all the while his infatuated parents, and hav- of pretending that he had dug it up. At first, ing the impudence seriously to rebuke his old however, he seems to have intended nothing grandfather for unbelief. Children are flat- more than to hoax the members of his own tered by the notice which they excite by such family. He told them that an angel had repretensions; and, if the credulity of their vealed to him a bundle of golden plates, enelders gives them encouragement, are easily tempted to go on from lie to lie. For there is perhaps no period of life more sensible than childhood to the delights of notoriety.

เ

graved with mysterious characters, but had forbidden him to show them to others. His hearers (to his surprise, apparently,) seemed inclined to believe his story; and he remarked It was, probably, only a desire for this kind to a neighbour (whose deposition is published,) of distinction which originally led Joseph that he had fixed the fools, and would have Smith to invent his vision. At first, however, some fun.' But it soon occurred to him that he did not meet with the success which he ex- his fabrication might furnish what he valued pected. On the contrary, he complains that more than 'fun. He improved upon his the story had excited a great deal of preju- first story of the discovery, by adding, that the dice against him among professors of religion,' angel had also shown him, together with the and that it drew 'persecution' upon him. We plates, 'two stones in silver bows, fastened to may suppose that his character for mendacity a breast-plate, which constituted what is called was already so well known in his own neigh- the Urim and Thummim. . . . . The posbourhood as to discredit his assertions. At all session and use of which constituted Seers in events, he seems thenceforward to have laid ancient times, and God had prepared them for aside, till a later period, the part of a religious the purpose of translating the book.impostor, and to have betaken himself to less (Smith's Autobiography, XIV.) Furnished impious methods of cheating. For some years with this mysterious apparatus, he was comhe led a vagabond life, about which little manded to translate and publish these divine is known, except that he was called 'Joe records. He might reasonably expect that the Smith the Money-digger,' and that he swin- publication of Spalding's Manuscript, gardled several simpletons by his pretended skill nished with this miraculous story, would prove in the use of the divining-rod. In short, he a profitable speculation; just as the unsaleable was a Yankee Dousterswivel. Among the reams of 'Drelincourt on Death' were transshrewd New-Englanders one would have muted into a lucrative copyright by the ghostthought such pretensions unlikely to be profit- story of De Foe. On the strength of these exable. But it seems there were legends current pectations, he obtained advances of money of the buried wealth of buccaneers, and Dutch from a farmer named Martin Harris.* Confarmers possessing the requisite amount of gul- cerning this man, as concerning most of the libility; and on this capital our hero traded. early associates of Smith, we must remain in His gains, however, were but small; and he doubt whether he were a dupe or an accomwas struggling with poverty, when at last he plice. His cupidity was interested in the suclighted on a vein of genuine metal, which dur- cess of the 'Book of Mormon,' and therefore ing the remainder of his life, he continued to he may be suspected of deceit. On the other work with ever-growing profit. This was no band, he did not reap the profit he expected other than the rejected and forgotten manu- from the publication, which, as a bookselling script of poor Solomon Spalding, which had speculation, was at first unsuccessful; and he either been purloined by Smith's associate, was ruined by the advances he had made. Sidney Rigdon (who had been employed in a Ultimately, he renounced his faith (real or printing office where it was once deposited,) pretended) in Joseph, who, in revenge, abused or had been stolen out of the trunk of Mrs. him in the newspapers, as 'a white-skinned neSpaulding, who lived about this time in the gro,' and a 'lackey.' (M. Illust. 34.) This neighborhood of Smith's father. In one way looks as if he had been a dupe, and not in or another, it fell into Joseph's hands about possession of any dangerous secrets. twelve years after its author's death. The tain that he consulted Professor Anthon at manuscript, as we have said, purported to have been buried by Mormon, its original compiler.* This easily suggested to the imagination of Smith, already full of treasure-trove, the notion

It is cer

*Our translation drawing to a close,' says Smith, we went to Palmyra, secured the copyright, and agreed with Mr. Grandon to print 5000 copies for the sum of 3000 dollars.' (Autob. XIV.) This sum was supplied by Harris, in accordance with a 'revelation' delivered in March, 1830, as follows:'I command thee that thou shalt not covet thine own property, but impart it freely to the printing of the "Book of Mormon." Impart a portion of thy property, yea, even part of thy lands. Pay the debt thou hast contracted with the printer.' (D. C. sec. 44.)

