1. 1839 November, pp. 325–27—general background of Mormonism
2. 1841 February, p. 57—Growth of Mormonism
3. 1848 November, p. 345—Nauvoo Temple burns to the ground
4. 1849 April, pp. 123–24—rapid growth of Mormonism in Wales
5. 1849 May, pp. 150–51—Mormonism in Minersville
6. 1849 June, p. 181—someone takes issue with the May 1849 article
7. 1851 October, p. 320—Mormonism has splintered into several groups
8. 1852 March, pp. 80–82—Joe Smith and the Mormons
9. 1852 April, pp. 113–15—Book of Mormon
10. 1853 November, p. 445—Mormonism in Wales—about Robert Parry
11. 1854 September, p. 359—Mormonism as it is
12. 1855 March, p. 123—Mormonism Fails to Hold the Light—just a few lines
13. 1855 May, p. 184—The Latter-day Saints—warning about Mormons
14. 1855 June, p. 240—Mormon Colony—the Siddons reaches Philadelphia
15. 1856 January, pp. 42–43—Mormon Numbers—from the Deseret News
16. 1856 July, p. 285—Mormonism—800 Mormon immigrants through Buffalo
17. 1856 December, p. 476—obituary for J. Jones—death of Capt. Jones
18. 1857 July, p. 286—shooting of one of the Mormon Apostles—just a few lines
19. 1857 July, p. 286—Mormon immigrants—Mathias Crowley in Philadelphia
20. 1857 July, pp. 286–87—Utah and Mormonism—too much power to Brigham Young
21. 1858 March, p. 106—Mormonism in Gloucester—causing moral damage
22. 1858 April, p. 155—Utah—adulterous Mormons clinging to their faith
23. 1858 April, pp. 155–56—General Johnston

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1839—November, pp. 325–27

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Since there is so much talk about Mormons and Mormonism in these days, we thought that a little information about them would be useful. We understand from the newspapers of London that a number of their missionaries have arrived in England lately and that they are preaching their doctrines with a great deal of success. The following observations of this new religion have been translated from one of the aforementioned newspapers:

In the town of Palmyra, in the northern part of the State of New York, an idiot, who, is said to have been born dumb, a few years ago suddenly announced that “one night” he was visited by an angel who commanded him to rise from his bed and follow him. He did so; and he was led by the angel to a secret place, far from his home, where a large, flat stone lay, with a ring in the middle. This stone was about five feet long, three feet wide, and eight or nine inches thick. After arriving at the place, the angel commanded the simpleton, whose name was Joe Smith, to lift the stone by taking hold of the ring. Smith hesitated, not without good reason, to obey the command. But his associate told him to lift it up fearlessly, for, if he would just have “faith”, God would give him sufficient strength for the frightful task. After praying in his mind for a few minutes, Joe took off his coat in order to accomplish the feat. But the angel rebuked him for his lack of faith, and had him put his coat back on his shoulders, assuring him that even “if the stone weighed ten thousand tons, he could invoke divine assistance, through saving faith, to enable him to lift it.” Joe obeyed; and after taking hold of the ring he felt that the stone weighed next to nothing in his hands! After moving it away the fool saw that it was a lid over a box or chest of the same material, under which were kept “twelve golden stones or tablets,” on which were inscribed the mysterious writings. On the highest tablet there was a pair of spectacles made of hewn stone (heaven help us), which the angel commanded Smith to put across his nose. By doing so “Smith’s tongue was loosed,” as he himself said, and his faculties immediately became like those of other men. He saw through the hewn stone, and the engravings on the golden tablets were perfectly understandable to him. Then the angel commanded him to bring to him “twelve other men,” whom he called “scribes,” and to interpret for them the writings on the tablets. When all the work of writing out the interpretations was finished, the writing was taken to a printer, who asked for $500 in advance for his part in the operation. Having done so the brotherhood through a great effort of pledging, borrowing, selling, etc., raised the covenanted sum. The book was left with the printer who declared to the authors that they could get it after it was finished at the end of the month. At this point they went and “voluntarily swore their oaths before a judge that they had written according to Smith’s directions, who, until the visit of the angel, had been mute and mentally deranged since the time of his birth; and that they had seen the twelve golden tablets and the hewn stone spectacles, adding that “no one besides Smith could see through them.” At the end of the month they returned to the printer to ask for their books. Caxton’s apprentice met them with a long face, and he told them that all the first signature (16 pages) had been thrown down and turned into “paste,” and since the original writing had not been preserved, he could not fulfill his commitments by the promised time; but, if they could write them over again, he would re-set the type at his own cost. The Prophets were greatly perplexed at this news. Since they had not kept a single copy of their work, they were left without hope of filling the gap in the inspired writings; upon hearing this the printer advised them to take “another look at the golden tablets.” The sad Mormons accepted the counsel, and they returned with 16 pages of new material which was typeset without delay by the printer.

