MORMONISM.

MORMONISM has got into Fredericksburg, Va. A distinguished Lawyer and many others have become proselytes. It pervades most among the Campbellite Baptists.       West. State Journal.

THE above compliment is not thankfully acknowledged. So far as known to me, it wants the grand essential -- truth. Mormonism, indeed, owes its success to the speciosity of its appeals to primitive Christianity and the prophecies concerning the Jews; both of which it professes to take from the Bible alone: consequently it would most likely prepossess in its favor those who exclusively appeal to the book without understanding what is in the book. But the recent efforts to propagate Mormonism amongst the Disciples of Christ have been singularly unsuccessful. To this county they have sent their most specious and ingenious men, amongst whom was their Missionary to England and Jerusalem; and after numerous efforts, they have not a proselyte in the county. They have recently assailed Pittsburg, and were most triumphantly exposed and refuted by brother Church, the only preacher in the city, so far as known to us, who had courage and philanthropy enough to meet them before the public and put them to silence. These instances are in the general a fair specimen of their success amongst the brethren known as the Disciples of Christ, or Christians, wherever they are apprized of their attempts to seduce the unsuspecting and unwary.         A. C.

MORMONISM  IN  AN  AGONY.

THIS meanest, vilest, and most diabolical of frauds ever practised in the encyclopedia of delusions and impostures, has grown up to such an enormous stature of impudence, arrogance, and malignity, as to call forth the attention, remonstrance, and abhorrence of all well meaning men, religious, moral, and political. Its arrogance and impiety are daily growing more and more obnoxious to the reprobation of all sorts and degrees of philanthropists. A certain Elder Page has been in the most wily, though as yet unsuccessful attempts, seeking to make some proselytes to this nefarious scheme of circumvention in the city of Pittsburg. His failure to inveigle the simple and unsuspicious is to be attributed to a series of wounds inflicted upon him by "A Disciple," who, with a very short sword, has given him many severe wounds under the fifth rib. We shall give a few samples of them by way of admonition and warning to other aspirants in this work of multifarious rapine and plunder. I quote them from sundry papers published in that city.                 A. C.


IN the Book of Mormon, page 471, of the first edition, we read, "The earth was carried up upon the city of Moronihah." Will Elder Page be kind enough to tell us what this city stood on -- the Moon, or which of the planets?

While the Elder is enlightening our good citizens on other matters, I feel curious to understand the following description given in the Book of Mormon, page 541, of the ships in which the Jaredites removed from Asia to America: -- "They would hold water like a dish, the bottom was tight like unto a dish, the sides was tight like unto a dish, the top was tight like unto a dish, the door was tight like unto a dish; the length was the length of a tree, a hole in the bottom and one in the top to admit a circulation of the air, and they moved through the water as a whale in the midst of the sea." Very like a whale!

These Jaredites, however. were remarkable on another account. On page 539 we have their genealogy reaching back nineteen generations beyond Adam. Most veritable! The book, however, abounds in wonders. Instance the following:-- Nephi, one of the most distinguished personage in the book, gives a quotation from Shakespeare, 2000 years before the poet was born -- see page 61 -- "That bourne from which no traveller returns." Again, this same individual actually uses the Mariner's Compass 600 years before the Christian Era. See pages 48 and 49. 'Tis passing strange!

In the midst of all our admiration, it is unfortunate for the credibility of the book that it flatly contradicts the Bible. See the following:-- On page 240, the Book of Mormon says that Jesus Christ was born at Jerusalem. The Bible says he was born at Bethlehem. Again, the Book of Mormon, page 51, predicts three days of darkness when Jesus should be crucified; and on page 446, it records, as a fact, that there were three days of darkness from his crucifixion to his resurrection. The Bible speaks of only three hours of darkness, See Matthew xxvii. 45; Mark XV. 23; Luke xxiii. 44. Here, then, the Bible and the Book of Mormon are at issue. One or the other must be wrong. Which is it, Elder Page? Answer me like a man. If the Lord be God, worship him; but if Baal be God worship him.

Come, sir, declare which you prefer, to believe in this matter. The two are irreconcilable; they contradict each other pointedly, not in a question of doctrine, but one of fact. Here, sir, is a matter that a child can understand, and, sir, it stamps the Book of Mormon with falsehood. You may flounder, but, sir, you cannot escape the deep disgrace of being concerned in spreading and advocating falsehood.

 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

P. S. Elder Page, in MondayÕs Chronicle, stigmatizes the congressional document from which certain quotations are made, exposing the wickedness of the leaders of Mormonism -- "a mobocratic document" Will the Elder explain? Is the Senate of the United States, by whose order it was printed, a mob? Is the Court in Missouri, before which this evidence was taken, a mob? If so, why did the Mormons appear with their witnesses and the best attorneys in the State? This won't do, Mr. Page.

 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Not feeling that I have any personal difference or controversy with Elder Page, I cannot consent to bandy hard language. What I have said concerning the use of the mariner's compass by Nephi, 2000 years before it was discovered; the quotation from Shakespeare ages before he was born; the piling of the earth on the city of Moronihah -- the ships and genealogy of Jaredites, are matters that can be ascertained by reference to the first edition of the Book of Mormon. The Elder quotes from the third edition, and although the translation was professedly made by divine inspiration, I am prepared to show that there exist essential variations in the third from the first edition. Will you join issue, Elder?

That part of my communication of Wednesday last which claims superior attention, is, the charge brought against the Book of Mormon, namely, that in two important facts it contradicted the Bible. These are,
  First. -- The Book of Mormon records it as a fact that Jesus Christ was born in Jerusalem. The Bible records that he was born in Bethlehem.
  Second. -- The Book of Mormon informs us, that at the time of ChristÕs crucifixion and burial, there were three days of darkness. The Bible informs us of only three hours of darkness.

Here then, in two plain matters of fact, about which there ought not to be the slightest difference, the Bible and the Book of Mormon contradict each other: and I defy the ingenuity of Elder Page or any other man, to reconcile them. The Book of Mormon claims to be divinely inspired. The Bible we all believe to be from God. Now, if both books were dictated by the same author, why are matters of fact recorded so very differently? Both of these records cannot be true, one of them must be false.

Which is it? Certainly not the Bible. Then it must be the Book of Mormon. I say then triumphantly, that I have established it as a fact, admitting the Bible to be true, that the Book of Mormon is false. Dagon has fallen on his face before the ark of the Lord.

