The  Latter  Day  Saints.

Mr. Editor. -- Sir, -- Inasmuch as many false rumors are a broad in the world concerning myself and the faith which I profess, and that my belief with regard to earthly governments and laws, in general, may not be misinterpreted nor misunderstood, I have thought proper to present, at the close of this volume, my opinion concerning the same.

1st. I believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man, and that he holds men accountable for their their acts in relation to them, either in making laws or administering them for the good and safety of society.

2d. I believe that no government can exist, in peace except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.

3d. I believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to inforce the laws of the same, and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice, should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people, (if a Republic) or the will of the sovereign.

4th. I believe that religion is instuted instituted of God, and that men are ameniable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinion prompts them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but I do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the conciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrates should restrain crime but never control concience; should punish guilt. but never supress the freedom of the soul.

5th. I believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments, and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected and should be punished accordingly and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgements are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time however, holding sacred the freedom of concience.

6th. I believe that every man should be honoured in his station: rulers and magistrates as such being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the laws all men owe respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror: human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interest as individuals and nations, between man and man, and divine laws given of heaven prescribing rules on spiritual conserns, for faith and worship, both to be answered by man to his Maker.

7th., I believe that rulers states and and governments, have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their religious belief; but I do not believe that they have a right, in justice, to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence is shown to the laws, and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy.

8th. I ["do not" in holograph] believe that the commission of crime should be punished according to the nature of the offence; that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their criminalty, and their tendancy to evil among men, by the laws of that government in which the offence is committed: and for the public peace and tranquillity, all men should step forward and use their ability in bringing the offenders against good laws to punishment.

9th. I do not believe it just to mingle religious in=fluence with civl Government, when one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens denied

10th. I believe that all religious societies have a right to deal with their members for disorderly conduct, according to the rules and regulations of such societies, provieded that such dealing be for fellowship and good standing; but I do not believe that any religious society has authority to try men on the right of property or life, to take from them this world's goods or put them in jeopardy, either life or limb, neither to inflict any physical punishment upon them; they can only excommunicate them from their society and withdraw from their fellowship.

11th. I believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all wrongs and grievences, where personal abuse is inflicted, or the right of property or character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same but; I believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends and property and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigencies, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws and relief. afforded

12th. I believe it just to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves from the corruption of the world; but I do not believe it right to interfere with bond servants, neither preach the gospel to nor baptize them contrary to the will and wish of their masters, nor to meddle with or influence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situations in this life, thereby jeopardizing the lives of men; such [interference] I believe to be unlawful and unjust, and dangerous to the peace of every government allowing human beings to be held in servitude

13th. It has been reported by some vicious or ungodly characters, that the church of Latter Day Saints, believe in having their property in common, and also the leaders of said church control said property. This is a base fabrication without the least the least shadow or coloring to make it out of, but on the contrary, no person's feelings can be more repugnant to such a principle than mine. Every person in this church has a right to control his own property, and is not required to do any thing, except by his own free voluntary act, that he may impart to the poor according to the requirement of the gospel, 'Give to him that asketh thee; and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou not away.' -- I Matthew, 5th chapter, 42d verse.

I believe in living a virtuous, upright and holy life before God, and feel it my duty to persuade all men in my power to do the same, that they may cease to do evil and learn to do well, and break off from their sins by righteousness.

I close this by subscribing myself your most obedient servant.     JOSEPH SMITH, Jr.
Jan. 25, 1840.


Note 1: No copies of the 1840 Chester Co. Register have yet been located for transcription. The text of the above letter from Joseph Smith, Jr. was taken from a reprint, published the the Boston Abolitionist paper, The Liberator, on Feb. 21, 1840. A transcript of Smith's holograph is reproduced on pp. 455-58 of Vol. II of Dean Jessee's The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith. See also Jessee's 2nd ed., pp. 493-96, where he says that the letter was printed in the Chester County Register and Examiner of Feb. 11, 1840. According to Jessee's transcript, the letter was was written from Brandywine, Chester Co., Pennsylvania, and bears the date of Jan. 22, 1840. The published letter is dated "Jan 25, 1840," which may be its date of postmarking, or date of reception at the office of the Chester Co. Register.

Note 2: Smith's holograph, in the first paragraph, contains these words, which were not fully copied into the 1840 printed version of the text: "I have thought proper to present for your consideration and for the consideration of the public (if you will do me the favour) through your valuable and interesting paper my opinions concerning the same."

THE  MORMONS.

A correspondent requests information as to the peculiar tenets of this modern sect. We have never seen a copy of the book of Mormon, nor any abstract of their creed upon which we could fully rely, as a fair exposition of their opinions. -- In the extract subjoined, it is stated, that their preaching and views much resemble those of the Reformers or adherants of Mr. Campbell. This we supposed to be a misapprehension, but on pointing out the sentence to one of the preachers of the Reformed or Campbellite church, he stated that it was so; that there was much resemblance in their views and manner of proclaiming the gospel, and it had been supposed to have arisen from the fact, that Mr. Rigdon, their ablest leader, had been an active and influential associate of Mr. Campbell.

They immerse, on a personal profession, for the remission of sins. They believe literally that the saints are to inherit the earth. That the New Jerusalem is to be an earthly abode, and to be located in this Western world. They adopted the system of having all things in common like the primitive disciples and modern Shakers. In addition to Joe Smith, their founder and prophet, they have twelve apostles.

The book of Mormon is a bungling and stupid production, purporting to be a continuation of the Old Testament, by one Nephi, the last of a family of Jews, who, after the captivity, by some means, reached this Continent. It was found, as alleged by Joe Smith, engraved on golden plates in Western New York, and by him, through an assumed miraculous power deciphered, and transcribed. It contains some trite, moral maxims, but the phraseology in which they are embodied frequently violates every principle and rule of grammar.

We have no hesitation in saying that the whole system is erroneous -- carrying falsehood and imposture on its face, and exhibiting a want of skill, of uniformity, of harmony with the gospel, which ought to lead any rational mind to treat it with deserved contempt. There is no redeeming feature in the whole scheme; nothing to commend it to a thinking mind. Yet this miserable, this foolish imposition has secured to itself many devoted adherents, and appears to be on the increase: -- a deplorable proof of the awful state to which the fall of Adam has reduced the human race. Continually seeking out new inventions to regain the forfeited favour of their Creator, and slighting the only name and way whereby they can be saved.


Note 1: This issue of the Methodist Pittsburgh Christian Advocate is actually headed with the title "Pittsburgh Conference Journal." The Advocate masthead is retained here only as the general name given to this publication through the years.

Note 2: The name of the original paper publishing this biased decription of the Mormons is not given. The same article was reprinted in the Episcopal Recorder on May 9, 1840.

MORMONISM  EXPOSED. -- Mormonism Exposed, being a Journal of a residence in Missouri from the 28th of May to the 20th of August, 1838, together with an appendix, containing the Revelation concerning the Golden Bible, with numerous axtracts from the "Book of Covenant," &c., &c., by William Swartzell, some time a Deacon of the Church of "Latter-Day Saints," commonly called "Mormons." Just published, and for sale by.
               A. INGRAM, Jr.
                   78 Market street.

Note: The title "Mormonism Exposed" was a popular one for early anti-Mormon booklets. Origen Bacheler wrote a small book by that title, which he had published in New York City in 1838. Rev. La Roy Sunderland used the same title for two totally different short volumes, one of which was printed in New York City in 1838 and the other, in the same place in 1842. The latter was serialized in the Pittsburgh Chronicle beginning on May 27, 1842. Yet another booklet with this title was published by Rev. Samuel Williams and advertised for sale in Pittsburgh on May 4, 1842. Swartzell's 1840 Mormonism Exposed was a 48 page volume published in Pekin, Ohio. A. Ingram, Jr., who advertised Swartzell's book for much of 1840, was a printer and book-seller in Pittsburgh who, until 1839, was in partnership with Rev. Robert Patterson in that same business. Ingram apparently printed the pages in Pittsburgh and Swartzell assembled some of them into a booklet in Pekin. Unfortunately the Swartzell booklet contains no information derived from Ingram's former business partner in Pittsburgh, Rev. Patterson.

From the St. Louis Republican.
MORE  MORMON  DIFFICULTIES.

The last Quincy Whig gives an account of a difficulty between some of the Mormons, residing in Illinois, and some of the citizens of this State, residing at Tully, on the Mississippi. We trust, for the honor and character of our State, that the representation made in the Whig may not be true. We had supposed that the day for further difficulties between any portion of our fellow citizens and those fanatics had passed. In this however, we are disappointed, and we can only say, that if the representations given by the Whig are true we will as deeply regret the escape of the authors of the outrage from the punishment due their acts as we now regret that the outrage has been committed. It is high time that a stop was put to taking the law in men's hands, who have no legal authprity to inflict punishment, and we trust the Executive of this State will lend the force and power of his station to bring to punishment the guilty.

