"Sworn to and subscribed before me at Great Salt Lake City, this April 26th, 1864.
"John Titus,
Ch. Justice of Utah."
Another doctrine of a startling character, promulgated by one of Young's counsellors and endorsed by him, is that of human sacrifice for the remission of sins.
It was first announced by Jedediah M. Grant, Second Counsellor to the President, in the following language:—
"Brethren and sisters, we want you to repent and forsake your sins. And you who have committed sins that cannot be forgiven through baptism, let your blood be shed, and let the smoke ascend, that the incense thereof may come up before God as an atonement for your sins, and that the sinners in Zion may be afraid."[159:A]
Again:—
"We have been trying long enough with this people, and I go in for letting the sword of the Almighty be unsheathed, not only in word, but in deed."[159:B]
In accordance with such bloody teaching, it is said that an altar of sacrifice was actually built by Grant, in the temple block, upon which these human sacrifices were to be made. On the 21st of September, 1856, Grant said:—
"I say there are men and women here that I would advise to go to the President immediately, and ask him to appoint a committee to attend to their case; and then let a place be selected, and let that committee shed their blood."[159:C]