Anti-Mormonism was particular strong in the period from the 1870s through the first early years of the 20th century when national efforts were being made to make the Church of Latter Day Saints conform to the laws of monogamous marriage. While the Mormons officially ended polygamist marriages in 1904, prejudicial attitudes continued, as evidenced by the “joke” repeated in 1929 by the Lykens Standard, A selection of articles from Lykens newspapers is presented in today’s blog post. The evolution of views seemed to culminate in acceptance in 1968.
Today, the Church of Latter Day Saints has a presence in the Lykens Valley area, with a church building in Upper Paxton Township, west of the community of Rife.
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From the Lykens Register, July 11, 1873:
SAMUEL M. FENN, Editor and Proprietor
LYKENS, PENNSYLVANIA
POLYGAMY IN UTAH – The building of the Pacific Railroad through Brigham Young’s dominions was a severe blow to polygamy. For years, the Mormons have been permitted to enjoy their peculiar religion without molestation; but it is more than probable that, within the next decade, the remnant of barbarism, repugnant to civilization, to decency, and to the laws of the United States, will be eradicated from the territory of Utah. Already there is a division among the Mormons – the polygamists under Young, and the anti-polygamists among Smith. Neither this crime nor any other violation of existing statutes should be permitted within the confines of any territory of the United States. While the Mormons, and all other sects and denominations, should be protected in the worship of God according to the dictates of their conscience, they should nevertheless be held strictly accountable for any violation of the laws under the cloak of religion.
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Approximately one year prior, from the Lykens Register, May 3, 1872, an advertisement for The Mormon Wife, a sensational, tell-all book by Maria Ward, a Mormon woman who was part of a polygamist marriage.
THE MORMON WIFE. Now is the time for Agents to secure territory for this thrilling and fearless book. It comprises the Adventures and Experiences of a woman – written by herself – for years the wife of a Mormon Prophet – disclosing all that is mysterious, wicked and startling, abounding in thrilling adventure, humorous and pathetic scenes, the most fascinating book extant. Steel portraits of the Authoress, portraits of leading Mormons, both men and women. Life and scenes in Utah, etc. Sold only by Agents. For circulars, address HARTFORD PUBLISHING COMPANY, Hartford, Connecticut.
Note: This book is available today as a free download from the Internet Archive.
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From the Lykens Register, November 9, 1899:
Fall Endeavor Rally
The Fall Endeavor rally of the County Union was held at Millersburg in Grace United Evangelical Church, Tuesday, and was a most pleasant convention. The delegates registered at the church and after a short prayer service, in which all the pastors present took part, were taken to Cemetery Hill for the view and from there to the bountifully supplied table prepared by the Millersburg societies in Bowman’s Hall. At the table all united first in singing “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow.” The registration of delegates at noon was seventy….
Mervin Sterringer of Harrisburg, was then introduced and spoke on “The Mormon Question,” showing how the so-called “Church of the Latter Day Saints” was striving to subvert our Government and its blasphemous character. in closing he said: “We must insist on the abandonment of polygamy and the separation of church and State — things which they demand.” He stated on the authority of the Presbytery of Utah that 2,000 Mormons had violated their pledge to the Government and in the past two years were guilty of plural marriages….
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Previously posted on this blog on May 12, 2022, in “The Mormon ‘Invasion’ of Pillow, 1900,” was an opinion piece that appeared in the Harrisburg Telegraph, May 25, 1900, about Mormons in Dauphin County. The opinion piece was repeated in the Lykens Register, May 31, 1900.
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From the Lykens Register, August 2, 1900:
The Mormons
For some time past, several Mormon missionaries have been circulating in this valley trying to entice some of our young people to accept their religion. They try to use scriptural arguments, and among such as are not posted they are apt to make impressions by their wily methods. The get board wherever they can and usually leave the board bill as a memento. Self-respecting people will not harbor them.
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From the Lykens Register, February 1, 1901:
According to the Harrisburg papers the Mormon Missionaries who have been circulating in Pennsylvania for some time have located there for the present. They are not even able to rent a hall in which to expostulate their doctrines. That is the treatment they merit. People who deliberately advocate doctrines contrary to the Scriptures have no claim in our land. Much less should they be permitted to extend the borders of polygamy when we have so many men who are not able to care for one wife as they should.
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From the Lykens Register, “Millersburg News,” October 23, 1900:
Two elder of the Mormon church held a meeting on the street on Friday evening to a small audience in front of the Freck House.
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Re-publishing from the Harrisburg Patriot in the Lykens Register, November 1, 1901:
MORMONISM MUST GO
Harrisburg will send a strong petition to the coming session of congress through Senators Quay and Penrose and Congressman Olmsted, praying for the adoption of an Anti-Polygamy Constitutional Amendment at Tuesday afternoon’s meeting of representative citizens in the Young Men’s Christian Association hall, it was determined to make every effort to secure the signature of every Harrisburg voter to these petitions, which will be distributed to the various churches in a few days.
Not only every voter is expected to join in this monster petition, but there will also be petitions from men and women eighteen years of age and older. Mrs. C. L. Bailey, who presides at the meeting, gave her hearers an insight into the great strides that are being made by the Mormon missionaries. Latter Day Saints, as they style themselves, not only through the west, but in the east.
It may not be generally known that this section has not been exempt from the missionary efforts the Mormons. One of them operated in Harrisburg not so very long ago, but made little or no headway, and sought more profitable fields. Another gained a few converts at Chamber’s Hill, but a few miles from Harrisburg. The present movement has the undivided backing of the ministerial association and will be continued until the desired end is accomplished.
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From the Lykens Standard, January 4, 1929 – a “joke” repeated from the New York Times:
A Mormon Wedding
Some people wonder what the Mormon wedding ceremony is like. It’s something like this:
Preacher (to groom): “Do you take these women to be your lawfully wedded wives?”
Groom: “I do.”
Preacher (to brides): “Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Brides: “We do.”
Preacher: “Some of you girls there in the back will have to speak louder if you want to be included in this.”
—— New York Times
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From the Lykens Standard, January 25, 1968:
TWO TRAVELING MINISTERS IN THIS VICINITY
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) with its headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, has assigned two of its traveling ministers to the Lykens Valley area. These two young men are giving of their time for two years at their own expense, to explain to the people of the east about the Mormon Church.
The two young men in this area, known as elders, are Elder David Gillen of Phoenix, Arizona, and Elder Gary Cook, of Tucson, Arizona.
They are ordained ministers of the gospel, but upon release from their mission, they return to their homes, and regular membership in the church.
The young men discuss their religion with interested families or individuals and make themselves available for speaking engagements without charge.
They may be contacted by writing 302 West Main Street, Lykens, or by calling 453—–.
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Articles from Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.