Mormon History
Excuse for the Lost BOM Pages - 1830
Rochester Daily Advertiser – April 2, 1830
BLASPHEMY -- "BOOK OF MORMON," alias
THE GOLDEN BIBLE.
The "Book of Mormon" has been placed in our
hands. A viler imposition was never practised. It is an evidence of fraud,
blasphemy and credulity, shocking to the Christian and moralist. The "author and
proprietor" is one "Joseph Smith, jr." -- a fellow who, by some hocus pocus,
acquired such an influence over a farmer of Wayne county, that the latter
mortgaged his farm for $3,000, which he paid for printing and binding 5000
copies of this blasphemous work. The volume consists of about 600 pages, and is
divided into the books of Nephi, of Jacob, of Mosiah, of Alma, of Mormon, of
Ether, and of Helaman. -- "Copy-right secured!" The style of the work may
be conjectured from the "preface" and "testimonials" which we subjoin.
PREFACE.
To the
Reader --
As many false reports have been circulated respecting the following work, and
also many unlawful measures taken by evil designing persons to destroy me, and
also the work, I would inform you that I translated, by the gift and power of
God, and caused to be written, one hundred and sixteen pages, the which I took
from the Book of Lehi, which was an account abridged from the plates of Lehi, by
the hand of Mormon; which said account, some person or persons have stolen and
kept from me, notwithstanding my utmost exertions to recover it again -- and
being commanded of the Lord that I should not translate the same over again, for
Satan had put it into their hearts to tempt the Lord their God, by altering the
words, they did read contrary from that which I translated and caused to be
written; and if I should bring forth the same words again, or, in other words,
if I should translate the same over again, they would publish that which they
had stolen, and Satan would stir up the hearts of this generation, that they
might not receive this work: but behold, the Lord said unto me, I will not
suffer that Satan shall accomplish this evil design in this thing: therefore
thou shalt translate from the plates of Nephi, until ye come to that which ye
have translated, which ye have retained; and behold ye shall publish it as the
record of Nephi; and thus I will confound those who have altered my words. I
will not suffer that they shall destroy my work; yea, I will shew unto them that
my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the Devil. Wherefore, to be obedient
unto the commandments of God, I have, thro' his grace and mercy, accomplished
that which he hath commanded me respecting this thing. I would also inform you
that the plates of which hath been spoken, were found in the township of
Manchester, Ontario county, New-York.
THE
AUTHOR.