CONTENTS:

Authorities Consulted [moved to end of book]

Preface 
 
Chapter I. Discoveries of the Spaniards. 1540-1777.
Francisco Vazquez De Coronado at Cíbola -- Expedition of Pedro De Tobar 
and Father Juan De Padilla -- They Hear of a Large River -- García Lopez 
De Cárdenas Sent in Search of It -- The First Europeans to Approach 
Utah -- Route of Cárdenas -- Mythical Maps -- Part of the Northern 
Mystery -- Journey of Dominguez and Escalante -- the Course They 
Followed -- The Rivers They Crossed -- the Comanches -- Region of the 
Great Lakes -- Rivers Timpanogos, San Buenaventura, and Others -- the 
Country of the Yutas -- Route From Santa Fé to Monterey -- the Friars Talk 
of the Lake Country -- Return of the Spaniards to Zuñi and March to Santa 
Fé. 
 
Chapter II. Advent of Trappers and Travellers. 1778-1846.
Invasion By Fur Hunters -- Baron La Hontan and His Fables -- the Popular 
Geographic Idea -- Discovery of the Great Salt Lake -- James Bridger 
Deciding a Bet -- He Determines the Course of Bear River and Comes Upon 
the Great Lake -- Henry, Ashley, Green, and Beckwourth on the Ground -- 
Fort Built at Utah Lake -- Peter Skeen Ogden -- Journey of Jedediah S. 
Smith -- a Strange Country -- Pegleg Smith -- Wolfskill, Yount, and Burton 
Traverse the Country -- Walker's Visit to California -- Some Old Maps -- 
the Bartleson Company -- Statements of Bidwell and Belden Compared -- 
Whitman and Lovejoy -- Frémont -- Pacific Coast Immigrations of 1845 and 
1846 -- Origin of the Name Utah. 
 
Chapter III. The Story of Mormonism. 1820-1830.
A Glance Eastward -- the Middle States Sixty Years Ago -- Birth and 
Parentage of Joseph Smith -- Spiritual Manifestations -- Joseph Tells His 
Vision -- and is Reviled -- Moroni Appears -- Persecutions -- Copying the 
Plates -- Martin Harris -- Oliver Cowdery -- Translation -- the Book of 
Mormon -- Aaronic Priesthood Conferred -- Conversions -- the Whitmer 
Family -- the Witnesses -- Spaulding Theory -- Printing of the Book -- 
Melchisedec Priesthood Conferred -- Duties of Elders and Others -- Church 
of Latter-Day Saints Organized -- First Miracle -- First Conference -- 
Oliver Cowdery Ordered to the West. 
 
Chapter IV. The Story of Mormonism. 1830-1835.
Parley Pratt's Conversion -- Mission to the Lamanites -- the Missionaries 
at Kirtland -- Conversion of Sidney Rigdon -- Mormon Success at 
Kirtland -- the Missionaries in Missouri -- Rigdon Visits Smith Edward 
Partridge -- the Melchisedec Priesthood Given -- Smith and Rigdon Journey 
to Missouri Bible Translation Smith's Second Visit to Missouri -- 
Unexampled Prosperity -- Causes of Persecutions -- Mobocracy -- the Saints 
Are Driven From Jackson County -- Treachery of Boggs -- Military 
Organization at Kirtland -- the Name Latter-Day Saints -- March to 
Missouri. 
 
Chapter V. The Story of Mormomism. 1835-1840.
President Smith at Kirtland -- First Quorum of Twelve Apostles -- the 
Kirtland Temple Completed -- Kirtland Safety Society Bank -- in Zion 
Again -- the Saints in Missouri -- Apostasy -- Zeal and Indiscretion -- 
Military Organization -- the War Opens -- Depredations on Both Sides -- 
Movements of Atchison, Parks, and Doniphan -- Attitude of Boggs -- Wight 
and Gilliam -- Death of Patten -- Danite Organization -- Order Lodge -- 
Haun Mill Tragedy -- Mobs and Militia -- the Tables Turned -- Boggs' 
Exterminating Order -- Lucas and Clark at Far West -- Surrender of the 
Mormon's -- Prisoners -- Petitions and Memorials -- Expulsion -- Gathering 
at Quincy -- Opinions. 
 
