Mormon History
The Lust of Brigham Young - 1842
American Bulletin – July 16, 1842
FOR THE BULLETIN.
Missrs.
Editors: -- I am about to repair to
the East for the purpose of publishing a "HISTORY OF THE SAINTS," or important
disclosures in relation to Joe Smith and the Mormons; I shall, however,
be in readiness to substantiate my statements relative to the participation of
Joe Smith in the attempted assassination of Gov. Boggs, whenever he is demanded
and secured by the Executive of Missouri.
I am blamed by some for not [making disclosures] at an earlier day, as I
must have been apprised of Smith's enormities for a long time -- this I
anticipated; but if gentlemen will hold on a short time, until I publish the
aforesaid history, I will show to the entire satisfaction of of all candid men,
that had an expose been attempted at an earlier period it would have proved
abortive; but I am now enabled to show such a system of deliberate swindling,
corruption, and base depravity, as the world has never seen. The following
letter from Miss Brotherton, details a case of black-hearted villainy precisely
similar to those of Mrs. Sarah Pratt, wife of Prof. Orson Pratt, and Miss Nancy
Rigdon, daughter of Sidney Rigdon, Esq., as noticed in the "Sangamo
Journal," and hundreds of others that might be named -- it speaks for
itself.
Yours, respectfully,
JOHN C. BENNETT.
ST, LOUIS, July 15th 1842.
ST. LOUIS, July 13th, A. D. 1842.
Gen. John C. Bennett.
DEAR SIR: -- I left Warsaw a short time since for this city, and having been
called upon by you, through the "Sangamo Journal," to come out and disclose to
the world the facts of the case in relation to certain propositions made to me
at Nauvoo, by some of the Mormon leaders, I now proceed to respond to the call,
and discharge what I consider to be a duty devolving upon me as an innocent, but
insulted and abused female. I had been at Nauvoo near three weeks, during which
time my father's family received frequent visits from elders Brigham Young and
Heber C. Kimball, two of the Mormon apostles; when early one morning they both
came to my brother-in-law's (John McIlwrick's) house, at which place I then was
on a visit, and particularly requested me to go and spend a few days with them.
I told them I could not at that time, as my brother-in-law was not at home;
however, they urged me to go the next day, and spend one day with them -- the
day being fine I accordingly went. When I arrived at the foot of the hill Young
and Kimball were standing conversing together. They both came to me, and, after
several flattering compliments, Kimball wished me to go to his house first. I
said it was immaterial to me, and accordingly went. We had not, however, gone
many steps when Young suddenly stopped, and said he would go to that brother's,
(pointing to a little log hut a few yards distant) and tell him that you
(speaking to Kimball,) and brother Glover, or Grover, (I do not remember which,)
will value his land. When he had gone, Kimball turned to me and said, "Martha, I
want you to say to my wife, when you go to my house, that you want to buy some
things at Joseph's store, (Joseph Smith's) and I will say, I am going with you
to show you the way. You know you want to see the Prophet, and you will then
have an opportunity." I made no reply. Young again made his appearance, and the
subject was dropped. We soon reached Kimball's house, where Young took his
leave, saying, "I shall see you again, Martha." I remained at Kimball's near an
hour, when Kimball seeing that I would not tell the lies he wished me to, told
them to his wife himself. He then went and whispered in her ear, and asked if
that would please her. "Yes," said she, "or I can go along with you and Martha."
"No,' said he, "I have some business to do, and I will call for you afterwards
to go with me to the debate," meaning the debate between yourself and Joseph.
To this she consented. So Kimball and I went to the store together. As we were
going along, he said, "Sister Martha, are you willing to do all that the Prophet
requires you to do?" I said I believed I was, thinking of course he would
require nothing wrong. "Then," said he, "are you ready to take counsel?" I
answered in the affirmative, thinking of the great and glorious blessings that
had been pronounced upon my head, if I adhered to the counsel of those placed
over me in the Lord. "Well," said he, "there are many things revealed in these
last days that the world would laugh and scoff at; but unto us is given to know
the mysteries of the kingdom." He further observed, "Martha, you must learn to
hold your tongue, and it will be well with you. -- You will see Joseph, and very
likely have some conversation with him, and he will tell you what you shall do."
When we reached the building he led me up some stairs to a small room, the door
of which was locked, and on it the following inscription: -- "Positively no
admittance." He observed, "Ah! brother Joseph must be sick, for, strange to say,
he is not here. Come down into the tithing-office, Martha." He then left me in
the tithing-office and went out, I know not where. In this office were two men
writing, one of whom, William Clayton, I had seen in England; the other I did
not know. Young came in and seated himself before me, and asked where Kimball
was. I said he had gone out. He said it was all right. Soon after Joseph came in
and spoke to one of the clerks, and then went up stairs followed by Young.