After publishing the book, the printer set the type and published the 16 original pages which he had pretended were lost. These were completely different from those which had been brought to him the second time. This caused a frightful disturbance among the writers who were called forth by the deceitful printer to show the tablets to prove which one was in its place. Twelve golden tablets—each one of them the size of a small table—were not very easy to obtain. But the angel was good enough to deliver them from this confusion once again. The Brotherhood swore an oath that the angel took the tablets to heaven at the completion of the work; the spectacles, however, and the stone chest were brought forth. Hosts of sufficiently foolish persons were found to believe the whole ridiculous story.

This writer, while traveling in the year 1830 through the State of New York, met with a merchant, who was the uncle of the one who was relieved of $8,000 by these scoundrels. There were throngs who had joined with them, selling their possessions, and putting the proceeds in the general treasury; and they have several settlements, one of which is in the State of Ohio, where they meet together in the most edifying manner. There is no charity, as one would suppose, among their virtues. They profess extreme hatred against all the “unbelievers,” and they are notorious for their readiness to condemn all who do not share their beliefs to “eternal fire and brimstone.”

The poor merchant previously mentioned, not himself a Mormon and having expected to become an heir to the old man, was completely unable to keep control of his temper in speaking about the “new revelation.” He transferred Joe Smith, the Mormon, and all his followers to perdition in the most ardent and ruthless manner; he maligned even the angel who gave the chest to Joe, observing that “the angel was sufficiently clever not to leave any of the gold behind, being quite careful to take that with him.” “Now,” he added, “the old fool of an uncle of mine ought to remember that he has received ten years of my hard work, and there is no call for any man to spend his strength and his life for nothing; as stupid as a bull of one of the inhabitants of the “Far West,” and as unstable as a monkey riding a weather cock. Thus, when one of his kinfolk came to him, he was completely terrified of the little sense that he had. The first time I went to New York he took the opportunity to sell his farm, his animals, and everything else; and he did not keep for himself more clothes or booty than could be pushed into a peddler’s wallet; so that when I returned I found myself a landlord outside the house, ready lodging in the woods, to pick and choose from among the trees and live in the same manner as a squirrel; which was for me to feel and climb and live every day on hazel-nuts, etc. It would have been good for me to have the power to know what was going on, so that I could take care to return in time to clear them away from my stick, and do so in such a way as to make them tremble for the rest of their lives upon seeing a hickory stick.

The doctrinal book of the Mormons, which is called by them “the Bible,” is revered and used by them exclusively instead of the Old and the New Testaments. Lately, one of their books was brought here to London and is now in the possession of a gentleman who lives in Brompton. It is rather thick, in small print in eightfold, divided into several books which are named after their supposed authors. From among these the Book of Mormon is the first, by which name the entire book is called. It is strange that the word Mormon in the Greek language means imbecilic conqueror or simpleton. The manner of the language of this new Bible is a clumsy imitation of the Old Testament. The book is full of grammatical mistakes and Yankeeisms. And it is in no way lacking in strange expressions of cruelty, murder, and violence. There is practically no resemblance of sense in many parts of it. And the entire thing is put together in such a disorganized and disconnected fashion that it proves clearly that it is the work of a person or persons completely unacquainted with literary composition.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1841—February, p. 57

