This public declaration gave great offence, and led to the apostacy of many. Nevertheless, Brigham Young thinks that just as Adam came down to Eden and subsequently became a god, in like manner he also himself will attain to the godhead. Heber C. Kimball, zealous to go a step further, declared that Brigham was “God,” and that he, Kimball, stood toward him in the same relation as the Third Person in the Blessed Trinity does towards the First.
It will hence be seen that subordination is one of the first principles of the Mormon faith, and this even in the Church organization of the Saints has been distinctively shown. For the purposes for which it exists the Mormon hierarchy could not be surpassed. Of the Priesthood there are two orders—the Melchisedec and the Aaronic; of which the former ranks first and highest. The lowest rank in the Church is the “Deacon;” he looks after the places of meeting, takes up collections, and attends to other similar duties. Next comes the “Teacher.” He visits the Saints and takes note of their standing, and reports the same: weakness of faith, or backwardness in paying tithing, is never overlooked by him. After him is the “Priest,” and above him is the Elder whose office it is to preach, baptize, and lay on hands. All these belong to the order of the Aaronic—or the Levitical priesthood. “Bishops” are simply Church officers having local jurisdiction.
The lowest grade in the Melchisedec Priesthood is the “Elder.” He administers in all the ordinances of the Church. Above him there is no higher rank as respects the priesthood, but in respect to office there are various gradations, as, for example, the “High Priests,” the “Seventies,” and “Bishops,” who occupy positions of authority, although both go on missions, and also the Apostles. The “Apostles” were chosen in imitation of the “Twelve” appointed by Christ; and in the same way the “Seventies,” in imitation of the seventy disciples sent forth to preach and work miracles. They claim rank next to the Twelve. The “Quorum of the Apostles” is presided over by the eldest of their number; the “Quorums of Seventies” are each composed of seventy Elders with a “President” and six “Counsellors.” The number of “quorums” is unlimited; and over them all collectively is another president and six counsellors.
The highest authority in the Church is the “First Presidency;” the three members of which at present are Brigham Young, George A. Smith, and Daniel H. Wells,—who are said to represent on earth the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity!
As, from “President” Young down to the most illiterate “Elder,” every one is supposed to be specially inspired, and to be immediately guided by the gift of the Holy Ghost, education is utterly unnecessary to the members of the Mormon priesthood; in fact, it has always been looked upon as an impediment to its possessor. Obedience is considered the highest qualification, and it was the strict enforcement of obedience on the part of the ordinary people and the lower grades of the priesthood towards the higher that alone could have made possible that state of affairs which existed during the “Reformation.” Hence also it is that Brigham Young and the leaders are rightly held responsible for the deeds of violence and fanaticism which their followers may perpetrate; for it is well known that no Mormon, in a matter of grave importance, would dare to act upon his own responsibility, and without he felt sure that what he did would meet with the approbation of those in authority.
There is another class of Church officer which I had very nearly forgotten—the Patriarchs. The chief of these is called “The Presiding Patriarch over the Church;” the rest are “Patriarchs in the Church.” The office of these dignitaries is to bless the people and to be paid for their blessings. The price of good blessings is variable. Not long ago, when money was scarce and payments were made in produce, two dollars was considered reasonable; and if several were wanted for the same family, a reduction was made. Hyrum Smith, the original Prophet’s eldest brother, was the first Patriarch; and to him succeeded “Uncle John,” as he was popularly called, the eldest brother of Brigham. The present Patriarch is the son of Hyrum; still a young man, who obtained his office by inheritance—and this, I believe, is about the only office in the Church which Brother Brigham has permitted the Smith family to inherit or enjoy.
The idea of reviving the old Jewish polity was always uppermost in the minds of the Mormons. Hence they revived the Priesthood and High-priesthood in their various forms; a magnificent temple was built in Nauvoo, just as another temple is now being erected at Salt Lake City; and so far did they go that it was even determined that the ancient sacrifices should eventually be restored.
It is alleged that in Nauvoo, among the Mormons, a secret body of men had been chosen, who were enrolled, under the most frightful oaths, to avenge every wrong which might be perpetrated against the Saints. This band was said to have originated with Sidney Rigdon and Dr. Sampson Avard, and, as I have somewhere else mentioned, Thomas B. Marsh and Hyde the present chief of the Apostles both made affidavit that such was the case, and that the band was sworn to commit the most shocking acts of vengeance,—and surely Marsh and Hyde ought to know. Various names were chosen for this “death society.” First the members were called Daughters of Zion [from Micah iv. 13]. But as it sounded rather ridiculous to speak of bearded ruffians as “daughters,” that name was abandoned, and the title “Avenging Angels” substituted; and that, with some other names then temporarily used, were subsequently dropped for the name “Danites” [from Genesis xlix. 17], which has since been retained;—not by the Mormons, for they have ever denied the existence of any such band, but by the Gentiles.
It matters very little what the name of such a society might be, so long as it existed at all; and that it does, and has, existed in some form cannot reasonably be denied. There probably is not at the present time any formally enrolled society, but it is quite certain that for many years past if “The Church” had only dropped a hint that any man’s blood ought to be shed, that man would have had a very short tenure of his life. Even Brigham himself said publicly:
“If men come here and do not behave themselves, they will not only find the Danites, whom they talk so much about, biting the horses’ heels, but the scoundrels will find something biting their heels. In my plain remarks I simply call things by their own names.”