[MORMONS]. Letter from a polygamist Mormon living in exile in "Chihuahua Mex," 7 January 1888.

2 pages, 8 1/2 x 13 1/8 in., creased, with some spots of loss at crease intersections and some separation to creases.

"G. Lake," identified as "George Lake" in ink inscription written perpendicular to letter on second page, writes of being exiled to Mexico for religious liberty, and discusses theological matters with his fellow Mormon and "Dear Brother."

He writes, "Dear Brother how I used to love to sing of my Utah home and tell of all her beauties Liberties blessings associations of those whom we loved But alas how changed, for the Sake of my life and liberty and asociation [sic] of my wives and little ones I am now an Exile far-far away where I See floting [sic] to the breeze the ensign of another Nation to whom I have to look for protection..."

He turns to theological matters next, writing, "...for the Gospel will very soon be taken from the Gentiles and carried to the House of Israel and God has said they will receive it and here in this land there are millions that are being made ready and many of us are preparing for the call to gow [sic] among them and break the yoke of priestcraft and lead them to the light...I do not wonder that the number of U.S. Marshels [sic] are being increased that that Saton [sic] is doing all he can to bind the truth Priesthood for time is short as God Sayed [sic] to our Seer[?] Joseph 56 years..."

He continues writing about how time is growing short and impresses upon his spiritual brother the need to remain "true to God and his caus [sic]." He writes, "But now is the Test and who will Stand this trying day on when we are arained [sic] before the wicked Judges, will we Sell our birth right for a mess of potage Now we can well see who has embraced the Celestial order of God out of honest motive..."

He asks his recipient to send his love and blessings to "our Sisters," and his own children, some of whom he has had to leave behind. In a post script, he mentions that "Sist Lydia" lives near him with most of her family being all in good health.

The Mormon settlement of Colonia Díaz was established in 1885 along the Casas Grandes River in Chihuahua, Mexico. It provided refuge for plural families fleeing from the repercussions of the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act of 1862, and the 1878 Supreme Court ruling again polygamy in Reynolds v. United States.

Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Broadsides, Ephemeral Americana, and Historical Documents