Mormon History
Reference Materials on Mormonism- 1876
The Christian Standard – May 27, 1876
MORMON LITERATURE.
______
In reply to a correspondent
who desires to be informed as to the history of the Mormons, we give the
following references, to direct inquirers along the line of authors whose works
are most frequently referred to us. Books will be mentioned in order of the
dates of publication; those marked * are rare or scarce. The names of
those from whom the principal Mormon works may be obtained will also be given.
1830. -- * "First edition of the Mormon Bible, Joseph Smith, Author and
Proprietor, Grandin, Palmyra, New York. This first edition is the one on
which Smith and Harris thought to make $3,250.
Some time before its publication, Mrs. Harris destroyed one hundred and sixteen
pages of the manuscript! Smith's explanation of the missing pages was given in
the preface; but the explanation was worse than the loss of Nephi, and now
that preface is omitted in the editions of Brigham Young and the Josephite
Bible venders at Plano, Ill.
1831. -- * In the
Evangelical Inquirer (bound with Scott's Evangelists). the letter of Thos.
Campbell to Sidney Rigdon. Mr. Rigdon joined the Mormon Church in 1830 (before
he had read the Smith Bible through), and at once defied the world! Thos.
Campbell sent a communication to the Dayton [sic, Painesville?] Telegraph -- and
a copy to Rigdon, per Messrs. Moor and Goddell. Rigdon tore up Campbell's letter
and declined all public discussion! (Letter and propositions in Howe.)
1831. --
Millennial Harbinger, in which Alexander Campbell gives a ten page notice of
Smith and the Mormon Bible, exposing to the satisfaction of every Biblical
scholar and all common sense readers, the shallowness of the imposture, its
falsities, contradictions, absurdities and wickedness. Campbell's refutation may
be replied to but can not answered; it subverts the very foundations of
Mormonism, and shows that Smith and his associates were the most impudent of
knavish atheists. (Mil. Harbingers at this office.)
1834. -- * Howe's
"Mormonism Unvailed." Very scarce -- only to be found in private libraries
or occasionally at Woodward's, 78 Nassau St., N. Y. This book is ably written.
It contains particular accounts of the Smiths while residents of New York; the
affidavits of the people of Palmyra and Manchester against Smith and his
confederates; their advent into Ohio; Kirtland Mormonism; the doings of Rigdon,
Cowdery and Harris; the letter of Thos. Campbell, and a series of letters from
Ezra Booth (reprinted from the Ohio Star.)
1839. -- *
Pamphlet by John Corrill. This can only be obtained from Woodward, or the
pamphlet antiquarians. Corrill was a good writer; he gives an explicit account
of his conversion in 1830; experiences as an elder; his discovery of the fraud
-- and his apostasy from the Mormon faith in 1839.
This pamphlet corroborates largely the expose of Howe; and convincingly shows up
the aims and ends of Smith and Rigdon -- money PLACE, POWER!
1842. -- *
Mormonism in All Ages by Prof. Turner, of Illinois College. This is a
historical, scriptural and philosophical expose of Mormonism; and contains a
startling biographical chapter on the Mormon leaders. This book contains, also,
square yards of undeniable facts, and the extracts are from the publications of
Smith himself. Turner had a copy of Smith's "Book of Commandments," which the
Church suppressed. Throughout the work there is a "flow and force" that
kills Mormons and Mormonism; and although scarce, it is worth hunting up
and reading in every community afflicted with Mormon preachers. It may be had
from second-hand book dealers in the principal cities, or of Woodward, 78
Nassau.
1842-44. -- "Peter
Cartwright's Autobiography," to be had in any Methodist community, or from
the booksellers generally. This contains an interesting interview between
Cartwright and Smith; and gives in unvarnished terms the Prophet's
characteristics, knavery, profanity, lewdness and general badness,
1844. -- Brown's "History of Illinois." High-handed proceedings of the Nauvoo
Mormons; killing of Smith, etc. To be had from booksellers, St. Louis, Chicago.
1844. -- * Ford's "Hist.
of Illinois," This is scarce and valuable. It contains Gov. Ford's
official relations with the Mormons; shows up their disregard for law, and their
frequent attempts to make a bad theocracy override the sovereignty and laws of
the State and general government; it gives the details of Smith's assassination
at Carthage, and establishes the fact that the Mormons were not driven from
Illinois "for righteousness' sake!"
1844. -- * Rigdon's "Messenger and Advocate" (bound pamphlets). Scarce. This is
seldom to be found. It is Rigdon's last, wild effort to beat Brigham Young and
establish himself as Pope of the Mormons! It contains substantial proof against
Smith as a polygamist; and gives almost positive proof that Rigdon, instead of
being a convert to Mormonism, was himself a confederate of Smith in planning
the scheme and writing the Mormon Bible!