 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Why has Elder John E. Page, in his communications of yesterday and the day before, taken no notice of the quotations from the Doctrines and Covenants, from the Book of Mormon, from the Voice of Warning, from Congressional Documents, quoted in the articles headed "Mormonism Exposed?" From Elder Page's former notice of these articles I had expected from him an exposure of the "falsehood" and "slander" contained in these quotations; but instead of that, we are furnished with a reprint of a pamphlet published by the Mormons, in relation to their troubles in Missouri. If I understand the matter, we have. very little to do at present with the history of those troubles. We are interested to ascertain the truth -- the designs -- the spirit of that system called Mormonism. The questions are, is Mormonism of God? Is its design the good of mankind? Is its spirit a benignant one? 'Mormonism Exposed attempts from authentic documents to demonstrate that it is from the Devil -- that its designs are wicked, and that its spirit is malignant. Are the quotations furnished in "Mormonism Exposed" fairly and correctly made? If so, Mormonism is to be regarded and avoided as a pestilence. If these quotations are wrong, why does not Elder Page expose them?

 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

It is a favorite adage of Elder John E. Page, "The wounded bird is the first to flutter." Has my short note of the 14th stripped this bird of its borrowed feathers, or broken a wing, or what, that it makes such a chattering? In other words, why is it that Elder John E. Page declines to show to this community the falsehood of the quotations made from his own books, and from Congressional Documents, in the pamphlet entitled "Mormonism Exposed," lately copied into the Morning Chronicle of this city? The public expect this at his hands, and that too on the strength of his promises. Why, then, does he lose his good nature, and forget the courtesy due to a respectful inquiry, when called on with so reasonable a request? Does Elder John E. Page imagine that this community will accept of abuse towards "A Disciple" in discharge of his previous promises and threats? Come, come, Elder, admit the truth of the quotations made in "Mormonism Exposed," or prove them false. I now, to you, and to this community, pledge myself to sustain them. What say you -- will you join issue? I intend to make it my business to mind you for a little while. One word in conclusion -- What has become of Martin Harris and Sampson Avard? Are "turkey buzzards" plenty in the vicinity of Nauvoo?

 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

The impudence of some men is truly surprising. How can Elder John E. Page hold up his head in this orderly community as a good citizen, much less as a preacher, and least of all as an Apostle, (all of which he claims to be,) with such facts as the following staring him full in the face? -- facts authenticated under all the solemnities of an oath, and recorded and laid up among the congressional archives of our country. Is Elder Page entirely lost to all sense of shame? or is assassination a virtue in Mormonism?

Let it be borne in mind that these are the people who claim to be endowed with the Spirit of God, and in a much higher sense than christians, that they profess to work miracles -- to converse with angels -- to have seen God, and a thousand other things equally ridiculous and false. Look then at these unparalleled pretensions on the one hand, following unheard of atrocities on the other, and then estimate the true character of Mormonism.

The following quotations are made from a congressional document, printed by order of the Senate of the United Slates in February, 1841, No. 189:--

Mr. Rigdon then commenced making covenants with uplifted hands. "The first was, that if any man attempted to move out of the county, or pack up their things for that purpose, that any man then in the house, seeing this, without saying any thing to any other person, should kill him and haul him aside into the brush, and that all the burial he should have should be in a turkey buzzardÕs (unfit to print,) so that nothing of him should be left but his bones." This measure was carried in the form of a covenant with uplifted hands.

"The next covenant, that if any person from the surrounding country came into their town walking about, no odds who he might be, any one of that meeting should kill him and throw him aside into the brush."

The third covenant was, "conceal all these things."

Mr. Rigdon then observed that "yesterday a man had slipped his wind," and said he, "the man that lisps it shall die."

Horrible! horrible!! horrible!!! My soul sickens at the reading of such awful wickedness.

If the righteous indignation of a moral people could be awakened a few years since by the story of the abduction of one man, what must be the feeling produced when we are assured, upon the highest authority, that there is in our country a band of religious fanatics banded together by oaths to assassinate unoffending men. Who is sale if such things are tolerated? And shall we quietly permit the vile emissaries of such a diabolical banditti to come among us enlisting associates under the hypocritical pretence of religion. "By their fruits ye shall know them."

 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

There is in the Mormon church, a band called the "Danite Band," comprised of the members of that church, and bound together by the following oath:--

"Now I do solemnly swear, by the eternal Jehovah, that I will decree to hear and conceal, and never reveal this secret, at the peril of committing perjury, arid the pains of death, and my body to he given to be shot at and laid in the dust. Amen."

This band has its signs, and is bound to assist one another, right or wrong -- to swear for one another, and in the event of one of them deserting, to kill him privately, wherever they may chance to meet him!

This band executes the orders of the Presidency of the church on dissenters from the Mormon faith, in putting them to death, and casting their bodies into "the hazlebrush to become food for turkey buzzards."

If it be a good rule that the value of any system is to be ascertained from its results, what are we forced to think ofÕ Mormonism, which while it affects to clothe itself in the spotless robes of Christianity, is found polluted with innocent blood and enriched with the plunder of unoffending citizens? The Lord deliver the country from such a curse!
                                    A DISCIPLE.

---

NEWS  FROM  THE  CHURCHES.          

                                   Bethany, July 25, 1842.
My dear brother -- Your efforts to expose error in every form, induces me to conclude that it would give you pleasure, during your absence, to receive good news from Bethany. An individual well known to you, a Bible student, having been strongly tinctured with some of the grossest fictions ever presented to the human fallen family of Adam -- Mormonism -- has renounced its delusions. I ground this assertion not on my own ipse dixit, but on numerous credible witnesses. Meeting him, I stated that we had a full, perfect, and clear revelation from God of every thing pertaining to salvation; that we needed not, nor did we expect another; that the age of miracles had passed away -- His reply was, "I believe in the prophecies which have been given -- I expect no other. I renounce my belief in Mormonism." The person spoken of not being a member of Christ's church. I affectionately admonished him to look into the word of life, and lose no time in becoming a servant of that Lord whose sword can prostrate all the Dagons of the present or any other day.
                                    C.

M O R M O N I S M.

THE following extracts are taken from a pamphlet printed in New York, A. D. 1842, entitled MORMONISM EXPOSED:--

This work is made up principally of quotations from the Mormon writings, some of which they are striving to keep from the public eye. It contains also copious extracts from a document published by order of the United States' Senate, showing the treasonable tendency of Mormonism; the whole arranged under appropriate heads, and giving a clear exhibition of the faith and conduct of that arch impostor, Joseph Smith, Jr., and those concerned with him in spreading that wicked system.
 

TO THE READER.      

Do not imagine that Mormonism is a subject too worthless for your attention.

If any other religious sect should be CONVICTED from their own writings of TREASONABLE designs against the government of this nation, would you deem it unworthy of your notice? If the Methodists, or Baptists, or Presbyterians, or Episcopalians should be convicted of forming "secret societies," and binding their members, under the awful penalty of DEATH, to subvert the institutions of this country, would you not do all in your power to make such iniquitous proceedings known?