The following is the Whig's relation of the affair,

We readily give place below to the proceedings of a public meeting held at Nauvoo, Hancock Co. They but briefly allude to the inhuman outrage lately perpetrated by certain persons of Missouri, upon four citizens of the Mormon persuasion living in Hancock county, in this State. The gentleman, -- a Mr. Miller, late of this county, -- who brought down the proceedings of the meeting, detailed some of the circumstances of the outrage. It seems, or rather, the citizens of Tully, Missouri, allege, that there has been considerable property, such as salt, iron, &c. stolen from that place within the last two weeks -- the Missourians charged the Mormons with the thefts, -- practising upon their suspicions, several persons of Tully, crossed over the river in the vicinity of the Mormon settlements, below Nauvoo -- after watching the bottom, sure enough, sundry of the missing articles, were found concealed among the underwood.

It further appears, from the statement of our informant, that two or three Mormons were in the bottom hunting horses, while this Missouri party were on the hunt for the goods, and coming upon them, as it were, by accident, three of the Mormon horse hunters, together with a very respectable old gentleman, whose gray hairs should have protected him from insult, -- were charged with secreting the goods, made captive, and contrary to their will, forced across the river, and confined in Tully. Here, with their victims in their power, the Missourians proceeded to inflict a severe punishment upon them. One was immediately stripped, a halter placed around his neck, and attached to a limb above his head, and so tightly drawn that to prevent choking to death, he was obliged to stand on the tip of his toes, in this situation, with his arms fastened around the tree, to that his bare back was fully exposed, the tormentors swore they would take his life unless he would confess. In vain he urged his innocence, that he had nothing to confess, that he had never committed any theft, &c., they still plied their whips until his back was so dreadfully lacerated, that to save his life, he agreed to confess any thing they would desire. He was taken down from the tree, with scarcely any life in him, and actually confessed whatever his tormentors wished! This was necessary, to give a coloring of justice to the inhuman outrage. Two other of the Mormons were tortured in the same manner, and a similar extortion from them. The old gentleman we spoke of above, one of the four abducted, behaved with such resolution, and pointed out to them so clearly their injustice and inhumanity, that after stripping, and fastening him to the tree, and taunting him with epithets of the foulest character, they took him down and finally set him at liberty.

One of the victims by some means, succeeded, all cut in pieces as he was to make his escape -- he reached the river closely pursued by his persecutors, where, finding a canoe, he made all haste for this shore; upon arriving at which, he staggered out of the boat and fell exhausted on the beach, seemingly resolved to die, if die he must, upon a soil where the laws were respected. Two other of the victims, by our latest intelligence, were still in the hands of the people of Tully, if death, of which there is some probability, has not put an end to their sufferings.

Mr. Miller, who brought down the proceedings of the meeting, had also sundry important papers, such as a petition, affidavit, &c., detailing a history of the outrages, and communicating the names of several citizens of Tully, who were engaged in the transaction; all of which has been laid before Gov. Carlin. The Governor, with commendable spirit, we learn, has taken hold of the matter, and avows his intention of investigating all the circumstances connected with these outrages -- and to protect the Mormons from future outrage and aggression, to the utmost of his authority. It is also the intention of the Governor, we understand, as soon as the necessary papers can be made out, to demand the authors of the outrage from the Executive of Missouri. Every good citizen, of whatever party or denomination, will sustain the Governor, in vindicating the laws of our State, which have, in this transaction, been shamefully violated.
<.small>

Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormons. -- This sect held a semi-annual conference at Nauvoo, Hancock County, (Ill.,) on the 3d October. The large number of 5,000 was present, including elders and preachers. About 100 were baptised. The church, (says a correspondent of the Peoria Register), seems to be in a much more prosperous condition than at any former time. Several families have arrived from England, belonging to the church. This sect has been very industrious in building homes and raising provisions. For or five stores, a saw mill and two water mills, have recently been erected; a large stone school house is now being built; and a large stone meeting-house 120 ft long and 80 or 100 ft wide, will soon be commenced. -- St. Louis Gaz.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Mormons arrived from England. -- The packet ship North America, which arrived at New York last week, brought in her steerage 200 passengers, the whole of whom were "Latter Day Saints," or Mormons, bound for the Mormon settlement at Quincy. The Liverpool Chronicle states that upward of 2,000 are in treaty to embark early next spring for the same locality. A great portion of those who sailed in the North America; are members of the abstinence society, and are from Leicestershire and Herefordshire.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormons held a semi-annual conference at Nauvoo county, Illinois, on the 3d of October. The large number of 5,000 was present, including elders and preachers. About 100 were baptised. "The Church," says a correspondent of the Peoria Register, "seems to be in [a] much more prosperous condition than at any former time. Several families have arrived from England, belonging to the church. This sect has been very industrious in building homes and raising provisions." -- Nat. Gaz.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMONS. -- An officer of one of the steamboat that arrived at our wharf from above, informs us that the Governor of Illinois has, bona fide, become a Mormon. -- There had been several hundred Mormons, from New York and England, who had lately made a "descent" upon Nauvoo, and the circumjacent regions, by way of making a settlement there. This colony was beheld with alarm by many of the dispassionate inhabitants in that part of the State. Both the American, and English emigrants of that persuasion, had come there at least as well armed and accoutered for the fight, as for agriculture; not one male among them that knew how to use fire arms, but had his rifle, his pistol, and many others of them their snicker-snee. With the colony from New York, there had been several young women decoyed off from parents and friends, with them by means of promises the most extravagant, and descriptions of country more romantic than ever entered into Arabian tale. The fruits of the earth, even in a state of nature, were as the Garden of Eden before it had been cursed with thorns and thistles; the strawberries there in a state of nature being equal to pomegranates! One of these deluded young women, at the sight of this paradise, gave expression to her disappointment that bordered upon despair -- so different was the real scenery from the representation, and so completely, so hopeless as to deliverance, was her captivity. The fact of the Governor's joining this society, was looked upon as no unmeaning "sign of the times" to come. Such is the rumor we have. They are also building an extensive something which they call a temple, but which has much more the appearance of fort. -- St. Louis Repub., May 29.

---

We understand hat the greatest dissatisfaction exists at Nauvoo, amongst those who have lately arrived from England. It is said that many have determined to leave -- and that letters have been sent to England, warning their friends, who had designed to emigrate, of the sad state of things in the city of the Church. Mr. Rigdon, on the contrary, informed us last week, that, in general, the new comers were well satisfied. Be it as it may, it is certain that some have left both City and the Church -- not believing on the one, in the mission of the Prophet, and on the other, dissatisfied with temporal government, which is exercised over them. -- St. Louis New Era.


Notes: (forthcoming)

We understand that the greatest dissatisfaction exists at Nauvoo, amongst those who have lately arrived from England, It is said that many have determined to leave -- and that letters have been sent to England, warning their friends, who had designed to emigrate, of the sad state of things in the city of the Church. Mr. Rigdon, on the contrary, informed us last week, that, in general, the new comers were well satisfied. Be it as it may, it is certain that some left both the City and the Church -- not believing on the one hand, in the mission of the Prophet, and on the other, dissatisfied with the remporal government, which is exercised over them. --   St. Louis New Era.


Note: The Pittsburgh Christian Advocate was published by the Methodist Episcopal Church. pre-1841 issues were entitled: "Pittsburgh Conference Journal." The paper's editor took very little notice of local Mormon activities and did not print articles exploring the alleged secret origin of Mormonism by Sidney Rigdon in the Pittsburgh area.


Notes: (forthcoming)

ARREST OF JO. SMITH. -- We learn from the Quincy Whig that Jo Smith, the Mormon Prophet, has been arrested under a writ issued by Gov. Carlin, in compliance with a demand made two years ago, by Gov. Boggs, on the alleged charge of treason against the State of Missouri. Smith applied to Judge Douglass for a habeas corpus, which was granted, and is not yet disposed of. -- St. Louis New Era.

Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMONS.

(Correspondence of the "Boston Recorder.")