Chapter VI. The Story of Mormonism. 1840-1844.
The City of Nauvoo -- Its Temple and University -- the Nauvoo Legion -- 
the Mormons in Illinois -- Evil Reports -- Revelation on Polygamy -- Its 
Reception and Practice -- the Prophet a Candidate for the Presidency -- 
the 'Nauvoo Expositor' -- Joseph Arrested -- Governor Ford and His 
Measures -- Joseph and Hyrum Proceed to Carthage -- Their Imprisonment -- 
the Governor's Pledge -- Assassination of the Prophet and His Brother -- 
Character of Joseph Smith -- a Panic at Carthage -- Addresses of Richards 
and Taylor -- Peaceful Attitude of the Mormons. 
 
Chapter VII. Brigham Young Succeeds Joseph. 1844-1845.
The Question of Succession -- Biography of Brigham Young -- His Early 
Life -- Conversion -- Missionary Work -- Made President of the Twelve -- 
His Devotion to the Prophet -- Sidney Rigdon and Brigham Young Rival 
Aspirants for the Presidency -- Rigdon's Claims -- Public Meetings -- 
Brigham Elected President of the Church -- His Character -- Temple- 
Building -- Fresh Disasters -- the Affair at Morley -- the Men of Quincy 
and the Men of Carthage -- the Mormons Consent to Abandon Their City. 
 
Chapter VIII. Expulsion From Nauvoo. 1845-1846.
A Busy City -- Meeting in the Temple -- Sacrifice of Property -- 
Detachments Move Forward -- a Singular Exodus -- the First Encampment -- 
Cool Proposal From Brother Brannan -- the Journey -- Courage and Good 
Cheer -- Swelling of Their Numbers -- the Remnant of the Saints in 
Nauvoo -- Attitude of the Gentiles -- the Mormons Attacked -- Continued 
Hostilities -- the Final Departures -- the Poor Camp -- a Deserted City.  
 
Chapter IX. At The Missouri. 1846-1847.
Native Racks of the Missouri -- the Pottawattamies and the Omahas -- the 
Mormons Welcomed As Brethren -- War With Mexico -- Californila 
Territory -- Mexican Boundaries -- Application to the United States 
Government for Aid -- An Offer to Serve As Soldiers Accepted -- 
Organization of the Mormon Battalion -- Departure of the Battalion -- 
Bounty Money -- March Across the Continent -- the Battalion in 
California -- Matters on the Missouri. 
 
Chapter X. Migration to Utah. 1847.
Camp Near the Missouri -- Preparations at Winter Quartrs -- Departure of 
the Pioneer Band -- Elkhorn Rendezvous -- Route and Routine -- Incidents 
of Journey -- Approach to Zion -- in the Cañon -- Hosanna! Hallelujah! -- 
Entry Into the Valley of the Great Salt Lake -- Ploughing and Planting -- 
Praying and Praising -- Site for a City Chosen -- Temple Block Selected -- 
Return of Companies to Winter Quarters -- Their Meeting With the Westward-
Bound -- General Epistle of the Twelve. 
 
Chapter XI. In The Valley of The Great Salt Lake. 1848.
Food and Raiment -- Houses -- Home Manufactures -- the Fort -- Wild 
Beasts -- Cannon From Sutter's Fort -- Indian Children for Sale -- 
Measles -- Population -- Mills and Farming Machinery -- the Plague of 
Crickets -- They Are Destroyed By Gulls -- Scarcity of Provisions -- the 
Harvest Feast -- Immigration -- Five Thousand Saints Gathered in the 
Valley -- Fencing and Farming -- Distribution of Lots -- Organization of 
County Government -- Association for the Extermination of Wild Beasts.  
 
