Vol. II. Rochester, New York, Saturday, July 25, 1829. No. 12.
FROM THE GOLDEN BIBLE.
And it came to pass, in these days that the people became sore against Horace, the publican, forasmuch as he had offended them by taking into favor Israel, the darkey paramour, and whom the people had cast off on account of his wickedness. |
Vol. II. Rochester, New York, Saturday, August 1, 1829. No. 13.
FROM THE GOLDEN BIBLE.
And it came to pass... |
Vol. II. Rochester, New York, Saturday, August 8, 1829. No. 14.
FROM THE GOLDEN BIBLE.
And it came to pass that after Israel had returned to his own abode, Horace the publican a very meek and sober man, took him by the hand, and endeavored to comfort him. |
Vol. II. Rochester, New York, Saturday, August 29, 1829. No. 17.
FROM THE GOLDEN BIBLE.
And it came to pass... |
AND TELEGRAPH. Vol. III. Rochester, New York, Monday, August 31, 1829. No. 878. "GOLDEN BIBLE." The Palmyra Freeman says -- The greatest piece of superstition that has ever come within our knowledge, now occupies the attention of a few individuals of this quarter. It is generally known and spoken of as the "Golden Bible." Its proselytes give the following account of it: -- In the fall of 1827, a person by the name of Joseph Smith, of Manchester, Ontario county, reported that he had been visited in a dream by the spirit of the Almighty, and informed that in a certain hill in that town, was deposited this Golden Bible, containing an ancient record of a divine nature and origin. After having been thrice thus visited, as he states, he proceeded to the spot and after penetrating "mother earth a short distance, the Bible was found, together with a huge pair of Spectacles! He had been directed, however, not to let any mortal being examine them, "under no less penalty" than instant death! They were therefore nicely wrapped up, and excluded from the "vulgar gaze of poor wicked mortals!" It was said that the leaves of the bible were plates of gold about 8 inches long, 6 wide and one eighth of an inch thick, on which were engraved characters or hyeroglyphics. By placing the spectacles in a hat, and looking into it, Smith could (he said so, at least,) interpret the characters. |
OF LITERATURE AND SCIENCE. Vol. I. Rochester, New York, Saturday, September 5, 1829. No. 9. A GOLDEN BIBLE. A man by the name of Martin Harris was in this village a few days since endeavoring to make a contract for printing a large quantity of a work called the Golden Bible. He gave something like the following account of it. |
Vol. XIV. Rochester, New York, Tuesday, March 30, 1830. No. 13. A NEW WAY OF RAISING THE WIND. It is frequently remarked, that any scheme, however gross, will find more or less dupes. -- The accuracy of tbe saying, is, it seems by the following advertisement from the Wayne Sentinel, to be now tested anew in this region of "excitements." |
AND TELEGRAPH. Vol. IV. Rochester, New York, Friday, April 2, 1830. No. 1057.
BLASPHEMY -- "BOOK OF MORMON," alias The "Book of Mormon" has been placed in our hands. A viler imposition was never practised. It is an evidence of fraud, blasphemy and credulity, shocking to the Christian and moralist. The "author and proprietor" is one "Joseph Smith, jr." -- a fellow who, by some hocus pocus, acquired such an influence over a farmer of Wayne county, that the latter mortgaged his farm for $3,000, which he paid for printing and binding 5000 copies of this blasphemous work. The volume consists of about 600 pages, and is divided into the books of Nephi, of Jacob, of Mosiah, of Alma, of Mormon, of Ether, and of Helaman. -- "Copy-right secured!" The style of the work may be conjectured from the "preface" and "testimonials" which we subjoin. |
Vol. XIV. Rochester, New York, Tuesday, April 6, 1830. No. 14.