1846-54. -- * Pamphlets, by Van Duzen and wife, disclosing the lewd mysteries
given by Smith, in 1841-42-43, and performed by Young and Apostles in the Temple
at Nauvoo, 1845-5. (To be had possibly from Woodward, 78 Nassau.)
1850. -- "Mackey's
Work" (London). A valuable work and well done. This shows the Mormon
Sermon as delivered in England; the working of miracles, "casting three
hundred and eighteen devils out of one woman!" Also, Smith's political
papers; his nomination for the Presidency; together with Kane's Essay,
and the well authenticated narratives of travelers through the Nauvoo Camp. (Robt.
Clarke & Co., Cin.).
1852. --
Lieut. Gunnison, U. S. A., A valuable work, now republished at Philadelphia.
This contains incontrovertible arguments against Smith and the Nauvoo apostles
as polygamists and law breakers. It is said Gunnison lost his life for
writing this book.
1852-3. -- "Mormons at home," by Mrs. B. G. Ferris, wife of the Secretary of
Utah. This woman went to Utah before polygamy was proclaimed; she knew nothing
of the Mormons before entering Salt Lake Valley, but discovered, in less than
six months, that whatever may be charged as to Mormon lewdness, apostolic
duplicity, deplorable degradation and general badness, is but a mild expression
of bad facts. (To be had from booksellers).
1856. -- "Hall's Pamphlet," on Mormon counterfeiting, infanticide, polygamy and
things worse. For writing this pamphlet, Hall's life was threatened; he
expressed a fear that Mormon emissaries would accomplish their purpose, and left
Cincinnati for Washington City -- to give information to the authorities as to
the designs of Mormon leaders. He has never been heard of since; inquiry
fails to elicit any information concerning him!"
1857. -- "Fifteen Years Among the Mormons," by Ettie Coray Smith; republished by
Belknap. This exposes the polygamy of Smith at Nauvoo; Young's complicity in
several Utah murders, and the heart-rending details of Mountain Meadows
Massacre, (concerning which, Gunter's Bill, now before Congress). Good book, to
be had from dealers generally.
1857. -- "Mormonism,
Leaders and Designs," by Elder John Hyde. The author was converted in
England, went as Missionary to France; thence to Salt Lake by the way of Nauvoo.
Finding himself wickedly deceived, he left and published his experiences.
The book is, by Mormon confession, more than an expose of bad character. It
commences on Smith's "learning of the Jews in the language of the Egyptians,"
and shows that the Book of Mormon is not a translation from golden plates,
or any thing else; but a rehash of the Spaulding novel, supplemented by bad
plagiarisms from the New Testament, in which even the errors of King James;
translation are incorporated!: (To be had from Woodward, New York).
1867-68-70. -- "The Prophet and Harem," by Mrs. Judge Waite; "Utah and the
Mormons," by J. H. Beadle; "Origin of Mormonism," by Pomeroy Tucker; "Rocky
Mountain Saints," by Elder Stenhouse. These works may be obtained from Perry &
Morton, Vine street, Cincinnati, O. Mrs. Waite's "Prophet and Harem" gives a
political history of Utah, together with the good, bad and indifferent
particulars of the "Young" family. It is a good book, correct and reliable.
The
work by Beadle, (Commercial's correspondent) is voluminous on all
points from Palmyra to Salt Lake City, and may be relied on as particularly
exact. The large work, by Stenhouse, contains all that is necessary for any one
to know about Mormonism.
It contains Smith's broadest draw upon human credulity, a translation of the
Book of Abraham, with parallel columns by Remy and Brenchley of Paris.
Tucker's "Origin
of Mormonism" is the best in print. The author was editorially connected
with Grandin, who printed the first edition of the Mormon Bible, in 1830; he was
well acquainted with the Smiths, Cowdery and Harris; he accumulated the evidence
that Rigdon was the "mysterious stranger" who aided Smith, 1828-9-30, in getting
up the imposture; and his statements, upon personal observation, are
corroborated by the best citizens of Palmyra and Manchester.
1875. -- "My Life in Bondage," by Ann Eliza Young. This book is now being read
throughout the nation, and, as thirty thousand copies were sold in four
months, it is likely that the authoress will, in history, hold her place with
reference to Mormonism and its overthrow, as Mrs. Stowe and "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
to American slavery. The parents of Ann Eliza (as she is called), Mr. and Mrs.
Chauncey Webb, embraced Mormonism at Kirtland, Ohio, in the beginning; they
suffered through the Missouri persecutions and went overland in the exodus of
1847. Ann Eliza was born in Nauvoo; her parents were sincere in their acceptance
of "celestial marriage," and are, today, witnesses to the earnest labors of
their child, who by voice and pen is doing so much to dispel the delusion which
blighted their lives!
Tucker's book shows the beginning of Mormonism; Mrs. Young's late work shows its
maturity, and we are glad to say, promises its speedy destruction!