"With their later theories, Methodism, Swedenborgianism,--especially in its view of the future state,--and Transcendentalism are curiously intermingled. And, finally, we can easily discern, in their doctrine of affinity of minds and sympathy of souls, the leaven of that faith which, beginning with the Mesmer, and progressing through the Rochester Rappers, and the Poughkeepsie Seer, threatens to extend wherever the susceptible nervous temperament becomes the characteristic of the race."[176:A] According to this learned author, Mormonism is a conglomeration of all the _isms_ from Adam to the present time. The predominant characteristics of Mormonism are, the concentration of power in one individual,--the entire unity of church and state,--and the united efforts of the people and their leaders to establish and maintain a kingdom, spiritual and temporal, which shall spread over the whole earth, and result in the complete subjugation and subordination of all other kingdoms, principalities, and powers. The establishment of polygamy among such a people, was no difficult matter. It was but an easy step from materialism to sensualism. Here the passions and lusts harmonize with the love of power and dominion. The following toasts were given at a celebration on the 24th of July,[176:B] 1856. Therein the Mormons speak for themselves. "_Mormonism._ A plurality of worlds, a plurality of gods, and a plurality of wives, with all truth in all eternity." "_President Brigham Young._ With the keys of heaven and earth to open and shut, and all Israel to sanction." FOOTNOTES: [157:A] _Jour. of Dis._ Vol. I. p. 50. [159:A] _Deseret News_, October 1, 1856. [159:B] _Ibid._ [159:C] _Ibid._ Vol. VI. p. 235. [160:A] Sermon by Brigham Young, published in the _Deseret News_, October 1st, 1856. [161:A] _Book of Mormon_, pp. 3, 12, 33, 43. [161:B] _Ibid._ p. 119. [162:A] _Book of Mormon_, p. 535. 5th sec. of 4th chap. of Book of Ether. [162:B] _Book of Mormon_, p. 167. [162:C] _Ibid._ p. 168. [163:A] _Book of Mormon_, pp. 115, 118. 1st and 2d chapters of the Book of Jacob. [163:B] Article on Celestial Marriage, in _The Seer_, Vol. I. p. 30. [164:A] _The Seer_, Vol. I. p. 30. [164:B] _Doctrine and Covenants_, p. 125. [165:A] _Book of Doctrine and Covenants_, pp. 330, 331. [166:A] Sermon of Brigham Young, published in the _Deseret News_, Extra, of September 14, 1852. [173:A] The marriage of brothers and sisters was at one time openly encouraged by President Brigham Young. George D. Watt, reporter for the _Deseret News_, married his half-sister, and lived with her as a wife, for about twelve years. She passed as the wife of Young, for several years, owing to the presence of gentiles and the prejudices of the saints. She has since been convinced of her error, and joined the "new organization," and with her three children returned to the States.