| 596 The above facts are abundantly sustained by the statements and affidavits of Hyrum Smith, D. H. Wells, George Miller, William Law, Elias Higbee, William Marks, and others. (See Times and Seasons, vol. 3, pp. 870-875.)
In this connection we insert an article "On Marriage," from Times and Seasons, October 1, 1842, which sets forth the faith of the church on marriage; to which is attached the certificates from leading gentlemen and ladies of the church, showing that there was no other system of marriage known to them:-
"According to the custom of all civilized nations, marriage is regulated by laws and ceremonies: therefore we believe, that all marriages in this Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints should be solemnized in a public meeting, or feast, prepared for that purpose: and that the solemnization should be performed by a presiding high priest, high priest, bishop, elder, or priest, not even prohibiting those persons who are desirous to get married, of being married by other authority. We believe that it is not right to prohibit members of this church from marrying out of the church, if it be their determination so to do, but such persons will be considered weak in the faith of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
"Marriage should be celebrated with prayer and thanksgiving; and at the solemnization, the persons to be married, standing together, the man on the right, and the woman on the left, shall be addressed, by the person officiating, as he shall be directed by the Holy Spirit; and if there be no legal objections, he shall say, calling each by their names: 'You
this city, nor any combination, other than the Masonic Lodge, of which we have any knowledge.
WILSON LAW. GEO. A. SMITH.
JOHN TAYLOR. GEO. W. HARRIS
W. WOODRUFF. N. K. WHITNEY.
VINSON KNIGHT. BRIGHAM YOUNG.
H. C. KIMBALL. CHARLES C. RICH.
JOHN P. GREEN. ORSON SPENCER.
WILLIAM MARKS.
Subscribed and sworn to, by the persons whose names appear to the foregoing affidavit, this 20th day of July, A. D. 1842; except N. K. Whitney, who subscribed and affirmed to the foregoing this day, before me.
DANIEL H. WELLS
Justice of the peace, within and for Hancock County, Illinois.
-Times and Seasons, vol. 3, pp. 869, 870
(page 596) |
