Under the Prophet in Utah; the National Menace of a Political Priestcraft

The author, drawing on his experience in Utah politics, recounts an autobiographical investigation into the consolidation of ecclesiastical authority that transformed a regional religious hierarchy into an entrenched political and economic power. He details how church leaders exert control over civic institutions, financial interests, and members' allegiance, and how practices such as plural marriage and secretive governance provoked legal and moral conflict with federal authorities. The narrative traces episodes of betrayal, political maneuvering, and public exposures that culminate in efforts to defend civil liberty and challenge clerical dominance. The book combines personal memoir, documentary reportage, and polemic to examine the consequences of mixing religious authority with secular governance.