As it was newspaper day, we passed by the "Mountaineer" office and bought a copy. The press is ably and extensively represented in Great Salt Lake City, as in any other of its Western coevals.[1] Mormonism, so far from despising the powers of pica, has a more than ordinary respect for them.[2] Until lately there were three weekly newspapers. The "Valley Tan," however, during the last winter expired, after a slow and lingering dysthesis, induced by overindulgence in Gentile tendencies. It was established in 1858; the proprietor was Mr. J. Hartnett, the late federal secretary; the editor was Mr. Kirk Anderson, followed by Mr. De Wolf and others; the issue hebdomadal, and the subscription high=$10 per annum. The recognized official organ of the religion, which first appeared on the 15th of June, 1850, is the "Deserét News," whose motto is "Truth and Liberty" under a hive, over which is a single circumradiated eye in disagreeable proximity to the little busy bee. It has often changed its size, and is now printed in small folio, of eight pages, each containing four columns of close type: sometimes articles are clothed in the
- ↑ According to the "Elgin Courant," there are between 700 and 800 of a fishing population in Hopeness who never see a newspaper
- ↑ The first Mormon newspaper was the "Latter-Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate," published at Kirtland, Ohio, in the time of Mr. Joseph Smith.
The "Evening and Morning Star," published at Independence, Mo., and edited by W.W. Phelps.
"Elders' Journal," published in 1838, in the time of Mr. Joseph Smith.
"The Upper Missouri Advertiser," published about the same time; it did not last long.
"The Nauvoo Neighbor" disappeared in the days of the Exodus.
"The Times and Seasons," containing a compendium of intelligence pertaining to the upbuilding of the kingdom of God, and the signs of the Times, together with a great variety of information in regard to the history, principles, persecutions, deliverances, and onward progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Nauvoo 1839–1843. It was edited by Elder John Taylor (now one of the "Twelve") under the direction of Mr. Joseph Smith, and arrived at the fourth volume (octavo): this journal is full of interesting matter to Mormons.
"The Wasp," begun at Nauvoo in 1842.
"The Frontier Garden," published at Council Bluffs during the Exodus from Nauvoo.
"The Seer," edited at Washington, by Elder Orson Pratt, reached the second volume.
"The Gospel Reflector," published at Philadelphia, lasted for a short time.
"The Prophet," published at New York.
"Le Reflecteur," in French, published at Geneva.
"Etoile du Deserét, Organe de l'Eglise de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours," par John Taylor, Paris. It lasted from May, 1851, to April, 1852, and forms 1 vol. large 8vo, containing 192 pages.
"The Western Standard," edited and published weekly at San Francisco, California, United States of America, by Elder George Q. Cannon, now an Apostle and President of the Church in Great Britain. This paper, which was distinguished by the beauty of its type and the character of its composition, lasted through 1856 and 1857; in 1858 it ceased for want of funds.
"Zion's Watchman," published in Australia.
"Udgorn Seion" (the Trump of Zion), published in Wales, a bi-monthly print, which has reached the ninth volume.
"The Luminary," St. Louis, Mo.
"The Mormon," published in New York, a hebdomadal print.
