Mormon History
Swindling by Patriarch Blessing - 1845
The Warsaw Signal – June 18, 1845
MORMON GULL-TRAPS.
There never has existed a class of men who
displayed greater ingenuity in the invention of gull traps for the purpose of
chiseling their deluded followers out of their hard earning, than have the
Mormon leaders. The Temple has been building for nearly five years and during
that time, at least a million dollars have been raised, by tithings from members
of the church, yet scarcely any cash has been paid to the workmen on this
structure. It has been but a gull trap. The Nauvoo House has also been, and will
hereafter be the trap for the purpose of wringing from the poor their substance
for the aggrandizement of the selfish leaders of the church. But of all the
ridiculous means resorted to by the leaders, to raise the wind, none will
compare with the sale of Patriarchal Blessings.
Bill Smith has been appointed Patriarch, and he shows himself in the start, a
business man; for he advertises in the Neighbor, that he is ready to confer
Patriarchal Blessings and in the usual style prays for the patronage of the
saints. -- But we will let him speak for himself -- here is his advertisement as
it appears in the
last Neighbor:
NOTICE.
Dear
Brethren and sisters: -- After having been for so long a time buffeted upon the
waves of affliction; after having sacrificed all of this world's goods, by mobs
at different times; and after having suffered so much sorrow and afflictions
from the loss of friends and relatives, I still do not complain, but remain
resigned to the will of God who knows what is best for his Saints.
And I hope that my brethren and sisters will remember their old and tried
friend, (William Smith.) I am now ready to receive the calls of the Saints, and
confer upon them their patriarchal blessings as they may desire. Residence on
Water street, house formerly occupied by Mr. William Marks. WILLIAM SMITH.
N. B. Common blessings 50 cents -- Extraordinary blessings $1.00 -- Children
half price -- Women gratis.
Nauvoo Neighbor – June 11, 1845
N O T I C E.
Dear Brethren and sisters:
-- After having been for so long a time buffeted upon the waves of affliction;
after having suffered for so long a series of years; after having sacrificed all
of this world's goods, by mobs at different times; and after having suffered
much [story?] and afflictions from the loss of friends and relatives, I still do
not complain, but remain resigned to the will of God who knows what is best for
his Saints.
And I hope that my brethren and sisters will remember their old friend, (William
Smith.) I am now ready to receive the calls of the Saints, and confer upon them
their patriarchal blessings as they may desire. Residence on Water street, home
formerly occupied by Mr. William Marks.
WILLIAM SMITH.
==> The office of Patriarch over the whole church
is to be a father to the church, and to confer blessings on its members,
according to the order handed down from the first of Patriarchs to the present.
By some of these, great and most marvellous events have been predicted, which
have received their fulfilment after many generations have passed away: for
instance: Jacob blessing his son Joseph. Moses blessing the tribes of Israel,
&c., &c.
Father Smith, the first Patriarch and Hyrum his successor conferred many
blessings upon the Saints that made their hearts glad. But they, in the wisdom
of God, have been called away, and William the son and brother succeeds them.
How many, now will say, I wish I had my patriarchal blessing? This has been the
lamentation of many since the death of Joseph and Hyrum. William is the last of
the family, and truly inherits the blood and spirit of his father's house, as
well as the priesthood and patriarchal office from his father and brother,
legally, and by hereditary descent. (ED.
Note: William Smith published a somewhat lengthier notice in the columns of the
Times and Seasons, simultaneously with the appearance of the above
"Notice" in the Nauvoo Neighbor. William W. Phelps responded to both
insertions, holding up Apostle William Smith as the "Patriarch over
the whole church." See the
June 25th issue of the Neighbor, for Senior Editor Taylor's
journalistic back-peddling on this imposing designation for William's position
within the Mormon hierarchy. It seems quite obvious that some of "The Twelve"
had met, considered the drawbacks of granting so great of a title unto "wayward
William," and then instructed John Taylor to scale back the published title for
William's office to "Patriarch to the Church" (wherein he
would not present so much of a potential threat to Brigham Young's control over
the ecclesiastical organization).