It is now some eleven years since this singular delusion first began to attract attention in this country. During all this while we have been persuading ourselves that the imposture was too glaring to do any serious mischief. We have trusted to the good sense of the people, as presenting a sufficient barrier against the spread of notions so silly and so utterly opposed to reason, to scripture, and well known matters of fact. And what has been the result? While we have been sleeping the enemy has scattered his tares among us, and thousands have been duped by this insidious foe. And not only so, but these emissaries have visited Europe, and from the ignorant multitudes of that country hundreds have already been induced to emigrate to our shores for the purpose of swelling the ranks of Joseph Smith, who glories in comparing himself to Mahomet, and who has over and over again avowed his DESIGN of spreading his religion by the SWORD!

And who has not heard of the use this Smith and his deluded followers have already made of the SWORD in the state of Missouri? A pamphlet has been printed the present year, by order of the United States' Senate, showing the bloody character of Mormonism, and proving by the testimonies of Mormons themselves, that it is a system of ignorance, blasphemy, falsehood, theft, and MURDER.

From a number of years' acquaintance with this imposition, the writer is fully convinced that but very few persons have ever embraced what is called Mormonism, with a knowledge of its true character. Their book of 'Doctrines and Covenants' is usually kept out of sight; and, indeed, it is kept from the knowledge of all the Mormons themselves, except the leaders! We know of numbers who have joined them, who never heard of such a book till they had embraced that delusion. For years we have attempted to beg or buy one of these




                                  MORMONISM.                                 419
books in vain. However, we have obtained the reading of a copy long enough to extract a sufficient portion of its contents to show the nature of this wicked system.

As these pages will probably fall into the hands of many who would be glad of information on these subjects, and as it may promote the object we have in view, we shall first give an account of the origin of Mormonism. Secondly, its distinguishing doctrines, and show that Mormonism is, in itself, treason against the government of God and man.

But, before we proceed, it may be proper to name the authorities on which we base these charges against Mormonism and its authors. -- They are the following:--

1. 'The Book of Mormon; by Joseph Smith, Jr., author and proprietor. Palmyra: printed by E. B. Grandin, for the author, 1836.' [sic]

2. 'Doctrines and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints; carefully selected and compiled from the Revelations of God, by Joseph Smith, Jr., Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Fred. G. Williams, (Presiding Elders of said Church,) Proprietors. Kirtland, Ohio: printed by Williams & Co., 1835.'

3. 'A Voice of Warning to all People, containing a declaration of the faith and doctrine of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, commonly called Mormons. By P. P. Pratt, Minister of the Gospel. New York: printed by W. Sandford, 1837.'

The above are books written or published by Mormons themselves.

4. 'Document (189) showing the testimony given before the Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of Missouri, on the trial of Joseph Smith, Jr., and others, for high treason, and other crimes against that State. Printed by order of the United States' Senate, Washington, D.C., 1841.'

5. 'Mormonism Unveiled, by E. D. Howe: published at Painesville, Ohio, in 1834.'

We need not mention our common English Bible in this list, not because we do not appeal to its authority, but because we do not design to enter upon the theological bearings of this subject. How utterly opposed Mormonism is, in some of its claims, to the gospel of Jesus Christ, will be readily seen when these preposterous claims are once viewed in the light of reason and the testimony of God's word.
                                     New York, July 1, 1841.
 

CHAPTER I.
Origin of Mormonism.

Mormonism owes its origin to one Joseph Smith, Jun., 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 doubt, that neither Joseph Smith, Jun., 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




  420                                 MORMONISM.                                
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., December 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, Sen., and his son Joseph, were, in particular, considered entirely destitute of moral character, and addicted to vicious habits.




                                  MORMONISM.                                 421
'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.

(Signed by) G. N. Williams, H. Sinnell, Th. Rogers, 2d; Clark Robinson, 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 Jenner, W. Parke, L. Durfee, S. Ackley, E. S. Townsend, 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 Warning, p. 129.


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

next segment

M O R M O N I S M.
Extracts from a pamphlet entitled MORMONISM EXPOSED,
continued from our last.

CHAPTER II.
The distinguishing doctrines of Mormonism, and the manner
in which they have been acted out.

THE only way in which the advocates of this delusion could make converts, would be by teaching some truths in common with other Christians. Hence we find when first visiting a place for the purpose of making converts, they preach and enforce many Christian precepts, like ordinary Christians, leaving entirely out of sight the peculiar notions which distinguish them from others. The following are some of them:--

I. -- Mormons profess to act under the infallible inspiration of God, and to have power to work miracles.

"Without these gifts (prophecy, miracles, healing, and all other gifts) the saints cannot be perfected; the work of the ministry cannot proceed; the body of Christ cannot be edified."         Voice of Warning, pp. 118, 119.

"And as I said unto mine apostles, even so I say unto you; for ye are mine apostles -- therefore, as I said unto mine apostles I say unto you again, that every soul who believeth on your word, and is baptized with water for the remission of sins, shall receive the Holy Ghost; and these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils -- heal the sick -- open the eyes of the blind -- unstop the ears of the deaf -- and if any man shall administer poison unto them it shall not hurt them." -- Doctrines and Covenants, p. 92.

II. -- Mormons are pledged to work miracles when required to do so.

"Require not miracles, except I shall command you, except casting out devils, healing the sick, and against poisonous serpents, and against deadly poisons; and these things ye shall not do except it be required of you, by them who desire it, that the scriptures might be fulfilled." -- Doctrines and Covenants, p. 112.

III. -- Mormons profess to have intercourse with the angels of God, and affirm that they frequently see them, and have messages from God through them.

See the account of the origin of the Book of Mormon, before quoted.

IV. -- Mormons claim to be the only true church; all other churches are of Antichrist, and exposed to God's eternal displeasure.

"Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant, Joseph Smith, Jr., and spake unto him from heaven, and give unto him commandments."

"After having received the record of the Nephites, yea, even my servant, Joseph Smith, Jr., might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon; and also to those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church,--the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth." -- Doc. and Cov., page 76.




                                  MORMONISM.                                 461
V. -- Mormons say that God has sent down from heaven a city called the New Jerusalem, and located it in the western boundaries of Missouri, where he requires all his followers to go, under the pain of his wrath.

And, it is a fundamental principle with them, that if they cannot buy the land, they are to obtain it by the sword.

"America is a chosen land of the Lord, above every other land; it is the place of the New Jerusalem, which has come down from God out of heaven, upon the earth." -- Voice of Warning, p. 179.

