The Mormon puzzle, and how to solve it

In Short

This volume serves as a contemporary critique and proposed solution to the "Mormon problem" as perceived by a nineteenth-century Presbyterian pastor. It explores the history, religious doctrines, and social structure of the Latter-day Saints from an outsider’s perspective. By framing the conflict as a byproduct of isolation and theocratic control, the author argues against harsh federal suppression and in favor of a gradual transformation through education, immigration, and cultural assimilation. It remains a notable primary source for understanding the anti-Mormon rhetoric and policy debates prevalent during the late Victorian era.

The Story

The narrative begins by establishing the urgency of the Mormon question, characterizing it as one of the most significant challenges facing the American government in 1887. The author contends that previous attempts to solve this "puzzle"—by politicians and moralists alike—have failed because they were grounded in misconceptions. He argues that Mormonism is not a foreign import but a distinctly American product, emerging from the same regional atmosphere of spiritual ferment that birthed other nineteenth-century movements. He traces the group’s history, detailing their early years in New York, their migration struggles in Missouri and Illinois, and their eventual establishment in the Salt Lake Valley.

The argument progresses through a detailed examination of the Mormon social and religious systems. The author describes these as "systems of bondage," categorizing them into personal, mental, and moral varieties. He claims that the Church’s priesthood wields absolute power over the daily lives, thoughts, and consciences of its followers. He pays particular attention to the practice of polygamy, which he characterizes as a destructive force that martyrizes women and degrades the finer instincts of men. He rejects the idea that these people are held in physical captivity, arguing instead that they exist in a state of "voluntary servitude" fueled by religious indoctrination.

As the author moves toward a solution, he critiques federal legislation like the Edmunds Act. He posits that trying to confiscate church property or suppress the faith through sheer force is not only unconstitutional but practically ineffective, as it mirrors failed European attempts to regulate religious bodies. Instead, he proposes a three-part strategy: the abolition of female suffrage in the territory, the encouragement of large-scale "Gentile" migration to shift the population balance, and the establishment of a robust system of free public education. He believes that by surrounding the Mormon people with American democratic ideals, the "scales of ignorance" will naturally fall from their eyes.

The author concludes with a vision of a reformed Utah, where the local population has been fully assimilated and the territory stands as a loyal, productive state. He frames his approach as the only one consistent with both Christian and American principles, predicting that if his plan is followed, the hostility between the Saints and the government will vanish within twenty years. The text serves as a roadmap for what he views as a necessary, non-violent conversion of a insular society into a functioning, democratic segment of the national body politic.

How It Unfolds

The nature of the puzzle The author defines the Mormon situation as a unique political and social crisis that defies standard legislative solutions. He emphasizes the need for a deep, impartial study of the group's origins rather than reactive hostility.

The roots of the system He traces the theological and historical development of the Church, identifying it as an outgrowth of American religious enthusiasm. He dissects the "Book of Mormon," comparing it to other contemporary documents and assessing its cultural impact.

The experience of conflict He recounts the history of the Mormon migrations, acknowledging the reality of the violence and persecution they faced in the Midwest. He uses these historical grievances to explain the deep-seated mistrust the population holds toward the federal government.

The critique of theocracy The author provides a detailed breakdown of the Church’s hierarchy, focusing on the concepts of the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods. He argues that this structure creates a totalizing control that stifles individual conscience and democratic participation.

The proposed resolution He outlines his specific program for change, prioritizing education and economic integration over punitive laws. He argues that exposing the population to a broader, more secular environment will lead to the gradual dissolution of the current theocratic influence.

The People

The book features two central figures who define the movement’s history: Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. The author presents Smith as a superstitious, imaginative visionary who successfully harnessed the religious fervor of central New York to create a new system. Brigham Young is portrayed as the dominant, strategic leader who orchestrated the migration to the West and maintained absolute, often coarse, authority over his followers.

The author also highlights the "Mormon people" as a collective character. He describes them as largely poor, ignorant, and deeply indoctrinated, yet sincere in their religious devotion. He portrays the women of the community as "living martyrs," suggesting they are the primary victims of the plural marriage system, which he believes they accept only through fear of divine consequences and social pressure. Finally, the author positions himself as the "statesman-moralist," a figure who attempts to mediate between the federal government and the Mormons. He stands apart from the typical traveler who visits Utah for only a few days, instead positioning his own two-year study as the authoritative, objective perspective required to solve the puzzle.

In Its Own Voice

"Perhaps the worst thing that can be said of the mass of the Mormons is that they are poor, ignorant, and superstitious, and therefore an easy prey to a corrupt and infamous priesthood."

The author summarizes his assessment of the average church member's vulnerability to the influence of their leaders.

"A worse despotism than is exercised over the people by this priesthood cannot be found on earth."

The author characterizes the power dynamic between the Church hierarchy and the common believers.

"The Mormon men have claimed that the women get accustomed to plural marriage and are happy in it; but that is a libel upon the nature of woman."

The author rejects the idea that women within the faith are genuine participants in polygamous arrangements.

What It's Really About

The central argument of the book is that the "Mormon puzzle" is not an issue of religious belief alone, but a fundamental conflict between a theocratic, collectivist social structure and American democratic individualism. The author posits that the Church acts as an "obnoxious plant" that has subverted the potential for a free, educated citizenry. The underlying question is how a liberal, secular state should deal with a subculture that rejects its authority. The author concludes that the only way to "solve" this challenge is to erode the isolation of the community, replacing the influence of the priesthood with the influence of the wider, secular American culture, thereby forcing a modern, democratic transformation from within.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of American religious prejudice or the development of federal policy toward minority groups will find this volume particularly revealing. It captures the specific, moralistic tone of 1880s Protestant commentary, reflecting the era’s deep anxiety about the expansion of Mormonism. Reading it today provides a clear window into how contemporary observers attempted to reconcile the existence of a non-traditional community with their own vision of an ideal, unified nation.

However, the reader must be prepared for the author's strong, period-specific biases. His language is consistently paternalistic, and he frequently characterizes an entire group of people as "ignorant" or "enslaved" to further his argument for cultural assimilation. The text is not a neutral history; it is a polemic designed to influence public opinion during a time of intense political friction. The prose is precise and logical, yet it carries the heavy weight of nineteenth-century attitudes toward gender, education, and religious pluralism. For those studying the evolution of American identity, the book serves as a fascinating, if challenging, document of how an "inconvenient" group was perceived and how the mainstream sought to "solve" its existence through social and educational engineering.