“A Visit to the Mormons”

.i "A Visit to the 'Mormons'

From an article in Haskin and Sells' "Bulletin," by John R. Wildman

Contemporary literature frequently contains striking evidences of the pleasing change that has taken place in public sentiment toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during recent years. One of these appears in Haskin & Sells' Bulletin, of August 15, this year, in the form of an article, written by John R. Wildman, under the caption, "A Visit to the 'Mormons.' The issue containing this favorable article was sent to the First Presidency by Elder Wilford M. McKendrick, Brooklyn, N. Y., who says that Mr. John R. Wildman is a member of the firm of Haskins & Sells, certified public accountants, with home offices in New York and branches throughout the United States as well as in London, Paris, Havana, and Shanghai, to all of which the Bulletin will carry the message. Elder McKendrick gives the further information that Mr. Wildman, for several years, was an active member of the New York university, but is now on leave of absence, devoting his time to the interests of the firm. During the month of June, r

this year, Mr. Wildman paid a visit to Salt Lake City, and on the 10th delivered an address before the Bankers' Association, at Ogden. His information and impressions are, therefore, firsthand, and his statements carry weight wherever he is known. Mr. Wildman, in the opening paragraph of his article, reminds his readers of the fact that the "Mormons" are a much misunderstood people: "To the outsider," he says, "they are a people of mystery. They will tell you themselves the things outsiders say about them; how they have horns and cloven hoofs. A visit to Salt Lake City, which is the center of 'Mormonism' in the world, dispels," he assures you, "all sucli nonsensical ideas." He then pays a deserved tribute to Brigham Young, in tiie following paragraph:

One is impressed first with the beautiesof the city [Salt Lake]; its fine broad streets; the marvelous cleanliness, accentuated by the water running through the street gutters; the system of drinking fountains which provides cold sparkling water brought from the nearby mountains for the refreshment of the pedestrian. Verily, the late President Young, who

1098 IMPROVEMENT ERA laid out the city with streets one hundred and thirty-two feet wide and ten acres to the block, must have been a far-seeing man.

A little farther on he gays: President Young was a man of great vision. The mountains with their untold millions of mineral deposits were denied to the members of the party by him. Their livelihood lay in agriculture and to this he urged them to direct their attention. President Young was friendly to the Indians and is reported to have counseled his brethren to "Shoot them with biscuits." Thus, it is explained, were the "Mormons" free from molestation by the Indians.

Mr. Wildman admires the religious services, the Tabernacle and the famous organ; the temple, the policy of the Church in looking after the temporal welfare of the members as well as their spiritual interests, and the administration of the affairs of the Church generally. He notes with interest that the gymnasium, with its swimming pool, is used constantly by business men and other residents regardless of their religious faith. "In this and many other things," he says, "the 'Mormons' are extremely broad. One of their most notable acts of this kind was their gift to the Roman Catholics at Salt Lake City of a site o.i which to build a church." He states correctly that the payment of tithes is entirely voluntary, and that the funds are distributed by the Church authorities according to need; also that plural marriages belong to a time long ago past. And then he concludes his article thus:

The "Mormons" are patriotic. They have great civic pride. They are about equal in population now in Salt Lake City with the non-"Mormons." They are found in all walks of life. There is nothing [odd] to distinguish or identify them. Business, politics, and society, in Utah, appear to give no consideration to a person's religious faith. The "Mormons" do not have horns nor cloven hoofs. They are flesh and blood. They look, dress, and act like other persons. There is a practical religion which they carry into their daily lives. They have infinite faith in it. There is no reason why they should be singled out for curious consideration. Some of them are persons of culture, refinement, and beautiful character. It is a pleasure and a privilege to number them among one's friends.

The Latter-day Saints appreciate such expressions of good will from their friends. They indicate the onward, victorious progress of enlightenment and truth, and carry with them the promise that the day is drawing near when the old bugaboo of anti-"Mormonism" will be found nowhere except in the darkest recesses of ignorance and crass bigotry.