Olive Smoot Bean, Correspondence, 1883

File — Box: 1, Folder: 23

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

July 15, 1883-Provo City, Utah
My own true loving husband
"...Mother is moved into the big house, and a hard row she has of it two. Ma is still very feeble and so childish that nothing in the world suits her. Mother is not strong and looks worse than I ever saw her, and has to work harder, and the anxiety of mind she under goes is harder than all. Will, in the seven weeks that I have been there, I have almost become skeptical. I feel at times like saying, curse the principle that brings one woman and her children in subjection to another that is no better and not half so good. Sometimes I think that I will never submit to polygamy for it seems that almost invariably a woman resigns all earthly happiness, for a hereafter we know nothing of. God knows I would rather die now than live the life my mother has lived and is living now. Pa seems to have no consideration for her at all; his only aim seems to be his an ma's conviece [sic]. If it is inevitable that you marry more wives, may God grant us wisdom that I may never subject another woman to what my mother has passed through for I think I would have it to answer for, in the hereafter if there be one."
July 27, 1883-Manassa, Colorado
My own true and loving Wife
"...While I greatly deplore the toils, anxiety, and trouble which our dear mother has to undergo, yet more, far more do I deplore the condition of your mind, or the spirit which has given you two ideas, to which you gave expression in your loving letter. I refer to you charging the trials which our mother is undergoing, to the Principle she has entered into rather than to the weakness and short comings of humanity; and the doubt you express in regard to there being a hereafter, where all mankind will be rewarded according to their works....I think, after proper reflection, you will readily see you were a little hasty in [writing]: you denounce in strong terms the principle which brings one good woman and her family in subjection to the whims of another, and intimate that the sacred principles of plural marriage does this: but in my conception of these principles I do not find anything to warrant such a conclusion any farther than love, confidence, and family ties bind us to serve one another. But does it follow that because some, through the weakness of the flesh, have perverted these holy principles, and caused some to suffer, that we will abstain from taking upon ourselves those holy covenants....You say if it is inevitable that I take more wives, you pray for wisdom that you may be enabled to do right by her, or them...and whether I succeed or not, I earnestly join with you in the prayer that you may be endowed with such wisdom....I have become more than ever convinced of the truth of this principle since leaving home; and I believe firmly, that if I had obeyed the law of Celestial marriage, when the opportunity was offered, and lived in accordance therewith that our darling treasures who have gone before us would have been spared....I am let to write this way because while I am far away among strangers, endeavoring to convince them of the truth of the Everlasting Gospel... my own loved wife should express a doubt in relation to some of these things; and I think how can you pray with fervency to the Great Giver of all good for my support and preservation, while indulging in...such expressions, which, as I said before, I am confident you do not believe, but they might lead to something serious."

Dates

1883

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.