SPALDING STUDIES LIBRARY -- SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Sp. Col. Index | Mormon Classics | Bookshelf | Newspaper Articles | History Vault
Pomeroy Tucker (1802 - 1870)
Origin, Rise, and Progress of Mormonism
(NYC: D. Appleton & Co., 1867)
Contents | Part 1: pp. 1-67 | Part 2: pp. 68-182 | Part 3: pp. 183-302
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return to: page 67
CHAPTER VII.
ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 69 proclaimed by Smith and others in corroboration of the prophetic pretension. This circumstance explains the otherwise apparent inconsistency of the following allegations of eleven witnesses, which are appended to the printed volume: "The Testimony of three Witnesses: "Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that we, through the grace of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, his brethren, and also of the people of Jared, which came from the tower of which hath been spoken; and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for His voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from Heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true; and it is marvellous in our eyes: nevertheless, 70 M O R M O N I S M: the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with Him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.
OLIVER COWDERY, "And also the Testimony of eight Witnesses: "Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that Joseph Smith, Jr., the Author and Proprietor of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record, with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety, that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 71 world that which we have seen: and we lie not, God bearing witness of it. JACOB WHITMER, PETER WHITMER, JR., JOHN WHITMER, HIRAM PAGE, JOSEPH SMITH, SR., HYRUM SMITH, SAMUEL H. SMITH." How to reconcile the act of Harris in signing his name to such a statement, in view of the character of honesty which has always been conceded to him, could never be easily explained. In reply to uncharitable suggestions of his neighbors, he used to practise a good deal of his characteristic jargon about "seeing with the spiritual eye," and the like. As regards the other witnesses associated with Harris, their averments in this or any other matter could excite no more surprise than did those of Smith himself. It is interesting to quote the standard of Mormon authority for the justification of Smith's changed revelation which opened the way for these witnesses to sustain the existence of the metallic records. Here it is, as recorded in the eleventh chapter of the "Second Book of Nephi": "And it shall come to pass, that the Lord God shall bring forth unto you, the words of a book, and 72 M O R M O N I S M: they shall be the words of them which have slumbered. And behold, the book shall be sealed; and in the book shall be a revelation from God, from the beginning of the world, to the ending thereof. Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the things which are sealed, shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and abominations of the people. Wherefore the book shall be kept from them. But the book shall be delivered unto a man, and he shall deliver the words of the book, which are the words of they which have slumbered in the dust; and he shall deliver these words unto another; but the words which are sealed, he shall not deliver, neither shall he deliver the book. For the book shall be sealed by the power of God, and the revelation which was sealed, shall be kept in the book until the own due time of the Lord, that they may come forth; for, behold, they reveal all things from the foundation of the world, unto the end thereof. And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed, shall be read upon the house-tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ: and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever hath been among the children of men, and which ever will be, even unto the end of the earth. Wherefore, at that day when the book shall be delivered unto the man of whom I have spoken, the book shall be hid from the eyes of the world, that the eyes of none shall behold ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 73 it, save it be that three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of God, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered; and they shall testify to the truth of the book, and the things therein. And there is none other which shall view it, save it be a few, according to the will of God, to bear testimony of His word unto the children of men: for the Lord God hath said, that the words of the faithful should speak as if it were from the dead. Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to bring forth the words of the book; and in the mouth of as many witnesses as seemeth Him good, will He establish His word; and woe be unto him that rejecteth the Word of God. "But behold, it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall say unto him to whom He shall deliver the book, Take these words which are not sealed, and deliver them to another, that he may show them unto the learned, saying: Read this, I pray thee. And the learned shall say, Bring hither the book, and I will read them; and now, because of the glory of the world, and to get gain, will they say this, and not for the glory of God. And the man shall say, I cannot bring the book, for it is sealed. Then shall the learned say, I cannot read it. Wherefore, it shall come to pass, that the Lord God will deliver again the book and the words thereof, to him that is not learned; and the man that is not learned, shall say, I 74 M O R M O N I S M: am not learned. Then shall the Lord say unto him, The learned shall not read them, for they have rejected them, and I am able to do mine own work; wherefore, thou shalt read the words which I shall give unto thee. Touch not the things which sealed, for I will bring them forth in mine own due time: for I will show unto the children of men, that I am able to do mine own work. Wherefore, when thou hast read the words which I have commanded thee, and obtained the witnesses which I have promised unto thee, then shalt thou seal