Mormon History
Mormon Love for Kirtland Money - 1837
The Ohio Observer – March 2, 1837
For the Ohio Observer.
ABOUT MATTERS IN
KIRTLAND.
Mr. Clark:
Dear Sir, -- There has been observed a striking change among our
neighbors, the Mormons, in the course of three years. Then they lived
in obscurity, in a few miserable shanties and log houses in the
northern part of this town. They were considered unworthy of public
notice, and it was thought they would speedily come to nothing and sink
to oblivion.
Then they were devoted to prayer and the working of miracles. They
spoke in tongues; they laid their hands on the sick; they prophecied,
and they attempted to cast out devils; and they convinced almost
everybody that they were assisted by some power more than human.
But, as we said, they have undergone a great change. For some time past
they have been swelling up with pride and ambition. They have become
exceedingly fond of political power. They are ready to seize upon all
the town offices, and divide them among themselves exclusively; and
some of the oldest inhabitants are greatly disturbed at their
domineering spirit. In this particular they are unlike many other
classes of fanatics, (the shakers for example) who utterly withdraw
from all the public concerns of the world. The love of money is the
root of all evil. It has completely infatuated these Mormons. Every
step they have taken of late seems to be marked with the most consumate
folly. The desire of worldly gain has killed all their religion, such
as it was; and they have turned into a great company of bankers and
land speculators. Prophecies have failed, and tongues have ceased; and
knowledge has vanished away; and the question, how shall I become rich
and obtain an eligible site in the New Jerusalem is all the theme.
The land within half a mile of the temple has been laid out into
village lots, and these have been bought and sold among themselves,
till at last a lot of one quarter of an acre near the Temple would cost
from two to four thousand dollars; & what is more remarkable most
of the Mormons have risen to affluence by these speculations.
They have bought out most of the township, & have agreed to give
from 80 to 200 dollars per acre, for farms according to their location.
Last fall, in pursuance of a Revelation of Joseph, a Bank was
projected, to pay off their mountain of debts, and make all the Mormons
rich, who could not do it by land speculations.
At a special meeting for taking up the stock, each subscriber paid
little or nothing, but pledged his property for security; for example,
a man who owned a building lot near the Temple, would sign $5,000 and
pledge his lot for security.
In this way they raised a capital stock of upwards of four millions of
dollars. The next step was to despatch men to get the bill[s] struck
off in Philadelphia. They read in the following manner: "The Kirtland
safety society Bank, promises to pay, &c." By time the bills
reached Kirtland it was discovered that emission would be illegal.
An Infidel lawyer was therefore called in to help them out of the
difficulty, and by his advice the Revelation was mended as to read:
"The Kirtland safety society anti-Banking Co., promises to pay,
&c.;" instead of signing the bills as President and Cashier, they
signed them as Secretary and Treasurer. By this twisting of the first
Revelation they expected to evade the law: and thus they sent out the
bills.
They continued to redeem with specie for ten days, and then shut up
shop. Since then they have made some arrangement with an agent of the
Monroe Bank, and at present are redeeming bills with that currency.
Before they put their bank in operation they had collected some
thousands of dollars in silver, as Joseph had before sent forth an
order to all the saints about to bring their money in specie, when they
came to Kirtland. This was delivered to be deposited in the vaults, and
they to be paid in bills.
The protestation of the bank was a sad shock to many a poor Mormon.
They were much elated by the prospect of an abundance of money; and had
been living on the bank in anticipation long before the bills came out.
This love of money is likely to be the root of some evils to us, as
well as to them. We sold our property high, and some of us were much
elated at the prospect of making our fortunes; and now we are placed
under a strong temptation to pray for their prosperity, in order that
we may be able to get our pay.
While this love of money and rage for speculation in the Mormon Church
has thrown miracles into the back ground, there are still some attempts
made to heal and cast out devils. A maniac, on whom they laid hands and
whom they claimed to have healed some fifteen months ago, became raving
and was chained last fall. The evil spirit returned and had taken full
possession. At length old Joseph, the father of the Prophet, a few
weeks ago laid hands on him and commanded the devil to depart. The
patient seemed to be calm for a short time, and Father Smith began to
assure the bystanders that the devil was gone beyond all doubt. But
presently he began to rave again & the old man adriotly replied, "I
see there is more than one devil in him;" but continued he, "I can
assure you of one thing; God will either heal him perfectly before
to-morrow night, or he will deprive him of strength altogether, so that
he will not need be chained." But the brothers of the maniac, of whom I
received these particulars, told me that he had been chained ever
since. C.
Kirtland, 16th Feb. 1837.