MORMONISM FROM A MORMON POINT OF VIEW. 165 



A race of human beings developed (if such a thing were feasible) 

 by strictly scientific selection and culture could not fail to gain the 

 upper hand in the general struggle for dominion, but it remains to be 

 seen whether any success in this direction will attend the system 01 

 the Mormons. 



" Our physical organization, health, vigor, strength of body, intellectual fac- 

 ulties, inclinations, etc., are influenced very much by parentage. Hereditary 

 disease, idiocy, weakness of mind or of constitution, deformity, tendency to 

 violent and ungovernable passions, vicious appetites and desires, are engendered 

 by parents, and are bequeathed as a heritage from generation to generation." 



These are the words of a leading apologist of polygamy, who founds 

 an argument in his own favor upon this truth, now generally admit- 

 ted, but almost as generally ignored. It is impossible here to discuss 

 so wide and so difficult a question, and I must limit myself to these 

 few brief quotations from the " Key to the Science of Theology," 

 leaving the reader to judge of their worth. 



The series of pamphlets by Orson Pratt contains discussions on a 

 great variety of questions connected with Mormohism. In particular 

 the " Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon " is considered at 

 great length, as well as the question, " Was Joseph Smith sent of 

 God ? " 



Mr. Orson Pratt endeavors to show, in the first place, that to ex- 

 pect more revelation is not unscriptural / secondly, that it is not un- 

 reasonable ; and, thirdly, that it is indispensably necessary. He then 

 goes on to compare the evidences of the Book of Mormon and of the 

 Bible, alleging that both alike have been confirmed by miracles, and 

 that the prophecies of the Bible, especially those of Isaiah, have been 

 fulfilled in the Book of Mormon and in the history of Mormonism. 

 Throughout his elaborate arguments he assumes the genuineness and 

 authenticity of the Bible, an assumption which he is of course entitled 

 to make in arguing with orthodox Christians. His position is : The 

 truth of the Bible rests upon sufficient evidence, and this evidence is 

 in every way weaker than that which can be adduced for the Book 

 of Mormon therefore, a fortiori, the Book of Mormon is true. 

 "Whatever may be the flaw in this syllogism, those whom Archdeacon 

 Paley satisfies cannot fail to have some trouble in disposing of Mr. 

 Orson Pratt. Toward other Christian sects, whose creeds " are an 

 abomination unto the Lord," the Mormon apostle displays but little 

 brotherly feeling. Upon papist and Protestant alike he pours out 

 the vial of his wrath and contempt in language almost too forcible 

 for quotation ; but he seeks to base every reproach directed against 

 them upon texts from the orthodox Scriptures. The pamphlet enti- 

 tled " The Bible and Tradition, without Further Revelation, an Insuf- 

 ficient Guide," is, in fact, a powerful onslaught upon modern Christen- 

 dom, perhaps as damaging as any that a professed unbeliever could 