up the book again, and hide it up unto me, that I may preserve the words which thou hast not read, until I shall see fit in mine own wisdom, to reveal all things unto the children of men. For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, to-day, and forever; and I work not among the children of men, save it be according to their faith." Another theory in regard to the plates and hieroglyphics claimed to be found by Smith may possibly be explained in this way. In the list of American antiquities found in the Western country, and preserved in the museums of antiquarians, are what are called glyphs, consisting of curious metallic plates covered with hieroglyphical characters. Professor Rafinesque, in his Asiatic Journal for 1832, describes similar plates found by him in Mexico, being "written from top to ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 75 bottom like the Chinese, or from side to side indifferently, like the Egyptians and the Demotic Libyan." A number of these remains were found a few years ago in Pike County, Illinois, described as "six plates of brass of a bell shape, each having a hole near the small end, with a ring and clasps through a;; of them, and clasped with two clasps. The ring and clasps appeared to be iron, very much oxidated. The plates first appeared to be copper, and had the appearance of being covered with characters. A cleansing by sulpheric acid brought out the characters distinctly." Smith may have obtained through Rigdon (the literary genius behind the screen) one of these glyphs, which resemble so nearly his description of the book he pretended to find on Mormon Hill. For the credit of human character, it is better at any rate to presume this, and that the eleven ignorant witnesses were deceived by appearances, than to conclude that they willfully committed such gross moral perjury before high Heaven, as their solemn averments imply. Mormonism and its bible being thus the candidates for acceptance or rejection before the public judgment, an early popular decision was sought by their supporters. Up to this time Sidney Rigdon had played his part in the background and his occasional visits at Smith's residence had been noticed by uninitiated observers as those of the mysterious stranger. It had been his policy to remain in concealment until 76 M O R M O N I S M: all things should be in readiness for blowing the trumpet of the new gospel. He was a backsliding clergyman of the Baptist persuasion, and at the period referred to was the principal preacher of a sort of religious society calling themselves "Reformers" or "Disciples," at Mentor, Ohio, near Kirtland. From all that is known by the writer, of his character, he is believed to have been a man possessing considerable educational and scientific abilities; an active, sanguineous temperament; a bold and persevering disposition; and inclinations preponderating toward original theories and schemes of philosophical adventure. His age at this period was about thirty-eight years. This man Rigdon now appeared as the first regular Mormon preacher in Palmyra. Martin Harris was his forerunner, and relieved him of his incognito position. Harris had in vain sought the use of the churches respectively for his appointed service. But the hall of the Palmyra Young Men's Association, in the third story of Exchange Row, was yielded for the object, upon the earnest entreaty of Harris, whose sincerity and good intentions were unquestioned. At the designated hour, a respectable audience had assembled; but it was a small one, for be it remembered that the church of the order of Latter-Day Saints was just emerging from its chrysalis state. Rigdon introduced himself as "the Messenger of 
SIDNEY RIGDON IN HIS FIRST MORMON SERMON. ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 77 God," declaring that he was commanded from above to proclaim the Mormon revelation. He then went through the ceremonious form of prayer, in which he expressed his grateful sense of blessings of the glorious gospel dispensation now opening to the world, and the miraculous light from Heaven to be displayed through the instrumentality of the "chosen revelator," Joseph Smith, Jr. Bespeaking the favor of the Most High in return for the kindness of the Association in granting the use of their hall, he concluded his prayer by commending all believers to the divine care and protection against the sneers and persecutions of their adversaries. The discourse was based upon the following text read by the preacher from the recently published Book of Mormon, which the searcher may find in "First Book of Nephi," chapter iv. (page 32, original edition): -- "And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which is of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Eternal Father and Saviour of the world; and that all men must come unto Him, or they cannot be saved." 78 M O R M O N I S M: The preacher assumed to establish the theory that the Book of Mormon and the old Bible were one in inspiration and importance, and that the "precious things" now revealed had for wise purposes been withheld from the book first promulgated to the world, and were necessary to establish its truth. In the course of his argument he applied various quotations from the two books to prove his position. Holding the Book of Mormon in his right hand, and the Bible in his left, he brought them together in a manner corresponding to the emphatic declaration made by him, that they were both equally the Word of God; that neither was perfect without the other; and that they were inseparably necessary to complete the everlasting gospel of the Saviour Jesus Christ. The "latter-day" theory was dwelt upon at some length, with apparent seriousness. Reiterating the declaration made in his introduction, that he was "commanded" to proclaim these truths for the salvation of fallen man, he wound up his discourse by a warning appeal to the confidence and faith of his hearers; adding a benediction. This is by no means offered as a literal report of the "sermon" beyond a few points, but is believed to state truthfully and fairly its essential features, as quite distinctly remembered after a lapse of nearly thirty-seven years. Altogether, though evidencing some