My Dear Sir, -- I have this day attended services of so novel a character, and connected with so remarkable a species of modern fanaticism, that I am inclined to give your readers and my friends through the columns of the Recorder some account of the extraordinary scene. The occasion was the laying the corner stones -- for it was not deemed sufficient to lay one ceremonously -- of the Mormon Temple to be erected on this beautiful spot. Let me say a word about the spot. It is a high bluff on the Mississippi about 60 miles above Quincy, and more than two hundred above St. Louis. There is a lower plateau or table land, perhaps half a mile wide, level, cleared and dotted here and there with log cabins, and few frame buildings. The bluff rises less abruptly than many of the western bluffs, to the height of 60 or 80 feet, affording a fine view of the lower town as well as of the river, and the opposite shore of Iowa, with the village of Montrose in that Territory -- Directly upon the edge of the bluff, is the foundation of the Temple, from which may be seen in every direction among the trees, the new or half-finished log-cabins of the Mormon settlers, who are crowding into this, their new "land of promise," in great numbers. It is eleven years this day since the first band of these deluded people was organized in the State of New York. It consisted of six, all of whom dispersed, as preachers of the new doctrine. An establishment was soon formed at Kirtland, Ohio, and I believe at one or two other places, but their principal rallying point was at "Far West," in Missouri, their favorite "land of promise," from which they were driven a year since, for reasons which I find it extremely difficult to ascertain. Undoubtedly, they were bad neighbors, but whether as the missionaries allege, they attempted to carry out their true principles, that the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, and that He has given it to "His saints" for their discretionary possession and use, is not quite clear to my mind.

Cases of dishonesty there undoubtedly were, and the presence of a large and increasing body of men, fully possessed with a spirit of the wildest fanaticism, and joined from time to time by reckless adsventurers, perhaps outlaws was naturally fitted to awaken the jealousy of those among whom they came, and whom they did not hesitate to speak of as the Lord's enemies, and to treat in the most overbearing and irritating manner. Probably there was wrong on both sides. Be this as it may, they were driven out, with some loss of life, and an expense to the state of Missouri of $150,000. They soon after purchased the little town of Commerce, situated on the table land I mentioned above and are now concentrating themselves at this point and the tract adjacent, where they have a city laid off and organized, which they call Nauvoo. It having been "revealed to Joe Smith, the istensible head of this strange force, that a Temple must be built at this place, and the dimensions, architecture, arrangement, and devotions having all been prescribed with no less minuteness than were those of the ancient Jewish sanctuary, this day was appointed, and all the "faithful" within convenient distance, commanded to appear before the ceremony of laying the corner stones: -- Accordingly, there was a great rush of men, women and children, from all directions yesterday; and as I entered this city of logs last evening, intending to spend the day here, unless a boat should come to bear me on my journey, it seemed for a time doubtful whether I should do better for a lodging than to share one of the numerous tents erected among the tress, by families who chose to bring their own beds as well as provisions along with them.

However, I found hospitality, if not splendid entertainment in a Scotch family, where I passed the night in an apartment with a larger and less carefully assorted number of lodgers than would be thought either comfortable or decorous in New England, but which necessity has sanctioned here as being both the one and the other. It was a great pleasure to me to find Scotch piety as well as Scotch kindness. The "big ha' Bible" brought from Scotland, and the reverent blessing asked, and family prayers offered by the good blind man, who seemed to be the priest at the domestic altar, all told that they had brought their religion with them, from the home of their childhood to the home of their adoption. The humble, evangelical tone of the good man's devotions, though a glimpse might be had occasionally of the wild fanatical notions [he] had imbibed, showed that those notions were only an unfortunate excresence engrafted upon his piety, leaving it, as well as the main element of his faith untouched. Such, I believe, is true of thousands of professors of religion from all the Evangelical denominations who have been led away by worse men, and with more cunning than themselves. On [going] this morning to the edge of the bluff, I found crowds of people already assembled around the foundations of the Temple. They are well laid, and of large dimensions, about 120 by 80. Below, on the declivity, were the camps, wagons and horses of the numerous pilgrims who had spent the night among the trees, while the plain below presented the spectacle of six hundred and fifty armed men, women and children, looking on. After some show of reviewing, the preservation of a banner by some ladies &c., the whole "Nauvoo Legion" advanced up the hill accompanied by an immense procession. They were commanded by the Quarter Master General of Illinois, who in his new capacity of a Mormon convert, doubtless considers it his highest military distinction to head the motley herd even under the direction and authority of such a man as Smith. The latter presented the appearance of a prophet, militant, being dressed in elegant military costume, riding a fine horse, and surrounded by quite a respectable staff, deside a life-guard of twelve men, mounted, dressed in white, and armed with rifles, pistols and knives -- a necessary retinue for a prophet who is an outlaw, having been demanded by the Governor of Missouri, as a criminal, a demand which his guard have promised with an oath to resist, even unto blood. I obtained a position just outside of the line of sentries established around the consecrated enclosure, from which I could see and hear all that passed -- and a most imposing scene it was, though with a touch of the ludicrous -- Here on a lone bluff in the wild west, were fifteen military companies, under an ecclesiastical organization, with an assembly of spectators variously estimated at from 5000 to 8000, and in the centre, surrounded by baynotes, was an ill-made, ill-bred man, decked in military garb -- an indicted criminal under the laws of Missouri, honored and guarded, and swelling with ill-concealed pride as the inspired organ of the divine commands, and the grand centro of all this strange pageant! -- also, for poor human nature, I have never before so well conceived the possibility of the Mohammedan, Swedenborgian, or any other prophetic delusion. Certainly, no false prophet or dreamer ever had shallower pretences to go upon, or a smaller capital in the trade of delusion, than this man; and yet he boasts of a train of dupes, amounting to between fifty and a hundred thousand. Probably even the smaller number is much above the truth; but it is undeniable that some in Europe as well as great numbers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and even New England, have been led captives in this triumph of stupid imposture. I say stupid, for so far as the ostensible leader is concerned, this epithet is not tendered inappropriately by whatever of low cunning he possesses. I am inclined to the opinion that Rigdon, who delivered the address on this occasion, is now in reality the master spirit of the humbug, and that he, rather than Smith, is the inspirer of the oracles which, for "purposes of state" the latter promulgates as the breathing of his own afflatus.

He is a man of much address and some talent. Having been a preacher among several sects, he now stands forth as the High Priest of this, under its great Prophet. He is a good person, and much self-possession, and stood up on a windy day in feeble health, before an immense assembly, with as much advantage of voice, action and ready utterance, as one in a hundred of our distinguished public men. -- There was of course, some rant and more sophistry in what he said, together with plenty of assertion without evidence. But the whole was skillfully managed. And when he enlarged upon the greatness of their God, and the glory of their Christ, and then adroitly conveyed the impression that it was for this belief that they had suffered the loss of all things, and even left the mangled bodies of their wives and children on the plains of Missouri, many substantial yankee emigrants around me were beguiled, and testified by their visible emotion, and suppressed words, that he had found and touched the right chord in their hearts. All that is really peculiar and offensive to their belief, he contrived to introduce without show of argument, in the wake of the common doctrines of Christianity which he had with eloquence presented as peculiar to their xreed. On the whole, though the address probably made no converts, it doubtless confirmed the faith of those who were already duped, and certainly afforded one hearer an hour's amusement at the ingenuity, not unmingled with indignation at the hoary deceiver, and pity for the thousands who lent their credulous ears and their gaping attention.

What wonder, in view of such abuses of the right of "private interpretation" as this and its numerous kindred heresies present, that some should be found in Protestant America to sympathize with the new spirit of old popery in England.

And yet what has the [benign?] Swedenborg, the visionary Miller, or the lying Smith, [invoked] or [promised] more extravagant or unscriptural than the infallible Mother church has sanctioned, and enforced by the sword and the stake?

J. W. C.      

Note: The 1841 account reproduced above provides no hint as to whom the initials "J. W. C." might apply as an abbreviated name. The loquacious correspondent was, perhaps, a Congregational minister then traveling in the "wild west," as he is pleased to call it. His word picture of Nauvoo at the time of the Temple cornerstones' dedication is not known to have been reprinted from the pages of the Boston Recorder in any publication other than in the Methodist Pittsburgh Christian Advocate.

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 breed 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 those 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 gain 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 [the] human decrees at defiance. In addition to despoiling the lands of much valuable timber, they [have] forbid 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 threats.

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 render 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 villainy." -- N. Y. Journal of Commerce.


Notes: (forthcoming)

JOE SMITH & CO. -- The Mormons have again been stirred up with a long pole, and are calling upon sinners to repent, and come to Nauvoo, and build Joe Smith's Temple. An Epistle from the "twelve Apostles" of the Mormons has been promulgated through the N. Y. Herald, which is producing a wonderful sensation among the christians of denominations. Joe Smith is bound to go ahead. The Mormon movement is certainly one of the most extraordinary that has occurred in religion since the days of Mahomet. The leader of the sect is a master spirit of no ordinary character. His ambition is to build up a kingdom for the faithful, which will eclipse in temporal grandeur and spiritual dominion that of his holiness the Pope of Rome. He has prepared a new Bible, and tee-total temperance is the corner stone of his magnificent superstructure. -- His code of morals prohibit chewing tobacco, lying, and going to law. Truly a great prophet has risen! We may perhaps publish the real origin of the Golden Bible some of these days. The humbug commenced about these diggins.