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The Growth of Mormonism

A Mormon newspaper has begun publication in Nauvoo, Illinois, called the “Times and Seasons.” The first number gives an account of the “growth of the church” (the true church, to be sure) through which is shown that the Mormons acknowledge all the Scriptures containing the “infinite atonement” by the Savior—the power to work miracles and the speaking of foreign tongues now. They have a structured priesthood, “Elders,” etc., and the Aaronic order. It is seen by what follows and which is casually reported, that they have congregations in several places: Philadelphia, 256 members; New York, 210; Brooklyn, N. Y.,19; Hempstead, N. Y., 20; Monmouth County, New Jersey, 25; Chester County, Pa., 135; Lancaster, Pa., 84; New Jersey, 116; Oneida, N. Y., 84. In a recent meeting in England there were 1,800 members present. The Book of Mormon which is one of the inspired additions to the Scriptures, which, they say, was promised. Newark Sentinel.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1848—November, p. 345

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The Mormon temple in Nauvoo burned to the ground on the 9^th of last month.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1849—April, pp. 123–24

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Mormons in Wales

It appears that the Mormons are increasing rapidly in Wales. In a large meeting of these “Latter-day Saints,” in Merthyr, on the first day of this year, a report was given, from which it appears that they number in the Principality 10 conferences, divided into 70 branches, under the leadership of 156 elders, 180 priests, 140 preachers, and 67 deacons; and that the number baptized during 1848 is 1,949. California fever has heated them up and has captivated them, and it is likely that thousands of them are on their way there by now. A recent paper from Swansea says:

On Tuesday last Swansea was quite enlivened in consequence of the arrival of several wagons loaded with luggage, attended by some scores of the “bold peasantry” of Carmarthenshire, and almost an equal number of the inhabitants of Merthyr and the surrounding district, together with their families. They were nearly all Latter-day Saints proceeding to Liverpool, where a ship is in readiness to transport them next week to the glittering regions of California. They are under the command of Captain Dan Jones* [*FN He was in this country before, and wrote glowingly of Iowa, etc., in the Cyfaill.] (brother of J. Jones, Llangollen).

Amongst the group were many substantial farmers from the neighborhoods of Brechfa and Llanybydder, Carmarthenshire, having sold everything, and having left comfortable livings, to get to California, their New Jerusalem, as they deem it, where their religion teaches them to believe they will escape from the general destruction and conflagration that is shortly to envelop this earth. Their purpose is not to visit the gold mines, but the agricultural districts, and by helping one another, to live in harmony and peace, and to exemplify “brotherly love,” not in name but in practice. Among those who came here were several aged men from 70 to 90 years of age, whose “hoary locks” showed their lengthened years, and it is unlikely they will ever see America; yet so deluded are the poor and simple saints that they believe that everyone amongst them, however infirm and old they may be, will surely land in California safely.

Hundreds gathered together to see them depart, and while the steamer gaily passed down the river, the “Saints” sang a favorite hymn. It is further said that these Mormons have the utmost confidence in Captain Jones, who says that he has been in California and that he is now returning to the valley of the Salt Lake. There are about 350 of the “Saints” who are going with him. The Swansea Herald adds, “Three hundred great ships could scarcely transport the hosts of ‘saints’ who are now desirous of emigrating from the isle of Britain.” Another paper from Merthyr says: “Some scores, if not hundreds of the Mormons left this town and its surroundings last week to go on their journey to California, the land of gold. Some widows who have buried their husbands have taken their husbands’ clothes with them, expecting, they say, to meet them in that distant land! Are we really living in the nineteenth century? These facts do much more to prove the darkness and gullibility of the Welsh nation than all the reports of the Blue Books of the Commissioners of the Government. The truth must be told: despite the number of preachers in Wales, education is being neglected to a pitiful extent and in many circumstances in order to win popularity among the common folk, by entertaining their ears with the sweet sounds of a pleasant voice, or little stories and old wives’ tales.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1849—May, pp. 150–51

