Sec. 22 forbids Joseph putting his property out of his hands.
Sec. 23 touches upon the law of the priesthood, and says of any one who is called of God, as was Aaron, "if he do anything in my name, and according to my law, and by my word, he will not commit sin, and I will justify him." Joseph is to be justified, etc.
The last two sections are as follows:—
Sec. 24. "And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood: if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first gives her consent; and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then he is justified; he cannot commit adultery, for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto them, and to none
else; and if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified. But if one, or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, shall be with another man, she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed; for they are given unto him to multiply and replenish the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfil the promise which was given by my Father before the foundation of the world, and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of men; for herein is the work of my Father continued, that he may be glorified."
Sec. 25. "And again, verily, verily I say unto you, if any man have a wife who holds the keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law of my priesthood as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe, and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your God; for I will destroy her; for I will magnify my name upon all those who receive and abide in my law. Therefore it shall be lawful in me, if she receive not this law, for him to receive all things whatsoever I, the Lord his God, will give unto him, because she did not believe and administer unto him, according to my word; and she then becomes the transgressor, and he is exempt from the law of Sarah, who administered unto Abraham according to the law, when I commanded Abraham to take Hagar to wife. And now, as pertaining to this law: Verily, verily I say unto you, I will reveal more unto you hereafter; therefore let this suffice, for the present. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega. Amen."
Such is the foundation upon which is built the superstructure of Utah polygamy. And the system itself, what is it in its theory and practical application? The mode of its institution has been shown. Its ceremonials, and many facts illustrative of its tendency and effects, will be given; and it is for our readers to determine how much it is better than promiscuous intercourse, and to discover, if they can, its
redeeming features, as distinguished from such a state of society.
No man who has a wife already, has any right to make propositions of marriage to a lady, until he has consulted the President of the whole church, and through him obtained a revelation from God upon the subject. If the revelation be favorable, he must next obtain the approbation of the parents, and thirdly, he is to consult the lady herself.