1

We see, however, from these revelations (which were all given within twelve months from the publication of the book) that the imposture had already expanded beyond its original dimensions in the mind of its author. At first, he only claims to have miraculously discovered a sacred record, but does not himself pretend to inspiration. Soon, however, he proclaims that he is a prophet divinely commissioned to introduce a new dispensation of

New York on the subject of the mysterious plates; and that he showed the Professor a specimen of the engravings, which Mr. Anthon describes as "evidently prepared by some one who had before him a book containing various alphabets, Greek and Hebrew letters, &c.; the whole ending in a rude delineation of a circle decked with strange marks, and evidently copied after the Mexican Calendar given by Humboldt.'* Harris also stated his intention of selling his farm, to provide funds for the trans- religion. And in April, 1830, he receives a lation and publication of these plates. The revelation. establishing him in that character, Professor vainly remonstrated, regarding him and commanding the Church' to 'give heed as the victim of roguery. Not long after, early unto all his words and commandments.' (D. in 1830, the Book of Mormon was publish- C. sec. 46.) At the same time, it is announed and Harris was employed in hawking it ced that all existing sects are in sinful error; and about for sale. He also signed a certificate, their members are required to seek admittance which is prefixed to the book, wherein he joins by baptism into the new church of Joseph with two other witnesses in testifying the au- Smith. In accordance with this revalation, he thenticity of the revelation, as follows:- proceeded to organize the Church of Latter Day Saints.' He and his earliest accomplice, Cowdery, baptized one another; and in the course of the month they baptized twenty or thirty other persons, including Smith's father and two brothers, who, from the first, took a profitable share in the imposture.

"We declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from Heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes [sic] that we beheld and saw the plates and the engravings

thereon.'

Eight other witnesses also testify that they In the same year, the new sect was openly had seen the plates, but without the angel. If joined by one of its most important members, we are not to consider all these as accomplices Sidney Rigdon, who had perhaps been previin the fraud, we must suppose that Smith ously leagued with Smith in secret.* This had got some brass plates made, and had man had been successively a printer and a scratched them over with figures. No one else preacher; and in the latter capacity, he had was allowed to see them; and Joseph informs belonged to several denominations. It is but us, that after he had 'accomplished by them too evident, from the impure practices of what was required at his hand,'....according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, and he [the angel] has them in his charge until this day. (Autob. XIV.)

which he was afterwards convicted at Nauvoo that he was influenced by none but the most sordid motives in allying himself to the Mormonites. He was one of those adventurers, Although the sale of the Book of Mormon' not uncommon in America, who are preachers did not originally repay the cost of publica- this year and publicans the next, hiring altertion, yet it made a few converts. It was very education, however, Rigdon, though far from nately a tabernacle or a tavern. In point of soon revealed' that these proselytes were bound to consecrate their property to the suplearned, was superior to his vulgar and ignoport of Joseph. Thus we find in a revelation rant associates. It was therefore revealed that of February, 1831:-'It is meet that my serhe should take the literary business of the vant, Joseph Smith, Junior, should have a new partnership. (D. C. sec. 11.) Accordhouse built in which to live and translate.' (D. C. sec. 13.) And again :-'If ye desire the mysteries of my kingdom, provide for him food and raiment, and whatsoever thing he needeth.' (D. C. sec. 14.) And his love for idleness was gratified by a revelation which commanded it: In temporal labours thou shalt not have strength, for that is not thy calling.' (D. C. sec. 9.) A singular announcement to be made by a prophet who tism, and the assertion of the perpetuity of soon after became the manager of a Bank, part-the work of Spaulding unaltered, except by inmiraculous gifts. Smith had apparently left ner in a commercial house, Mayor of Nauvoo, the work of Spaulding unaltered, except by inGeneral of Militia, and a candidate for the Presidency of the United States.

*Mr. Anthon's letter to Mr. Howe, Feb. 17, 1834.

ingly, the earlier portion of the 'Doctrines and Covenants' (the Mormonite New Testament) was composed by him; and he thus became the theological founder of the sect, so far as it had at that time any distinctive creed. For the 'Book of Mormon' itself contains no novel dogmas, nor any statements which would be testants, except the condemnation of infant bapconsidered heretical by the majority of Pro

*I. e. if we suppose that Rigdon was the person who had conveyed Spalding's MS. to Smith.