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Mormonism in Minersville

The Mormon doctrines of the late Joe Smith have reached the Welsh here in Minersville, Pennsylvania, and that plague is spreading with a level of unexpected speed; and many are choosing to go with all haste toward the New Jerusalem in Upper California. But to accomplish that which looks good is something they cannot do yet, and that is because of the lack of that which Solomon says is the answer to all things, namely money. Whether fortunately or unfortunately, time will tell, they have had until lately someone unburdened with an oversupply of sense and who has a bit of this world’s goods; and in accordance with their principles, “all things in common,” they began without delay to muster all their strength to influence that person, exhorting him to give it all up to the supervision of the “Saints” to apportion it; but it appears that the man could not disassociate himself completely from the world, and was quite unprepared to part with that which he had earned through hard work and diligence; but faithful to their belief they continued to shout “Equality,” so loudly in his ears until he at last lost the little sense that remained with him, and he went mad; and now he has nothing in his head except “Equality! Equality!! Equality!!!” and what will be the outcome, we know not. It is now said that these Mormons have some “drops,” to give to those who listen to them for the purpose of driving out the evil spirit from them, and that the aforementioned man received an overdose which instead of driving out the evil spirit drove out the little remaining sense he had; and it almost drove out his breath of life. It is worthy of note that it is from among the “Baptized” Brethren, almost without exception, that the Mormon converts are obtained here; and it is also my understanding that it is the same in Wales and every other place where their odious and heretical doctrines flourish.

A Miner

Minersville, April 14, 1849

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1849—June, p. 181

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Mormonism in Minersville

Mr. Editor,

In your unfeigned “Friend” for last May, page 150, I read the article on Mormonism in Minersville by someone who calls himself “A Miner,” which describes someone who was driven to madness through the babble of the aforementioned sect. I would be delighted if the “Miner” could indicate the madman by his name, so that I might correct his article.

In his final sentence of the article “Miner” indicates that “It is worthy of note that it is from among the ‘Baptized’ brethren, almost without exception, that the Mormon converts are obtained here; and it is also my understanding that it is the same in Wales and every other place where their odious and heretical doctrines flourish.” May “Miner” know that the foregoing sentence is greatly lacking that characteristic, namely truth. It is repugnant that anyone who calls himself brother should put such a deceitful assertion before the public; and let him beware lest he be guilty of that which the Psalmist said: “Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest.”

It is more than likely that “Miner” is ignorant of the history of the Mormons, or else he is putting his character at risk as a truthful man, before daring to write that “it is from among the ‘Baptized’ brethren, almost without exception, that the Mormon converts are obtained here.” Let “Miner” take note that not one single member from the ‘Baptized’ brethren, or from any other denomination, here, in Wales, or any other place, has gone to them. I do not consider anyone who was ordained, or who were under the ordination of any organized religion, as being members of the name.

Now, I ask “Miner” how he can prove that it is from the “Baptized” brethren, almost without exception, that the Mormon converts are obtained, here and in Wales, and every other place?

I wait, in anticipation that he will reward us with facts, and not fiction, in your next issue.

Phi.

Minersville

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1851—October, p. 320

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Mormonism

A correspondent for the Philadelphia Ledger writes from Nauvoo and says that Mormonism these days is as different from anything taught or ordained by the Prophet Smith as are Mohammedism and Christianity. This sect has splintered into seven different bodies, each one condemning the others. They are known by their names Rigdonites, Brighamites, Strangites, Cutlerites, Brewsterites, Bishopites, and Hydites.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1852—March, pp. 80–82

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Joe Smith and the Mormons

Born in December, 1805, in Sharon, Windsor County, State of Vermont, Joe Smith removed with his father, about 1815, to a small farm in Palmyra, Wayne County, New York, and assisted him on the farm till 1826. He received little education, read indifferently, wrote and spelt badly, knew little of arithmetic, and, in all other branches of learning he was, to the day of his death, exceedingly ignorant.

His own account of his religious progress is, that as early as fifteen years of age he began to have serious ideas regarding the future state, that he got into occasional ecstasies, and that in 1823, during one of these ecstasies, he was visited by an angel, who told him that his sins were forgiven—that the time was at hand when the gospel in its fullness was to be preached to all nations—that the American Indians were a remnant of Israel, who, when they first emigrated to America, were an enlightened people, possessing a knowledge of the true God, and enjoying his favor—that the prophets and inspired writers among them had kept a history or record of their proceedings—that these records were safely deposited—and that, if faithful, he was to be the favored instrument for bringing them to light.