"This is the will of God concerning his saints, that they shall assemble themselves together unto the land of Zion. Behold the land of Zion, I the Lord holdeth it in my own hands: notwithstanding, I, the Lord, rendereth unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's. Wherefore, I, the Lord, willeth that you shall purchase, the lands, that you may have advantage over the world, that you may have claim of the world, that they may not be stirred up unto anger; for Satan putteth it into their hearts to anger against yon, and to the shedding of blood. Wherefore the land of Zion shall not be obtained but by purchase, or by blood; otherwise there is none inheritance for you." -- Doctrines and Covenants, p. 143.

"A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their hearts and lifted up their voices on high,... for the gathering of his saints to stand on Mount Zion, which shall be the city of the New Jerusalem; which shall be built, beginning at the Temple Lot, appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of Missouri." -- Ib. page 566.

"And that it was the place of the New Jerusalem which should come down out of heaven, and the holy sanctuary of the Lord."   Book of Mormon, page 566.

VI. -- Mormons affirm that their books were written, and that the Book of Mormon was translated by the inspiration of God; and that they are of equal authority with the Holy Scriptures.

The book called "Doctrines and Covenants," it seems, received the approbation of the Mormon General Assembly, August 17, 1835. -- Twelve Mormons bear the following testimony to his divine authority:

"We, therefore, feel willing to bear testimony to all the world of mankind, -- that the Lord hath borne record to our souls, through the Holy Ghost shed forth upon us, that these commandments were given by inspiration of God, and are profitable for all men, and are verily true." -- Doctrines and Covenants, page 256.

"They shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and what they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, shall be SCRIPTURE." -- Ib. p. 148.

VII. -- Mormons pretend to have power to give the Holy Ghost to those on whom they lay their hands for this purpose.

"Behold, verily, verily, I say unto my servant, Sidney Rigdon. -- I give unto thee a commandment, that thou shalt baptize with water, and they shall receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, even as the Apostles of old." -- Doctrines and Covenants, page 116.

VIII. -- Mormonism threatens all who reject it with eternal damnation.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, they who believe not on your word, and are not baptized by water, in my name, for the remission of sins,




  462                                 MORMONISM.                                
&c,. shall be damned. And this revelation unto you, and commandment, is in force from this very hour, upon all the world."   Doctrines and Covenants, page 92.

IX. -- Mormonism most wickedly assumes to alter the conditions of forgiveness and salvation.

"And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned." -- Book of Mormon, page 478.

"Behold, I say unto you, that he that supposeth that little children needeth baptism, is in the gall of bitterness, and in the bonds of iniquity: for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell."   Ibid, page 582.

The curse of God is denounced upon all who reject the nonsense contained in the book of Mormon:--

"And he that shall deny these things let him be accursed."   Ibid, page 546.

"Therefore, all who receive the priesthood receive the oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be renounced; but whoso breaketh this covenant, after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come." -- Doc. and Cov. page 91.

"And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all; and they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the book of Mormon." -- Ib. p. 91.

"He that kills shall not have forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to come." -- Ib. p. 121.

X. -- Mormonism demands money as the condition of discipleship, under the penalty of eternal damnation.

"Whoso receiveth you, receiveth me, and the same will feed you, and clothe you, and give you money -- and he who doeth not these things is not my disciple." -- Doc. and Cov. p. 93.

Here it will, be seen that giving money to the Mormon leaders is a condition of discipleship, and all who are not Mormon disciples are doomed to hell!

XI. -- One grand design of Mormonism is to fill the pockets of its advocates with money.

"It must needs be that ye save all the money that ye can, and that ye gain all ye can in righteousness." -- Doc. and Cov. page 191.

"It is wisdom in me that my servant Martin Harris should be an example unto the church, in laying his moneys before the bishop of the church. And also this is a law unto every man that cometh unto this land, to receive an inheritance; and he shall do with his moneys according as the law directs." -- Ib. p. 138.

From the next extract, which is addressed to one Titus Billings, the grand object of Mormonism appears in full view:--

"And let all the moneys which can be spared, it mattereth not unto me whether it be little or much, be sent up unto the land of Zion, unto those I have appointed to receive it." -- Ib. p. 143.

Here it is again. Money, money, money:--

"And let all those (preachers) who have no families, who receive moneys, send it up unto the bishop of Zion, or unto the bishop in Ohio,




                                  MORMONISM.                                 463
that it may be consecrated for the bringing forth of the revelations, and the printing thereof, and establishing Zion."

No "revelations" can be brought forth without money. The "New Jerusalem" cannot come down from heaven without money. Here it is again:--

"Behold, this is my will, obtaining moneys even as I have directed." -- Ib. p. 133-4.

"He that sendeth up treasures unto the land of Zion, shall receive an inheritance in this world. And his work shall follow him. And also a reward in the world to come." -- Ib. p. 144.

And we must believe that the foregoing language is from the mouth of the infinite God, under the penalty of eternal damnation!

Look also to the following, said to be the words of the Most High:

"I command that thou shalt not covet thine own property, but impart it freely to the printing of the Book of Mormon, which contains the truths of the word of God." -- Ib. p. 175.

"Impart a portion of thy property; yea, even part of thy lands, and all save the support of thy family." -- Ib. p. 176.

The next extract is not only important, as it plainly shows the true Mormon solicitude about money, but it reveals an important fact with regard to Oliver Cowdery, one of the eleven witnesses upon whose ipse dixit we are commanded to believe the Book of Mormon:--

"Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God, for my servant Oliver Cowdery's sake. It is not wisdom in me that he should be entrusted with the moneys which he shall carry up unto the land of Zion, except one go with him who is true and faithful. Wherefore, I, the Lord, willeth that my servant, John Whitmar, shall go with my servant, Oliver Cowdery." -- Ib. p. 138.

Does the reader still doubt as to the grand design of Smith and his associates? Read the following:--

"It is meet that my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., should have a house built in which to live and translate. And, again, it is meet that my servant, Sidney Rigdon, should live as seemeth him good, inasmuch as he keepeth my commandments." -- Ib. p. 189.

And from the following it will be seen that Joseph Smith excuses himself from work, and has provided himself with "whatsoever he needeth." And this regulation is not only to last while he lives, but he is to hold his office in the world to come!

"Provide for him food and raiment, and whatsoever he needeth." -- Ib. p. 126.

"And in temporal labor thou (Smith) shalt not have strength, for this is not thy calling." -- Ib. p. 112.

"Verily, I say unto you (Joseph Smith, Jun.) the keys of the kingdom shall never be taken from you, while thou art in this world, neither in the world to come." -- Ib. p. 114.

Nor is this all. A new "revelation" has recently "come forth" from this impostor, in which he not only makes provision for himself during life, but also for his family connexions after him, forever! This revelation is dated January 19, 1841, and has appeared in the papers of the day. It orders the building of a boarding-house.

