Mormon History
Deluded Fanatics the Mormonites - 1832
The Churchman – February 4, 1832
By a correspondent the Salem Gazette.
THE MORMONITES
Marietta, (Ohio) Nov. 16, 1831.
You are sensible how celebrated has
become western New-York, and the adjacent counties of Ohio, for their sects --
their parties -- their fanaticism -- religious, political, and anti-masonic.
Their conceits are wild to the very furthest bonds of imagination. Wild in
invention, and singularly successful in carrying into effect their solemn
fooleries. You have heard of the Mormonites, newspapers having given detailed
accounts of these fanatics; but perhaps their origin is not so well-known.
Mormonism is the fruit of religious excitement in this quarter, combined with
roguery, ingenuity, and ignorance; frequently operating successfully on those
who ought to know better.
The inventors of this species of fanaticism are very simple personages, and were
unknown until thus brought into notice. They are old and young Joe Smith, one
Harris, a farmer, -- all of New York; and one Rigdon, a sort of preacher, from
Ohio, with several other infatuated, cunning hypocrites. Old Joe was once a
pedlar, and possessed all that cunning and shrewdness and small intrigue,
characteristic of that description of persons. He had a smooth tongue, was a
ready story-teller, full of anecdotes he had picked up in his peregrinations,
and had been more fortunate in picking up materials for his tongue, than for
supplying his purse. He at one time set up the manufacture of gingerbread, but
on the fall of that article, failed in business. Young Joe was an idle,
strolling, worthless fellow, although he afterwards flourished so largely in the
Mormon religion. He was, however, the son of a Yankee pedlar, and brought up to
live by his wits. Harris, whom I have mentioned, was considered as a substantial
farmer near Palmyra, of a wild imagination, full of passages of Scripture, had
heard and seen much of the extravagance of the day produced by modern revival
meetings, and believed fully in the wonders and miracles wrought on these
occasions.
The Smiths had conceived the idea of getting rich by some short cut' the usual
expedient of digging for hidden treasures was hit upon, Having heard many
wonderful stories of men getting rich by digging and stumbling upon chests of
money, on the shores of New-England, the fellow succeeded by his oratorical
powers, in exciting the imaginations of a few auditors, and made them so anxious
to possess themselves of these hidden treasures, that at it they went, with
shovel and spade, excavating the ground in many places between Canadaigua Lake
and Palmyra. These excavations are still to be seen in many places. They
continued their labors until, at length, one of the party, tired of laborious
and unsuccessful search, spoke of a person in Ohio, near Painesville, on Lake
Erie, who had a wonderful facility in finding the spots where money was hid, and
how he could dream of the very spots where it was to be found. "Can we get that
man here," asked the infatuated Smiths. "Why." replied the other, "I guess as we
might, by going after him; and if I had a little change to pay the expenses, I
would go myself." Away they went, some to his farm, and some to merchandise, to
gain his money to pay the expense of bringing the money-dreamer from Ohio. The
desired object was at length accomplished, and Rigdon, the famous Ohio man, made
his appearance. He had been a preacher of various religions, and a teacher of
almost all kinds of morals. He was experienced in all sorts of camp-meetings,
prayer-meetings, and anxious-meetings, and revival or four days' meetings. -- He
knew every turn of the human mind relative to these matters. He had considerable
talent, and great plausibility. He partly united with the money-diggers in
making an excavation in what has since been called the "Golden Bible Hill."
These were times, and these are a people admirably suited to the promulgation of
a new Bible, and a new religion... In such times, and such circumstances, was
bred the Mormon religion.
In this age of wonders, the cunning ex-preacher from Ohio, suggested to the
money-diggers to turn their digging concern into a religious plot. It was
therefore, given out that a vision had appeared to Joe Smith, that there was
deposited in the hill I have mentioned, an iron chest containing golden plates,
on which was engraved the "Book of Mormon." These engravings were said to be in
unknown characters to all but the inspired translator, and were deposited there
by a wandering tribe of the children of Israel, before the Christian era. It was
now given out that young Joe Smith was the chosen one of God to reveal this
ministry to the world -- to be the second Messiah, to reveal to the world this
word of life, and to reform it anew. So Joe, from being an idle, lounging
fellow, became a grave, parson-like man, with a respectable looking sort of a
black coat, and with the salvation of the whole world upon his shoulders. Old
Joe, the ex-parson, and several others, were the converts to the new faith,
which they asserted was foretold in the Bible. But Harris was undoubtedly a true
convert, and the first man who gave credit to the whole story. He was the Ali of
the New-York Mahomet. Rigdon, the preacher, knew well how to work upon the
credulity of a people already excited to religious enthusiasm. His aspect was
grave and contemplative, and he could quote abundance of Scripture to prove his
assertions. This ex-parson is no doubt the author of the book. It is full of
strange narratives, in the style of the Scriptures, and appears to evince some
ingenuity.
A fac simile of the characters on the golden plates, was carried to Dr.
Mitchell, by Harris. The Dr. gave some learned observations on them, but wiser
heads than he were employed in the translation. Harris raised money on a
mortgage on his farm, and got the translation printed at Palmyra. The book came
out to the world, and the diggers soon found they had not dug in vain, for by
its precepts, money could be raised in a twinkling from the new converts, who
were daily flocking to the new standard. Another revelation now came upon them.
The prophets were directed to lead the way to the promised land -- a place near
Painesville, Ohio, and subsequently to some place on the Mississippi river,
where they have adopted some of the worldly views of the Shakers, having formed
a sort of community system. The roads in Trumbull county were at times crowded
with these deluded wretches, with their wagons and effects, on their way to the
promised land.
The infatuation of these people is astonishing beyond measure. Husbands tearing
themselves from their wives, and such of their families as refuse to go; and
wives deserting their husbands, to join the infatuated clan. A respectable
physician of Trumbull county, who informed me of the latter proceedings, also
informed me of several instances where the sick have died, refusing medical aid,
persisting in the belief that faith in the Mormon religion would save their
lives. That he had actually been called in cases of the last extremity, where
their faith had finally failed them.
Note: The above article apparently first appeared in the Massachusetts Salem
Gazette and was from there copied into an early January issue of the
Philadelphia U. S. Gazette. The account given here generally paraphrases
James G. Bennett's two-part, on-the-scene report, published in the Morning
Courier & New York Enquirer of
Aug. 31, and Sept. 1, 1831. The Marrieta, Ohio "correspondent" has corrected
a few erroneous items from Bennett's articles -- such as replacing the name
"Henry Rangdon" with the proper spelling of "one Rigdon." The Ohio writer also
adds a few items of local news from Trumbull (Geauga??) Co., Ohio respecting the
Mormons.