talent and ingenuity in its matter and manner, ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 79 and delivered with startling boldness and seeming sincerity, the performance was in the main an unintelligible jumble of quotations, assertions, and obscurities, which was received by the audience as shockingly blasphemous, as it was painful to hear. The manifestations of disfavor were so unequivocal that Harris hesitatingly assented to the suggestion of his "Gentile" friends to withhold all further request for the use of the hall for a repetition of the exhibition. And "regular preaching" upon the Mormon plan was never again attempted by Rigdon or any other man in Palmyra, according to the best knowledge and belief of the writer. Rigdon, however, remained at Smith's for some days, preaching in the neighborhoods, and baptizing several converts. Smith himself, with Harris, Cowdery, and Stoddard, also made some advances toward preaching in an irregular, miscellaneous way, in barns and in the streets; but all these failed to find "orderly-behaved" hearers in sufficient numbers to encourage their persistence in the clerical vocation. They "lacked the gift of public speaking" to communicate the revelation, as it was explained by themselves. Cowdery excelled in the baptismal service, but that seemed to be the extent of his ministerial talent. An anecdote, well remembered by numerous people now living near the scene of the performance, will 80 M O R M O N I S M: serve as an illustration of the facility with which Smith gained converts and co-laborers. Stoddard was an early believer in Mormonism, and was quite as eccentric a character as Harris. He was slightly impressed that he had a call to preach the new gospel, but his mind was beclouded with perplexing doubts upon the question. One dark night, about ten o'clock, Stephen S. Harding, then a stalwart, fun-loving, dare-devil genius of eighteen years, late Territorial Governor of Utah (not a Mormon), who well knew Stoddard's peculiarities, and being bent on making a sensation, repaired with his genial friend, Abner Tucker, to the residence of the enthusiast; and awakening him from sleep by three signals upon the door with a huge stone, deliberately proclaimed, in a loud, sonorous voice, with solemn intonations -- "C-a-l-v-i-n S-t-o-d-d-a-r-d! t-h-e a-n-g-e-l o-f t-h-e L-o-r-d c-o-m-m-a-n-d-s t-h-a-t b-e-f-o-r-e a-n-o-t-h-e-r g-o-i-n-g d-o-w-n o-f t-h-e s-u-n t-h-o-u s-h-a-l-t g-o f-o-r-t-h a-m-o-n-g t-h-e p-e-o-p-l-e a-n-d p-r-e-a-c-h t-h-e g-o-s-p-e-l o-f N-e-p-h-i, o-r t-h-y w-i-f-e s-h-a-l-l b-e a w-i-d-o-w, t-h-y c-h-i-l-d-r-e-n o-r-p-h-a-n-s, a-n-d t-h-y a-s-h-e-s s-c-a-t-t-e-r-e-d t-o t-h-e f-o-u-r w-i-n-d-s o-f h-e-a-v-e-n!" The experiment was a complete success. Stoddard's former convictions were now confirmed. Such a convincing "revelation" was final, and not to be disregarded. Early the next morning the subject of this ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 81 "special call" was seen upon his rounds among his neighbors, as a Mormon missionary, earnestly telling them of the "command" he had received to preach. Luminous arguments and evidences were adduced by him to sustain the foundation of his belief in this his revealed sphere of duty! In further illustration of the strange superstitions characterizing these pioneer disciples of Mormonism, and to complete the chain of facts going to make up this truthful history, it is proper to add one other important incident, which has never appeared in any accepted record of the saints. Enthusiastic members of the brotherhood -- perhaps it should be said the more visionary of the believers -- had plied the "spirit of prophecy" in foretelling the event of a miraculous birth in association with an unmarried daughter of Joseph Smith, Sr. This predicted event was to astonish the gentile world as a second advent of triune humanity. Harris was exceedingly happy in the belief of a forthcoming prophet or Messiah under the Mormon dispensation, and spoke unreservedly of an "immaculate conception in our day and generation." The ample shrewdness of the prophet had probably been called in requisition to allay some unfavorable surmises on the part of his observing disciple, who was a frequenter at the family mansion; and it is apparent that the theory invented was readily adopted by Harris. Rigdon had been an occasional sojourner 82 M O R M O N I S M: at Smith's for a year or more though the reader may fail to perceive what this circumstance had to do with the case. The upshot of the story is, that soon after the family started for Ohio, the miracle eventuated somewhere on the route, in the birth of a lifeless female child! The accident was readily set down to the account of divine intervention to avenge some act of Mormon disobedience, and Harris was thus easily reconciled. In the summer of 1830, the founders of the Mormon Church then remaining at the scene of its birthplace, who had talked much of going on a mission into the Western country to convert the Lamanites (meaning Indians), started on their western expedition with their unsold Golden Bibles, and went to Mentor, Ohio, the residence of Rigdon, and of Parley P. Pratt, his friend and co-worker. Near this place is Kirtland, where there were a few families belonging to Rigdon's congregation, who had become extremely fanatical under his preparatory preaching and prophecies, and were daily looking for the occurrence of some wonderful event. Seventeen of these people, men and women, readily espoused the new revelation, and were immersed by Cowdery in one night, in attestation of their Mormon faith. By the continued ministration of Rigdon, aided by Pratt, Smith, Cowdery, and their auxiliaries, conversions rapidly followed; a powerful impetus was given to the cause; and over one ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 83 hundred persons were added to the fold in a short time. Kirtland from about this period became the headquarters of the Mormons, where their Church and colony were thoroughly organized and temporarily established. |
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ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS.
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CHAPTER IX.