"And now, I say unto you, as pertaining to my boarding-house, which I commanded you to build for the boarding of strangers; let it




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be built unto my name, and let my name be named upon it, and let my servant Joseph and his house have places therein from generation to generation. For this anointing have I put upon his head, that his blessing shall also be put upon the heads of his posterity after him, and as I said unto Abraham concerning the kindreds of the earth, even so I say unto my servant Joseph, In thee and in thy seed shall the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

"Therefore, let my servant Joseph, and his seed after him, have place in that house from generation to generation for ever and ever, saith the Lord, and let the name of that house he called the Nauvoo House."

A Presbyterian clergyman, from the neighborhood of Smith's residence, informs us that the impostor walks with a golden headed cane, and dresses in the finest style. A distinguished member of the sect informed him that Smith was now possessed of more than $100,000. How much further could fanaticism go?
 

{TO  BE  CONTINUED.}    

M O R M O N I S M.
Extracts from a pamphlet entitled MORMONISM EXPOSED,
continued from our last.

WE now commence our quotations from the Congressional Document before referred to --

"John Whitmar, a (Mormon) witness for the state, produced, sworn and examined, deposeth and saith --

"I also conversed with Mr. J. Smith, Jun., on this subject. I told him I wished to allay the (then) excitement, as far as I could do it. He said the excitement was very high, and he did not know what would allay it; but remarked he would give me his opinion; which was, that if I would put my property into the hands of the bishop and high council, to be disposed of according to the laws of the church, he thought that would allay it, and the church after a while might have confidence in me."   Cong. Doc., No. 189, p. 33.

XII. -- Mormonism authorizes theft.

"Behold it is said in my laws, or forbidden to get in debt to thine enemies; but, behold, it is not said, at any time, that the Lord should not take when he please, and pay as seemeth him good: wherefore, as ye are agents, and ye are on the Lord's errand, and whatsoever ye do according to the will of the Lord is the Lord's business, and he hath sent you to provide for his saints," &c.   Doc. and Cov., p. 147.

A Mormon has only to imagine himself an agent of God, and, according to the above precept, he may steal or commit any other crime, and fancy himself doing the will of God all the while. And these




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very things the Mormons have done. Most of our readers have probably heard of the Mormon war, which raged in Missouri in 1838. And it is a remarkable fact, that the Editor of the New York Watchman, while exposing this great delusion through the columns of that paper, a year before, showed the tendency of Mormonism to that very state of things; and the reader will see, in the sequel, that Mormonism is directly calculated to produce insurrection and bloodshed.

That they have been persecuted, we admit as quite probable. This is much to be regretted, as nothing could increase that fanaticism more than to persecute its advocates.

The following account of one of the battles is from a Western paper, printed in Jefferson City, Mo., and quoted in the New York Sun, of November 20, 1838: --

                                  "ELKHORN, October 30, 1838.
"On Thursday, the 25th instant, about the dawn of day, a party of Mormons, about 200 strong, attacked Captain Bogart's company, consisting of about 40 men, on the line dividing Ray and Caldwell counties. On the approach of the Mormons, the sentry fired and gave the alarm. The former advanced within 35 paces, formed a line, and received orders 'in the name of Lazarus, the Apostles, and Jesus Christ our Lord, to fire;' which was followed by a simultaneous charge, accompanied by demoniac and hideous yells of 'Fight for liberty! -- Charge, boys! -- Charge! -- Kill the d--d rascals,' &c. Bogart, at the head of his gallant band, levelled his gun and echoed the command, 'Boys, let them have it!' The struggle was short and desperate. The Mormons were armed with one gun, two long pistols, a butcher's knife, &c., and rushed to the charge, in which many of our men came in collision with them and parried their swords, &c., with their guns, and knocked them down. They pursued the charge about 600 yards. Our loss was one killed and three wounded; two of the latter were left for dead on the ground. The loss of the Mormons was 19 or 20 killed and wounded; five or six of the latter are yet living. They took one prisoner, carried him to within three miles of Far West, where they had him put to death.

"The country is in the highest state of excitement; there are about 2500 troops within a day's march of Far West. They are pouring in from all quarters, and we expect, in a day or two, that that town will be laid waste. We are looking for the Governor with more troops. I have this moment been informed that the Mormons are making every preparation for a general battle. In the engagement on the 25th they took about $1,500 worth of horses, &c."


The congressional document before mentioned contains testimony which frequently alludes to this battle. This testimony was given before the Honorable Austin A. King, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, in the state of Missouri, at the court-house in Richmond, in a Criminal Court of Inquiry, begun November 12, 1838. The defendants were Joseph Smith, Jun., the head Mormon leader, Hiram Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, Amasa Lyman, Lyman Wright, George W. Robinson, and about fifty other Mormons, who appear to have been the ringleaders in this war.

This testimony was given by about thirty persons, most of whom were Mormons, and it demonstrates most fully the bloody and thievish character of this most wretched of all fanaticisms.




                                  MORMONISM.                                 499
The following extracts will show the insidious manner in which Smith teaches his followers to steal. One of the principal witnesses was a prominent Mormon leader, by the name of Samuel Avard. -- Speaking of an address delivered at a certain time by Joseph Smith, Jun., he says --

"In the address he (Smith) related an anecdote about a Captain who applied to a Dutchman to purchase potatoes, who refused to sell. -- The Captain then charged his company several different times not to touch the Dutchman's potatoes. In the morning the Dutchman had not a potato left in his patch."   Cong. Doc., 189, page 2.

"Reed Peck, a (Mormon) witness for the state, produced, sworn, and examined, deposeth and saith:-- One day before the last expedition to Daviess, I heard Joseph Smith, Jun. in a speech say, in reference to stealing, that in a general way he did not approve of it; but, that on one occasion our Saviour and his disciples stole corn in passing through the corn fields."   Ib. page 18.

"John Corrill, a (Mormon) witness, produced, sworn, and examined in behalf of the state, deposeth and saith:-- On Sunday Joseph Smith, Jun. in his discourse, spoke of persons taking (!) at some times, what at other times it would be wrong to take." Ib. page 13.

