Produced by the Mormon Texts Project (http://mormontextsproject.org), with thanks to Renah Holmes. MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE CITY, "THAT MORMON." BY BEN. E. RICH. "God attributes to place No sanctity, if none be thither brought By men who there frequent."--MILTON SALT LAKE CITY: GEORGE Q. CANNON & SONS CO., PRINTERS 1893. PREFACE. Mormonism is a subject which has been handled by many authors. Some have written in its favor, with prayerful hearts, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit as their honest convictions were recorded; while others have declared against the Mormons and the man who was the instrument, in the hands of God, of founding their faith. A few of the latter class have been honest in their attacks, believing, perhaps, that they were doing the Lord's will in opposing it; but the majority have been actuated by hatred in all they have said on the subject. The author of this work has endeavored to present, in plain and simple words, the faith of the Latter-day Saints, with a desire to aid and interest the young men of Mormondom, who have had no missionary experience, and to fit them to make known their belief to the nations of the earth, should they be called upon for that purpose. If this book shall benefit them, and give others a better conception of the Latter-day Saints and their religion, the object in publishing it will have been attained. THE AUTHOR. OGDEN, February, 1893. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. THE OLD AND THE NEW. The Changes In the Sunny South, since the War. Hospitality of the Southerner. His Traits of Character. Politics and Religion. Purpose of the Description. CHAPTER II. A NEW ARRIVAL IN THE TOWN. The Town of Westminster. Harmony Place, the Hotel of the Marshalls. Guests and their social Methods. Mr. Charles Durant, the New Arrival from the West. Introduction to the Family and Visitors. CHAPTER III. NEW ACQUAINTANCES AND AN AGREEABLE DISCUSSION. An Evening on the veranda. A Variety of Subjects Discussed. Politics and Religion. Christian America. Do People Practice their Religious Professions? Priests Addicted to Money-getting rather than to Soul-getting. The Stranger Interested. Proposed Discussion. Search after Truth. A Quotation from the Prayer Book. A Difference Concerning the Godhead. Erroneous Conception of God. Oneness of the Father and the Son. Three Separate Identities, United as One in all Things. Character of Each. A God with Body, Parts and Passions. Mysteries Explained. "Good Night." CHAPTER IV. GAINING AND LOSING FAVOR.