BLASPHEMY -- "BOOK OF MORMON,"
The "Book of Mormon" has been placed in our hands. A A viler imposition was never practised. It is an evidence of fraud, blasphemy and credulity, shocking to the Christian and moralist. The "author and proprietor is one "Joseph Smith, jr." -- a fellow who, by some hocus pocus, acquired such an influence over a wealthy farmer of Wayne county, that the latter mortgaged his farm for $3000, which he paid for printing and binding 5000 copies of the blasphemous work. The volume consists of about 600 pages and is divided into the books of Nephi, of Jacob, of Mosiah, of Alma, of Mormon, of Ether, and of Helaman. -- "Copy-right secured." The style of the work may be conjectored from the "preface" and "testimonials", which we subjoin. |
OF LITERATURE AND SCIENCE. Vol. II. Rochester, New York, Saturday, May 15, 1830. No. 2.
IMPOSITION AND BLASPHEMY!! Some months ago a noise was made among the credulous of the earth, respecting a wonderful production said to have been found as follows. An ignoramous near Palmyra, Wayne county, pretended he had found some "Gold Plates," as he is pleased to call them, upon which is said to be engraved characters of marvellous and misunderstandable import, which he, nor no other mortal could divine. These characters he has translated into the English language, and lo! they appear to be no other than the mysticisms of an unrevealed Bible! A person more credulous or more cunning, than him who found the plates, ordered the translation thereof, mortgaged his farm, sold all he had, and appropriated it to the printing and binding of several thousand copies of this pearl, which is emphatically of great price! The book comes before the public under the general title of the "Book of Mormon," arranged under different heads, something as follows. The book of Mormon -- containing the books of Nephi, Nimshi, Pukei, and Buckeye -- and contains some four or five hundred pages. It comes out under the "testimony of three witnesses," and of "six witnesses," who say they "have seen and hefted the plates," that "they have the appearance of gold," and that divers and strange characters are "imprinted on them." -- The author, who has the "copy-right secured according to law," says, "that he was commanded of the Lord in a dream," to go and find, and that he went and found. At one time it was said that he was commanded of the Lord not to show the plates, on pain of instant death -- but it seems he has shown them to the said witnesses, and yet is alive! At another time it is said that none could see them but he who was commanded; -- that though they should lie in the middle of the street beneath the broad glare of a meridian sun, in the presence of hundreds, yet no eye but his could see them! The translator, if we take his word for it, has been directed by an angel in this business, for the salvation and the edification of the world! It partakes largely of Salem Witchcraft-ism, and Jemima Wilkinson-ism, and is in point of blasphemy and imposition, the very summit. But it is before the public, and can be had for money, at various places. |
AND TELEGRAPH. Vol. V. Rochester, New York, Saturday, November 27, 1830 No. 1249. MARRIED. In Batavia, on Tuesday last, by the hon. Simeon Cummings, Mr. George W. Harris, to Mrs. Lucinda Morgan, widow of the late Capt, William Morgan. |
Vol. III. Rochester, Tuesday, November 30, 1830. No. 43.
MARRIED. -- In Batavia, on the 21st inst., by the Hon. Simeon Cummings, Mr. John [sic] W. Harris, to Mrs. Lucinda Morgan, widow of the late Capt, William Morgan, who was murdered by the Freemasons under authority of the Lodge of Niagara on the 19th Sept. 1826. |
OF LITERATURE AND SCIENCE. Vol. II. Rochester, New York, Saturday, December 25, 1830. No. 17.
Book of Mormon. -- In the 2d number of the GEM, we gave a full length portrait of this bantling of wickedness and credulity. By a late Painesville, Ohio paper, we perceive that this pretended revelation from heaven has found some believers, and that there are preachers travelling about in those parts who pretend that it is the only revelation which men can safely live and die [by]. In Canandaigua, it is also said, that there is a book of Mormon preacher, who is attempting to push his way forward, in spite of all opposition. The reason for these efforts is obvious. When the work spoken of came before the world, it proved to be such a spawn of wickedness that the press aimed a blow at it, and it fell, ere it had scarce seen the light. The getters-up therefore, seeing their hopes all blasted, and their names coupled with infamy, have determined to 'make a raise' on the public by some means, and thus they are going about "like roaring lions, seeking whom they may devour." We do not anticipate a very great turning to this heresy. The public are too much enlightened. |
Vol. XIV. Rochester, New York, Tuesday, December 28, 1830. No. ?
