The Mormons. -- This sect have in ten years increased from six individuals to nearly twenty thousand. In Hancock, McDonough, and Adams counties, Ill., they have increased rapidly since last fall, several influential families having joined them. They have purchased a tract of land on the Mississippi, at the head of the Des Moines Rapids, comprising about 20,000 acres. They have commenced the publication of a paper called The Times and Seasons. They call the town Nauvoo. They denominate their church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Their twelve apostles have recently gone on a mission to England.

They appear to have mingled much evangelical truth with their daring imposture and extravagant delusion. It is by this amount of truth that many are deluded to join them. -- Their error does not consist so much in the doctrines they teach, for these are taken from the Bible; but in their audacious claim that their book is a revelation from God. Of this they give no proof. They work no miracles; they make no prophecies. They afford none of the evidences which we have required of men bringing revelations from God. Yet many are deluded, and become full believers, without evidence. How important is thorough instruction in the churches, especially in scenes of awakening!


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONS. -- The Mormons are again collecting and building up a town at a place they call Nauvoo, in Illinois. 300 houses have gone up since October last.

Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONS LYNCHED. -- The Quincy Whig of the 18th states that the citizons of Tully, Mo., have recently missed several articles, and laid the theft to the Mormons living at Nauvoo, Ill., immediately opposite. At length a number of the citizens of Tully crossed the river, in the vicinity of the Mormon settlements, where, after some searching, they found several of the stolen articles. Shortly after, falling in with a party of three or four Mormons, they were charged with the theft and forcibly taken across the river and severely lynched. One of them escaped, and running to the river, seized a canoe and reached the other shore where he fell exhausted. -- N. Y. Sun.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMON CONFERENCE. -- . -- This people held a conference at Nauvoo on Saturday last, which continued three days. It is estimated that there was not far from three thousand in attendance. A gentleman who was present, speaks in the highest terms of the appearance of the immense assemblage, and the good order which prevailed. The mild and humane laws of our State, and the tolerating and liberal principles which abound among our people, are having their just and proper effect upon this people. Their Society is not only increasing in numbers, but individually their condition is greatly improved, surrounded as they are by the gifts of an over-ruling power. We learn that they are expecting a large accession to their numbers in a short time from England -- one of their preachers, a Mr. Turley, having met with distinguished success in that country.

John C. Bennett, Quarter Master General of Illinois, was baptized at Nauvoo, in the belief of the Latter Day Saints (Mormon Faith) one day last week. -- Quincy (Ill.) Whig.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMONS -- ARREST OF JO SMITH. -- By the annexed extract of a private letter from a highly respectable gentleman residing near the Mormon City, (Nauvoo,) it appears that the scenes which a few months since were enacted in Missouri, are in danger of being repeated in Iowa. There is a tract of 120,000 acres of beautiful land lying directly opposite the Mormon settlement on the Mississippi River. This Tract was given to the half breeds of the Sac and Fox nations by the United States, and has been purchased from them by the whites. Proceedings have been had in the Equity Court of Iowa to partition these lands, and Commissioners appointed by the Court to survey and divide them among the lawful claimants. Some months since, the title being then unsettled, Jo Smith received a revelation from God to the effect that the Latter Day Saints should go in and possess this fair land, and enjoy the fruits thereof. -- Accordingly there are said to be now about 2000 of these people residing on said lands, who claim by the highest possible title, -- a title direct from the Creator; and they seem determined to set all human decrees at defiance. In addition to despoiling the lands of much valuable timber, they now forbid the Commissioners and Surveyors, on pain of death, to attempt a survey and partition. The arrest of their leader, it is to be hoped, will prevent the execution of their threat.

Extract of a letter from the vicinity of Nauvoo. -- "The excitement on both sides of the river against the Mormons is increasing very fast. The conduct of Jo Smith and the other leaders, is such as no community of white men can tolerate. It is the entire absence of all moral and religious principle, that renders them so obnoxious to the Gentiles of all denominations, wherever they reside.

"Jo Smith was yesterday arrested, between Nauvoo and Quincy, by the authorities of Illinois, on a requisition from the Governor of Missouri. May justice be meted out to him for his villiany.

"Martin Harris, who was one of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon, and who has been for some time lecturing in Illinois against the Mormons, was found dead last week, having been shot through the head. He was no doubt murdered." -- Jour. of Com.


Note: The Times & Seasons editor copied the above reports from a June, 1841 issue of the New York Journal of Commerce. The Mormon editor says: "The statement with regard to the murder of Martin Harris, is the climax of iniquity, and gives evidence of corruption the most foul, and a heart as black as sin and the devil can make it. It is utterly false." As later reports confirmed, a different Harris had been lecturing in the Nauvoo area. After the reported death of a Mr. "Harris" in that vicinity the rumor was put into circulation that Martin Harris had spoken against the Nauvoo LDS and had been killed.

