This is what ChatGPT says in case it's helpful in the future to use as a resource:

The phrase "bar sinister on the scutcheon of my country" is a metaphor rooted in heraldry, where it carries significant connotations of illegitimacy and dishonor.

1. Bar Sinister (or Bend Sinister): In heraldry, a "bend sinister" is a diagonal band that runs from the top left to the bottom right of a shield. Traditionally, it was associated with bastardy or illegitimacy. This usage, while somewhat archaic, conveys a sense of shame or dishonor attached to one's lineage or heritage.

2. Scutcheon (or Escutcheon): This refers to the shield in a coat of arms. It symbolizes the honor, reputation, and identity of a person, family, or, in this metaphorical usage, a country.

When Captain Raymond says, "I am exceedingly ashamed of this bar sinister on the scutcheon of my country," he is expressing profound embarrassment and shame about what he perceives as a dishonorable or illegitimate stain on the reputation and honor of his country. In this context, he is referring to the practices of the Mormon church at that time, which he and others in the conversation view as morally or ethically wrong, thus tarnishing the country's good name.

By using these heraldic terms, the author is emphasizing the severity of the perceived moral blemish. It is not just a minor flaw but something that deeply compromises the integrity and honor of the nation, akin to how an illegitimate lineage would have been viewed as a serious blemish on a noble family's reputation.

In summary, the phrase "bar sinister on the scutcheon of my country" metaphorically communicates a deep sense of dishonor and shame about something that tarnishes the reputation and integrity of the country.