Immediately after Kimball came in. "Now, Martha," said he, "the Prophet has
come; come up stairs." I went, and we found Young and the Prophet alone. I was
introduced to the Prophet by Young. Joseph offered me his seat, and, to my
astonishment, the moment I was seated Joseph and Kimball walked out of the room,
and left me with Young, who arose, locked the door, closed the window, and drew
the curtain. He then came and sat before me and said, "This is our private room,
Martha." "Indeed, sir," said I, "I must be highly honored to be permitted to
enter it." He smiled, and then proceeded -- "Sister Martha, I want to ask you a
few questions; will you answer them?" "Yes, sir," said I. "And will you promise
not to mention them to any one?" "If it is your desire, sir," said I, "I will
not." "And you will not think any the worse of me for it, will you, Martha?"
said he. "No sir," I replied. "Well," said he, "what are your feelings towards
me?" -- I replied, "My feelings are just the same towards you that they ever
were, sir.." "But, to come to the point more closely," said he, "have not you an
affection for me, that, were it lawful and right, you could accept of me for
your husband and companion?" My feelings at that moment were indescribable. God
only knows them. What, thought I, are these men that I thought almost perfection
itself, deceivers. and is all my fancied happiness but a dream? 'Twas
even so; but my next thought was, which is the best way for me to act at this
time? If I say no, they may do as they think proper; and to say yes,
I never would. So I considered it best to ask for time to think and pray about
it. I therefore said, "If it was lawful and right perhaps I might; but you know,
sir, it is not." "Well, but," said he, "brother Joseph has had a revelation from
God that it is lawful and right for a man to have two wives; for as it was in
the days of Abraham, so it shall be in these last days and whoever is the first
that is willing to take up the cross will receive the greatest blessings; and if
you will accept of me I will take you straight to the celestial kingdom; and if
you will have me in this world, I will have you in that which is to come, and
brother Joseph will marry us here to-day, and you can go home this evening, and
your parents will not know any thing about it." "Sir," said I, "I should not
like to do any thing of the kind without the permission of my parents." "Well,
but," said he, "you are of age, are you not?" "No, sir," said I, "I shall not be
until the 24th of May." "Well," said he, "that does not make any difference. You
will be of age before they know, and you need not fear. If you will take my
counsel it will be well with you, for I know it to be right before God, and if
there is any sin in it, I will answer for it. But brother Joseph wishes to have
some talk with you on the subject -- he will explain things -- will you hear
him?" "I do not mind," said I. "Well, but I want you to say something," said he.
"I want time to think about it," said I. "Well," said he, "I will have a kiss,
any how," and then rose and said he would bring Joseph. -- He then unlocked the
door, and took the key and locked me up alone. He was absent about ten minutes
and then returned with Joseph. "Well," said Young, "sister Martha would be
willing if she knew if was lawful and right before God." "Well, Martha," said
Joseph, "it is lawful and right before God -- I know it is. Look here,
sis; don't you believe in me?" I did not answer. -- "Well Martha," said Joseph,
"just go ahead, and do as Brigham wants you to -- he is the best man in the
world except me." "Oh!" said Brigham, "then you are as good." "Yes," said
Joseph. "Well," said Young, "we believe Joseph to be a Prophet. -- I have known
him near eight years, and always found him the same." "Yes," said Joseph, "and I
know that this is lawful and right before God, and if there is any sin in it, I
will answer for it before God; and I have the keys of the kingdom, and whatever
I bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever I loose on earth is loosed in
heaven; and if you will accept of Brigham, you shall be blessed -- God shall
bless you, and my blessing shall rest upon you, and if you will be led by him,
you will do well; for I know Brigham will take care of you, and if he don't do
his duty to you, come to me and I will make him; and if you do not like it in a
month or two, come to me, and I will make you free again; and if he turns you
off, I will take you on." -- "Sir," said I, rather warmly, "it will be too late
to think in a month or two after. I want time to think first." "Well, but," said
he, "the old proverb is, 'nothing ventured, nothing gained;' and it would be the
greatest blessing that was ever bestowed upon you." -- "Yes," said Young, "and
you will never have reason to repent it -- that is, if I do not turn from
righteousness, and that I trust I never shall, for I believe God, who has kept
me so long, will continue to keep me faithful. Did you ever see me act in any
way wrong in England, Martha?" "No, sir," said I. "No," said he; "neither can
any one else lay any thing to my charge." "Well, then," said Joseph, "what are
you afraid of, sis? -- come, let me do the business for you." "Sir," said I, "do