Chapter XII. In The Valley of The Great Salt Lake. 1849.
Food Supply and Shelter -- Building Lots -- Currency Issue -- Bank Notes 
and Coinage -- Private and Public Buildings -- Wide Area of the City -- 
Second Anniversary of the Pioneers -- Festivals and Amusements -- Labor a 
Duty Among the Saints -- Effect of the California Gold Discovery -- 
Immigration -- Carrying Company -- California-Bound Emigrants -- Their 
Traffic With the Mormons -- Products and Prices -- Gold-Hunting Frowned 
Upon By the Church. 
 
Chapter XIII. Settlement and Occupation of the Country. 1847-1852.
Founding of Centreville -- Bountiful -- Ogden -- Lynne -- Easton -- 
Marriotsville -- San Pete -- Provo -- Indian War -- Walled Cities -- 
Evansville -- Lehi -- Battle Creek-- Pleasant Grove -- American Fork -- 
Payson -- Nephi -- Manti -- Chief Walker -- Fillmore -- Site Chosen for 
the Capital -- Tooele -- Grantsville -- Kaysville -- Little Salt Lake -- 
Parowan -- Cedar City -- Paragoonah -- Forts Walker and Harmony -- Box 
Elder Creek -- Brigham City -- Willard City -- San Bernardino in 
California. 
 
Chapter XIV. Education, Manufactures, Commerce, Agriculture, Society. 1850-
1852.
Boundaries and Extent of Utah -- Configuration and Physical Features of 
the Country -- Its Lands and Waters -- Flora and Fauna -- State 
University -- Curriculum -- Educational Ideas -- Library -- Periodicals -- 
Tabernacle and Temple -- New Fort -- Progress of the Useful Arts -- Mills, 
Factories, and Manufactures -- Farm Products -- Traffic -- Population -- 
Revenue -- Mortality -- Healthful Airs and Medicinal Springs. 
 
Chapter XV. Mormonism and Polygamy.
What is Mormonism? -- Tenets of the Church -- Sacred Books and 
Personages -- Organization -- Priesthood -- First Presidency -- the Twelve 
Apostles -- Patriarchs -- Elders, Bishops, Priests, Teachers, and 
Deacons -- the Seventies -- Stakes and Wards -- Marriage -- Temple 
Building -- Tabernacle -- Political Aspect -- Polygamy As a Church 
Tenet -- Celestial Marriage -- Attitude and Arguments of Civilization -- 
Polygamy's Reply -- Ethics and Law -- the Charge of Disloyalty -- Proposed 
Remedies. 

Chapter XVI. Missions and Immigration. 1830-1883.
Mormon Missionaries -- Parley Pratt and His Colleagues -- Missionary Labor 
in Canada -- In Great Britain -- Missionaries in Europe -- And in Other 
Parts of the World -- The Perpetual Emigration Fund -- A General Epistle 
of the Twelve -- From Liverpool to Salt Lake City for Fifty Dollars -- 
Emigrant Ships -- Report of a Liverpool Manager -- the Passage to New 
Orleans -- Overland Travel -- Classes of Emigrants -- George A. Smith's 
Companies at South Pass -- The Hand-Cart Emigration -- Biographical. 
 
Chapter XVII. Utah As a Territory. 1849-1853.
Need of Civil Government -- the State of Deseret Organized -- Memorials 
for Admission Into the Union -- Proposed Consolidation With California -- 
Administration of Justice -- Proceedings of the Legislature -- Babbit's 
Reception at Washington -- the State of Deseret Before Congress -- Act to 
Establish a Territorial Government Appointment of Officials -- Ill Feeling 
Between Them and the Mormons -- the Officials Depart for Washington -- 
Measures of the Legislative Assembly -- Stansbury's Survey -- the Gunnison 
Massacre -- Indian Outbreaks -- the Walker War -- Mexican Slave-Traders. 
 
