NEW ZEALAND AND MORMONISM.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1295, 22 July 1886, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND AND MORMONISM.

Mn»t of our readers will recollect that , Elder Sorensen, of the Mormon Church, j made a proselytising tour through New : Zetland last year Ii was generally supposed by the people of this colony that the micsion of the distinguished polygamist was, from a Mormon point of vb-w, a lamentable fsi'ure, but judging from the following report made by the elder to the I Utah Asaemb’y, and published by the Utah Evening Tribunal the very reverse was the case. Elder Sorensen's report is condensed as folK wa :

At the request f the Assembly, accompanied by Elder Doolan, he has.visited New Zealand. Ue bad found the people of that young odony. particularly the work- \ lug classes, favourably dirpused towards the doctrines of the one true and holy church. Wherever the tenets Mormoniam had been revealed, the people willingly lent their esrs, and in many places they had made more converts than they could i provide for. Auckland, he had found, was especially imbuoled with polygamist doctrines, and in their proposed emigration they could rely upon the assistance and sympathy of the people there. They had I recognised la the teaching of their good I prophet the true salvation ; and as a I proof of their conversion, some of these ) people were now enjoying the fruits jof the new life in their midst In subj mittmg his report on the purchase of what I was known as the King Country in Now I Zealand, he could tell them that the

rcheme seemed to him most feasible and favourable. When In the colony they had made every enquiry, and there was nothing topreventthemmaklngan immediate purchase, and commencing operations in their ,Bew home at once. Indeed, the sooner the better ; for if the project were delayed it was possible that some of the not'.d land sharks with which Now Zealand was infested might in the meantime get hold of the territory. His colleague and himself had waited upon Tawhiao, the King of New Zealand, or that portion of It which had not been stolen from them by a “ Christian Government ” and he had been pleased to grant them an audience. The name of the place was j quite familiar to them ; it was a long I word, but had slipped his memory. His I Majesty, who was a venerable and In- { telligeut gentleman, with an imposing I countenance and dignified manner, reI oelved them kindly. He seemed highly 1 impressed and greatly moved when the I truths as revealed to Joseph Smith were I revealed to him, and his soul was at once fired with ardour for the cause. He I claimed affinity with the Mormons, as truths of a similar nature had been revealed to his ancestors shortly I after their arrival at Kapiti, Poly gamy was observed among Maoris, and his Majesty, he was pleased to notice, was a striking example of that sacred law. I His domestic surroundings were of the I happiest possible character, and the appointments of the royal household, though very simple, indicated a noble and nnpre temious mind. His Majesty favored the Mormon scheme of purchase, and expr ssed bis willingness to assist them, in every possible way. He would moreover, cast in bis lot with them, and enlist j his people in tbe cause of truth. The I whole territory, he believed, could be j bought for about £500,000. About half j of the sum could be paid to the King, and the remainder could be distributed, to- * gather with clotqea and tracts, among the people The European Government of New Zealand had no jurisdiction In the King Countiy. The scheme, to his mind, all rded great promise, and be recommended that the Assembly should give it their Immediate and earnest consideration The report which he had laid before the House would afford them the fullest information on the subject. Elder Doolan having made a few remarks, the further consideration of the matter was postponed until after the holiday recess