Note: With the founding of the Pittsburgh Morning Chronicle in mid-1841, an unbridled anti-Mormon voice began to be heard in the city. The weekly edition of the paper commenced publication on Nov. 27th of that year and in its first issue printed an intention to perhaps eventually "publish the real origin of the Golden Bible." Presumably this same article first saw light in the pages of the daily Chronicle shortly before Nov. 27, 1841. Only scattered numbers of the first months of the paper's daily edition survive. Neither the Iron City nor the Morning Chronicle appear to have ever made good on their editor's half-promise to print a story relating the "real origin" of the Book of Mormon -- an origin which, it is insinuated, "commenced" in or near the city of Pittsburgh (in the days when Solomon Spalding lived in those "diggins").

From the Cleveland Herald.

THE  MORMONS.

This singular people are growing in numbers and gifts. We understand that to their old mode of worship practiced by them at Kirtland, dancing and kissing are now added. They are building up Nauvoo, their Holy City, rapidly, and accessions to the society from various sections of the United States as well as from Europe, are constantly arriving to occupy the "Promised Land." A splendid Temple for wirship, and an extensive Hotel for the accomodation of "the brethren," are now in progress at Nauvoo. One tenth of the labor of the whole community is devoted to constructing these edifices.

The origin and progress of Mormonism in this country is one of the marvels of the age. That it originated in and has been sustained by gross imposition on the credulous, hardly admits of a doubt. The deceptions have in many instances been so glaring, that none but the infatuated could close their eyes against them. The story of the finding of the Golden Bible -- the abstraction of the plates on which the strange characters are said to have been written -- the gift of tongues -- the new revelations -- the new prophecies made from time to time to meet occurring events, or else their total failure of "coming to pass" -- the abortion of attempted miracles -- were sufficient in the early days of Mormonism to stamp the whole as humbug of the first water. Persecution, however, took the place of investigation, and as a matter of course the Mormons "grew and multiplied." The followers of Joseph Smith were as humble and ready for the sacrifice as the old Christian martyrs, and the story of their wrongs and sufferings for the faith, is similarly soul-harowing.

The extravagance of the belief and conduct of the first converts to Mormonism is hardly credible, though what we shall relate we personally witnessed. At a protracted Mormon meeting, the gift of tongues and prophecy was claimed and taught by the elders. Accordingly these gifts were practised by the converts. At one time something like half a dozen of both sexes were stretched upon the fround together, struck down by the spirit, as asserted by the Mormon teachers. Suddenly one of the entranced would commence a low, gutteral kind of Indian dialect, and the others would join in the conversation in "unknown tongues" truly -- neither English, Dutch, French, Indian, or hog-latin! After entertaining themselves and the wondering spectators long enough with "tongues," they would start to their feet, and apparently controlled by the spirit, wildly gesticulate -- pluck the air as if gathering grapes -- feast on nothing -- hunt on the "promised land" -- ready, aim, and fire at the game -- then return and relate their success in "unknown tongues!" And the preachers of Mormonism gravely told the people these were the "signs which should distinguish the saints!" A few weeks after it was revealed to Jo Smith that all these "signs" were of the Devil -- and presto! they were gone to their reputed father!

Their prophecies were "off the same piece." The destruction of the world in three years was repeatedly predicted. One of the elders closed a cheering exhortation to his followers to prepare for the "Holy Land," by positively assuring them that ere long the whole country between Ohio and Missouri would be changed into a sea of waters, on which they would be triumphantly borne to the "promised land of milk and honey!" After patiently waiting some years for the promised flood, the credulous flock started for "New Jerusalem" with ox teams! The prophet had gone before on foot!

The Mormons now issue a monthly paper from Nauvoo, called "The Times and Seasons." From a late number we add a few extracts, to give an idea of some of their modern crotchets: "The brethren are hereby notified, that our well beloved brother, Hyrum Smith, Patriarch of the church, has erected a comfortable office, opposite his dwelling house, where himself together with his scribe and recorder (James Sloan,) will attend regularly every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, during the entire day, or upon any other day, if urgent circumstances require it, to perform the duties of his high and holy calling.

"A copy of the blessing can be received immediately after being pronounced, so that the brethren who live at a distance can have it to take with them."

"It appears that the Mormons at Kirtland, Ohio, are about establishing a press at that place, and also design establishing themselves there permanently. In reference to this matter, the "Times and Seasons," published the following communicatiuon from the "patriarch of the whole church."

"All the saints that dwell in that land are commanded to come away, for this is, 'Thus saith the Lord;' therefore pay out no moneys nor properties for houses, nor lands, in that country, for if you do, you will lose them; for the time shall come that you shall not possess them in peace; but shall be scourged with a sore scourge; yet your children may possess them; but not until many years shall pass away; and, as to the organization of that branch of the church, it is not according to the spirit and will of God: and as to the designs of the leading members of that branch relative to the printing press, and the ordaining of Elders, and sending out elders to beg for the poor, are not according to the will of God; and in these things they shall not prosper, for they have neglected the House of the Lord, the Baptismal Font, in this place, wherein their dead may be redeemed, and the key of knowledge that unfolds the dispensation of the fulness of times may be turned, and the mysteries of God be unfolded, upon which the salvation of the world, and the redemption of their dead depends, for 'Thus saith the Lord,' 'there shall not be a general assembly or a general conference assembled together until the House of the Lord shall be finished, and the Baptismal Font, and if we are not diligent the church shall be rejected, and their dead also,' 'saith the Lord,' therefore, dear Brother, any proceedings otherwise than to put forth their hands with their might to do this work, is not according to the will of God, and shall not prosper; therefore tarry, not in any place whatever, but come forth unto this place from all the world, until it is filled up and polished, and sanctified according to my word, saith the Lord, come ye forth from the ends of the earth, that I may hide you from mine indignation that shall scourge the wicked, and then I will send forth and build up Kirtland, and it shall be polished and refined according to my word, therefore, your doings and your organizations, and designs in printing, or any of your councils, are not of me, saith the Lord, even so, Amen.     HYRUM SMITH. Patriarch gor the whole church.

---

MORE MORMONS. -- The St. Louis Republican of the 20th inst., announces the arrival of the steamer Gen. Pratt from New Orleans, with two hundred and fifty Mormons on board. -- They were from England, and were bound for Nauvoo, the city of the "Latter Day Saints."


Notes: (forthcoming)

From the St. Louis Republican.

MORMONS  and  MORMONISM.

We are indebted to a pious and intelligent gentleman of this city, for the following description of Mormonism, as it is to be found at Nauvoo, and of Jo Smith, its leader. The intelligent reader will scarcely believe that such humbuggery could be successfully practiced, at this day, upon the most credulous or ignorant of the community, yet it is so in this instance.

---

                                                              NAUVOO, Nov. 4, 1841.
DEAR SIR: -- We were yesterday enjoying the hospitality of Joseph Smith, the leading Prophet of the Latter Day Saints, the Mormons. We are, this morning, on the declivity of Zion's Hill, taking a last look at their city. We stand among heaps of limestone rock, that are fast rising into a temple -- a fac simile of the Temple which was built by Solomon, and trod by the Savior. The devoted Mormons are hammering busily at a work, and giving to it each the tenth of their time; and from thus up, the half, or even the whole, both of time and property. Before us, is the beginning of a great city -- a noble bottom land, already half covered with cabins. Higher up, also, the bluffs and timber are thickly scattered with them, extending back a couple of miles or more. Crowds of people, from England, many of them poor, are pouring in. How they are to support themselves, or be supported, Heaven only knows. It seems as if they must be driven, by sheer necessity, to "spoil the Egyptians;" (i. e. all who are not Mormons about them;) and it is not surprising that their name is in bad odor with their neighbors. The notion that there is a community of property, among them, is altogether false; and many must and do suffer. Some few I have met at St. Louis, hastening back to England, "while their money holds out."

The Mormon gathering is a singularly interesting phase of our times. They are, too, say what you will, a singularly interesting people. As a people, I am ready to believe all good of them. Would that there were among them as much of Christian intelligence as of the Christian spirit.