Chapter XVIII. The Government in Arms. 1853-1857.
Brigham As Dictator -- Utah Seeks Admission As a State -- Dissatisfaction 
Among the Saints -- Conflicting Judiciaries -- the New Federal 
Officials -- Disputes With Judge Drummond -- Colonel Steptoe -- An 
Expedition Ordered to Utah -- Official Blunders -- the Troops Assemble at 
Fort Leavenworth -- Hockaday and Magraw's Mail Contract -- the Brigham 
Young Express -- Celebration of the Pioneer Anniversary -- News of the 
Coming Invasion -- Its Effect on the Mormons -- Arrival of Major Van 
Vliet -- the Nauvoo Legion -- Mormon Tactics. 
 
Chapter XIX. The Utah War. 1857-1858.
Opening of the Campaign -- Burning of Supply Trains -- Strategic Movement 
of Colonel Alexander -- His Retreat -- Arrival of Albert Sidney 
Johnston -- the March to Fort Bridger -- Winter at Camp Scott -- Mission 
of Colonel Kane-- Governor Cumming at Salt Lake City -- Pardon 
Proclaimed -- the Peace Commissioners -- the Army of Utah Advances on 
Zion -- the City Deserted -- the Mormons Return to Their Homes -- the 
Troops Cantoned at Camp Floyd -- Conduct of the Soldiery and Camp 
Followers -- Judges Sinclair and Cradlebaugh -- the Reformation in Utah. 
 
Chapter XX. The Mountain Meadows Massacre. 1857.
An Arkansas Emigrant Party Arrives at Salt Lake City -- Assassination of 
Parley P. Pratt -- Ill Feeling Against the Emigrants -- Alleged 
Outrages -- Their Arrival at Mountain Meadows -- They Are Attacked By 
Indians -- a Flag of Truce -- Plan of the Massacre -- Surrender of the 
Emigrants -- the Butchery -- Burial of the Slain -- the Survivors -- Judge 
Cradlebaugh's Investigation -- the Aiken Massacre -- John D. Lee on 
Trial -- the Jury Disagree -- the Second Trial -- Lee Convicted and 
Sentenced -- His Confession and Execution. 
 
Chapter XXI. Political, Social, and Institutional. 1859-1862.
Brigham Threatened With Arrest -- the Federal Judges Reproved -- Departure 
of Governor Cumming -- and of the Army of Utah -- Population of the 
Territory -- Mortality -- Wealth -- Industries -- Prices -- Wages -- 
Trade -- Salt Lake City in 1860 -- the Temple Block -- Social 
Gatherings -- Theatricals -- Scientific and Other Institutions -- 
Character of the Population -- Carson Valley -- San Bernardino -- Summit 
County and Its Settlements -- Purchase of Fort Bridger -- Wasatch 
County -- Morgan County -- Cache Valley -- Settlements in Southern Utah. 
 
Chapter XXII. Progress of Events. 1861-1869.
Governor Dawson's Gallantry -- Utah Refused Admission As a State -- 
Passage of a Bill Against Polygamy -- Measures of the Legislature -- 
Arrival of Governor Harding -- Disputes Between Brigham and the Federal 
Officials -- Arrival of the California Volunteers -- a False Alarm -- the 
Morrisite Troubles -- Governors Doty and Durkee -- the Limits of Utah 
Curtailed -- Celebration of Lincoln's Second Inauguration -- the 
Brassfield and Robinson Murders -- Indian Outbreaks -- the Battle of Bear 
River -- Disturbances in Southern Utah -- Treaties With Indian Tribes -- 
the Uintah Valley Reservation -- Bibliographical. 
 
Chapter XXIII. Schisms and Apostasies. 1844-1869.
The Strangites -- the Gatherers -- Brannan's Followers -- the 
Gladdenites -- the Reorganized Church of Latter-Day Saints -- Alexander 
and David Hyrum Smith -- the Utah Magazine -- Trial of Godbe and 
Harrison -- Success of the Godbeite Movement -- the Struggle for 
Commercial Control -- Persecution of Gentile Merchants -- Zion's 
Coöperative Mercantile Institution -- Extent of Its Operations -- 
Disastrorous Effect on Gentile Trade -- Reaction in Favor of the 
Reformers. 
 