Book of Mormon. -- Most of our readers, we presume, have heard of this pretended revelation, made to a certain few in and about Palmyra, revealing the fundamentals of a new religion. A ridiculous story was told about its discovery, golden plates were found in a stone box, a Mr. Somebody who could neither read nor write, was found able to translate them, and somebody else, equally ignorant, to transcribe them, and a worthy, honest but credulous farmer was found willing to be ruined by defraying the expense of publishing the Book of Mormon, as was to be expected, fell dead-born from the press. Here it was supposed the matter would rest, without causing even a sneer at the expense of the revelators. This however seems not to be the case. The disciples of Mormon have recently appeared in Ohio, and are propagating their new light with extraordinary rapidity, going to the credulous, and laying the foundations broad and wide for a "New Jerusalem" about to be built; and now it seems the oracle has commenced its responses nearer home. Surely it was not rightly said that "in that hour the Heathen oracles became dumb for ever." On Thursday of last week one of these seers of Mormon appeared in Canandaigua, delivered a discourse, and avowed his full belief that the book was a revelation from God, and of equal authenticity with the Old and New Testament. What number of hearers he had we are not informed, but for the honor of intelligent man, we hope and trust his followers are and will be "few and far between." This matter must be the ne plus ultra of fanaticism and delusion. If men will go beyond this in belief, verily there can be no end to their credulity. |
AND FARMER'S & MECHANICK'S ADVOCATE. ns. Vol. I. Brockport, New York, Wednesday, December 29, 1830. No. 13.
THE NEW BIBLE -- Some year or two since, the credulous were amused with the tale that, guided by inspiration, some one had found many golden plates buried in the earth near Palmyra, Wayne county, in this state, upon which were revealed, in an unknown tongue, (an odd sort of revelation, one would think) the whole duty of man. -- The finder and a comrade were enabled; by supernatural agency to translate; since the book has been printed and travelling preachers have gone forth with it, to enlighten the world. Some of these have rested for a season in the vicinity of Painesville, Ohio, where a preacher of another faith was converted to the new, and a band of followers, amounting to more than one hundred, added to his train. -- Buf. Jour. |
AND FARMER'S & MECHANICK'S ADVOCATE. ns. Vol. I. Brockport, New York, Wednesday, January 5, 1830. No. 14.
BOOK OF MORMON -- In the second number of the GEM, we gave a full length portrait of this bantling of wickedness and credulity. By a late Painesville, Ohio paper, we perceive that this pretended revelation from heaven has found some believers, and that there are preachers travelling about in those parts who pretend that it is the only revelation which men can safely live and die by. In Canandaigua, it is also said, that there is a book of Mormon preacher, who is attempting to push his way forward, in spite of all opposition. The reason for these efforts is obvious. When the work spoken of came before the world, it proved to be such a spawn of wickedness that the press aimed a blow at it, and it fell, ere it had scarce seen the light. The getters-up therefore, seeing their hopes all blasted, and their names coupled with infamy, have determined to 'make a raise' on the public by some means, and thus they are going about "like roaring lions, seeking whom they may devour." We do not anticipate a very great turning to this heresy. The public are too much enlightened. -- Rochester Gem. |
Vol. V. Rochester, New York, Wednesday, April 20, 1831. No. 1369. FANATICISM. Died, in Kirtland on Tuesday night last, Mr. Warner Doty, aged about 29 years. The deceased was one of those who had embraced the imposition of Jo Smith, and was a victim to the delusion of Mormonism. He was duly commissioned after their manner, to preach, and was one of the most active and zealous in the cause. So fully did he believe in the divinity of Smith, that he had been made to have full faith that he should live a thousand years -- this he confessed to a near relative some four weeks before his decease. Five days before he expired, he was suddenly attacked with an inflammation in the bowels, which afterwards assumed a typhoid appearance. He was immediately removed to the residence of his parents, who had no faith in the Mormon remedies for the cure of diseases. No persuasion could induce the young man to have a physician called, so strong was he impressed with the supernatural