THE MORMONS. -- The success of the Mormons is one of the most astonishing features of the age, and is beginning to excite a very deep interest in their movements. We find some interesting facts in relation to them in the Journal of Commerce, from which it appears that their numbers reach already one hundred thousand persons, and as many more in Europe. -- Many of them are men of intelligence, who have stood high in the Christian church. Their members are increasing by the addition of men of property, who join their wealth to the common stock. They have acquired so much political importance as to procure of the Legislature of Illinois an act of incorporation, authorizing the Mormons to maintain a standing army of a thousand men. Smith and Rigdon have ordained twelve Apostles, who have been anointed for their work by a sight of the golden plates. They adopt the whole of the Bible, and claim that they have an additional revelation, which was communicated to Joe Smith on the golden plates. This pretended revelation, is said to be -- and there is good reason to believe the report true -- the production of a deceased clergyman, who wrote it as an amusement during hours of sickness, the manuscript of which was stolen from the printer's office. With all the boasted intelligence of the day, people are as ready to follow strange delusions as much as they ever were in the most superstitious periods of the world's history.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMONS AT NAUVOO, are getting cleverly by the ears -- most of the leading officers have commenced calling each other all the hard names that can be thought of. If one half of the things charged, turn out to be true, it must be that this settlement comprises about as hard a set of rascals as ever walked under the garb of sanctity.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM. -- We copy the following from the Alton Telegraph of the 23d ult.: --

"It is a fact well ascertained, that Joe Smith has for some days back been laying in a large amount of ammunition at the city of Nauvoo. The avowed object of this preparation for war, on the part of the Mormons, is to defend themselves by force against any legal process calling for the surrender of Joe Smith and the assassin who shot Governor Boggs. They admit that the disclosures of Bennett will result in a requisition on the part of the Governor of Missouri, for the impostor, Joe Smith, together with some of his 'Danites,' and they are thus fortifying themselves to defy the strong arm of the law in its administration of justice."


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM. -- The editor of the Burlington (Iowa) Advertiser says, that on the 21st. he paid a flying visit to the city of Nauvoo, and he gives a very flattering account of its prosperity. We hold Mormonism in as great contempt as it can possibly be considered by any one, yet we believe in many things they are a very much traduced and injured people. Their honesty and their possession of the social virtues we believe equal to that of the same number of people any where, in the same rank of life. In Missouri, where they were surrounded by enemies anxious to avail themselves of the slightest ground to harass them and force them from the State by the operations of its criminal code, it was found impossible, if we are not misinformed, to convict any one of them during their residence there of any criminal violations of law. Indeed we doubt whether previous to the attempt at their forcible ejectment from the State, there was even a bill of indictment found against any one of them, although no Mormon ever sat upon a grand or petit jury, and the administration of the laws was wholly in the hands of their bitter enemies. The history of the persecutions and sufferings of this people in Missouri, could it be faithfully and truly written, would exhibit a degree of cruelty and fiendish barbarity unsurpassed by that of any previous age. The editor says: -- (N. Y. Cour.)

"Nauvoo is situated at one of the most beautiful points on the river Mississippi, and is improving with a rapidity truly astonishing. Many of the houses are built in fine style, evincing wealth as well as taste. The city is daily receiving accessions to its population from the Eastern States and from Europe -- and it is estimated that it already numbers from 15,000 to 17,000 inhabitants.

The Temple, which is destined to be the most magnificent structure in the West, is progressing rapidly, and will probably be completed in the course of the present and succeeding summer. Its style of architecture is entirely original -- unlike any thing in the world, or the history of the world -- but it is at the same time chaste and elegant. It is said to be the conception of the Prophet, Gen. Smith. It is being built by voluntary labor of the members of the church, who devote a certain number of days in the year to the work. If the labor and materials were estimated at cash prices, it is supposed that the building would cost something like a million dollars."


Notes: (forthcoming)

PROSPECT OF ANOTHER MORMON WAR. -- The St. Louis New Era of the 16th ult. says: -- "We learn by a gentleman from Warsaw, that a meeting of the citizens of Hancock county to be held at Carthage was called for to-day, to taje into consideration their relations with the Mormons. It is said that a good deal of excitement exists against them, and apprehensions of a serious riot and outbreak were entertained. The people of the section of the State are as heartily tired of the Mormons as ever the citizens of Missouri were, but they have suffered them to obtain so strong a foothold that no power can exist which can deprive them of their position, or induce them to abandon their present resistance."


Notes: (forthcoming)

BENNETT, the late Mormon general and mayor of the holy city of Nauvoo, in disclosing the revelations of the "prophet" Smith, winds up one of his chapters with the following morceau:

"If Jo Smith is not destined for the devil, all I can say is, that the duties of a devil have not been clearly understood!"