On the following day, according to instructions from the angel, he went to a hill which he calls Cumorah, in Palmyra township, Wayne County, and there, in a stone chest, after a little digging, he saw the records; but it was not till four years after, in September 1827, that “the angel of the Lord delivered the records into his hands.”

“These records were engraved on plates which had the appearance of gold, were seven by eight inches in size, and thinner than common tin, and were covered on both sides with Egyptian characters, small and beautifully engraved. They were bound together in a volume like the

leaves of a book, and were fastened at one edge with three rings running through the whole. The volume was about six inches in thickness, bore many marks of antiquity, and part of it was sealed. With the records was found a curious instrument, called by the ancients Urim and Thummim, which consisted of two transparent stones, clear as crystal, and set in two rims of a bow”—a pair of pebble spectacles, in other words, or “helps to read” unknown tongues.

The report of his discovery having got abroad, his house was beset, he was mobbed, and his life was endangered by persons who wished to possess themselves of the plates. He therefore packed up his goods, concealed the plates in a barrel of beans, and proceeded across the country to the northern part of Pennsylvania, near the Susquehannah river, where his father-in-law resided. Here, “by the gift and power of God, through the means of the Urim and Thummim, he began to translate the record, and, being a poor writer, he employed a scribe to write the translation as it came from his mouth.” In 1830 a large edition of the Book of Mormon was published. It professes to be an abridgment of the records made by the prophet Mormon, of the people of the Nephites, and left to his son Moroni to finish. It is regarded by the Latter-day Saints with the same veneration as the New Testament is among Christians.

The Church of the Latter-day Saints was organized on the 6th of April, 1830, at Manchester, in Ontario County, New York. Its numbers at first were few, but they rapidly increased, and in 1833 removed to the State of Missouri, and purchased a large tract of land in Jackson County. Here

their neighbors tarred and feathered some, killed others, and compelled the whole to remove. They then established themselves in Clay County, in the same State, but on the opposite side of the river. From this place again, in 1835, they removed eastward to the State of Ohio, settled at

Kirtland, in Geauga County, about twenty miles from Cleveland, and began to build a temple, upon which sixty-thousand dollars were expended. At Kirtland a bank was incorporated by Joe and his friends, property was bought with its notes, and settled upon the Saints, after which the bank failed--as many others did about the same time--and Ohio became too hot for the Mormons. Again, therefore, the Prophet, his apostles, and a great body of the Saints, left their home and temple, went westward a second time to the State of Missouri, purchased a large tract of land in

Caldwell County, in Missouri, and built the city of the “Far West.” Here difficulties soon beset them, and in August, 1838, became so serious that the military were called in; and the Mormons were finally driven, unjustly, harshly, and oppressively, by force of arms, from the State of

Missouri, and sought protection in the State of Illinois, on the eastern bank of the Mississippi. They were well received in this State, and after wandering for some time--while their leader, Joe Smith, was in jail--they bought a beautiful tract of land in Hancock County, and, in the spring of 1840, began to build the city and temple of Nauvoo. The Legislature of Illinois at first passed an act giving great, and, probably, injudicious privileges to this city, which, in 1844, was already the largest in the State, and contained a population of about twenty thousand souls. The temple, too, was of great size and magnificence—being 128 feet long and 77 feet high, and stood on an

elevated situation, from which it was visible to a distance of 25 or 30 miles. In the interior was an immense baptismal font, in imitation of the brazen sea of Solomon—"a stone reservoir, resting upon the backs of twelve oxen, also cut out of stone, and as large as life.