powers of Smith. Several of the Mormonites soon assembled around the sick man, where they continued to encourage him to persevere, and strengthen his delusion, telling him that he was getting better and soon would be well, till they saw he was about to expire, when they all fled from the house, without offering to assist in the last sad solemnities of the dead. Smith was sent for soon after he was taken sick, and proceeded towards the house of Doty, to heal him, but (as Smith said) he received a command not to go to Doty's and "cast his pearl before swine." He however visited the sick man a day or two after, and said he would get well, and protested against calling a physician. He held his hand upon the head of Doty for 10 or 15 minutes, but with what object is not known. A few hours before the young man expired, Dr. Brainard was sent for, much against the will of the worshippers of Smith, by the interference of other friends. The Doctor immediately pronounced his disease past remedy, and told the Mormon doctors that their superstitions had probably been the means of the young man's death, or something of like import. When the young man discovered that death was nigh, his faith in Smith's pretensions seemed to forsake him. He said "What a wonderful mistake I have made," and called all his friends to take his leave. Addressing himself to an old man of the Mormon faith, he said "you are a friend to every body -- I must shake hands with you -- this is a lesson that I have learnt by actual experience, by which you ought to profit, but with me it is too late." The Mormonites will probably contradict many of these statements, as they have many positive facts heretofore; but we have our information from a relative of the deceased, who was present during the last 18 hours of his life, and whose intelligence and veracity will not suffer in comparison with the whole of those deluded people who have adapted Jo Smith as their spiritual leader. -- Painesville Telegraph. |
Vol. V. Rochester, New York, Tuesday, April 26, 1831. No. 1374.
Telegraph.
Some three months since, it was boldly asserted by those under the influence of the "Gold Bible" imposition, that three young men, while in the spirit, had received commissions direct from Heaven, on parchment, which they caught in their hands in the air, and had only time to copy them, before the parchment disappeared. We believe the fact is admitted, that Cowdery while here, exhibited to a chosen few a commission sealed, and signed "I am the Christ." But the one which we give below appears to have only the seal. It was found in the pocket of young Doty, who recently died among them, and would appear to be a copy of one of the three mentioned above, by its tenor and purport. At first view, we supposed that this commission was given to Doty himself, which led us to the statement in our last, that he was duly commissioned to preach, which is said not to be the fact. We take it verbatim, only punctuating so that it can be understood: | Be ye always ready, | { Be ye always ready, } whenever I | Be ye always ready, | shall call. My Seal (Signed.)"There shall be something of greater importance revealed when I shall call you to go -- my servants, be faithful over a few things, and I will make you a ruler over many. -- amen -- amen -- amen." To the disgrace of human nature, we are compelled to say, that there are some hundreds of civilized beings who actually believe that documents similar to the above have been written out by the finger of God, and sent down to certain persons. Many will indeed tell you that it is not a subject of belief with them, because they know it to be so, but alas! they are commanded of Heaven not to inform the world how they know it!! Note: The above reprint from the Painesvlle Telegraph is missing the original article's final lines: "We have other documents of a similar description on hand, from the factory of Smith, Rigdon & Co. which will be forthcoming. We can assure our readers that we take no pleasure in publishing any thing on this subject. But we always deemed it as a bounden duty to expose every base imposition which may be attempted upon the credulous and unsuspecting. For this reason we have endeavored to hold up Freemasonry naked before the world, and for this we must hold up Mormonism, as fast as we can obtain its secrets. The one screened itself from public view by horrid oaths and the fear of death -- the other is endeavoring to do the same thing, by impressing upon the minds of its victims, a belief that the wrath of God will abide upon them for disclosing to the world any of its mysticisms." |
Vol. V. Rochester, New York, Thursday, May 5, 1831. No. 19.