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONS. -- About 150 Mormons arrived at St. Louis on the 26th ult., from Nauvoo, and left the next day for New Orleans -- probably on their return to England, from whence most of them came, having become disgusted with Joe Smith and his wicked delusions. -- Buffalo Com. Advertiser.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM. -- This superstition has found many converts in our vicinity. Large numbers have been baptized into the Mormon faith and considerable sums of money have been obtained from them. Within a few days several mechanics, men of reputable character, belonging to this city, have taken their families, amounting altogether to twenty or thirty individuals on the route to Nauvoo, having previously disposed of their property here. -- Salem Gazette.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Mormon Anecdotes, No. 1.
_______

At the request of several individuals, we this week commence giving a few brief anecdotes of the sayings and doings of Mormons, illustrative of the astonishing credulity of the people in becoming the dupes of their juggling and necromancy.

Before commencing these, we wish to state, that. whether we have committed unpardonable sin in it or not, we were at work as a hand in the office in Palmyra at the time of its publication and performed some labor in giving the book of Mormon its existence. -- Not however, as none had at that time, with the most distant expectation that the miserable humbug would ever proceed as far as to make one proselyte having the sense of mediocrity. But we were mistaken. It has multiplied converts by the thousands until a large and populous city with a splendid temple, marks the place of their power, and the wonder of their delusions.

We have known hundreds of families broken up, scattered and ruined by their mummeries and blasphemous pretensions, and many sane yet credulous minds forever ruined -- so cunning and well played have been their parts in the great drama of their system. But they were not always successful, although making many and high pretensions to the power of miracles, in healing the sick, and casting out devils, &c.

One of the first anecdotes we recollect of hearing of them, was as follows:

Martin Harris a kind of "fresh water Quaker" so called, (i. e. just no quaker at all,) who paid the cost of printing their bible, was worth some 4000 dollars, sold his farm in Wayne county, and moved off to the "promised land." Some how, his wife managed to retain in her possession, about $1,500 -- much to the annoyance of Martin, Joe, & Co. His wife was a quakeress.

After Martin had been absent some two years, the news came back to his wife, who remained in Wayne county, that he had received the power to work miracles and had absolutely raised a child (from death of course) and could do "many mighty works." -- The news was frequently repeated, until Martin was an object of great veneration among the credulous. Soon also came the man of inspired powers, back to the place of his nativity; with a long beard, plain garments -- and staid and prophet like appearance, awful, and awing all he met.

In the progress of his journey he visited his wife. -- And there affirmed his wonderful power and work. His wife was deaf in one ear, and during his visit one day, she remarked to him: "Martin, if thou hast the power of miracles, thou shouldest cure my deafness." "Oh yes," said Martin, "I can do it instantly if you will believe." "Well," said she, "I will believe -- I do believe."

"Then show thy faith by thy works," said Martin.

"What works?" inquired Mrs. H. "Why, you must give me the $1500, and go to Missouri, with me,"

"Well I will go with you," said she, "if you will heal me, and I will place the papers and cash in the hands of a good lawyer, to be delivered to you as soon as I am cured."

"Oh no," said the prophet, "that will not do -- you must show your faith by your works. I shall only know you believe when you prove it by placing the money in my hands, and going with me to the place of promise. By your refusal to do this you show you have no faith."

"Then you can only cure me at the end of the journey," replied she.

"Just so," said Martin.

"Well then," said Mrs. H. "you may retain your miracles, and return; I will keep my deafness and the cash!

Martin found he could do nothing in his native place and soon returned, consoling himself for the failure, with the assurance, often assumed in such cases, that a prophet is not without honor, save in his own country and among his own kin.


Note 1: The next issue of the Empire State Democrat identifies its source for these "Mormon Anecdotes" as the Freeman. This was the rare and obscure Syracuse NY, Freeman. Which of E. B. Grandin's printers, from the 1830 Palmyra printing office, worked at that newspaper and carried this memory of Martin Harris remains unknown.

Note 2: The Palmyra Wayne Sentinel of Apr. 11, 1834 notices that Martin Harris was then in town, preaching at the school house, from the Book of Daniel.

Death of the Mormon Prophet.

The notorious Joe Smith, and his brother Hyrum, have both come to a violent death at last. Perhaps no individual in our country has ever succeeded in carrying out so reckless, profligate, and vile a system of imposition and vice as this same Joe Smith. Tyranny, licentiousness, discord, and contention with the civil authorities, have marked his progress from the beginning to the end. The immediate cause of his unhappy fate was as follows: -- A number of his followers having become disgusted with his horrid vices, and tired of his tyranny, had established a paper, called the Expositor, at Nauvoo, which boldly exposed some of the shameless vices of the self-styled prophet. For this cause Smith, whose power seemed to be absolute among his followers, caused the press to be seized and publicly destroyed in the streets. So great an outrage, and so direct against the freedom of the press, justly roused the indignation of the whole surrounding population. The civil authority of the State was appealed to, and, after some difficulty, Joe Smith and his brother, and two or three others, were surrendered into the hands of the civil officers, and lodged in the Carthage jail. Gov. Ford, accompanied by an armed posse of some 120 men, took possession of the arms of the Mormon Legion, and stationed a guard of seven soldiers around the jail containing the prisoners. Soon after, it is stated that a company of sixty or seventy armed men, in disguise, rushed upon the guard and entered the jail. On receiving some resistance from the prisoners, they fired upon them, and Joe, while in the act of escaping from the window, fell, pierced by several balls; his brother was shot at the same time, and the bodies of both have been taken back to Nauvoo and buried. Another story says that the rush into the jail was caused by the attempt of some Mormons to force their way through the guard for the purpose of aiding the prisoners to escape. Great excitement prevailed in the surrounding country through fear that the Mormons would retaliate, by taking vengeance on the surrounding villages. And it would seem that equal fear existed among the Mormons lest they should be attacked by the militia, who were hastily assembling at Carthage to resist any attack that might be made by the Mormons. -- Thus has ended one of the most atrocious villains that ever disgraced a civilized community -- and we would to heaven that it ended also the delusion of his followers. But we have very little hope of this; for while human credulity lasts, that credulity will have a leader. The world has no cause to regret that the Mormon Prophet is dead; but we must deeply regret that his death was caused by violent and unlawful means.