Of their leaders, or rather their chief leader, Joseph Smith, I say nothing by way of private opinion. At your request, however, I give through you, somewhat reluctantly, I confess, an account of my interview with him. As he promptly discovered and revealed to me that I was worthy of no man's confidence, I can certainly betray no confidence in this case, try as I may. The facts as they lie fresh in my memory, are simply these: Yesterday afternoon, in company with a friend, I entered the house of this strange man, intending to trespass but a few minutes on his hospitalities. I expected to have seen a person of some dignity and reserve, and with at least, an outside of austere piety. The Prophet was asleep, in his rocking chair, when we entered. His wife and children were busy about the room, ironing, &c., and one or two Mormon preachers, lately returned from England, were sitting by the large log fire. After having been introduced, the following talk ensued.

A. "You have the beginning of a great city here, Mr. Smith."

(Here came in the more prominent objects of the city, the expense of the temple, Mr. Smith thought would be $200,000 or $300,000. The temple is 127 feet size, by 88 feet front; and by its plan, which was kindly shown us, will fall short of some of our public buildings. As yet only the foundations are laid. Mr. Smith then spoke of the "false" reports current about himself, and "supposed we had heard enough of them?")

A. "You know sir, persecution sometimes drives "the wise man mad."

Mr. S. (laughing,) "Ah, sir, you must not put me among the wise men; my place is not there. I make no pretensions to piety, either. If you give me credit for anything, let it be for being a good manager, A good manager I do claim to be."

A. "You have great influence here, Mr. Smith."

Mr. S. "Yes, I have. I bought 900 acres here, a few years ago, and they all have their lands of me. My influence, however, is ecclesiastical only; in civil affairs I am but a common citizen. To be sure, I am a member of the City Council, and Lieutenant General of the Nauvoo Legion. I can command a thousand men to the field, at any moment, to support the laws. I had hard work to make them turn out and form the 'Legion,' until I shouldered my musket, and entered the ranks myself. Now, they have nearly all provided for themselves with a good uniform, poor as they are. By the way, we had a regular 'set to' up here, a day or two since. The City Council ordered a liquor seller to leave the place, when his time was up; and, as he still remained, they directed that his house should be pulled down about his ears. They gave me a hand in the scrape; and I had occasion to knock a man down more than once. They mustered so strong an opposition, that it was either 'knock down,' or 'be knocked down.' We beat him off, at last; and are determined to have no grog shops in or about our grounds."

(The conversation flowed on pleasantly, until my friend, to fill a pause that occurred, referred to my calling as a preacher.)

Mr. S. "Well, I suppose (turning from me) he is one of the craft trained to his creed."

A. "My creed, sir, is the New Testament,"

Mr. S. "Then, sir, we shall see trust just alike, for the scripture says, 'They shall see, eye to eye.' All who are true men, must read the bible alike, must they not?"

A. "True, Mr. Smith; and yet I doubt if they will see it precisely alike. If no two blades of grass are precisely alike, for a higher reason, it seems that no two intellects are,"

Mr. S. (getting warm) "There -- I told you so. You don't come here to seek truth. You begin with taking the place of opposition. -- Now, say what I may, you have but to answer, 'No two men can see alike.'"

A. "Mr. Smith, I said that not that no two men could see alike; but that no two could see, on the whole, precisely alike."

Mr. S. "Does not the scripture say, 'They shall see, eye to eye?'"

A. "Granted, sir; but be good enough to take a case. The words 'all' and 'all things' were brought up as meaning, at one time, universal creation. And again: 'One believeth that he may eat all things,' i. e. any thing, or, as we say, every thing."

Mr. S. "You may explain away the bible, sir, as much as you please. I ask you, have you ever been baptized?"

A. "Yes, sir, I think I have."

Mr. S. "Can you prophesy?"

A. "Well, sir, that depends on the meaning you give the word. I grant that it generally means to fortell; but I believe that it often means, to preach the gospel. In this sense, sir, I can prophesy.

Mr. S. "You lie, sir, and you know it."

A. "It is as easy for me to impugn your motives, Mr. Smith, as for you to impugn mine."

Mr. S. "I tell you, you don't seek to know the truth. You are a hypocrite, I saw it when you first began to speak."

A. "It is plain, Mr. Smith, that we differ in opinion. Now, one man's opinion is as good as another's, until some third party comes in to strike a balance between them."

Mr. S. "I want no third party, sir. You are a fool, sir, to talk as you do. Have I not seen twice the years that you have? (Joseph Smith is 36 years old; the speaker, A., was 10 years younger.) I say, sir, you are no gentleman. I wouldn't trust you with my purse across the street.

(Here my friend interposed, saying, I don't believe, Mr. Smith, that this gentleman came to your house to insult you. He had heard all sorts of accounts of your people, and came simply to see with his own eyes.")

Mr. S. "I have no ill feelings towards the gentleman. He is welcome in my house; but what I see to be the truth, I must speak out; I flatter no man. I tell you, sir, that man is a hypocrite. You'll find him out, if you're long enough with him. I tell you, I wouldn't trust him as far as I could see him. What right has he to speak so to me? Am I not the leader of a great people? He, himself, will not blame me for speaking the truth plainly.

(Here kind expression passed on both sides, and we were rising to go.)

Mr. S. "Don't be going gentlemen. Do take bread and salt with us; our tea is on the table."

We staid, accordingly, and made up around his smoking and well filled table.

I have been carefully, especially towards the close of this talk, to give the words that were used, omitting nothing but conversational by-play, and some of the filling up. The skeleton is complete. So much for this man at his own fireside.       D.

---

THE MORMONS. -- The Warsaw Signal states that troubles are thickening in that region in reference to the Mormons. The inhabitants charge the Mormons with pilfering, and talk of driving them out of the country. We fear there will be trouble before Joe Smith's humbug is exploded. The Mormons are well prepared to fight, and will not be easily dispossessed of the promised land.


Note: Quite possibly the above Missouri Republican report so intrigued the Editor of the Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette that he became determined to visit with and interview Joseph Smith himself one day. Mr. David N. White, that same editor, made a trip to Illinois in the summer of 1843 and took the opportunity to report upon the situation of Joseph Smith at Nauvoo. His letter detailing that interview was printed as "The Prairies, Nauvoo, Joe Smith, the Temple, the Mormons &c." in the Weekly Gazette of Sept. 15, 1843.

QUEEN VICTORIA AND MORMONISM. -- Parley P. Pratt, first apostle of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, has written a long letter to Queen Victoria, warning her that a great moral revolution is about to take place in the world. He quotes scripture in abundance to prove that such an event has been prophecied, and then goes on to state circumstances which indicate that those prophecies are about to be fulfilled. Among these is the discovery of his famous plates in the western part of New York, but no mention is made of the discoverer. This is a great omission.   -- Hieroscope.


Note: Presumably this news report was printed in the daily Morning Chronicle before it was inserted into the weekly Iron City. A few years later, (in a letter dated Oct 21, 1844) LDS Apostle Orson Hyde would accuse Elder Sidney Rigdon of preaching the Mormon defeat or overthrow of the power of Queen Victoria.

THE MORMONS. -- The Nauvoo, (Ill.,) Times and Seasons, a Mormon paper, acknowledges that several of the "Latter Day Saints" have been detected stealing, and publishes the proceedings of a Church meeting, which expelled five members for larceny, and two for assault and battery, together with the affidavit of "Joseph Smith, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," and "Lieut. Gen. of Nauvoo Legion," that he was opposed to such transactions.


Note: Presumably this news report was printed in the daily Morning Chronicle before it was inserted into the weekly Iron City. In the years that followed, reports of Mormon thievery in western Illinois would grow to an almost continual flow in the pages of America's newspapers.

THE MORMONS. -- This new sect have lately established a Tabernacle at Philadelphia. They have been holding meetings in this city for some weeks past, and may probably pitch a tent among us.

Note: This news report was likely first printed in the daily Morning Chronicle before it appeared in the Iron City. The sustained missionary efforts of the Mormons in major Pennsylvania cities dates to the last months of 1839, when Elder William Small was baptized in Philadelphia. By the end of 1841 the LDS presence in Pittsburgh had become noticeable to the local press. Mormon Apostle John E. Page said (in Feb. 1844) that he had resided in Pittsburgh "from the eighth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and forty-two, until the eighth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and forty-three." Page had previously spent part of Feb. 1842 in Pittsburgh, working to convert Richard and Elizabeth Savery to the Church. During this same 1842-43 period Page also spent a great deal of time in Philadelphia, supervising Mormon missionary efforts in that part of the State.

