A MORMON MARRIAGE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 88, 20 February 1879, Page 2

A MORMON MARRIAGE.

Annie Thompson writes to tho Salt Lake ' \ Tribune a communication detailing the \ form of marriage ceremony, performed at ' / the mysterious Endowment House. The writer illustrates by describing the recent / marriago of Miles and Miss Owens. She,. ; says:—lf Mrs Owens Miles was an honest ' : and deserving woman when she left London to emigrate to Utah with the Latterjday. Saints, and so soon after her arrival here, only some five weeks ago, ■ passed through the Endowment Homo, I think there might be some palliation'for**■■ her very peculiar and Bdomingly inconsistent conduct.,. When Caroline Owens went to tho Endowment House, she entered at the north door and gave her name to the recorder, alio then passed insido to bo washed, taking off her clothes until'sho was as naked as the hour she'was born. She was then washed from head to foot j ' afterwards she was covered with oil and blessed by tho holy priestess; her head, ears,, eyes, nose, mouth, neck, arms, ..< heart, breast, and all parts of her body . annointed. She then put on her now garments and received her new name in a'". : whisper by tho officiating priestess, the woman who lied so beautifully in Court. Passing along, she came before the Great Jehovah and Elohim, they being in another room, and commenced reading the ritual of the order, " Let; us go down and make man," &c, which is all too tedious to mention. Miss Owens passed on from one chargo to another, having her robes and her apron on appering before the' master of ceremonies.to receive the oaths. Standing straight, as shown by the elderj bringing her right arm at an angle, then' placing it across hor throat as the terrible - words were uttered by the ofliciatingpriest, then drawing and extending her arm straight ■ out and bringing it back to a right angle, striking it straight to. the earth, interpreting tho oaths its spoken, that her throat should be cut from ear to car, that hor heart Bhould be cut out, and that she be disemboweled and her body be buried in tho depths of sea, &c., if she should divulge anything pertaining to tho ceremonies performed in that house. This is not all the oath by a great deal. Miss Owens then received all the grips, signs, tokens, Ac. Thero are several of theso which only tho faithful can understand. Miss Owens then passed on to tho other degrees, praying circles, Ac. Passing onward and upward she came to the vail or arch, Caroline on the outside Then tho compass and squaro wero cut over her heart. Thero was only a sheet to separate John from Caroline, and before she could got through to where John was, sho had to put her foot to his foot, her knee to his knee, her breast to his breast, her lips to his lips. Then John whispered in her ear the new name she had received Nobody on earth - knows what that name is but John and Caroline, He then brought Caroline through the vail or arch to bo married. Joseph P. Smith sat immediately oppbsito at the table, John stood at tho right, and. Caroline at the left. After the usual questions were put and answered the marriage was proceeded with and finished, John and Caroline walking to the sealing room, whero Joseph P. Smith sat on the throne Jjdla'ter stood at the door. Miss OwenPwtyed around to tho north side of the altar and Miles remained on the south side. Joseph ' P. Smith proceeded with the ceremony. John and Caroline were kneeling when Joseph P. told them to clasp hands across the altar and kiss each other, which they did. He then sealed them up to everlasting life, to come forth in the morning A of the first resurrection to receive power M and to carry out the laws of protection for JH ever ani ever. —Amen. ' MM