Notes: (forthcoming)

                           From the Freeman.

Mormon Anecdotes, No. 2.
_______

It is very common for Mormons in working miracles to practice in the following manner:--

One goes out alone in the garb, and with the appearance of a poor traveler; calls at the house of some country farmer at night, leaving some token by which those who are his confederates may detect his whereabouts. Another one, or more, follows on and stops near by, so that in the morning he may soon reach the abode of the first traveler, to which place he proceeds about breakfast time, coming there just as his predecessor needs him. The first traveler, about day. break, makes his piteous noise as of one in deep distress, alarming the inmates, and calling them around his bed side. For awhile the sick man struggles with disease, and apparently dies in a fit. Just at that moment the second traveler enters -- announces himself a disciple of the Mormons, and declares it is in his power to raise the dead man to life; and putting all aside from the couch of death, commences his necromancy, and soon succeeds in raising the dead to life.

A couple of these impostors went out on an excursion of this kind about two years or more since, and in the course of their travels called at a farm house near Geneseo. The forerunner called on the plain looking farmer, and represented himself as a traveler who was poor, yet on a merciful errand. The farmer was an honest-hearted Methodist, making less show than some, but not less intelligent, christian, or shrewd, than most men. The traveler joined with the family in their devotions, and talked of God and heaven as a christian. No one suspected his hypocrisy.

About 4 oÕclock in the morning the family were awakened by groans proceeding from the lodging room of the stranger. The farmer went into the room and was quite shocked to find his guest suffering apparently in the most intense degree. Many remedies were applied, but of no effect; the sufferer grew worse every hour, until about 7 oÕclock, he appeared to show signs of death. Just at the moment a knocking was heard at the door, and another stranger entered on its being opened.

The family were much frightened, and consequently much gratified with the arrival of any person, although it should be a stranger. He was immediately informed of the case, and introduced into the room; upon entering which he announced himself a mormon priest, and assured the astonished family he could, raise the dying man to life, even should he die -- and, indeed, to convince them of his power, he hoped he would die; which was soon the fact to all appearance. The new comer then ordered all present to stand aside, and not touch the corpse or the bed, but to send for neighbors if they pleased, in order to give full proof of his wonderful work.

Just about that moment it crept into the head of the farmer that a trick was about being played upon them of a blasphemous character, and he quickly resolved to test the same. "Hold," said he, "a moment and do not the miracle until I return." He went out, took an axe from the wood pile, and came in without saying a word -- walked up to the bed side, and addressed the man of miracles as follows:

"You think him really dead?"

"O yes."

"Well, then, I will just cut off his head to make it sure; for if you can raise him to life from death at all, you can do it as well with his head off as on!" and suiting the action to the word, raised the axe as if he would strike; when lo! with a loud shriek, up jumped the dead man, crying, "murder, murder!" at the top of his voice.

Before the proper authorities could he reached, the risen prophet and the prophet bauked put out and fled as from a devouring plague, much to the amusement of the sensible man, who detected his impositions. Since which time no Mormon finds his way into that region to remain long.


Note: Besides its reprint in the Empire State Democrat, this "anecdote" from the Syracuse Freeman was also reproduced in the pages of the Nov. 1844 Millennial Harbinger.

The Mormon Temple. -- One of the editors of the St. Louis Reveille, having lately visited Nauvoo, thus speaks of the new Mormon Temple:

"The system upon which this temple has been building, is the exaction of labor every tenth day from every man who cannot purchase his exemption from the task with money. It will be, if ever finished, a very imposing looking edifice. It stands in a high and commanding position, a prominent object, riveting the stranger's eye at once; and, upon near inspection, the style of architecture is found to be more than commonly attractive, from its singularity. It is like nothing else; and, unless we may be allowed to designate it as the Mormonic order, it certainly has no name at all. The stone is of excellent quality, quarried in the neighborhood, and very good mechanics have been at work upon it. The massive caps of the columns are already carved from huge blocks, showing a gigantic round human face like the broad full moon. The columns are made to rest upon crescent moons, sculptured on the face of the stone, resting with the horns down, with a profile of eyes, nose, and mouth upon the inner curve. What idea this is meant to convey we could not learn, though the impression is irresistible that the church is built up upon moonshine."


