Page:History of Utah.djvu/412



After all that can be said about Mormon ism and polygamy in their social or moral relations, it is only when we come to consider them in their political as- pect, in their relations to government and governing,

tilings, both in money and in meat, which is more than is needful for the wants of this people, be Ivept in the hands of the bishop.' Times and Scawns, v. 41G. 1 his revelation was for the information and guidance of the first bishop, Partridge, who is authorized therein to take wh;it he wants for himself and family. The prophet's revelation concerning the order of Enoch is without date, and is entitled ' Revelation given to Enoch concerniug tlie order of the church for the bc'uelit of the j)oor.' In it is prescribed that there shall be two treasuries: from the first, to be called ' the sacred treasury of the Lord,' nothing can be taken but by the voice of the order, or by commandment; into the second treasury are to be cast all moneys except those rcscrvetl for Bacred purposes. It is'also provided that general consent is necessary for the withdrawal of funds from this, as in the case of the first repository, but common consent in this case is construed to be, -if any man shall say to the treasurer, ' I have need of a certain sum,' he shall receive it, provided the asker shall be in full fellowship. The revelation in full will be found in Doctrine and Covenants, 283-9. One of the grounds of complaint brought against the saints in Caldwell county, by the Missouri an s, was that the former were coni- raunists, as has been narrated alrea,dy. S:iys the Salt Lake Tribune of May 9, 1874: ' The JNlormons paid the United States authorities $318,000 for public lands in Missouri, but were not allowed to enjoy one acre of their purchase.' See also Deseret News, JNIay 13, 1874. At Nauvoo, Joseph had himself appointed trustee in trust of the whole church, and thereafter \Ye hear no more of the order of Enoch until some years subsequent to the establishment of the Deseret colonies. Soon after Joseph's death we find Brigham sole trustee of affairs. During the scenes- following the murder of the Smiths, the expulsion from Illinois, and up to the settlement of the migratoiy saints in Utah, there was little jDroperty to care for; but after that, attention was again turned to the matter. Ptobinson, in his Sinners and Saints, gives a, copy of a deed: ' Be it known by these presents, that I, Jessie W. 1^'ox, of Great Salt Lake City, in the county of Great Salt Lake, and territory of Utah, for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred ($100) dollars and the good-will which I have to the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day s.aints, give and convey unto Brigham Young, trustee in trust for the said church, his successor in office and assigns, all my claims to and ownership of the following-described property, to wit: One house and lot, §1,000; one city lot, §100; east half of lot 1, block 12, §50; lot 1, block 14, §75; two cows, $50; two calves, $15; one mare, $100; one colt, $50; one watch, $20; one clock, $12; clothing, $300; beds and bedding, $125; one stove, $20; household furniture, $210; total, $2,127; together with all the rights, privileges, and appurtenances thereunto belonging or appertaining. I also covenant and agree that I am the lawful claimant and owner of said property, and will warrant and forever defend the same unto the said trustee in trust, his suc- cessor in office and assigns, against the claims of my heirs, assigns, or any person whomsoever.' Then follows the attestation of the witness, and the formal certificate of the judge of the probate coui-t that the signer of the above transfer personally appeared before him on April 2, 1857, and made the customary acknowledgment. Robinson also gives a list of rules, which I have not room for in detail, but which the reader may find in pp. 223-5, in the work already quoted. William Hall, who was a member of the church from 1840 until 1847, says that at the time of tho exodus from Kauvoo a mercantile firm was appointed to act as trustees, not only for the church property, but also for individuals. These trustees were to sell the property