Chapter XXIV. The Last Days of Brigham Young. 1869-1877.
Visit of Schuyler Colfax -- Godbe's Interview With President Grant -- 
Governor Shaffer -- Military Riot at Provo -- Governor Woods -- Judge 
Mckean -- Burlesque of Justice -- Arrest of Brigham Young and Others -- 
George Q. Cannon Chosen Delegate -- Axtell's Administration -- Governor 
Emery -- Death of Brigham -- His Obsequies -- His Character -- His Will. 
 
Chapter XXV. Church and State. 1877-1885.
Conference of the Church -- Reorganization of the First Presidency -- John 
Taylor Appointed President -- His Appearance and Mien -- the Edmunds 
Bill -- Its Penalties -- An Ex Post Facto Law -- Polygamists 
Disfranchised -- Utah Again Refused Admission As a State -- Operations of 
the Utah Commission -- Govenor Murray's Message -- His Administration. 
 
Chapter XXVI. Settlements, Society, and Education. 1862-1886.
Population and Statistics -- Salt Lake City -- The Temple -- The New 
Tabernacle -- The Museum -- Condition of the Inhabitants -- Distinctive 
Features -- Salt Lake County -- Davis County -- Ogden -- Cache County -- 
Rich County -- Summit County -- Brigham City -- Nephi -- Provo -- Uintah, 
Emery, San Juan, Garfield, and Piute Counties -- Sanpete and Sevler 
Counties -- Iron, Kane, and Washington Counties -- Schools -- The 
University of Deseret -- The Deseret Alphabet -- Libraries -- Journals and 
Journalism. 
 
Chapter XXVII. Agriculture, Stock-Raising, Manufactures, and Mining. 1852-
1886.
Agricultural Products and Yield Per Acre -- Irrigation -- Character of the 
Soil -- Fruit Culture -- Viticulture -- Sericulture -- Timber and Timber-
Lands -- Bunch-Grass -- Cattle-Raising -- Dairy Products -- Horses -- 
Sheep -- Woollen Manufactures -- Leather -- Other Manufactures -- Iron-
Mining -- Coal-Mining -- Copper -- Sulphur -- Gypsum and Mica -- Other 
Minerals -- Building Stone -- Gold and Silver -- the West Mountain 
District -- the Rush Valley District -- the Cottonwood District -- the 
American Fork District -- the Tintic District -- the Ontario Mine -- Other 
Mining Districts -- Mining Products -- Milling, Smelting, and Reduction-
Works. 
 
Chapter XVIII. Commerce and Communication. 1852-1885.
Common Roadways -- Railroads -- the Union and Central Pacific -- The Utah 
Central -- The Utah Southern -- The Utah and Northern -- The Utah 
Eastern -- The Salt Lake and Western -- The Utah and Nevada -- The Denver 
and Rio Grande Western -- Imports and Exports -- Commerce and Trade -- 
Banking -- Insurance -- Taxation and Revenue -- Mails and Mail Services -- 
The First Telegraphic Message -- The Deseret Telegraph Company. 




Page v

Preface

   In the history of Utah we come upon a new series of social phenomena, 
whose multiformity and unconventionality awaken the liveliest interest. We 
find ourselves at once outside the beaten track of conquest for gold and 
glory; of wholesale robberies and human slaughters for the love of Christ; 
of encomiendas, repartimientos, serfdoms, or other species of civilized 
imposition; of missionary invasion resulting in certain death to the 
aborigines, but in broad acres and well filled storehouses for the men of 
practical piety; of emigration for rich and cheap lands, or for 
colonization and empire alone; nor have we here a hurried scramble for 
wealth, or a corporation for the management of a game preserve. There is 
the charm of novelty about the present subject, if no other; for in our 
analyses of human progress we never tire of watching the behavior of 
various elements under various conditions.