Note: This account in the Reveille, came from Editor M. C. Field; who, in his original report, also mentioned that work on the Temple had ceased for the present, but that "Elder Phelps, now one of the most influential" among the Latter Day Saints, had given notice that it would be immediately recommenced.

AN  HOUR  AT  NAUVOO -- MORMON  EXCITEMENT, &c.

Nauvoo (says one of the editors of the St. Louis Reveille, giving an account of a recent trip he made to the scene of the Mormon troubles,) reposes in a state of quietude and tranquility most remarkable. During some thirty hours that we passed in the "Holy City," we heard but one solitary intemperate expression, and the man who uttered it was instantly checked, and made silent by more prudent spirits around him. Elders Adams and Lyne, accompanied by others, left the city on Tuesday last, their object being to call home the absent Apostles and members of the Council of Seventy. -- Upon the return of these, there will take place a solemn deliberation of the Twelve Apostles, who will appoint a successor to the lost Prophet, and their appointment will then be acted upon, either to be ratified or rejected by the Council of Seventy.

The walls of the Temple are little more than half up to the designated height, and all work ceased upon them during the recent troubles; but, at the public meeting on Monday afternoon, the people were notified by Elder Phelps, now one of the most active and influential men among them, that labor should commence again the next day. He told the men not to neglect their families; to be ebergetic in seeing them provided for first, and then hasten to work upon the Temple. The system upon which the building has been building, is the exaction of labor every tenth day from every man who cannot purchase his exemption from the task with money. It will be, if ever finished, a very imposing looking edifice. It stands in a high and commanding position, a prominent object, riveting the stranger's eye at once; and, upon near inspection, the style of architecture is found to be more than commonly attractive, from its singularity. It is like nothing else; and, unless we may be allowed to designate it as the Mormonic, it certainly has no name at all.

The stone is of excellent quality, quarried in the neighborhood, and very good mechanics have been at work upon it. The massive caps of the columns are already carved from huge blocks, showing a gigantic round human face like the broad full moon. The columns are made to rest upon crescent moons, sculptured on the face of the stone, resting with the horns down, with a profile of eyes, nose, and mouth upon the inner curve. What idea this is meant to convey we could not learn, though the impression is irresistible that the church is built up upon moonshine.

The utmost harmony and peace, at least as far as was allowed to appear to the eye of a stranger, prevailed throughout Nauvoo. At Warsaw, and all about the adjoining district, a very different state of things is fully apparent. The people are boiling over with excited feeling.


Notes: (forthcoming)

FROM NAUVOO. -- We have intelligence from Nauvoo to the 5th ult. All was quiet. It appears the reports of the appearance of Joe Smith, and the appointment of his son as Prophet, are false, and originated in a desire to injure the Mormons abroad. Sidney Rigdon had returned to Nauvoo from Pittsburgh, and preached on the 4th ult. -- In consequence of the death of Samuel Smith, Joe's brother, since the death of the Prophet, Sidney Rigdon will be chosen Patriarch of the Mormon flock. He is their master spirit, and will make a shrewd and energetic leader. There are five widows of the Smith family now living in Nauvoo; the mother of all, and the late wives of Joe, Hyrum, and their two brothers. Accessions to the Mormon strength continue to be quite large. In Nauvoo the usual activity is apparent, and the Temple is steadily going up in its unique form and shape. Its style of architecture is of the pure Mormon order. -- St. Louis Organ.


Notes: (forthcoming)

TEMPLE  AT  NAUVOO.

The building of the Mormon Temple under all the troubles by which those people have been surrounded, seems to be carried on with a religious enthusiasm which reminds us of olden times, by the energy which controls all the movements towards its completion.

It occupies the highest and most imposing position in Nauvoo and is built of fine limestone. Has 30 pilasters -- six at each end and nine [of a] side -- each surmounted by a capital on which is carved a human face with rays around it and two hands holding trumpets. The Temple is 128 feet by 88 feet; from floor to roof is 65 feet; and from the ground to the top of the spire is 165 feet. -- The baptismal font is in the basement, to be supported by stone oxen. Each floor is estimated to hold 4,000 people, so that 12,000 persons can be accomodated, veing about one-fourth the size of Solomon's Temple. 350 men are zealously at work upon the building, which it is supposed will be finished in a year and a half, probably at a cost of half a million of dollars.

The spiritual concerns of the Mormons are governed by a council of 12, composed of the following persons: -- Brigham Young, the Lion of the Lord; H. C. Kimball, the Herald of Grace; Parley P. Pratt, the Archer of Paradise; Orson Hyde; the Olive Branch of Israel; Willard Richards, the Keeper of the Rolls; John Taylor, the Champion of Right; William Smith, the Patriarchal Jacob's Staff; [Wilford] Woodruff, the Banner of the Gospel; Geo. A. Smith, the Entablature of Truth; Orson Pratt, the Gauge of Philosophy; Jno. E. Page, the Sun Dial; Lyman Wight, the Wild Ram of the Mountain.