From the Christian Magazine.
If the outcasts of Israel are not to be found in America, where, suffer me to ask, are they to be found? Between two and three thousand years ago, they disappeared from the civilized world... |
Vol. XV. Rochester, New York, Tuesday, May 17, 1831. No. 20.
W. W. Phelps, editor of the Ontario Phoenix, has recently been scurvily dealt with, if we may believe his statement, by some of his anti-masonic brethren. Travelling to Palmyra to investigate the Book of Mormon, he was arrested and placed in safe keeping in the jail at Lyons! This was an inconvenient place for an editor, and he shows that he feels the indignity intensely; and, that if his wrongs are not righted up soon, he'll make the welkin ring with his eloquence. The atlas of Ontario anti-masonry has rested on his shoulders some three years. In November next, he threatens to scatter the party to the winds, if he is not honestly dealt with before that time. |
Vol. V. Rochester, New York, Thursday, June 9, 1831. No. 24.
From the Painesville (Ohio)
Gazette.
The Golden Bible, or the Book of Mormon. -- The believers in the sacred authenticity of this miserable production, are known by the name of "Mormonites," and their book is commonly called "the book of Mormon." It is asserted by them that their number in this vicinity is four hundred. In a conversation a few days since, with a gentleman of Kirtland, well informed, and every way concerned to give us the truth, we are assured that their numbers in the families in that town were two hundred souls. We doubt not then, that their whole number in this county and Cayahoga are at least four hundred. |
AND FARMER'S & MECHANICK'S ADVOCATE. ns. Vol. I. Brockport, New York, Wednesday, July 20, 1831. No. 42. From the Painesville (Ohio) Gazette. The Mormonites. -- This infatuated people are again in motion. In their own cant phrase "they are going to inherit the promise of God to Abraham and his seed." Their destination is some indefinite spot on the Missouri river they say about 1500 miles distant. About 80 of them have recently been ordained and some have gone, others are about going, two and two, part by the western rivers and part by land, to their distant retreat, far away from the cheering voice of civilized man. Those who have disposed of their property go now, and such as have property, are making market for it so eagerly as often to disregard pecuniary interests, and all are to follow with all convenient dispatch. They still persist in their power to work miracles. They say they have often seen them done -- the sick are healed -- the lame walk -- devils are cast out -- and these assertions are made by men heretofore considered rational men, and men of truth. |
Vol. XV. Rochester, New York, Tuesday, August 16, 1831. No. 83.
W. W. Phelps, late editor of the Ontario Phoenix, the anti-masonic paper, has embraced the Mormon faith, and has been ordained as an elder, and been commissioned to preach. |
Vol. V. Rochester,New York, Thursday, September 15, 1831. No. 38. MORMONISM. It is certainly strange; yet nevertheless true, that this infatuated people, if we may place confidence in the reports of the newspapers, are becoming more numerous, and assuming a more formidable appearance. |
Vol. VI. Rochester, New York, Saturday, December 31, 1831. No. 1573.
MORMONISM.
You are sensible how celebrated has become western New-York and the adjacent counties of Ohio, for their sects -- their parties -- their fanaticism, religious, political and _____. Their conceits are wild to the very farthest bounds of imagination. Wild is invention, and singularly successful in carrying into effect their solemn fooleries. -- You have heard of the Mormonites; newspapers having given detailed accounts of these fanatics; but perhaps their origin is not so well known. Mormonism is the fruit of religious excitement in this quarter, combined with roguery, ingenuity, and ignorance; frequently operating successfully on those who ought to know better. |