Article snippet from the noteworthy Deseret Evening News issue dated September 25, 1890

The “1890 Manifesto”

A Significant Declaration in Mormon History

The “1890 Manifesto”, printed in the Deseret Evening News, officially stopped the practice of plural marriage within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Of the Mormon newspapers in our collection, this is an exceedingly significant issue. The Manifesto was a historic turning point for Mormonism. The 1890 Manifesto forbade church members from entering into any marriage prohibited by current U.S. laws. Interestingly, it did not require members to dissolve existing plural marriages. The Deseret Evening News is Utah’s oldest continuously published daily newspaper and is owned by the LDS church.

Niles' Weekly Register

Niles' Weekly Register reported early accounts of the formation of the Mormon Church and some of the biases against Mormons and their beliefs. One report says “…certain knaves, pretending to have some holy writings hidden under a stone in Ontario county...started a new religion!” The article goes on to say “some of them affect a power even to raise the dead, and perchance, (such is the weakness of human nature), really believe they can do it!”

A truly historic item that provides a glimpse into the early struggles Mormons faced.

Other Mormon Newspapers

We have many 19^th century issues from Salt Lake City that are not shown on the website. Please call us at 570-326-1045 or email info@rarenewspapers.com and we will be happy to help you find a particular Mormon newspaper issue or another specific topic.