   There is only one example in the annals of America of the organization 
of a commonwealth upon principles of pure theocracy. There is here one 
example only where the founding of a state grew out of the founding of a 
new religion. Other instances there have been of the occupation of wild 
tracts on this continent by people flying before persecution, or desirous
 
Page vi

of greater religious liberty; there were the quakers, the huguenots, and 
the pilgrim fathers, though their spiritual interests were so soon 
subordinated to political necessities; religion has often played a 
conspicuous part in the settlement of the New World, and there has at 
times been present in some degree the theocratic, if not indeed the 
hierarchal, idea; but it has been long since the world, the old continent 
or the new, has witnessed anything like a new religion successfully 
established and set in prosperous running order upon the fullest and 
combined principles of theocracy, hierarchy, and patriarchy. 

   With this new series of phenomena, a new series of difficulties arises 
in attempting their elucidation: not alone the perplexities always 
attending unexplored fields, but formidable embarrassments which render 
the task at once delicate and dangerous.

   If the writer is fortunate enough to escape the many pitfalls of 
fallacy and illusion which beset his way; if he is wise and successful 
enough to find and follow the exact line of equity which should be drawn 
between the hotly contending factions; in a word, if he is honest and 
capable, and speaks honestly and openly in the treatment of such a 
subject, he is pretty sure to offend, and bring upon himself condemnation 
from all parties. But where there are palpable faults on both sides of a 
case, the judge who unites equity with due discrimination may be sure he 
is not in the main far from right if he succeeds in offending both sides. 
Therefore, amidst the multiformity of conflicting ideas and evidence, 
having abandoned all hope of satisfying others, I fall back upon the next 
most reasonable proposition left-that of satisfying myself.
 
Page vii

   In regard to the quality of evidence I here encounter, I will say that 
never before has it been my lot to meet with such a mass of mendacity. The 
attempts of almost all who have written upon the subject seem to have been 
to make out a case rather than to state the facts. Of course, by any 
religious sect dealing largely in the supernatural, fancying itself under 
the direct guidance of God, its daily doings a standing miracle, 
commingling in all the ordinary affairs of life prophecies, special 
interpositions, and revelations with agriculture, commerce, and 
manufactures, we must expect to find much written which none but that sect 
can accept as true. 

   And in relation to opposing evidence, almost every book that has been 
put forth respecting the people of Utah by one not a Mormon is full of 
calumny, each author apparently endeavoring to surpass his predecessor in 
the libertinism of abuse. Most of these are written in a sensational 
style, and for the purpose of deriving profit by pandering to a vitiated 
public taste, and are wholly unreliable as to facts. Some few, more 
especially among those first appearing, whose data were gathered by men 
upon the spot, and for the purpose of destroying what they regarded as a 
sacrilegious and pernicious fanaticism, though as vehement in their 
opposition as any, make some pretensions to honesty and sincerity, and are 
more worthy of credit. There is much in government reports, and in the 
writings of the later residents in Utah, dictated by honest patriotism, 
and to which the historian should give careful attention. In using my 
authorities, I distinguish between these classes, as it is not profitable 
either to pass by anything illustrating principles or affecting progress, 
or
 
Page viii

to print pages of pure invention, palpable lies, even for the purpose of 
proving them such. Every work upon the subject, however, receives proper 
bibliographical notice. 

   The materials for Mormon church history are exceptionally full. Early 
in his career the first president appointed a historiographer, whose 
office has been continuous ever since. To his people he himself gave their 
early history, both the inner and intangible and the outer and material 
portions of it. Then missionaries to different posts were instructed to 
make a record of all pertinent doings, and lodge the same in the church 
archives. A sacred obligation seems to have been implied in this respect 
from the beginning, the Book of Mormon itself being largely descriptive of 
such migrations and actions as usually constitute the history of a people. 
And save in the matters of spiritual manifestations, which the merely 
secular historian cannot follow, and in speaking of their enemies, whose 
treatment we must admit in too many instances has been severe, the church 
records are truthful and reliable. In addition to this, concerning the 
settlement of the country, I have here, as in other sections of my 
historical field, visited the people in person, and gathered from them no 
inconsiderable stores of original and interesting information.