The Keeper of the Rolls has chargw of the men at work on the Temple. It is supposed that the Mormon inhabitants of this city are fully 20,000 souls, and of the surrounding country, 10,000 more -- the only property owned in common is the Temple and the Hotel -- they are industrious -- good farmers -- raise wheat plentifully, and are about to engage in manufactures. The whole community may be considered in their peculiar [tenets] as singular and remarkable and in after ages their Temple, like the ruins of Palenque, may strike the beholder with wonder, and history may be unable to explain what race worshiped there. -- N. Y. Sun.


Note: This article, from a early August issue of the New York Sun, appeared in the Sept. 20th edition of the Weekly Argus, but evidently it did not appear in its daily edition.

ORIGIN OF MORMONISM.

Joe Smith, previous to his becoming a Prophet, was a "Loafer." He resided near the village of Palmyra, spent most of his time in bar-rooms, and seemed only anxious to live along from hand "to mouth," without work. He was then remarkable for nothing in particular, but indolence and scheming on a small scale. In 1824 or 1825, he went a vagabonding off into western Pennsylvania, where, nobody knows how, he got possession of the manuscript of a half-deranged clergyman, with which he returned to Palmyra, where he pretended that he was directed in a dream to a particular spot in the woods, to possess himself of an oracular slate or as he called it, a "Golden Bible." From this inspired slate, which he used to place in his hat, he read to the "gaping 'few" new and strange revelations: and finally, he produced the "Book of Mormon," as the creed and faith of a people of whom he was designed by Providence to be the Prophet and Ruler. The Book of Mormon is a copy of the manuscript which Smith obtained near Pittsburgh.

A wealthy farmer, by the name of Harris was his first believing convert. Harris mortgaged his farm to raise the money required for the temporal support of the Prophet, and printing of the Book of Mormon. The Prophet and his convert (Smith and Harris,) came to Rochester, and offered us the honor of being their printer. But as we were only in the newspaper line, we contented ourselves with reading a chapter of what seemed such wretched and incoherent stupidity, that we wondered how "Joe," had contrived to make the first fool with it. But he went on, making not only fools, but knaves, in America and Europe, for more than twenty years, and until his career was abruptly cut short by men who became themselves violators of the laws they were called to vindicate.


Note 1: The exact date of this article remains undetermined -- it may have been published as late as April, 1846. The text is taken from reprints in the Apr. 23, 1846 issue of the Washington, Ohio Guernsey Jeffersonian, and the May 5, 1846 issue of the St. Louis American. The item has not been previously reproduced by Vogel or other compilers of articles on the Mormons.

Note 2: At the time this article was reprinted, the editor of the Albany Evening Journal was still its founder, the famous Whig journalist and politician, Thurlow Weed. Mr. Weed had been publishing the Anti-Masonic Enquirer in Rochester, NY, when Joseph Smith Jr., and Martin Harris approached him concerning the publication of the Book of Mormon. Mr. Weed printed essentially the same information in the Albany Evening Journal on July 31, 1854 and again on May 19, 1858. An amalgam of these Journal accounts of the meeting between Thurlow Weed and Joseph Smith appeared in Weed's 1883 Autobiography of Thurlow Weed and in an 1880 statement he prepared for Ellen E. Dickinson.

Note 3: Weed's account of Joseph Smith, Jr.'s "vagabonding off into western Pennsylvania" in "1824 or 1825" is superficially confirmed by an 1877 report attributed to Smith's own early testimony: "He [Joseph Smith, Jr.] said when he was a lad... he... was permitted to look in the glass [seer crystal]... He was greatly surprised to see... a small stone, a great way off... He said that the stone was... situated... on the South side of Lake Erie, not far from the New York and Pennsylvania line.... This singular circumstance occupied his mind for some years, when he left his father's house, and with his youthful zeal traveled west in search of this luminous stone.... After traveling some one hundred and fifty miles [from a stopping point west of his home] he found himself at... its exact location.... he found the stone... [and then returned to] his long deserted home."

Note 4: In another late recollection, published in 1877, the Genesee Co., NY inn-keeper, Samuel D. Greene stated: "During the time I resided and kept tavern in the large brick house in the north part of Pembroke, Genesee county, New York (twenty-eight miles east of Buffalo and thirteen miles west of Batavia, on the great thoroughfare from Albany to Buffalo), came Joseph Smith to my house, I think, from Vermont. I took him to be about 18 or 19 years old, but he might have been a little older. He seemed to be thoroughly acquainted with the route from Canandaigua to Buffalo.... He carried with him three small black stones, with which, placed in the crown of his hat, and his hat placed before his eyes, he pretended to tell the fortunes of individuals; where lost or stolen property could be found; where early settlers had deposited their money.