It is a curious fact that the English Irvingites, who also hold the latter doctrine, sent a deputa

terpolating a few words on this latter subject, to defend their master and themselves. Hither, which were necessary to support his own su- therefore, Joseph removed, early in 1831. pernatural stories. But Rigdon encouraged But though Kirtland was for some years the him to take a bolder flight. He announced centre of his operations, yet he never intended the materialistic doctrines which have since to make it his permanent abode. He already been characteristic of the Sect; he departed perceived, that to avail himself fully of the from the orthodox Trinitarianism which had advantages of his position, he must assemble been adopted in the Book of Mormon ;'* and his disciples in a commonwealth of their own, to him may be probably attributed the intro- where no unbeliever should intrude to dispute duction of baptism for the dead. Moreover, his supremacy. This was impossible in the under his influence the constitution of the older States of the Union, but it appeared Mormonite Church was remodelled. Joseph quite practicable on the Western frontier. had begun by adopting the ordinary Presby- There land could be bought for next to terian divisions; but now a more complex or- nothing, in a territory almost uninhabited; ganization was introduced, and it was revealed and it might be reasonably presumed that a that the true Church must necessarily possess few thousand converts once established, and all those officers who existed in the primitive constantly reinforced by the influx of new epoch-Apostles, Prophets, Patriarchs, Evan- proselytes, might maintain themselves against gelists, Elders, Deacons, Pastors, Teachers; any attack which was likely to be made upon besides a twofold hierarchy of Priests, called them. Acting on these views, Smith and by the respective names of Aaron and of Mel- Rigdon, after a tour of inspection, selected chisedek. The object of this change was to a site on the borders of the wilderness, which give an official position to every active and ser- was recommended by richness of soil and viceable adherent, and to establish a compact facilities of water carriage. Joseph immedisubordination throughout the whole body; an ately put forth a string of revelations, which object in which no religious society except that declared that 'Zion' was in Jackson County, of the Jesuits has more completely succeeded. Missouri, and commanded all the Saints' to While rendering such services to his new purchase land on the sacred spot, and hasten associates, Rigdon did not neglect his private to take possession of their inheritance. (D. interests. He immediately obtained the se- C. sec. 66 to sec. 73.) cond place in rank; and after a short time he Within a few months no less than twelve compelled his accomplice to receive a revela- hundred had obeyed the call, and employed tion which raised him to equality with the themselves with all the energy of American Prophet. (D. C. sec. 85.) He was thus en- backwoodsmen in cultivating the soil of the abled to claim his fair share in the spoil of new Jerusalem. These converts were mostly dupes whom he so largely contributed to from the Eastern States, and seem to have deceive. been, in habits and character, superior to the Under these new auspices the Sect made common run of squatters. Colonel Kane, rapid progress. But while Joseph continued who visited them at a later period, conin the district where his youth was spent, trasts them favorably as 'persons of refined there were many stumbling-blocks in his path. and cleanly habits and decent language' with The indignation of his neighbours was naturally the other border inhabitants of Missouriroused by the successful frauds of a man whom the vile scum which our society, like the they had despised as a cheat and a liar from great ocean, washes upon its frontier shores.' his cradle. He vainly endeavoured to dis- They seem to have consisted principally of arm such feelings, by candidly avowing his small farmers, together with such tradesmen past iniquities; those who had known him and mechanics as are required by an agriculfrom boyhood were not easily persuaded tural colony. Nor were they without conto believe in his repentance. And since, in siderable shrewdness and intelligence in secuAmerica, there is but a short step from popular matters, however inconsistent we may lar anger to popular violence, it was his obvi- think their credulity with common sense. By ous policy to withdraw before the storm should their axes and their ploughs, the forest soon burst. Rigdon had already made numerous was turned into a fruitful field; their meadows converts in Kirtland,. a town of Ohio; and a were filled with kine, and their barns with nucleus was thus formed to which new prose- sheaves. Unfortunately for themselves, they lytes might be gathered in sufficient numbers did not unite prudence with their industry. They were too enthusiastically certain of their triumph, to temporise or conciliate. Their prophet had declared that Zion should be established, and should put down her enemies under her feet. Why, then, should they hesitate to proclaim their anticipations? They

tion with a letter, not long after the publication of the 'Book of Mormon,' to express their sympathy with Joseph Smith. The letter professes to emanate from a Council of Pastors.' (XV. 260.)