But neither the specimen passages reprinted in the preceding pages, nor the book in its entirety, furnish any satisfactory answer to the question of its origin and purpose. Nor is such answer found in the fabulous visions and revelations of the preacher Smith, nominally corroborated as they are by the testimony of his eleven confederate witnesses. The glyph problem, even if Smith had obtained one of those fossil 112 M O R M O N I S M: curiosities, as has been suggested in another connection, can in no wise apply in this case. these questions, therefore, must necessarily be left to individual choice of solution, as between the conflicting theories and evidence at hand; and it will best accord with the design of this publication, to present for that choice the opposing conclusions of Mormons and Gentiles. "That a single man, in the midst of the enlightenment of this century, should have been able to throw the lines of mysticism so thoroughly over the minds of hundreds and thousands of men and women, is not more wonderful than the earnest and self-denying faith with which his devotees have sustained an unbroken unity, under circumstances of remarkable privation and peril. Nor is it less surprising that the assumption of a power very nearly absolute, by one man, who is regarded as the legitimate successor of the original prophet, has come to be accepted by this people as a divine ordination, and that to one guiding spirit alone is yielded the homage and obedience which insure the autocratic sway of Brigham Young. Considered in all their relations -- religious, political, moral, or social -- the Mormons are a curious people. Occupying for their headquarters a portion of the American continent which is far removed from the influences of civilization, * and indeed is for many months in the __________ * This description (from Introduction to Wright & Co.'s New York edition "Book of Mormon") dates back to the beginning of the Mormon ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 113 year totally inaccessible -- cooped up among overhanging mountains -- destitute of the refinements of ordinary social life -- bent beneath the sway of an unscrupulous hierarchy -- holding to practices which, elsewhere than in their own territory, would subject them to the penalties of the law; and, withal, noted for a spirit of zeal, industry, and perseverance, which has enabled them to convert the wildest moods of Nature into servants of their will -- the Mormons have earned an enduring reputation for sincerity, and energy, and capacity. When the secrets of their origin, and progress and government, shall have been added to the published record of their religious belief, this people will rank among the most extraordinary of all the sects that have sprung into life as the world has run its course." First, in the pursuit of information showing the true origin and correct history of the Book of Mormon, let the reader consider the legendary account adopted by the Mormons themselves. This is furnished in a published statement by Parley P. Pratt, the early convert at Palmyra, and the contemporary of Smith and Rigdon at their first confederated appearance in Ohio, and also an accepted oracle in the subsequent history of Mormonism. According to that authority, the Latter-Day Saints claim that portion __________ colony in Utah, when that territory was yet in the wilds of Mexico, and before its acquisition by the United States. 114 M O R M O N I S M: of their history runs back to that extremely remote age when the tongues were confounded at the Tower of Babel. They hold that at the time of that event, the tribes of the earth were scattered abroad, and that the migrations of one particular colony were especially directed by the Lord, who led the favored few across the sea to the Western Continent, now called America. This colony inhabited America for some fifteen hundred years, but were destroyed for their wickedness at a period about six hundred years before Christ. A prophet, Ether, was their historian, and one of the books in the Mormon Bible, which bears his name, gives a full account of his genealogy and of the nature of his prophetic office. Ether seems to have been a lineal descendant from Jared, and Jared was one of the favored colony, led out from the polyglot tribulation at the Tower, and conducted subsequently to the land of rest which was provided on the territory now known as America. the prophet lived to see the last vestige of his nation become extinct, and, having finished the record of its history and destruction, deposited it, under divine direction, in the locality where it was found by another colony. "The second colony according to the best Mormon authority, was composed of Israelites, and came from Jerusalem about the year 600 B.C., occupying the place of the original colony, which was then extinct ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 115 and re-peopling America. the new colonists were descendants of the tribe of Joseph. They grew and multiplied, became rich and powerful, and in process of time divided into two nations; one of which, the Nephites, so named after its founded Nephi, became noted for enlightenment and civilization, -- while the other branch, the Lamanites, taking their name from their leader Laman, lapsed into barbarism, and were destitute of the refinements and advantages which attend a state of civilized existence. the Mormon historians make this latter branch the immediate progenitors of the American Indians, "The Mormon history proceeds to record the progress of the opposing nations of the Nephites and Lamanites. the Nephites appear to have been highly favored of the Lord. they enjoyed visions, received the visitation of angels, and the gift of prophecy was handed down from age to age. Finally, they were blessed with a personal appearance of Jesus Christ after His resurrection from the dead; received from Him the doctrine of the Gospel, and were invested with the power of foretelling the events of the future. In this happy condition of grace and wisdom, the race of the Nephites continued until the fourth century of the Christian era, when, through temptation, they fell from their high estate, and finally were destroyed by their wicked neighbors, the Lamanites. the most noted prophet of the 116 M O R M O N I S M: golden age of the Nephites was Mormon. By divine commandment, Mormon made an abridgment of the sacred records, which contained the history of his forefathers, narrated the prophecies which were made to them, and sketched the events which attended the introduction of the Gospel among them. the history of his own time was appended to this record, and Mormon put the finishing touch to his historical labors, by narrating the destruction of his nation -- both he and his predecessor Ether having been permitted to escape the general destruction, in order that the record of the great events which produced the catastrophe might descend safely to future generations. Mormon, having completed his work, laid him down to die, and intrusted to his son Moroni the task of concealing the plates upon which he had recorded the story of his nation. From this point commences the history of the Mormon Bible. "In order to preserve the plates from falling into the impious hands of the Lamanites, Moroni deposited them carefully in the earth, in a locality then called the Hill Camorah -- now a part of Ontario County, in the State of New York. the record was carefully sealed up, and buried several feet below the surface of the hill, and the date of that occurrence is fixed about A.D. 420. Fourteen hundred years passed away, until, on the 22d day of September, 1827, an angel of the Lord directed Joseph Smith, Jr. (the ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 117 original prophet), to exhume the long-buried history." * The legend proceeds with a description of the metallic volume, a part of which was sealed and not to be seen, even by Smith himself, until further revelation, and also of the Urim and Thummim or large spectacles to be used in translating, which are substantially the same as given elsewhere.