Note 5: Life-long Bainbridge, Ohio resident Charles E. Henry, wrote in 1886 that a local school-teacher, who knew Sidney Rigdon, and who taught school in Bainbridge during the winter of 1826-27, within sight of Rigdon's home, had seen Joseph Smith, Jr. and Sidney Rigdon together the following spring -- "and he [Smith] and Rigdon went off together and were gone some months. It was reported that they had gone to Pittsburgh, but whether true or not no one could say. It was generally believed, however, that Smith at least visited Western New York before either returned to Ohio." The teacher's mention of Joseph Smith, Jr. having visited "Pittsburgh" at an early date is complementary to Thurlow Weed's assertion that "the Book of Mormon is a copy of the manuscript which Smith obtained near Pittsburgh." one explanation of the events hazily recounted in these reminiscenses, would be that Smith first encountered Rigdon in Bainbridge, Ohio, and that the two of them traveled to Sidney's old home at Library, Pennsylvania (near Pittsburgh) to accomplish some errand or retrieve some object necessary in their supposed production of the "Golden Bible."

Note 6: On the subject of Joseph Smith, Jr. having visited with Rigdon, in Ohio, prior to the publication of the Book of Mormon, here is what James Jefferies had to say in 1884: "Forty years ago I was in business in St. Louis.... Sidney Rigdon I knew very well.... Rigdon, in hours of conversation told me a number of times there was in the printing office with which he was connected in Ohio, a manuscript of Rev. Spaulding, tracing the origin of the Indian race from the lost tribes of Israel; that this manuscript was in the office for several years; that he was familiar with it... that he (Rigdon) and Joe Smith used to look over the manuscript and read it over Sundays." Although Rigdon is not known to have been "connected" with a printing office in "Ohio," he did have connections with printers and publishers in Pittsburgh, c. 1823-25, when he worked there as a lether finisher and supplied book-bindings to people like the printer Silas Engles... From Pittsburgh, Rigdon went to Ohio, at the end of 1825. Here then, is the period when Smith and Rigdon could have been in the same place, and especially on "Sundays," when Rigdon would have had a good excuse to travel the short distance from Bainbridge to neighboring Auburn, to preach to the Baptist congregation there (Rigdon then being a Grand River Baptist Assoc. pastor and the church at Auburn, Ohio being a Grand River congregation). Auburn township, Ohio was a place largely settled by pioneers who came from the area around Palmyra, NY, and among whom Joseph Smith, Jr. might have logically found some reason to go "a vagabonding" during the mid-1820s.

Mormon  Affairs.

We learn that the first expedition of the Saints for the Rocky Mountains, will take up its line of march in about three weeks. This first company will consist of about fifty men, with a sufficient number of teams, drawn by good horses, to convey the farming utensils, provender, &c. they may need. They will load with grain at the last settlement, and push their horses through as fast as possible, until they reach the base of the mountains, which they say they can do by the time the grass is fairly up. Here they will halt and commence farming operations. They will put in a large a crop as possible, and remain until the summer emigrants come up. The object of this expedition is to raise something for the summer emigrants to recruit on, while on their journey.

We learn that on Monday last a very serious row occurred in Nauvoo, between the followers of the Twelve and those of the Wisconsin Prophet.

As our readers are already informed, the new Prophet has made considerable inroads into the church at Nauvoo. Lately he obtained a new revelation in relation to the succession and sent some messengers to the Holy City to read it to the people. This they attempted on Monday last, but were surrounded by a mob who attempted to drive them from the city. Whereupon a row ensued, in which clubs were used freely. The Twelvites gained the victory, and drove their opponents from the ground. We look with anxiety for further particulars.
                                Warsaw Signal, Jan. 28.


Note: "The Wisconsin Prophet" here mentioned was Elder James J. Strang, then holding forth from Burlington, Wisconsin.

THE MORMONS. -- The Nauvoo Eagle says the Mormons' expedition is working its way westward slowly in consequence of the lack of forage for their horses. The men have to work for the farmers along the route, in order to procure the necessary food for horses and cattle. Those still at Nauvoo are making all possible haste in their preparations to join the advance party. The Nauvoo House will be completed in a few days.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE TEMPLE AT NAUVOO. -- We are gratified to learn that there is a prospect of converting the Temple, recently erected at Nauvoo by the Mormons, to a useful and most charitable purpose. A wealthy gentleman from the south arrived here a few days since, en route to purchase the Temple, if it can be bought for a reasonable price. His object, we understand, is to convert the Temple into an asylum for destitute widows and females, and to purchase lands and town lots, and endow it out of the rents of them. The author of this liberal proposition, we understand, is a bachelor, far advanced in life.
                                St. Louis Republican, April 16.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Interesting from the Mormon Country.

