The Mormons and the Theatre; or, The History of Theatricals in Utah

by John S. Lindsay

Produced by the Mormon Texts Project,

http://bencrowder.net/books/mtp. Volunteers: Eric Heaps
with a little help from Benjamin Bytheway and Ben Crowder.

The Mormons and the Theatre

OR

The History of Theatricals in Utah

With Reminiscences and Comments
Humorous and Critical

By JOHN S. LINDSAY

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 1905

CHAPTER I.

In rather sharp contrast to other Christian denominations, the Mormons believe in and are fond of dancing and the theatre. So much is this the case that Friday evening of each week during the amusement season is set apart by them in all the settlements throughout Mormondom for their dance night. Their dances are generally under the supervision of the presiding bishop and are invariably opened with prayer or invocation, and closed or dismissed in the same manner, with a brief return of thanks to the Almighty for the good time they have enjoyed.