118 M O R M O N I S M: of beans, and proceeded upon his journey. He had not gone far, before he was overtaken by an officer with a search-warrant, who flattered himself with the idea that he should surely obtain the plates; but after searching very diligently, he was sadly disappointed at not finding them. Mr. Smith then drove on, but before he got to his journey's end he was again overtaken by the officer on the same business, and after ransacking the wagon very carefully, he went his way as much chagrined as in the first instance, at not being able to discover the object of his search. Without any further molestation, he pursued his journey until he came into the northern part of Pennsylvania, near the Susquehanna River. Here, by the power of God, and with the aid of two crystals set in a bow (the Urim and Thummim), he translated the unsealed portion of the records into the English tongue, in obedience to the divine command." The latter portion of this Mormon second-thought -- the alleged procurement of the "translations" in Pennsylvania -- is probably a little nearer the truth than the pretensions first put forth by Smith, Cowdery, Harris, and their prime associates; for their story then was, that the translations were made in the manner before stated, at Smith's residence in Manchester. Whereas, no doubt, the exact truth is, that a copy of their production was made from a manuscript then held by an accomplice in Pennsylvania ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 119 The whole idea of an attempt to harm Smith in any way, or to rob him of his "golden bible," is purely a Mormon invention, based upon no other circumstance in truth, than that an individual creditor in vain sent a constable after him in the hope of securing the payment of a small debt. "Elder Oliver Cowdery," who was one of the pioneer Mormons at Manchester and Palmyra, published at Independence, Mo., in 1834, a description of the hill where Smith claimed to have obtained the records, with the following ingenious account of their deposit by Moroni; and the same account was republished by one of the Mormon missionaries at Edinburgh in 1840:
120 M O R M O N I S M: man to draw his own conclusion, and form his own speculation. A hole of sufficient depth was dug; at the bottom of this was laid a stone of suitable size, the upper surface being smooth; at each edge was placed a large quantity of cement, and into this cement at the four edges of this stone, were placed erect four others; their bottom edges resting in the cement, at the outer edges of the first stone. The four last named, when placed erect, formed a box; the corners, or where the edges of the four came in contact, were also cemented so firmly, that the moisture from without was prevented from entering. It is to be observed, also, that the inner surfaces of the four erect or side stones was smooth. This box was sufficiently large to admit a breast-plate, such as was used by the ancients to defend the chest, etc. from the arrows and weapons of their enemy. From the bottom of the box, or from the breast-plate, arose three small pillars, composed of the same description of cement used on the edges; and upon these three pillars was placed the record. This box containing the record was covered with another stone, the bottom surface being flat, and the upper crowning." Does the reader require proof of the utter untruth of all this parade of particulars about finding any thing of the kind pretended, either in Ontario County or elsewhere? But it is a noticeable incident in the whole progress of the imposture, that the uneducated ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 121 and ignorant character of Smith was turned to his advantage over his followers. His want of cultivation in respect to "the world's wisdom," precluded in their minds the idea of the exercise of any natural or acquired faculties in producing his wonderful revelations and translations. Their reasoning was: "He is unlearned of men, therefore how could he acquire the ancient learning displayed, if it were not supernaturally communicated to him? And they argued, that he could not have made the translations without the plates. Convincing logic for Mormon fanatics! Here comes in for application and reflection the coincidence of Sidney Rigdon's long-continued incognito sojournments at the money-digger's residence during the Mormon incubation. Who can doubt that he and Smith had become confederates in a grand scheme of cupidity and imposture? They had surreptitiously possessed themselves of a fabulous composition peculiarly adapted to their design. Secrecy and falsehood were necessary to the success of such a scheme, and to these, it is self-evident, they were mutually sworn. The following explanatory statements, received from the best authority, supply the proof: "About the year 1809, the Reverend Solomon Spaulding, a clergyman who had graduated from Dartmouth College, and settled in the town of Cherry Valley, in the State of New York, removed from that 122 M O R M O N I S M: place to New Salem (Conneaut), Ashtabula County, Ohio. Mr. Spaulding was an enthusiastic archaeologist. The region to which he removed was rich in American antiquities. The mounds and traces of fortifications abounding there, which have puzzled the brains of many patient explorers, attracted his attention. On account of failing health, he had retired from the active labors of his profession; and being possessed of a lively imagination, and familiar with the classics and ancient history, he sought to beguile the hours of retirement and employ his mind by writing a fabulous historical record of a long-lost race, adopting the hypothesis that his manuscript was found in one of the mounds. He accepted the theory that the American continent had been peopled by a colony of the ancient Israelites. The ample material by which he was surrounded, full of mythical interest and legendary suggestiveness, led him to the conception of the curious literary project referred to. the work was commenced, and progressed slowly for some time. Portions of it were read by Mr. Spaulding to his friends, as its different sections were completed, and after about three years' labor, that is, in 1812 or 1813, the volume was completed, bearing the title of 'The Manuscript Found.'" Mr. Spaulding submitted his work to a printer named Patterson, at Pittsburgh, Pa., with a view to its publication on joint account. The printing proposal, however, for ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 123 some reason, was not carried out, and the manuscript remained in Patterson's office until 1816, when it was reclaimed by the author, who in that year removed to Amity, Washington County, N. Y. [sic], where he died in 1827. The