"Sworn to and subscribed before me at Great Salt Lake City, this April 26th, 1864.
Another doctrine of a startling character, promulgated by one of Young's counsellors and endorsed by him, is that of _human sacrifice for the remission of sins_.
It was first announced by Jedediah M. Grant, Second Counsellor to the President, in the following language:--
"Brethren and sisters, we want you to repent and forsake your sins. And you who have committed sins that cannot be forgiven through baptism, _let your blood be shed, and let the smoke ascend_, that the incense thereof may come up before God as an atonement for your sins, and that the sinners in Zion may be afraid."[159:A]
"We have been trying long enough with this people, and I go in for letting the sword of the Almighty be unsheathed, _not only in word, but in deed_."[159:B]
In accordance with such bloody teaching, it is said that an altar of sacrifice was actually built by Grant, in the temple block, upon which these human sacrifices were to be made. On the 21st of September, 1856, Grant said:--
"I say there are men and women here that I would advise to go to the President immediately, and ask him to appoint a committee to attend to their case; and then let a place be selected, and let that committee shed their blood."[159:C]
This horrible proposal to immolate upon the altar of sacrifice the erring saints, was fully endorsed by Brigham Young as follows:--
"There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world, or in that which is to come; and if they had their eyes open to see their condition, _they would be perfectly willing to have their blood spilt upon the ground_, that the smoke thereof might ascend to Heaven as an offering for their sins, and the smoking incense would atone for their sins; whereas, if such is not the case, they will stick to them, and remain upon them in the spirit-world.
"I know, when you hear my brethren telling about cutting people off from the earth, that you consider it is strong doctrine. It is to save them, not to destroy them. I will say further, I have had men come to me, and offer their lives to atone for their sins. It is true that the blood of the Son of God was shed for sins, through the fall, and those committed by man, yet men can commit sins which it can never remit. As it was in ancient days, so it is in our day; and though the principles are taught publicly from this stand, still the people do not understand them; yet the Law is precisely the same. There are sins that can be atoned for by an offering upon the altar, as in ancient days, and there are sins that the blood of a lamb, of a calf, or of turtle-doves cannot remit, _but they must be atoned for by the blood of the man_. That is the reason why men talk to you as they do from this stand. They understand the doctrine, and throw out a few words about it."[160:A]