In the next extracts we have the practice of this doctrine:--

"Andrew J. Job, a witness for the state, produced, sworn and examined, deposeth and saith:-- After I left Diahmon I went to my step-mother's, and made efforts to get out of the county. After the Mormons surrendered at Diahmon to the militia, I went with my step-mother to Diahmon to hunt for her property which had been left at the house when she moved, and which was missing on her return -- such as beds, bed-clothing, knives and forks, a trunk, &c. On examination we found at the house of Lyman Wright, and upon his bedstead, a feather bed, which I knew to be one left by her at the time she fled from the Mormons. I knew the bed from its appearance; the tick was striped and pieced at the end, and the stripes of the piece turned crosswise; also, we found in Wright's house a set of knives and forks which I know were the same left at her house as above stated. My step-mother left her residence, (within two miles of Diahmon,) where she left the above articles, on Wednesday before I was taken prisoner, which was on the Sunday night after; and when at Diahmon, the night I was a prisoner, I slept on that same bed, as I believed it to be, at one Sloan's, as I understood his name to be." Ib. page 28.

"George W. Worthington, a witness in behalf of the state, produced, sworn and examined, deposeth and saith --

"I thought it best then for me to put out, seeing they were burning. It alarmed me, and I fixed, and did start that evening, leaving something like 700 dollars worth of property in my house. After I left, my house was burnt, and the property gone. Since then I have seen some of my property in a vacant house in Diahmon; some in a storehouse; some in a house said to be Bishop Knight's; all in Diahmon. These articles consisted of a clock, two glass jars, a box coat, a paper of screws, some paints, a canister of turpentine, and some planes, chisels, squares, &c. These were found since the surrender of arms in Diahmon, by the Mormons. I saw a number of articles also in Diahmon, at the time I was seeking after my property, which, I




  500                                 MORMONISM.                                
believe, were taken from Strolling's store, consisting of a Leghorn bonnet, a castor, screw and hinges, or butts, which I knew belonged to Strolling. I saw a number of articles which had been concealed under ground, consisting of pots, ovens, and skillets; among them a pot belonging to myself." Ib. page 34.

The above are sufficient to fix the charge of theft against Mormonism as a system.

XIII. -- Mormons charge their leaders with the crimes of theft, lying, cheating, counterfeiting, slander, and other infamous crimes.

Dr. Avard, the Mormon teacher before alluded to, when under examination, produced a document, signed by eighty-four Mormons, in which they charge a number of the leaders directly with theft, and in a manner which leaves no room to doubt the truth of what is stated. The following are extracts. It is addressed "To Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmar, John Whitmar, W. W. Phelps, and Lyman E. Johnson," and dated

                                  "FAR WEST, June, 1838.
"After Oliver Cowdery had been taken by a state warrant for stealing, and the stolen property found in the house of William W. Phelps; in which nefarious transaction John Whitmar had also participated. Oliver Cowdery stole the property, conveyed it to John Whitmar, and John Whitmar to William W. Phelps; and then the officers of law found it. While, in the hands of ail officer, and under arrest for this vile transaction, and, if possible, to hide your shame from the world, like criminals (which indeed you were) you appealed to our beloved Presidents, Joseph Smith, Jun. and Sidney Rigdon, men whose characters you had endeavored to destroy by every artifice you could invent, not even the basest lying excepted.

"As we design this paper to be published to the world, we will give an epitome of your scandalous conduct and treachery for the last two years. We wish to remind you that Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmar were among the principal of those who were the means of gathering us to this place, (Far West,) by their testimony which they gave concerning the plates of the book of Mormon, that they were shown to them by an angel, which testimony we believe, now, as much as before you had so scandalously disgraced it. The saints in Kirtland, having elected Oliver Cowdery to be a Justice of the Peace, he used the power of that office to take their most sacred rights from them, and that contrary to law. He supported a parcel of blacklegs, and disturbing the worship of the saints. Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmar, and Lyman E. Johnson, united with a gang of counterfeiters, thieves, liars, and blacklegs of the deepest dye, to deceive, cheat, and defraud the saints out of their property, by every art and stratagem which wickedness could invent; using the influence of the vilest persecutions, to bring vexatious law-suits, villainous prosecutions, and even stealing not excepted.

"During the full career of Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmar's bogus (counterfeit) money business, it got abroad into the world that they were engaged in it, and several gentlemen were preparing to commence a prosecution against Cowdery; he, finding it out, took with him Lyman E. Johnson, and fled to Far West, with their families, Cowdery stealing property and bringing it with him, which has been, within




                                  MORMONISM.                                 501
a few weeks past, obtained by the owner, by means of a search-warrant; and he was saved from the penitentiary by the influence of two influential men of the place. He also brought notes with him, upon which he had received pay, and made an attempt to sell them to Mr. Arthur, of Clay county. And Lyman E. Johnson, on his arrival, reported that he had a note for one thousand dollars against a principal man of the church, when it was a palpable falsehood, and he had no such thing; and he did it for the purpose of injuring his character.

"Neither were you content with slandering and vilifying here, but you kept up a continual correspondence with your gang of marauders in Kirtland, encouraging them to go on with their iniquity, which they did to perfection, by swearing falsely to injure the character and property of innocent men -- stealing, cheating, lying -- instituting vexatious law suits -- selling bogus (bad) money -- and also stones and sand for bogus: in which nefarious business Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmar, and Lyman E. Johnson were engaged while you were there. Since your arrival here you have commenced a general system of that same kind of conduct in this place. You set up a nasty, dirty pettifogger's office, pretending to be judges of the law, when it is a notorious fact that you are profoundly ignorant of it, and of every other thing which is calculated to do mankind good, (of course, then, they were ignorant of the 'plates' which they said an angel had 'made known' to them,) or if you know it, you take good care never to practise it.

"And in order to bring yourselves into notice, you began to interfere with all the business of the place, trying to destroy the character of our merchants, and bringing their creditors upon them, and break them up. In addition to this, you stirred up men of weak minds to prosecute one another, for the vile purpose of getting a fee for pettifogging from one of them. You have also been threatening continually to enter into a general system of prosecuting, determined, as you said, to pick a flaw in the titles of those who have bought city lots and built upon them -- not that you can do anything but cause vexatious lawsuits.

"And, amongst the most monstrous of all your abominations, we have evidence (which, when called upon, we can produce) that letters sent to the Post-Office in this place have been opened, read, and destroyed, and the persons to whom they were sent never obtained them; thus ruining the business of the place. We have evidence of a very strong character, that I you are at this time engaged with a gang of counterfeiters, coiners, and blacklegs, as some of those characters have lately visited our city from Kirtland, and told what they had come for; and we know, assuredly, that if we suffer you to continue, we may expect, and that speedily, to find a general system of stealing, counterfeiting, cheating, and burning property, as in Kirtland -- for so are your associates carrying on there at this time; and that, encouraged by you, by means of letters you send continually to them; and, to crown the whole, you have had the audacity to threaten us, that, if we offered to disturb you, you would get up a mob from Clay and Ray counties. For the insult, if nothing else, and your threatening to shoot us if we offered to molest you, we will put you from the county of Caldwell: so help us God."