Q. How many personages are there in the Godhead?-Ans. Two.' D. C. p. 47.)

boasted openly that they should soon possess warfare against their antagonists. At length, the whole country, and that the unbelievers however, they were overpowered by numbers, should be rooted out from the land. These and abandoned their beloved Zion. But most boasts excited the greatest indignation, not of them found refuge in the adjoining coununaccompanied by some fear; for the old ties, where they gradually acquired fresh settlers saw the number of their new neigh- property, and continued for four years in bours increasing weekly, and knew that their tranquillity. compact organisation gave them a power Meanwhile their prophet had remained more than proportionate to their numerical snugly established at Kirtland, which he strength. Legally, however, there were no wisely judged a more desirable home than means of preventing these strangers from the wild land of Zion, till the latter should accomplishing their intentions. For every be comfortably colonized by his adherents. citizen of the Union had an undoubted right Hence he sent out his apostles' and 'elders' to buy land in Jackson County, and to be- in all directions to make proselytes, which lieve that Joseph Smith, Junior, was a pro- they continued to do with great success. The phet. But in America, when the members of first duty imposed on all converts was the a local majority have made up their minds payment of tithing to the Church.' (D. that a certain course is agreeable to their C. sec. 107.) And those who received the interests or their passions, the fact that it is commands of Joseph as the voice of God, did illegal seldom prevents its adoption. The not hesitate to furnish this conclusive proof of Jacksonians knew that they had at present a the reality of their faith. On the strength majority over the Mormonites, and they re- of the capital thus placed at his disposal, solved to avail themselves of this advantage Smith established at Kirtland a mercantile before it was too late, lest, in their turn, they house and a bank. We find from his autoshould be outnumbered, and thereby be liable biography, that the whole Smith family were to those pains and penalties which are the at liberty to draw without stint from the comportion of a minority in the Great Republic. mon stock; and their ill-gotten gains were The citizens of the county therefore convened squandered as recklessly as might have been a public meeting, wherein they agreed upon expected. Embarrassment ensued, and several the following (among other) resolutions :-- revelations called upon the saints for money to prop the Prophet's credit.* At length the crash came. The firm failed, the bank stopped with a prosecution for swindling. payment, and the managers were threatened To escape the sheriff's writ, Smith and Rigdon were obliged to fly by night; and they took refuge among their followers in Missouri.

That no Mormon shall in future move and settle in this country.

That those now here who shall give a pledge within a reasonable time to remove out of the country, shall be allowed to remain unmolested

until they have sufficient time to sell their pro

perty.

That the editor of the The Star,' (the Mormon paper) be required forthwith to discontinue the business of printing in this country.

That those who fail to comply with these requisitions, be referred to their brethren who have

the gifts of divination and unknown tongues to

inform them of the lot that awaits them.'

These resolutions were at once communicated to the Mormon leaders; but as they did not immediately submit, the meeting unanimously resolved to raze to the ground the office of the obnoxious newspaper. This resolution was forthwith carried into effect, and the Mormon Bishop' (a creature of Smith's, who presided in his absence), was tarred and feathered, an appropriate punishment enough, which had also been administered to his master, not long before, by a mob in Ohio.

This occurred in the autumn of 1837, four years after the expulsion of the saints from Zion. That expulsion had painfully falsified the prophecies of Smith, who had so completely committed himself to the successful establishment of his people in the spot which he had first chosen, that he did not acquiesce in their abandonment of it without a struggle. In February, 1834, soon after their ejectment, he had promised their immediate restoration in the following revelation:

Verily I say unto you, I have decreed that your brethren which have been scattered shall must needs come by power. return . . . . Behold the redemption of Zion Therefore I will raise up unto my people a man who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel.

.. Verily I say unto you that my servant Baurak Ale is the man. . ... .... Therefore let my servant Baurak Ale say unto the strength of my house, my young men and the middle aged, gather And let all the churches send up wise men with yourselves together unto the land of Zion..

Notwithstanding these hostile demonstrations, the Mormons could not bring themselves to leave their newly-purchased lands without resistance. They appealed to the legal tribunals for redress, and organized a militia, which maintained for some time a guerilla March, 1834.