let me have a little time to think about it, and I will promise not to mention
it to any one." "Well, but look here," said he, "you know a fellow will never be
damned for doing the best he knows how." "Well, then," said I, "the best way I
know of, is to go home and think and pray about it." -- "Well," said Young, "I
shall leave it with brother Joseph, whether it would be best for you to have
time or not." "Well," said Joseph, "I see no harm in her having time to think,
if she will not fall into temptation." "O, sir," said I, "there is no fear of my
falling into temptation." "Well, but," said Brigham, "you must promise me you
will never mention it to any one." "I do promise it," said I. "Well," said
Joseph, "you must promise me the same." I promised him the same. "Upon your
honor," said he, "you will not tell." "No, sir, I will lose my life first," said
I. "Well, that will do," said he; "that is the principle we go upon. I think I
can trust you, Martha," said he. -- "Yes," said I, "I think you ought." Joseph
said, "she looks as if she could keep a secret." I then rose to go, when Joseph
commenced to beg of me again -- he said it was the best opportunity they might
have for months, for the room was often engaged. I, however, had determined what
to do. -- "Well," said Young, "I will see you to-morrow. I am going to preach at
the school-house, opposite your house. I have never preached there yet; you will
be there, I suppose." "Yes," said I. The next day being Sunday, I sat down,
instead of going to meeting, and wrote the conversation, and gave it to my
sister, who was not a little surprised, but she said it would be best to go to
meeting in the afternoon. We went, and Young administered the sacrament. After
it was over, I was passing out, and Young stopped me, saying, "Wait, Martha, I
am coming." I said, "I cannot; my sister is waiting for me." He then threw his
coat over his shoulders, and followed me out, and whispered, "have you made up
your mind, Martha?" "Not exactly, sir," said I; and we parted. I shall proceed
to a justice of the peace, and make oath to the truth of these statements, and
you are at liberty to make what use of them you may think best.
Yours, respectfully,
MARTHA H. BROTHERTON.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 13th day of July, A. D. 1842.
Du. BOUFFAY FREMON,
Justice of the Peace for St. Louis county.
Note 1: Martha H. Brotherton (1824- c.1870) was raised in Manchester, England,
and came to America early in 1842 with several other Mormon converts. After
Martha's death Brigham Young had her sealed to him "for eternity," in a proxy
marriage carried out in Utah. Martha's sister, Elizabeth Brotherton (1816-1897)
married Parley P. Pratt at Nauvoo in 1843, becoming that LDS Apostle's second
polygamous wife. On Apr. 20, 1842 Elizabeth Brotherton made out a statement in
which she said: "I suppose, by this time, you will have heard that my parents
and sister have apostatized... my sister has told some of the greatest lies that
ever were circulated." This statement was published with her signature in the
LDS Church's pamphlet, Affidavits and Certificates Disproving the Statements
and Affidavits Contained in John C. Bennett's Letter. In these statements
Martha Brotherton was branded a liar and a prostitute. The Nauvoo Wasp,
of Aug. 27, 1842 spoke of "mean harlots as Martha H. Brotherton," and it quickly
became the policy of the elders of the Church not to respond to Martha's
allegations, since statements such as hers had come from "prostitutes" (see, for
example, comments attributed to Elder William Small and Thomas Smethurst's
indignant response, in the Pittsburgh Morning Chronicle of
July 27, 1842). Nearly a decade later, LDS Elder Thomas Smith continued to
refute claims of polygamy among the Mormons, writing in the Church's official
newspaper: "12th LIE: Joseph Smith taught a system of polygamy... 13th LIE: That
Joseph Smith tried to seduce Martha Brotherton... Martha Brotherton's sister
sent a letter, stating that Martha was a liar; William Clayton did the same.
Both are published in the Millennial Star, Vol. 3, pages 73, 74." (LDS
Millennial Star, XII -- Jan. 15, 1850 -- pp. 29-31).
Note 2: John C. Bennett solicited the statement of Miss Martha Brotherton during
the second week of July, while he was visiting St. Louis. Miss Brotherton's
statement was originally intended for publication in the prestigious,
high-circulation Missouri Republican. In its issue of
July 15, 1842 the Republican stated that Bennett's expose materials
were not printed, due to lack of space. They were instead published in the July
14 and 16, 1842 issues of the Native American Bulletin. The Brotherton
statement was widely reprinted in many other U. S. newspapers; see, for example,
the Warsaw Signal of
July 23, 1842. the Louisville Journal of
July, 25, 1842; the New York Herald of
July 25, 1842; the Alton Telegraph of
July 30, 1842, and the Quincy Whig of
Aug. 6, 1842. It was through the wide circulation of this statement that the
secret Mormon polygamy at Nauvoo first received nation-wide attention. Bennett
supplies essentially the same information from Brotherton on
pp. 236-240 of his 1842 book, History of the Saints.