"The above was signed by eighty-four Mormons." Cong. Doc., No. 189, p. 6, 7, 8.




  502                                 MORMONISM.                                
Such, then, is the account which Mormons give of one another, and such are the men who profess to have "seen and hefted" the golden plates, and who command us to believe that they are inspired, and empowered to work miracles! And this Oliver Cowdery, here charged with such infamous conduct by his own disciples, is announced in the book of Doctrines and Covenants, (page 77,) as an "apostle," and the "second elder" of the Mormon church!!
 

{TO  BE  CONTINUED.}    

M O R M O N I S M.
Extracts from a pamphlet entitled MORMONISM EXPOSED,
continued from our last.

XIV. -- Mormonism authorizes the crime of Robbery and Plunder.

From the testimony of Sampson Avard, before referred to:--

"Smith said, on some occasions, that one should chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight; that he considered the United States rotten. He compared the Mormon church to the little stone spoken of by the Prophet Daniel; and the dissenters first, and the state next, was part of the image that should be destroyed by this little stone. The council was called on to vote the measures of Smith; which they did unanimously. On the next day Captain Patten (who was called by the Prophet Captain Fearnaught) took command of about one hundred armed men, and told them that he had a job for them to do, and that the work of the Lord was rolling on, and they must be united. He then led the troops to Gallatin, saying he was going to attack the mob there. He made a rush into Gallatin, dispersed the few men there, and took the goods out of Strolling's store, and carried them to Diahmon, and I afterwards saw the storehouse on fire. When we returned to Diahmon, the goods were deposited in the Lord's storehouse, under the care of Bishop Vincent Knight. Orders were strictly given that all the goods should he deposited in the Lord's storehouse. No individuals were to appropriate any thing to themselves until a general distribution should be made. Joseph Smith, Jr., was at Adam on Diahmon, giving directions about things in general connected with the war. When Patten returned from Gallatin to Adam on Diahmon, the goods were divided or apportioned out among those [538] engaged; and these affairs were conducted under the superintendence of the first presidency. A part of the goods were brought to Far West. On their arrival, under the care of Captain Fearnaught, President Rigdon shouted three hosannas to the victors. On the day Patten went to Gallatin, Colonel Wright went to Millport, as I understood. I saw a great many cattle, beds, furniture, &c., brought into our camp by the Mormons. After we returned to Far West, the troops were constantly kept in motion, and there was a council held at the house of President Rigdon, to determine who should be chiefs." Cong. Doc. No. 189, p. 3, 4.

"George M. Hinkle, a (Mormon) witness for the state, produced, sworn, and examined, deposeth and saith:--

"There was much mysterious conversation in camps, as to plundering and house-burning; so much so, that I had my own notions about it; and, on one occasion, I spoke to Mr. Smith, Jr., in the house, and told him that this course of burning houses and plundering, by the Mormon troops, would ruin us; that it could not be kept hid, and would bring the force of the state upon us; that houses would be searched, and stolen property found. Smith replied to me, in a pretty rough manner, to keep still; that I should say nothing about it; that it would discourage the men; and he would not suffer me to say any thing about it.

"I saw a great deal of plunder and bee-stands brought into camp; and I saw many persons, for many days, taking the honey out of them; I understood this property and plunder were placed into the hands of the Bishop at Diahmon, named Vincent Knight, to be divided out among them, as their wants might require.

"There were a number of horses and cattle drove in; also, hogs hauled in dead with the hair on; but whose they were I know not.--They were generally called consecrated property. I think it was the day Gallatin was attacked. I saw Colonel Wright start off with troops, as was said, to Millport; all this seemed to be done under the inspection of Joseph Smith, Jun. I saw Wright, when he returned; the troops from Gallatin returned about the same time; and I heard Smith find fault with Wright for not being as resolute as to serve Millport as they had served Gallatin; this was remarked to me alone." Ib. p. 21, 22.

"Allen Rathbun, a witness for the state, produced, sworn, and examined, deposeth and saith:--

"On the day before the battle with Bogart, I was in Far West; and early in the morning Daniel Carn, one of the defendants here, asked me to help him grease his waggon. I did so, and asked him where he was going. He said he was going out to Raglin's, in Daviess county; that there were about forty bee-stands there that they were going for. Directly after, I was down in Morrison's store, in Far West. There was a company of ten or a dozen men there, with two or three waggons. I heard Mr. Huntingdon ask for brimstone. Some of the company said they had two pounds. Huntingdon said that would do -- Mr. Hunter, of the defendants, here gave the word of command, and they marched off. Mr. Daniel Carn was in the waggon with them. Late that evening I saw Mr. Carn's waggon at his grocery down in Far West. I saw Carn and Huntingdon unloading it. The waggon




  540                                 MORMONISM.                                
was loaded with one bee-gum, and household stuff, consisting of beds, or bed-clothes, kinder tied up; also, there were onions in the waggon. Mr. Carn that evening remarked that there would be in that evening a considerable number of sheep and cattle; and further remarked, that it looked to him sometimes that it was not right (!) to take plunder, but that it was according to the directions of Joseph Smith, Jun., and that was the reason why he did it. The next morning I saw a considerable number of sheep on the square, in Far West, near about one hundred." Ib. p. 26.

XV. -- Mormonism enjoins secrecy with regard to its real designs, under penalty of death.

"And now I say unto you, Keep these things from going abroad unto the world, until it is expedient in me, that ye may accomplish this, work, &c.,--in the eyes of your enemies, that they may not know your work until ye have accomplished the thing which I commanded you."   Doc. and Cov., p. 132.

XVI. -- Mormonism sanctions secret societies, and assumes the right to inflict the penalty of death upon such as refuse to comply with the dictates of its leaders.

"Sampson Avard, a witness, produced, sworn, and examined, in behalf of the state, deposeth and saith:--

"That about four months since, a band called the Daughters of Zion, (since called the Danite Band,) was formed of the members of the Mormon church, the original object of which was to drive from the county of Caldwell all those who dissented from the Mormon church; in which they succeeded admirably, and to the satisfaction of all concerned. I consider Joseph Smith, Jun., as the prime mover and organizer of this band. The officers of the band, according to their grades, were brought before him, at a school-house, together with Hiram Smith and Sidney Rigdon; the three composing the first presidency of the whole church. It was stated by Joseph Smith, Jun., that it was necessary this band should be bound together by a covenant, that those who revealed the secrets of the society should be put to death. The covenant taken by all the Danite Band was as follows, to wit:-- They declared, holding up their right hand, 'In the name of Jesus Christ, the son of God, I do solemnly obligate myself ever to conceal and never to reveal the secret purposes of this society, called the Daughters of Zion. Should I ever do the same, I hold my life as the forfeiture.'" Cong. Doc. No. 189, p. 1, 2.