MORMONS AND POLITICIANS. -- Many of our brother editors object to the late proclamation of the head of the Mormons, Joe Smith, advising his followers to vote for particular candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. However the Prophet of Nauvoo may err in his religious opinions, we can see nothing worse in this particular public act of his, than what occurs almost daily among other of our citizens -- we allude to the nominations to office of a similar kind by conventions of Delegates from particular parties. Joe Smith has procured his appointment or commission from the Mormons, to decide upon their course in future, in both religion and politics, and the delegates to political conventions are the conscience-keepers in a like manner of the party for which they act; they go to Harrisburg, or the capital of their State; nominate a candidate for Governor, whom nine-tenths of their bamboozled constituents never heard of before; pass a string of resolutions, marking out the course of their party for the next year, if they can see a straight course so far ahead, and adjourn -- their nominee is then introduced to his party by means of the nomination, and every eight-by-ten in the State that owes fealty to the party, hoists his name to the head of its columns! Is Mormonism worse than politics? Is it a greater humbug?


Note: This news report was likely first printed in the daily Morning Chronicle before it appeared in the Iron City. The rise of Mormon block-voting largely coincided with the rise of the convention nominating system for political candidates in the USA. As late as the mid-1840s many Whigs and independents were still very distrustful of political nominating conventions.

THE MORMONS. -- A number of preachers of this sect have lately been holding forth in our city, and on Sunday afternoon last baptised the results of their labors -- four converts, one of them a journeyman baker on Wood street, the remainder young ladies. These were all taken to the Allegheny river, at the front of Wayne street, and introduced to the church of Latter Day Saints, by being pitched head foremost into the muddy waters, amid the cheers of some thousands of our citizens! Rev. Alick Stevenson being called upon, addressed the assembly in opposition to the Mormons, from a neighboring board-pile, his discourse being interrupted by numerous cheers, and an occasional yell (from those who had unfortunately taken their station upon rotten sheds, several of which were levelled to the ground) and finally put a stop to by his honor, the Mayor, shoving him from his romantic pulpit. After Alick's expulsion, another gentleman took up the cudgels, and succeeded in out-speaking the Mormons, who left the ground in disgust.


Note 1: This report on the local Mormons was likely first printed in the daily Morning Chronicle before it appeared in the Iron City. Among the early LDS baptisms in Pittsburgh was those of James Spratly and Elizabeth Savery (in April of 1842 by John E. Page), James Logan (in Jan. 1843 by John E. Page), Frances Mary Clements (in May 1843 by Richard Savery), Louisa Liston (in Feb. 1843 at Pittsburgh by Elijah Swackhammer), and several members of the Falconer family (in 1843-44). One of the ladies baptized on Feb. 5, 1842 may have been Mary McDowell, whose baptism was officiated by John E. Page.

Note 2: The "journeyman baker" baptized on that same date was Joseph Arny (or Arney) was the first Mormon male convert at Pittsburgh. For more on Mr. Arney, and his eventual defection from the Mormons, see the notes for the Pittsburgh papers of Sep. 16, 1842. Elder Richard Savery was probably the second male convert in the LDS Pittsburgh branch. He, Joseph Arney, and James Spratley were joined in Pittsburgh later that year by another male convert, Lovick Sturges, from Philadelphia. It appears that by the early spring of 1842 there were enough converts in the city to form the beginnings of the Pittsburgh LDS branch. The branch was officially organized by Apostle John E. Page during the late spring or early summer of 1842.

A MORMON POSED. -- The Mormons sent a missionary to enlighten the people of New Orleans. At one of his meetings, he pretended to have the gift of tongues, and being successively in French, Spanish and German, answered readily in these languages. His triumph was soon cut short; for a son of the Emerald Isle addressed him in pure Milesian; and bothered him entirely. Amid roars of laughter, the gifted prophet put off.


Note: This report was reprinted in the weekly Iron City on May 5, 1842.

The last Nauvoo "Times and Seasons,".a Mormon paper edited by Joseph Smith, contains an extract from the Book of Abraham, translated from an ancient record on papyrus in the hand writing of that patriarch, found in one of the Egyptian catacombs, and now in Joe's possession! We presume the faithful will have no doubt of its authenticity. The Mormon paper contains a fac simile engraving from the same manuscript, which adds very little to Abraham's fame, as far as drawing is concerned; it represents Abraham bound upon an altar, and the idolatrous priest of Elkenah attempting to sacrifice him to his gods, the images of which surround the altar.

Joe Smith, the chief of the Mormons, was born in Sharon, Windsor County, Vt., on the 23d of December, 1805. Relative to the Golden Bible, of which so much has been said, Joe asserts that it was delivered to him by the Angel, on the morning of the 22d of September, 1827, and describes them as follows:

These records were engraved on plates which had the appearance of gold, each plate was six inches wide and eight inches long and not quite so thick as common tin. They were filled with engravings in Egyptian characters and bound together in one volume, as the leaves of a book, with three rings running thro' the whole. The volume was something near six inches in thickness, a part of which was sealed. The characters on the unsealed part were small, and beautifully engraved. The whole book exhibited many marks of antiquity in its construction and much skill in the art of engraving. With the records was found a curious instrument which the ancients called "Urim and Thummim," which consisted of two transparent stones set in the rim of a bow fastened to a breast-plate.

Through the medium of the Urim and Thummim I translated by the gift and power of God.


Note 1: This report was reprinted in the weekly Iron City on May 26, 1842. It is interesting to see that editors of the Pittsburgh newspapers were reading copies of the Nauvoo Times and Seasons. The Apr. 1 1842 number of that publication contained a "petition" signed by twenty-three men in Pittsburgh, requesting the LDS First Presidency to allow Apostle John E. Page to continue his missionary work in the area. Among the signers were early Pittsburgh LDS convert Richard Savery, as well as Mormons Thomas J. Lanyon, James Spratley, Joseph Dudley. The other signers were George Avery, L. Allbeya, Wm. Campion, Robert L. Caswell, Benj. Chapman, Thornell Craddock, Thomas Crawford, Joseph Harper, John MacDonald, Arth. Moon, David Potts, John Prince, Dennis Savary, C. Seicwirt, J. W. Smith, James Smith, John Smith, Matthew Smith, and John Steel.

Note 2: It was the eventual decision of the Mormon leadership to station Apostle John E. Page at Pittsburgh (a city they said had been "so long impregnable to the principles" of the latter day "truth") on a semi-permanent basis. According to Page, he took up his residence in that city on May 8, 1842 -- after returning to Pittsburgh from the spring LDS conference at Nauvoo.

MORMONISM EXPOSED -- by the Rev. S. Williams, just issued from the press, and for sale at Berfords, 85 Fourth street.      my 4

Note 1: Rev. Samuel Williams' 1842 Mormonism Exposed contains important personal statements (dated Apr. 2, 1842) made by the Rev. Robert Patterson, Sr., concerning Solomon Spalding and his c. 1812 attempt to get Patterson to publish his manuscript, "a singular work, chiefly in the style of our English translation of the Bible," for him at Pittsburgh. Mormon Apostle John E. Page came back to reside in the city while advertisements for Williams' new anti-Mormon pamphlet were still being circulated in Pittsburgh. Page is not known to have responded to Williams' accusations against Sidney Rigdon and others top LDS leaders until June 29, 1844 when he tauntingly demanded: "We hope that Rev. S. Williams will now come out and sustain, if possible, what he published in a pamphlet in the spring of 1842..."

Note 2: Rev. Williams recalled his acrimonious interactions with LDS Apostle Page in Pittsburgh in the early 1840s, years later in letters he wrote to James T. Cobb dated Nov. 12, 1878, Dec. 3, 1878, and Dec. 14, 1878.

Joe Smith, the Mormon, it is currently reported, is a brother of John Smith, of whom our readers may have heard. Joe's a hard case -- it is said one of his flock caught him kissing his wife t'other day, in Nauvoo.

Note: Presumably this unusual news report was also printed in the daily Morning Chronicle. The incident spoken of prefigures by only a few weeks subsequent published reports (from John C. Bennett and others), of secret Mormon polygamy at Nauvoo. Joseph Smith's requirement that some other high LDS leaders have their wives "sealed" to him, as well as his reported illicit advances toward the wife of Apostle Orson Pratt, would not be related in the public press until later in the year.

MORMONS. -- About forty of this sect left for Nauvoo, Ill., on the Arcade, on Wednesday last. Some of them were from this city, but the greater portion from farther East.

Note: This brief report was reprinted in the Iron City number of May 21st. The news that Pittsburgh had become a jumping-off point for river steamers carrying Mormon converts to Nauvoo must have come as a shock to many residents of that place. It is doubtful that the city itself was able to supply many migrants to the "New Jersualem" in the west at so early a date -- the LDS Pittsburgh branch was still in its infancy during the spring of 1842.