manuscript remained in the widow's possession until it was missed or stolen from a trunk in Otsego County, where she had removed, about the time the "Book of Mormon" began to be publicly mentioned. "In the employment of the printer Patterson was a versatile genius, one Sidney Rigdon, to whom no trade came amiss, and who happened at the time to be a journeyman printer at work with Patterson. Disputations on questions of theology were the peculiar delight of Rigdon; and the probable solution of the mystery of this Book of Mormon, is found in the fact, that he had made a copy of Spaulding's manuscript, and communicated information of the existence of the fictitious record to Joseph Smith, Jr.," after becoming acquainted with Smith's money-digging operations. Patterson died in 1826 [sic]. From all the evidence possessed, there can be no doubt that the plan of founding a new system of religion was concocted by these two shrewd and unscrupulous persons, and that the Spaulding fable was its basis. "The fact that the style of the Mormon book so closely imitates that of the received version of the Bible -- a point which seems to have been constantly 124 M O R M O N I S M: kept in view by Mr. Spaulding, probably in order to invest the fiction with a stronger character of reality -- answered admirably for the purposes of Rigdon and Smith. Superstition readily embraces any thing which has a show of reality, especially if it be sustained by a sanction apparently divine; and the success of this remarkable literary imposture is not more wonderful than the devotion of the Mohammedan to the Koran, which, like the Book of Mormon, is accepted as the standard of a religious faith. The Millerite fanaticism was less marked, but found not less earnest followers." These statements are derived from the declaration of Mrs. Spaulding herself, as made in 1831 [sic], and subsequently. In that year, Dr. Philastus Hurlburt, living near New Salem, Ohio (after Mormonism had become seated in that State), who had obtained a copy of the Book of Mormon, came by appointment of a public meeting of his neighbors, in pursuit of information on the subject, to Palmyra, N. Y., where he stated that he was acquainted with several reliable persons who had seen the Spaulding manuscript, and who recognized its identity in the main with the printed book. He furthermore obtained the same recognition from Mrs. Spaulding, and from Mr. John Spaulding, a brother of the deceased. No doubt the Spaulding manuscript was altered by Rigdon and Smith to suit the case in hand and ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 125 meet rising exigencies. Instead, it is apparent from the marked changes in style of composition occurring in numbers of instances, that emendations and additions were made by some other than the original writer's hand Then too, the verbose title-page -- the incendiarism of Mrs. Harris -- the testimonies of witnesses, and the long line of revelations that followed -- which are not presumed to have been composed by the illiterate Smith, but by Rigdon during Smith's lifetime -- all these are strong corroborative considerations connected with the proofs that Rigdon supplied the literary aliment needed in conforming the Spaulding production to the grand co-partnership Mormon speculation. And it is not known that he has ever disclaimed the part that for more than thirty years has been publicly assigned to him in the great plagiarism and imposture. Rigdon was in possession of a copy of this manuscript before he had heard of Smith's money-digging delusions, and the application ultimately made of it, as Smith's accomplice, was incidental. It is not a noteworthy retribution in his case, that his Mormon history should come to a sudden close after the murder of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum in 1844, when he was defeated by Brigham Young in a contest for the successorship as prophet, and quit Nauvoo and the "saints," under the ban of expulsion? 126 M O R M O N I S M: He was expelled from a church and colony which he had been so instrumental in bringing into being, and went to Allegany County, N. Y., where he has lived to the present time. A citizen of that county, in reply to inquiries writes: "Rigdon used to lecture on various scientific subjects, and was regarded as a man of ability and a good public speaker. He has been solicited to publish an authentic history of the Mormon speculation, but is said to decline doing so from fear of Mormon vengeance. It is supposed he might, if so minded, give a better reason for his refusal. He is now seventy-five years of age, and his habits are those of seclusion and reticence." In the pursuit of data for this history, the favor of information was sought from Mr. Rigdon. Preliminary to a proposed personal interview, a note was addressed to him by mail, at "Friendship, Allegany County, N. Y.," of which the following is a copy: (Prepaid and postage-stamps enclosed.) ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 127 Are you willing to be consulted personally regarding the origin of the Book of Mormon? Or, will you favor me by mail with any information such as may suggest itself to you as useful to me in carrying out a design in hand to write up for publication, a brief, connected, and truthful history of Mormonism and its founders, from the commencement to the present date of that system? No answer came from Mr. Rigdon. Brigham Young, now the autocrat-prophet of the saints at Salt Lake City, in reply to the admonition of a friend at the time he joined Smith and the Mormons at Kirtland, said: "The doctrine Smith teaches is all I know about the matter; bring any thing against that if you can; as to any thing else, I don't care if he acts like a devil; he has brought forth a religion that will save us, if we abide by it; he may get drunk every day of his life, sleep with his neighbor's wife 128 M O R M O N I S M: every night, gamble, and run horses, and be guilty of all you allege against him -- I don't care any thing about these questions, for I don't embrace the man in my faith." This closed the argument. Peter Ingersoll, a respectable citizen of Palmyra, who had believingly taken some part in Smith's money-digging operations, and was at first inclined to put faith in his "Golden Bible" pretensions, declared under oath, that "Smith told him the whole story was a hoax; that he had found no such book; but that as he had got the d----d fools fixed, he was bound to carry out the fun." Testimony of the same tenor on this head might be multiplied, if it were not considered superfluous. |
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ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS.
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CHAPTER X.