The following extract of a letter from a person within four miles of Nauvoo, under date of May 3, gives some very interesting particulars of the Mormon people, the price of property in and around Nauvoo, &c. which can we relied on as not exaggerated. After speaking of other matters, the writer, without thinking of its appearing in print, goes on in this wise:

"There has been a set of Mormons here that did not care for anything that was good, honest, or honorable. With such inhabitants, it was impossible for a country to thrive. They would steal from each other as soon as from any other person, and that was no uncommon occurrence. But the poor deluded creatures are leaving as fast as possible, and it would make your heart ache to see the misery and distress, that you could not help seeing as they pass by. The women and children drive the stock, and most all are bare-footed. Some of the men have so many spiritual wives, he has quite a train. The poorest amongst them have their two kinds of wives.

When we look at it, it seems hard that they should sacrifice their property and pleasant homes, as many of them have had to at Nauvoo. There are a great many purchasers there now, and they can buy at their own prices. There has been large two story brick houses, that were finished in the best manner, with from four to six acres of the best land, set out with all kinds of fruit and shrubbery, sold for $400. One place, where the house cost $2,000, was sold at this rate. Property will soon be up again. -- There has a company come from Pittsburgh, and bought a large amount of property, and are going into cotton manufacturing. They think they can get sufficient water power by building a large dam and canal at the head of the rapids. They have already commenced the building of two wharves. There was a man here yesterday who came directly from there. He is going to buy property, for he says he has not the least doubt if a man had $1,000 to lay out, he could sell that property before the end of the year, that is, if he made a good selection, for $5.000 or $6,000.

The poor Mormons are obliged to sell, for they must go. Their faith is so strong in the promises of Joe Smith, that there very few who turn apostates to the faith. They are as firm and devoted as the martyrs of old.

The man I speak of was at Mrs. ______'s. She has a nice convenient brick house, and every thing comfortable about her. He told her she was very foolish to go -- that she would have to suffer so much, and he did not believe her children would live to get to the journey's end. -- "Oh," says she, "I must go with the church -- this people can accomplish any thing -- we shall make the wilderness blossom like the rose!"

You can tell very quick when the rich Mormon passes. His wagon is covered with oil cloth, and when he encamps for the night, they pitch their tent, and it looks like an officer's markee on a tented field. They set their table and have every thing for their comfort -- that is, all they could have in their situation. The first company that went on are encamped at the head waters of Grand River. There are at that place, and on the way, ten thousand. They calculate to remain there this year, and some think [they] will never go to California, though Brigham Young has gone over the mountain to select a spot. He is the head Prophet. It is said he had every thing for his comfort. He had eight spiritual wives, and one carnal. The rich men use their first wife well; but the poor ones make slaves of them.

There has a band of desperate fellows congregated in the western part of this territory. Many think they will be a greater curse where they now are, than they have ever been. They are furnished with every kind of fire arms, from the pistol up to the sixteen-shooter rifle, which they can fire almost as quick as thought. They have also several cannon, several heavy loaded wagons with ammunition. They are prepared for a bold stand somewhere, and wherever they locate they will make trouble. There are fears, and I think they are not groundless, from the threats they make, that they are bent upon bloodshed, and that it is the intention of the desperadoes to waylay the Santa Fe traders and Oregon emigrants. Should that be the case, they will never leave one to tell the story."


Note: This first-hand account of the scene in and around Nauvoo, during the late spring of 1846, is not elsewhere reproduced. The report tells of polygamy being clearly evident among the Mormon pioneers leaving Illinois -- this was also the case along their trail westward, despite official denials of the practice from LDS Church leaders for the next six years. The correspondent in Illinois evidently saw that rich Mormon pioneers openly displayed their personal wealth, while some of the poorest members of the group gave up all they had, in simply making arrangements to depart for the west.

Mormon  Affairs.

From the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser.

The threatened blow up of the Mormon Temple did not take place, but the people of Hancock county have held a meeting at Carthage, and made arrangements to commence the diabolical work of driving out the remaining Mormons. From three to five thousand Mormons still remain at Nauvoo, and the Anties invite the surrounding counties to organize, arm and equip for the purpose of driving them out. The Twelve have written back, advising all that cannot come well prepared for the journey to California, to remain at Nauvoo. Farther and serious difficulties are apprehended at Nauvoo.

An extra from the office of the Hancock (Nauvoo) Eagle details the proceedings of the Anti-Mormon Lynchers. The Editor says that "we have packed up the bulk of our printing materials and shall suspend the publication of the paper until order shall have been established in the county.

Many of the Mormons are said to be in great distress, from having been so broken up. They are treated cruelly, and cases are mentioned where some of them have been so scourged that the blood has run down to their heels. The news that armed bands menaced the city of Nauvoo had suspended all business, and the streets were nearly deserted. One of the invading corps, it is said, does not contain a man having any property interest in the county. The new settlers, comprising those only who have recently purchased property in this city and its vicinity, have had a meeting and organized a police force according to law, which is to take to the field immediately in defence of the place a nd for the maintenance of order.

These atrocious persecutions of the Mormons are a disgrace to the age and our country, and efficient measures should be taken to end and punish them.


Notes: (forthcoming)