MORMONISM.

In compliance with the wishes of many of the readers of our paper, and because the subject is one which is attracting considerable attention in this part of the country at the present time, we republish from the N. York Watchman, the following extracts from a review of a work recently published in that city, entitled "Mormonism Exposed." We give them without remark of our own, leaving our readers to judge for themselves:

ORIGIN OF MORMONISM: -- Mormonism owes its origin to one Joseph Smith, Jr., and Martin Harris, and perhaps one or two more ignorant but designing persons, then resident in the Western part of the state of New York.

In the work entitled "Mormonism Unveiled," we find the testimonies of not less than eighty different persons, all residents of Wayne and Ontario counties, N. Y., which prove beyond the possibility of a doubt, that neither Joseph Smith, Jr., nor either of his witnesses are to be believed, and that Mormonism, from beginning to end, is a base delusion, which does not leave its originators even the credit of honesty or good intentions in its propagation. These witnesses are disinterested, respectable citizens, many of whom have made solemn oath to the following facts, and their characters are sufficiently vouched for by magistrates of the counties where they live. Among many other things which might be named to the eternal dishonor of the authors of the Mormon delusion, we notice the following:

That Joseph Smith, Jr., and his family, were, about the time he pretended to have discovered the book of Mormon, known as "fortune tellers" and "money diggers," and that they often had recourse to tricks of juggling for the purpose of finding money which they said was hid in the earth.

That the said Smith, up to that time, and after, was known as a wicked man; that he was a cheat, and a liar, and used profane language; that he was intemperate and quarrelsome.

That his own father-in-law never had any confidence in him, and he was knowing to the manner in which Smith commenced his imposture in getting out what he called the book of Mormon.

That Smith has, himself, confessed the cheat, and so has Martin Harris, one of his principal witnesses. Harris once said, "What if it is a lie? If you will let me alone, I will make money out of it."

That Oliver Cowdery, another of the witnesses to Smith's book, was not a man of good character before he joined Smith in the cheat of Mormonism.

That Smith and Martin Harris were in the habit of meeting together, often, just before the plates were said to be found, and were familiarly known in the neighborhood by the name of the "Gold Bible Company;" and they were regarded by the community, generally, as a lying, indolent set of fellows, in whom no confidence could be placed; and Joseph Smith, Jr.'s, character for truth was so notoriously bad, that he could not and was not believed when under oath.

The wife of Martin Harris testifies, that he is both a cruel man and a liar, he having beat her and turned her out of his house.

That Smith confessed his object in pretending to find the plates was to make money, saying, "when it is completed, my family will be placed on a level above the generality of mankind."

Such are some of the facts, which are proved beyond the possibility of confutation, by the affidavits of respectable witnesses, persons who were well acquainted with Joseph Smith, Jr., and his associates, both before and since the pretended discovery of his golden plates. And, perhaps, we cannot better close the investigation of this subject, than by quoting a specimen of those testimonies. It is numerously signed, as will be seen, and by persons well acquainted with the "author and proprietor" of the book of Mormon:

PALMYRA, N. Y., Dec. 4, 1833.      

"We, the undersigned, have been acquainted with the Smith family for a number of years, while they resided near this place, and we have no hesitation in saying that, we consider them destitute of that moral character which ought to entitle them to the confidence of any community. They were particularly famous for visionary projects, spent much of their time in digging for money, which they pretended was hid in the earth; and to this day, large excavations may be seen in the earth, not far from their residence, where they used to spend their time in digging for hidden treasures. Joseph Smith, Senior, and his son Joseph, were, in particular, considered entirely destitute of moral character, and addicted to vicious habits.

"Martin Harris was a man who had acquired a handsome property, and in matters of business his word was considered good; but on moral and religious subjects, he was perfectly visionary -- sometimes advocating one sentiment, and sometimes another. And in reference to all with whom we were acquainted, who have embraced Mormonism, from this neighborhood, we are compelled to say, they were very visionary, and most of them destitute of any moral character, and without influence in this community, and this may account why they were permitted to go on with their impositions undisturbed.

"It was not supposed that any of them were possessed of sufficient character, or influence, to make any one believe their book or their sentiments; and we know not of a single individual in this vicinity, that puts the least confidence in their pretended revelations.

G. N. Williams, H. Sinnell, Th. Rogers, 2d, Clark Robinson, W. Parke, L. Durfee, S. Ackley, E. S. Townsend, Josiah Francis, Josiah Rice, H. P. Alger, G. A. Hathaway, R. D. Clark, G. W. Anderson, H. K. Jerome, H. P. Thayer, L. Williams, Lewis Foster, G. W. Crosby, Levi Thayer, P. Grandin, Philo Durfee, P. Sexton, Joel Thayer, R. W. Smith, S. P. Seymour, A. Millard, Henry Jessup, John Hurlbut, James Jenneer, Amos Hollister, Jesse Townsend, C. E. Thayer, D. G. Ely, Th. P. Baldwin, John Sothington, G. Beckwith, Durfy Chase, W. Anderson, H. Paine, A. H. Beckwith, R. S. Williams, L. Hurd, G. S. Ely, M. Butterfield, E. D. Robinson, Pelitian West, D. S. Jackways, E. Ensworth, Linus North, Israel F. Chilson."

Persons thus destitute of moral character, combined to usher into being a book purporting to be of EQUAL authority with the bible. And here is the story which one of its "apostles," professing to act under the infallible inspiration of God, tells of this book:--

"The book of Mormon was found in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven, in Ontario County, New York; was translated and published in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty. It contains the history of the ancient inhabitants of America, who were a branch of the house of Israel, of the tribe of Joseph; of whom the Indians are still a remnant; but the principal nation of them having fallen in battle, in the fourth or fifth century, one of their prophets, whose name was Mormon, saw fit to make an abridgment of their history, their prophecies, and their doctrine, which he engraved on plates; and afterwards, being slain, the record fell into the hands of his son, Moroni, who being hunted by his enemies, was directed to deposit the record safely in the earth, with a promise from God that it should be preserved, and should again be brought to light in the latter days, by means of a Gentile nation, who should possess the land. The deposit was made about the year four hundred and twenty, on a hill then called Cumora, now in Ontario county, where it was preserved in safety, until it was brought to light by no less than the ministry of angels; and translated by INSPIRATION. And the Great Jehovah bore record of the same to chosen witnesses, who declare it to the world."-- Voice of War. p. 129.

Of course, they give us no evidence (except their own word) to prove what is here asserted!

(To be Continued.)

Note 1: This article was reprinted in the Iron City of May 28th. Although the Morning Chronicle editor credits the source of the above excerpt to "a review of a work... entitled 'Mormonism Exposed...'" the excerpt is actually from pp. 7-12 of that 1842 LaRoy Sunderland pamphlet, as reproduced in the pages of his Zion's Watchman. Although they share a common title, Sunderland's pamphlet should not be confused with the 1842 Pittsburgh booklet, "Mormonism Exposed by Rev. Samuel Williams." The Chronicle proceeded to republish practically the entire text of Sunderland's pamphlet, not finishing up the task until its issue of June 10, 1842. This lengthy serialization caught the eye of both newly-arrived LDS Apostle John E. Page and an unnamed local Campbellite preacher. The two religious opponents subsequently engaged in a lively debate in the pages of the Chronicle, a verbal duel that continued until the July 27th issue. Some quotations from the Campbellite side of the exchange were published in the Millennial Harbinger of Aug. 1842.

Note 2: Much of the information printed in Sundrland's pamphlet did not come as news to the readers of Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Episcopal Recorder had previously printed very similar material in its issues of Mar. 27, 1841, Apr. 10, 1841, and Apr. 17, 1841.

MORMONISM  EXPOSED.

(Continued from the N. Y. Watchman.)

I. -- Mormons profess to act under the infallible Inspiration of God... (This second installment in the reprint series reproduces Sunderland's booklet, pp. 13-18

(To be Continued.)

---

Joe Smith, it appears, was not killed, but only cowhided, at Nauvoo, lately.

---

A  MORMON  REQUEST.

==> The patrons of the Morning Chronicle are requested to preserve carefully those numbers which embrace those extracts from the New York Watchman, concerning Mormonism, as I will reply to them orally in due time.

"Should thy lies make men hold their piece? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?" -- Job. xi. 3.

              JOHN E. PAGE.
Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.


Note: Apostle Page's series of responses were printed in the Morning Chronicle from June 13 to July 20, 1842, supplemented with some special letters Page addressed to "A. Disciple," his anonymous Campbellite challenger. This Pittsburgh Campbellite may have been the "Brother Church" spoken of in the Feb. 1, 1842 issue of The Evangelist of the True Gospel, or, he may perhaps have been local Campbellite firebrand, Levi O. C. Nicklin.