130 M O R M O N I S M: Joseph Smith, Sr., the first "patriarch and president" of the Church, soon removed with his family to Kirtland, and fulfilled the dignity of his office. Harris early made a purchase of property there, and took his place in the Church with the Smiths, Rigdon, Pratt, Cowdery, the Whitmers, and other pioneers -- making occasional return visits in looking after his property affairs at Palmyra. The next interest was to disseminate to the people the newly revealed "latter-day" religion. The system of missionary labor already inaugurated at Mentor, was put in active requisition; the emissaries pressed the cause with zeal and artistic effect; the trumpet of "the true gospel" was sounded to the gentiles; the superstitious and ignorant were captivated; respectable men and women quaked amid the scene; and conversions were multiplied and blazoned abroad. A sensation was produced unparalleled in the annals of that community; and multitudes, embracing the Smith and Rigdon theory, rushed into the new Zion, as if believing the last days were at hand in sober verity. And fanaticism stood aghast! Thus was the Mormon Church matured, and the colony of the saints speedily enlarged. Incomers from a distance, professing the faith, reinforced their numbers, including some families of character, influence, and wealth. The prophet, though "uneducated and unlearned in worldly wisdom (quoting the phrase ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 131 used). was acknowledged to possess by the spirit of revelation great heavenly gifts, such as "speaking in unknown tongues, performing miracles, and healing the sick." No doubt Rigdon from the start had more to do with this strange adventure than Smith; for without the fictitious "records" derived through his instrumentality from the Spaulding fable, the Mormon device, in all probability, would never have been invented. But as a result of circumstances, Smith was necessarily the nominal chief; and, considering his lack of cultivation, he must have been naturally the superior genius of the two. he had been put forward as the prophet, seer, and revelator, and his native sagacity was equal to his opportunity. He availed himself of his advantage in maintaining his preeminence as the grand oracle and generalissimo; and continued to exercise this superiority until the day of his death. Finding himself surrounded and sustained by large and increasing numbers of believing followers, including some people of ample pecuniary means, Smith tried a bold venture upon their credulity in his own behalf. This was a "revelation" which he communicated to his disciples, to the effect that they should "immediately build a house for the prophet, in which he might live and translate." It was in February, 1831, and the command was cheerfully accepted and 132 M O R M O N I S M: obeyed. Another revelation, alike successful, shortly followed, commanding that "my chosen Joseph shall not labor for a living." Though the impostor "seemed to intelligent men little better than a buffoon, his followers regarded him as almost deserving of adoration," and he was enabled by their tribute to revel in whatever luxury or profligacy was most agreeable to his vulgar taste and ambition. His power was now next to omnipotent in Mormondom. Brigham Young was converted and joined the Mormons at Kirtland in 1832. Like Joseph Smith, Jr., he was a native of Vermont, being his senior by four years. It is a further noteworthy coincidence, that of all his father's family, consisting of five sons with himself, and six daughters, became Mormons -- the father, John Young, afterwards becoming president and patriarch of the Church. Furthermore, Brigham's peculiarities of character were similar to Joseph's. He was shrewd, bold, and resolute, possessing an almost intuitive knowledge of men. He soon attracted attention, and became influential with his brethren. They were involuntarily swayed by his strong, electrical will; and he was recognized as a man born to rule and lead the masses. He was soon ordained one of the quorum of Twelve Apostles that had been organized; and in 1836, the president of that body having apostatized, he was elected to succeed 
BRIGHAM YOUNG. ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 133 him. He went forth and preached and proselyted with marked success. From that day to this his influence and power within the jurisdiction of Mormondom has been resistless. Brigham Young was early trained to farming, which was his father's occupation, but had learned the trade of painter and glazier, which he followed in the State of New York, until his Mormon conversion at Kirtland. Here the coincidence between him and Smith is broken, for the latter never learned a trade, nor harbored a disposition to "labor for a living." Up to 1834, the Mormon creed and system of church government were altogether subject to the caprice of "revelation." Smith, sustained by Rigdon, Pratt, and Young, was the supreme ruler in fact over both the spiritual and temporal affairs of his disciples. It became necessary, to avoid possible discontents and jealousies, to have an outward form of organization. In carrying out this purpose a high council was formed as follows: "This day a general council of twenty-four high priests assembled at the house of Joseph Smith, Jr., by revelation, and proceeded to organize the high council of the Church of Christ, which was to consist of twelve high priests, and one or three presidents as the case might require. The high council was appointed by revelation for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the Church, 134 M O R M O N I S M: which could not be settled by the church or the bishop's council to the satisfaction of the parties -- "Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams were acknowledged presidents by the voice of the council; and Joseph Smith, Sr., John Smith, Joseph Coe, John Johnson, Martin Harris, John S. Carter, Jared Carter, Oliver Cowdery, Samuel H. Smith, Orson Hyde, Sylvester Smith, and Luke Johnson, high priests, were chosen to be a standing council for the Church, by the unanimous voice of the council." Each quorum had its president; and the president of the quorum of three is the president of the high council, and over all the Church, from whom "comes the administration of ordinances and blessings upon the Church, by the laying on of hands." Joseph Smith, Jr., was the first president. The president is "the seer, revelator, and prophet, having all the gifts of God, which he bestows upon the head of the Church." As president of the high council, he may, "in cases of difficulty respecting doctrine or principle, inquire and obtain the mind of the Lord by revelation." The prophet had previously provided for his supremacy in the revelation: "Behold, there shall be a record kept among you, and in it thou shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 135 Church, through the will of God the