*See Smith's Autobiography,' under date of

their monies, and purchase lands as I have com- These and similar facts were disclosed to the manded them. And, inasmuch as mine enemies Missourians by apostate Mormons, and excited come against you, to drive you from my goodly great exasperation. At length a collision ocland which I have consecrated to be the land of curred at a county election, and open warfare Zion,. ye shall curse them; and whomsoever ye curse I will curse. . . . . It is my will began. For some weeks the contest was that my servant Parley Pratt, and my servant maintained on equal terms, and both parties Lyman Wright, should not return until they have burnt and destroyed the property of their anobtained companies to go up unto the land of tagonists with no decisive result. But, finally, Zion, by tens, or by twenties, or by fifties, or by an the Governor of Missouri called out the militia hundred, until they have obtained to the number of the State, nominally, to enforce order, but of five hundred, of the strength of my house. Behold this is my will; but men do not always do really to exterminate the Mormons. They my will; therefore, if you cannot obtain five were unable to resist the overwhelming force hundred, seek diligently that peradventure you brought against them, and surrendered almost may obtain three hundred, and if ye cannot obtain at discretion, as appears from the following three hundred, seek diligently that peradventure terms which they accepted: First. To deye may obtain one hundred.' (D. C. sec. 101.) liver up their leaders for trial; secondly, To lay down their arms; thirdly, To sign over their properties, as an indemnity for the expenses of the war; and lastly, To leave the State forthwith. condition was enforced will appear from the The spirit in which this last conclusion of an address delivered to the Mormons by General Clark, the commander of the hostile forces:

you and

The or

By such efforts a volunteer force of 159 men had been raised, and had marched from Kirtland in June, 1834, to reinstate the saints in their inheritance. Joseph also, who, to do him justice, seems not to have lacked physical courage, had marched at their head; though why he superseded Baurak Ale,' the divinely-appointed Moses of the host, we are not informed. The little force had safely Another thing yet remains for you to comply reached their brethren in Missouri; but the with-that you leave the State forthwith. WhatProphet, finding they were not strong enough ever your feelings concerning this affair; whatever to effect their purpose, had disbanded them your innocence; it is nothing to me. without fighting, and had himself returned to ders of the governor to me were that you should Kirtland, where he had remained till the com- be exterminated; and had your leader not been mercial crisis which we have just mentioned. given up, and the treaty complied with, before this When thus finally driven to take refuge aud your houses in ashes.' your families would have been destroyed among his followers, Smith found them in a very critical position. Four years had passed The results of this contest seemed likely to since their expulsion from Zion, and they had be fatal to the Prophet, who was given up to established themselves in greater numbers the State authorities, to be tried on charges than before, in the countries bordering on of treason, murder, and felony, arising out of that whence they had been driven. They the war. But he contrived to escape from his had cultivated the soil with perseverance and guards, and thus avoided, for the time, the success, were daily increasing in wealth, and justice of a border jury. He fled to Illinois, had built two towns (or cities, as they called where he found the remnant of his persecuted them) Diahman and Far-west. But their proselytes, who had been compelled to cross prudence had not grown with their prosperity. the bleak prairies, exposed to the snowstorms They thought themselves a match for their of November, with no other shelter than their enemies, and fearlessly provoked them by re- wagons for sick and wounded, women and peating their former boasts. The Prophet's children. 12,000 of these exiles crossed the arrival added fuel to the flame. The dis- Mississippi, which separates the States of graceful failure of his prophecies still rankled Missouri and Illinois. By the citizens of the in his mind. He declared publicly among latter they were received with compassionate his disciples, that he would yet tread down hospitality, and relieved with gifts of food and his enemies, and trample on their dead bodies; and that, like Mahomet, whose motto was the Koran or the sword, so should it be eventually, Joseph Smith or the sword."

*See M. Star, XV. 69. 205.

*The above statements are in an affidavit (given in Mormonism Illustrated') made in Oct. 1838, and countersigned by Orson Hyde, who is now the chairman of the Apostolic College. Whether he was then a renegade, who has since repented, or

whether he made these confessions under compul

sion, we have no information.

clothing.

In a wonderfully short time the sect displayed once more its inherent vitality, and that strength which springs from firm union and voluntary obedience. Soon its numbers were increased by the arrival of proselytes to 15,000 souls. For the third time they gathered themselves together in a new settlement, and built the town of Nauvoo in a strong position on the banks of the Mississippi, which nearly surrounds the peninsula selected for their capi