MORMONISM  EXPOSED.

(Continued from the N. Y. Watchman.)

XI. -- One Grand Design of Mormonism is, to fill the pockets of its advocates with money... (Installment #3 in this reprint series reproduces Sunderland's booklet, pp. 19-21

(To be Continued.)

---

THE ASSASSINATION OF GOV. BOGGS OF MISSOURI. -- The perpetration of this crime has been charged upon the Mormons, for no reason we know of, but the fear the Missourians have of receiving some retaliation from that sect who were driven from their houses at an inclement season of the year, by bands of armed ruffians.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM  EXPOSED.

(Continued from the N. Y. Watchman.)

XII. -- Mormonism authorizes theft... (Installment #4 in this reprint series reproduces Sunderland's booklet, pp. 21-25

(To be Continued.)

---

INSOLVENT SAINTS. -- Joe Smith, Hiram Smith and Sidney Rigdon, have applied for the benefit of the Bankrupt Law, in Illinois. The Prophet Joe's debts amount to $100,000, his assets consisting of a little furniture, a few promissory notes, and some Nauvoo town lots.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM  EXPOSED.

(Continued from the N. Y. Watchman.)

XIII. -- Mormons charge their leaders with the crimes of Theft, Lying, Cheating, Counterfeiting, Slander, and other Infamous Crimes... (Installment #5 in this reprint series reproduces Sunderland's booklet, pp. 25-28

(To be Continued.)

---

CONTRADICTORY RUMORS. -- The Western papers say that Joe Smith, the Mormon, kissed another man's wife, shot Gov. Boggs of Missouri, took the benefit of the Bankrupt Law, and got killed in an affray in Nauvoo! We presume the first mentioned crime was the worst.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM  EXPOSED.

(Continued from the N. Y. Watchman.)

XIV. -- Mormonism Authorizes the crime of Robbery and Plunder... (Installment #6 in this reprint series reproduces Sunderland's booklet, pp. 28-32

(To be Continued.)

Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM  EXPOSED.

(Continued from the N. Y. Watchman.)

XVII. -- Mormonism compels its victims to a course of Irreligion and Crime, under the penalty of Death... (Installment #7 in this reprint series reproduces Sunderland's booklet, pp. 32-36

(To be Continued.)

---

MORMONISM. -- We have been informed that a Mormon, or Latter Day Saint, lately attempted to prevent the death of a child, in Allegheny city, by various Mormon ceremonies, after the physicians had stated its recovery impossible. The parents, we learn, offered to embrace Mormonism in case their child was restored to health, but, it is needless to say, the impostor failed entirely.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM  EXPOSED.

(Continued from the N. Y. Watchman.)

XIX. -- Mormonism compels its victims to a course of Irreligion and Crime, under the penalty of Death... (Installment #8 in this reprint series reproduces Sunderland's booklet, pp. 36-38

(To be Continued.)

Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM. -- We have been informed that a Mormon or Latter Day Saint lately attempted to prevent the death of a child in Allegheny city by various Mormon ceremonies after the physician had stated his recovery impossible. The parents, we learn, offered to embrace Mormonism in event their child was restored to health, but it is needless to say, the imposter failed entirely.


Note: Reprinted from the Morning Chronicle of Friday, June 3, 1842.

MORMONISM  EXPOSED.

(Continued from the N. Y. Watchman.)

XXI. -- The Mormon leaders hold that they, or their sect, are justly entitled to the Temporal and Spiritual Dominion of these United States... (Installment #9 in this reprint series reproduces Sunderland's booklet, pp. 38-41

(To be Continued.)

Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM  EXPOSED.

(Continued from the N. Y. Watchman.)

The Testimony of Burr Riggs... (Installment #10 in this reprint series reproduces Sunderland's booklet, pp. 41-47

(To be Continued.)

Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM  EXPOSED.

(Continued from the N. Y. Watchman.)

It was proved, on the trial of Joseph Smith... (Installment #11 in this reprint series reproduces Sunderland's booklet, pp. 47-52

(To be Continued.)

Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM  EXPOSED.

(Continued from the N. Y. Watchman.)

XXVII. -- Joseph Smith, jr., and other Mormons, are Notoriously Profane.... (Installment #12 in this reprint series reproduces Sunderland's booklet, pp. 53-58

(To be Continued.)

Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM  EXPOSED.

(Continued from the N. Y. Watchman.)

It is said those men have commenced a new translation of our common Bible... (Installment #13 -- the final episode -- in this article reprint series reproduces La Roy Sunderland's booklet, pp. 58-64)


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM.

This vulgar imposture is attracting notice both in this country and in Europe. A work has recently been published, entitled "Mormonism Unveiled" -- which gives the testimony on oath of eighty individuals, all residing in Wayne and Ontario counties, New York, the latter being the county in which the Book of Mormon is said to have been found. These witnesses are distinguished and respectable people, who are familiar with Smith's history; and their character is attested by the magistrates of those counties.

The following are some of the facts sworn to by these witnesses:

"That Joseph Smith, Jr., and his family, about the time he pretended to have discovered the book of Mormon, were known as 'fortune tellers,' and 'money diggers,' and that they often had recourse to tricks of juggling for the purpose of finding money which they said was hid in the earth.

"That the said Smith, up to that time, and after, was known as a wicked man, that he was a cheat, and a liar, and used profane language; that he was intemperate and quarrelsome.

"That his own father-in-law never had any condidence in him, and he was knowing to the manner in which Smith commenced his imposture in getting out what he called the book of Mormon.

"That Smith has, himself, confessed the cheat, and so has Martin Harris, one of his principle witnesses. Harris once said, 'What if it is a lie? If you will let me alone, I will make money out of it.'

"That Oliver Cowdery, another of the witnesses to Smith's book, was not a man of good character before he joined Smith in the cheat of Mormonism.

"That Smith and Martin Harris were in the habit of meeting together, often, just before the plates were said to be found, and were familiarly known in the neighborhood [as] the 'Gold Bible Company;' and they were regarded by the community, generally, as a lying, indolent set of fellows, in whom no confidence could be placed; and Joseph Smith, Jr.'s character for truth was so notoriously bad, that he could not be and was not believed when under oath.

"The wife of Martin Harris testifies, that he is both a cruel man and a liar, he having beat her and turned her out of his house.

"That Smith confessed his object in pretending to find the plates was to make money, saying, 'when completed, my family will be placed on a level above the generality of mankind.'

Such are some of the facts, which are proved beyond the possibility of confutation, by the affidavits of respectable witnesses, persons who were well acquainted with Joseph Smith, Jr. and his associates, both before and since the pretended discovery of the golden plates. And perhaps we cannot better close the investigation of this subject than by quoting a specimen of those testimonies. It is numerously signed, as will be seen, and by persons well acquainted with the "author and proprietor" of the book of Mormon.

PALMYRA, N. Y, Dec. 4, 1833.      

"We, the undersigned, have been acquainted with the Smith family, for a number of years, while they resided near this place, and we have no hesitation in saying, that we consider them destitute of that moral character, which ought to entitle them to the confidence of any community. They were particularly famous for visionary projects, spent much of their time in digging for money which they pretended was hid in the earth; and to this day, large excavations may be seen in the earth, not far from their residence, where they used to spend their time in digging for hidden treasures. Joseph Smith, Senior, and his son Joseph, were in particular, considered entirely destitute of moral character, and addicted to vicious habits.

"Martin Harris was a man who had acquired a handsome property, and in matters of business his word was considered good; but on moral and religious subjects, he was perfectly visionary -- sometimes advocating one sentiment, and sometimes another. And in reference to all with whom we were acquainted, that have embraced Mormonism from this neighborhood, we are compeled to say, were very visionary, and most of them destitute of moral character, and without influence in this community; and this may account why they were permitted to go on with their impositions undisturbed.

"It was not supposed that any of them were possessed of sufficient character or influence to make any one believe their book or their sentiments, and we know not of a single individual in this vicinity that puts the least confidence in their pretended revelations."

This last testimony is signed by more than fifty individuals who publish their names. And yet this awkward and silly scheme to make money by practising on the credulity of man, finds some adherants. Smith, Rigdon, and Harris, like Jemima Wilkinson and other cunning deceivers, have their followers! --   Presbyterian Advocate.


Note: The Spirit of Liberty was an obscure abolitionist paper published in Pittsburgh before the U. S. Civil War; it carried very few news items on the Mormons. The above article was reprinted from the Pittsburgh Presbyterian Advocate, a forerunner of the Presbyterian Banner. This little known paper should not be c