Setting: April 6, 1855, and the establishment of the Salmon River Mission by Brigham Young et al.:
Perhaps the most stirring bit of
advice was given by Heber C. Kimball and Daniel H. Wells, when they urged the young
men “to marry native women, that the marriage tie was the strongest tie of friendship
that existed.” However, President Young modified this advice to the extent that
they should not be in a hurry and should marry young girls if any, “because,”
said he, “if brethren were to marry those old vanigadoes they would be off with
the first mountaineer that came along.”
The suggestion that the
missionaries might marry among the natives was something of an anomaly in
Mormon Indian policy, and was no doubt prompted because of the isolation of the
Lemhi settlement, and its consequent dependence upon the good will of the natives.
Seven of the young men made overtures to the dusky maidens, but the parents “refused
to let their daughters go, or at least seemed not willing.” As a result only a
few such unions were consummated. (Samuel M. Beal, “The Salmon River
Mission Founding of Fort Lemhi,” Deseret News, Church Section
[January 1, 1938]: 5)
The above reminded me of the purported revelation of Joseph
Smith from July 17, 1831, recorded by W. W. Phelps on August 12, 1861. On this,
see:
