Tolstoy on Mormons
Editor's Note: I discovered this in my reading and found it quite
interesting.
Count Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian author, statesman, and philosopher, held
[this] opinion as to the possible future destiny of the "American religion"
founded under the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Thomas J. Yates
related an experience he had while a student at Cornell University in 1900. He
had the privilege of meeting Dr. Andrew D. White, former president of Cornell
and, at the time, U.S. Ambassador to Germany. Upon learning that Mr. Yates was
a Mormon, Dr. White made an appointment to spend an evening with him, at which
time he related an experience he had had with Count Tolstoy while serving as
U.S. Foreign Minister to Russia in 1892. Dr. White visited often with Count
Tolstoy, and upon one occasion they discussed religion. We quote from Elder
Yates' account of this discussion, as related to him by Dr. White:
"Dr. White," said Count Tolstoy, "I wish you would tell
me about your American religion."
"We have no state church in America," replied Dr.
White.
"I know that, but what about your American
religion?"
Patiently then Dr. White explained to the Count that
in America there are many religions, and that each person is free to belong
to the particular church in which he is interested.
To this Tolstoy impatiently replied: "I know all of
this, but I want to know about the American religion. Catholicism
originated in Rome; the Episcopal Church originated in England; the Lutheran
Church in Germany, but the Church to which I refer originated in America,
and is commonly known as the Mormon Church. What can you tell me of the
teachings of the Mormons?"
"Well," said Dr. White, "I know very little concerning
them. They have an unsavory reputation, they practice polygamy, and are very
superstitious."
Then Count Leo Tolstoy, in his honest and stern, but
lovable, manner, rebuked the ambassador. "Dr. White, I am greatly surprised
and disappointed that a man of your great learning and position should be so
ignorant on this important subject. The Mormon people teach the American
religion; their principles teach the people not only of Heaven and its
attendant glories, but how to live so that their social and economic relations
with each other are placed on a sound basis. If the people follow the
teachings of this Church, nothing can stop their progress -- it will be
limitless. There have been great movements started in the past but they have
died or been modified before they reached maturity. If Mormonism is able to
endure, unmodified, until it reaches the third and fourth generation, it is
destined to become the greatest power the world has ever known."
(From
The Improvement Era, February 1939 [vol. 42], p. 94.)
Because of his discussion with Count Tolstoy, upon his return to the United
States Dr. White secured a set of the Church works and placed them in the
Cornell University Library.
(LeGrand Richards,
A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, pp. 412-414)