   Upon due consideration, and with the problem fairly before me, three 
methods of treatment presented themselves from which to choose: first, to 
follow the beaten track of calumny and vituperation, heaping upon the 
Mormons every species of abuse, from the lofty sarcasm employed by some to 
the vulgar scurrility applied by others; second, to espouse
 
Page ix

the cause of the Mormons as the weaker party, and defend them from the 
seeming injustice to which from the first they have been subjected; third, 
in a spirit of equity to present both sides, leaving the reader to draw 
his own conclusions. The first course, however popular, would be beyond my 
power to follow; the second method, likewise, is not to be considered; I 
therefore adopt the third course, and while giving the new sect a full and 
respectful hearing, withhold nothing that their most violent opposers have 
to say against them. 

   Anything written at the present day which may properly be called a 
history of Utah must be largely a history of the Mormons, these being the 
first white people to settle in the country, and at present largely 
occupying it. As others with opposing interests and influences appear, 
they and the great principles thereby brought to an issue receive the most 
careful consideration. And I have deemed it but fair, in presenting the 
early history of the church, to give respectful consideration to and a 
sober recital of Mormon faith and experiences, common and miraculous. The 
story of Mormonism, therefore, beginning with chapter iii., as told in the 
text, .is from the Mormon standpoint, and based entirely on Mormon 
authorities; while in the notes, and running side by side with the subject-
matter in the text, I give in full all anti-Mormon arguments and counter-
statements, thus enabling the reader to carry along both sides at once, 
instead of having to consider first all that is to be said on one side, 
and then all that is to be said on the other.

   In following this plan, I only apply to the history of Utah the same 
principles employed in all my historical efforts, namely, to give all the 
facts on every
 
Page x

side pertinent to the subject. In giving the history of the invasion and 
occupation of the several sections of the Pacific States from Panamá to 
Alaska, I have been obliged to treat of the idiosyncrasies, motives, and 
actions of Roman catholics, methodists, presbyterians, episcopalians, and 
members of the Greek church: not of the nature or validity of their 
respective creeds, but of their doings, praising or blaming as praise or 
blame were due, judged purely from a standpoint of morals and humanity 
according to the highest standards of the foremost civilization of the 
world. It was not necessary-it was wholly outside the province of the 
historian, and contrary to my method as practised elsewhere-to discuss the 
truth or falsity of their convictions, any more than when writing the 
history of Mexico, California, or Oregon to advance my opinions regarding 
the inspiration of the scriptures, the divinity of Christ, prophecies, 
miracles, or the immaculate conception. On all these questions, as on the 
doctrines of the Mormons and of other sects, I have of course my opinions, 
which it were not only out of place but odious to be constantly thrusting 
upon the attention of the reader, who is seeking for facts only. 

   In one respect only I deem it necessary to go a little further here: 
inasmuch as doctrines and beliefs enter more influentially than elsewhere 
into the origin and evolution of this society, I give the history of the 
rise and progress of those doctrines. Theirs was not an old faith, the 
tenets of which have been fought for and discussed for centuries, but 
professedly a new revelation, whose principles are for the most part 
unknown to the outside world, where their purity is severely questioned. 
The settlement of this section sprung
 
Page xi

primarily from the evolution of a new religion, with all its attendant 
trials and persecutions. To give their actions without their motives would 
leave the work obviously imperfect; to give their motives without the 
origin and nature of their belief would be impossible. 

   In conclusion, I will say that those who desire a knowledge of people 
and events impartially viewed, a statement of facts fairly and 
dispassionately presented, I am confident will find them here as elsewhere 
in my writings.