Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 March 1885 — How Mormon Women May Become Immortal. [ARTICLE]

How Mormon Women May Become Immortal.

“Why do you think the Government should tolerate the practice of polygamy?” asked the reporter. “ Numerous reasons might be advanced,” remarked the elder, “but as our time is limited I will give you a brief statement of our views on that subject. In the first place plural marriage is nowhere condemed by the Bible, and, as yon know, various instances are mentioned of men having several wives. Then it is not generally known that our creed Reaches us that all spirits are born of God and abide in fleshly tabernacles. We are also firm believers in the transmigration of souls. A woman who is not joined to man by nuptial ties need have no hope of future existence. Woman not in this condition is merely flesl*., and her death is spiritual as well as physical. Her only hope of immortality is to partake of that of her husband. The position of a man in the future life depends entirely upon the number of his descendants, and this fact alone is sufficient reason for polygamy. In other words, man’s creative powers form a part of the spirit world, and as the spirit does not dwell within woman, she is without soul, and, therefore, can have no hope of salvation unless connected with man by marriage. This being the case, why should we not be permitted to have more than one wife?”— lnterview with a Mormon Elder.