With threatening words and gestures, Young departed the Ferrier home. This was considered a sin in the Mormon holy creed she should marry one the Elders' many sons, who were all young and rich.įerrier quietly answered that she was too young to wed, but Young informed him they had a month to choose either the son of Stangerson or Drebber for Lucy to wed. Young responded that this daughter was the reason why he was there, for word had come to him that she planned on marrying a Gentile. Ferrier protested that this was not a problem and that he had his daughter to care for him. Young came in and immediately informed Ferrier that the latter had violated his promise to embrace the true faith because he never took any wives. One morning Ferrier glimpsed Brigham Young himself walking up Ferrier's pathway. No one 'knew who belonged to that ruthless society,' and every man feared his neighbor and refrained from any complaint of any sort. In fact, the 'persecuted had now turned persecutors on their own account and persecutors of the most terrible description.' The organization of the Latter Day Saints was secretive, invisible, and terrifying fathers vanished and their families were left wondering when they would return, rumors of murdered immigrants and women brought in for the Elders' harems abounded, and a band dubbed the Avenging Angels routed out perceived dissenters.

He could never voice that vow, however, as the Mormons were very strict on the subject. He reflected upon his personal, secret vow to never allow Lucy to marry a Mormon. Three weeks later, John Ferrier found himself thinking about his daughter's betrothal he was sad to see her get married and leave him, but happy for her at the same time.

A study scarlet