Father, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, being inspired of the Holy Ghost to lay the foundation thereof, and to build it up into the most holy faith." And the following important celestial enunciation was added: "But behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this Church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., for he receiveth them even as Moses; and thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron, to declare faithfully the commandments and revelations with power and authority unto the Church. And if thou art led at any time by the Comforter to speak or teach, or at all times by the way of commandment unto the Church, thou mayst do it; but thou shalt not write by way of commandment, but by wisdom. And thou shalt not command him who is at thy head, and at the head of the Church; for I have given him the keys of the mysteries and the revelations which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead." By these exalted authorities, the prophet becomes the president of the Church, and preserves his absolute power over Mormondom. This absolutism was exercised in continuing to put forth revelations, "performing miracles, preaching in unknown tongues, healing the sick," and sending off missionaries; and at the 136 M O R M O N I S M: same time securing to himself nearly all the wealth of his followers, under a system of tithing and other forms of ecclesiastical appropriation. Tithing, in the Mormon hierarchy, is a regular system of the appropriation of individual property for the support and aggrandizement of the prophet and his priesthood. By an early revelation Smith discovered that those having property should convey it to the bishop and his counselors for the support of the poor, for the purchase of lands for the public benefit of the Church, and the building of houses of worship, etc. In August it was revealed to Smith that "all the moneys which can be spared, it mattereth not whether it be little or much, be sent up unto the land of Zion, unto them whom I have appointed to receive." Subsequently, to meet the rising emergencies, the prophet gave out this very definite revelation: "In answer to the question, O Lord, show unto thy servants how much thou requirest of the properties of thy people for a tithing? Verily, thus saith the Lord, I require all their surplus property to be put into the hands of the bishop of my church in Zion, for the building of mine house, and for the laying of the foundation of Zion and for the priesthood, and for the debts of the presidency of my Church; and this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people; and after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 137 shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord. Verily I say unto you, it shall come to pass that all those who gather unto the land of Zion shall be tithed of their surplus properties, and shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you." The machinery of church government is diversified in its functions, and is not altogether apparent to the profane. The great, studied design, has been to secure despotic power in the few chief impostors, and thus perpetuate the Mormon hierarchy. There are two priesthoods in the Church -- the Melchisedek and the Aaronic (which latter includes the Levitical). All other authorities are appendages to one or the other of these priesthoods. Each priesthood holds the key of the peculiar mysteries which it has in charge. The key is an important emblem in Mormon symbolics. All heavenly mysteries are duly locked up, and cannot be opened except by the agent who is authorized to hold and use the key. The Melchisedek is the superior priesthood, and consists of high-priests and elders; the Aaronic is inferior, and made up of bishops, priests, teachers, and deacons. The Melchisedek priesthood is clustered about with holy sanctions and sublime mysteries, which strike awe into the minds of the simple-minded believers. For instance: "And the sons of Moses, according to the holy 138 M O R M O N I S M: priesthood which he received under the hand of his father-in-law Jethro, and Jethro received it under the hand of Caleb, and Caleb received it under the hand of Elihu, and Elihu under the hand of Jeremy, and Jeremy under the hands of Gid, and Gid under the hand of Esaias, and Esaias received it under the hand of God; Esaias also lived in the days of Abraham, and was blessed of him; which Abraham received the priesthood from Melchisedek, who received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah; and from Noah till Enoch, through the lineage of their fathers; and from Enoch to Abel, who was slain by the conspiracy of his brother, who received the priesthood by the commandments of God, by the hand of his father Adam, who was the first man; which priesthood continueth in the Church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years." The power and authority of the Melchisedek priesthood is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings to the Church, to have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus Christ the Mediator of the new covenant. The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic priesthood, is to hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in outward ordinances -- the letter of the gospel -- the baptism of repentance for ITS ORIGIN, RISE, AND PROGRESS. 139 the remission of sins, agreeably to the covenants and commandments. * The following sketch of the "Faith and Doctrine of the Mormon Church" has been publicly put forth as the accepted theology of Mormonism: "First, we believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost, who bears record of them, the same throughout all ages and forever. "We believe that all mankind, by the transgression of their first parents, and not by their own sins, were brought under the curse and penalty of that transgression, which consigned them to an eternal banishment from the presence of God, and their bodies to an endless sleep in the dust, never more to rise, and their spirits to endless misery under the power of Satan; and that, in this awful condition, they were utterly lost and fallen, and had no power of their own to extricate themselves therefrom. "We believe, that through the sufferings, death, and atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind, without one exception, are to be completely, and fully redeemed, both body and spirit, from the endless banishment and curse, to which they were consigned, by Adam's transgression; and that this universal salvation and redemption of the whole human family from the endless penalty of the original sin, is effected __________ * Ferris's "Utah and the Mormons." 140 M O R M O N I S M: without any conditions whatsoever on their part; that is, that they are not required to believe, or repent, or be baptized, or do any thing else, in order to be redeemed from that penalty; for whether they believe or disbeliev |