"John Cleminson, a (Mormon) witness, produced, sworn, and examined, for the state, deposeth and saith:--

"Some time in June I attended two or three Danite meetings; and it was taught there as a part of the duty of the band, that they should support the presidency in all their designs, right or wrong; that whatever they said was to be obeyed, and whoever opposed the presidency in what they said or desired done, should be expelled from the county, or have their lives taken.

"Dr. Avard further taught as a part of their obligation, that if any one betrayed the secret designs of the society, they should be killed and laid aside, and nothing said about it." Ib. p. 15.

Some of the language used in the Book of Mormon proves that book to have been written, or put into its present shape, since 1827, as it




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quotes much of the language used about that time concerning Free Masonry; and hence it denounces secret societies, oaths, &c. But by this testimony it is proved that the Mormons have their 'secret societies,' and we believe they have them in New York, Philadelphia, and most of the places where they have made converts to their delusion.

XVII. -- Mormonism, compels its victims to a course of irreligion and crime, under the penalty of death.

From the testimony of Dr. Avard:--

"Joseph Smith, Jun., the Sunday before the late disturbances in Daviess, at a church meeting, gave notice that he wished the whole county collected on the next day, at Far West. He declared that all who did not take up arms in defence of the Mormons of Daviess, should be considered as tories, and should take their exit from the country." Cong. Doc., 189, p. 2.

In the paper signed by eighty-four Mormons, and addressed to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmar, John Whitmar, Wm. W. Phelps, and Lyman E. Johnson, we have the following:--

"There are no threats from you--no fear of losing our lives by you, or by any thing you can say or do, will restrain us; for out of the county you shall go, and no power shall save you. And you shall have three days after you receive this communication to you, including twenty-four hours in each day, for you to depart with your families peaceably; which you may do undisturbed by any person; but in that time, if you do not depart, we will use the means in our power to cause you to depart; for go you shall." Ib. page 6.

"Morris Phelps, a (Mormon) witness, produced, sworn, and examined for the state, deposeth and saith:--

"That Parley P. Pratt was in the battle with Bogart. Darwin Chase was one of the expedition, but not in the battle. Lyman Gibbs was in the battle; thinks Benjamin Jones was in the battle. Norman Shearer was also, and wounded. I was called upon by Charles C. Rich to go down to Crooked River to help relieve some Mormon prisoners, who, it was said, had been taken by a mob. I first refused to go; but, being threatened with force, I consented to go. Rigdon, in speaking of dissenters, who were unwilling to fight mobs, said that they ought to be pitched upon their horses with pitchforks and bayonets, and forced into the front of the battle, and their property confiscated to the use of the army." Ib., page 12.

From the testimony of John Corrill:--

"President Rigdon, in a speech, said, that those who were unwilling to go into the war, ought to be put upon their horses with guns and bayonets, and forced into the front of the war. No persons were suffered to leave the country in those extreme times." Ib., page 13.

From the testimony of John Cleminson:--

"On the Monday prior to the last Daviess expedition, I heard Mr. Rigdon say that those who had heretofore been backward in taking up arms in defending themselves, ought to, or should, be put upon their horses with bayonets and pitchforks; and Smith said, forced into the front of the battle; and that the property of those who would not go into the war should be consecrated to the use of those who did. Mr. Smith said their beef, corn, and potatoes they would take.




  542                                 MORMONISM.                                
"I went in the expedition to Daviess, in which Gallatin was burnt, as I felt myself compelled to go from the regulations which had been made." Ib. page 16.

From the testimony of Reed Peck:--

"Such men as would oppose things undertaken, as being unlawful, and such as they feared was a violation the law, I have heard Smith and Rigdon, in their public addresses, denominate, 'O don't men.' These I understood to be those who were denominated, also, dissenters; and in reference to men who were hanging back, and did not wish to engage in their expeditions, they were called traitors; and referring to such, as I understood, Mr. Rigdon proposed that blood should first begin to flow at Far West, (that is, that these men should be put to death!) The proposition was then made and carried unanimously, that those who thus hung back should be pitched upon their horses and made to go, and placed in the front of the army.

"I heard Dr. Avard say, that it was a regulation of that society (Danite Band) that no one should speak against them, or hear any one else do it with impunity." Ib., page 18.

"Burr Riggs, a (Mormon) witness for the state, produced, sworn, and examined, deposeth and saith:--

"Joseph Smith, Jun., said there were certain men using their influence against the proceedings of the presidency, and if they were suffered to go on, they would do great injury. And Smith told Robinson that the first man he heard speaking against the presidency, and against their proceedings, he must tie him up and give him thirty-nine lashes; and it that would not do, give him thirty-nine more, until he was sorry for what he had said; and Robinson said he would do it."

"While the last expedition was going on in Daviess, there was a meeting in Far West, in which Mr. Sidney Rigdon presided. There were present about 60 or 100 men; a guard was put around the house, and one was placed at the door. Mr. Rigdon said that the last man had run away from Far West that was a-going to; that the next man who started he should be pursued and brought back, dead or alive. -- He further said that on man had slipped his wind yesterday, and had been thrown aside into the brush for the buzzards to pick, and the first man that lisped it should die." Ib., p. 29, 30.

"John Whitmar, a (Mormon) witness for the state, produced, sworn and examined, deposeth and saith:--

"Mr. Smith said that any person who spoke or acted against the presidency or the church, should leave the country, or die." Ib. p. 33.

"Benjamin Slade, a (Mormon) witness for the state, produced, sworn and examined, deposeth and saith:--

"I was in a meeting in a school-house in Far West, while the Mormon troops were in Diahmon, in the last expedition. After the assembly had got into the house a guard was placed at the door. Mr. Rigdon got up, and in a speech said that the time had now come in which every man must take his part in this war; and that they had been running away and leaving Caldwell county, and that the last man had now left the county that should be suffered to do so. A formal vote, by way of resolution, of covenant, was put--that, if any man attempted to leave the county, any one of the company then present was to kill him, and say nothing about it, and throw him into the brush. --




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When this was put to vote I heard no one vote against it. Rigdon then called for the negative vote, and said he wanted to see if any one dared to vote against it. There was no negative vote." Ib., p. 37.

"Addison F. Green, a (Mormon) witness for the state, produced, sworn, and examined, deposeth and saith:--

"I heard Sidney Rigdon, (speaking of those, who would attempt to leave the county at that time) say, 'it was the duty of any present, if they saw such movements, to stop the men,' and if they persisted in going, he said something about sending them to the other world to tell their hellish news, or something like this." Ib. page 38.
 

{TO  BE  CONTINUED.}