to the Giver of all good that it has fallen to my
lot to be reared among the "Mormons."