But persecution followed them to Illinois, provoked in some degree, no doubt, by their own behavior, especially in making and carrying into effect city ordinances, which were contrary to the laws of the State. The people of the adjoining townships rose in arms, and were joined by

numbers of the old enemies of the Mormons from Missouri. The militia were called out; and, to prevent further evils, Joe Smith and one of his brothers, with several other influential Saints, on an assurance of safety and protection from the Governor of the State, were induced to surrender themselves for trial in respect of the charges brought against them, and were conducted to prison. Here they were inconsiderately left by the Governor, on the following day, under a guard of seven or eight men. These were overpowered the same afternoon by an armed mob, who

killed Joe Smith and his brother, and then made their escape. After this, the Mormons remained a short time longer in the Holy City; but the wound was too deep seated to admit of permanent quiet on either part, and they were at last driven out by force, and compelled to abandon or

sacrifice their property. Such as escaped this last persecution, after traversing the boundless prairies, the deserts of the Far West, and the Rocky Mountains, appear at last to have found a resting-place near the Great Salt Lake in Oregon. They are increasing faster since this last

catastrophe than ever; and are daily receiving large accessions of new members from Europe, especially from Great Britain. They form the nucleus of the new State of Utah, this year erected into a Territory of the United States, and likely, in the next session of Congress, to be elevated to the dignity of an independent State. So rapidly has persecution helped on this offspring of ignorance, and tended to give a permanent establishment, and a bright future, to a system, not simply of pure invention, but of blasphemous impiety, and folly the most insane.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1852—April, pp. 113–15

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Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon, which is the written guide of this new sect, consists of a series of professedly historical books—a desultory and feeble imitation of the Jewish chronicles and prophetical books—in which, for the poetry and warnings of the ancient prophets, are

substituted a succession of unconnected rhapsodies and repetitions such as might form the perorations of ranting addresses by a field preacher, to a very ignorant audience.

The book, in the edition I possess, consists in all of 634 pages, of which the first 580 contain the history of a fictitious personage called Lehi and that of his descendants for the space of a thousand years.

This Lehi, a descendant of Joseph the son of Jacob, with his family left Jerusalem in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, six hundred years before Christ, and, passing the Red Sea, journeyed eastward for eight years till they reached the shore of a wide sea. There they built a

ship, and, embarking, were carried at length to the promised land, where they settled and multiplied. Among the sons of Lehi one was called Laman and another Nephi. The former was wicked, and a disbeliever in the law of Moses and the prophets; the latter, obedient and faithful, and a believer in the coming of Christ. Under the leadership of these two opposing brothers, the rest of the family and their descendants arranged themselves, forming the Lamanites and the Nephites, between whom wars and perpetual hostilities arose. The Lamanites were idle hunters, living in tents, eating raw flesh, and having only a girdle round their loins. The skin of Laman and his followers became black; while that of Nephi and his people, who tilled the land, retained its original whiteness. As with the Jews, the Nephites were successful when they were obedient to the law; and, when they fell away to disobedience and wickedness, the Lamanites had the better, and put many to death. At the end of about four hundred years, a portion of the righteous Nephites under Mosiah, having left their land, traveled far across the wilderness, and

discovered the city of Zarahemla, which was peopled by the descendants of a colony of Jews who had wandered from Jerusalem when King Zedekiah was carried away captive to Babylon, twelve years after the emigration of Lehi. But they were heathens, possessed no copy of the law, and had corrupted their language. They received the Nephites warmly, however, learned their language, and gladly accepted the law of Moses.

This occupies 158 pages. The history of the next two hundred years follows this new people, and that of occasional converts from the Lamanites—called still by the general name of Nephites in their struggles with the Lamanites, and the alternations of defeat and success which accompany disobedience or the contrary. This occupies several books, and brings us to the 486th page, and the period of the birth of Christ. This event is signified to the people of Zarahemla by a great

light, which made the night as light as mid-day. And thirty-three years after there was darkness for three days, and thunderings and earthquakes, and the destruction of cities and people. This was a sign of the crucifixion. Soon after this, Christ himself appears to this people of Zarahemla in America, repeats to them in long addresses the substance of his numerous sayings and discourses, as recorded by the apostles; chooses twelve to go forth and preach and baptize; and then disappears. On occasion of a great baptizing by the apostles, however, he appears again; imparts the Holy Spirit to all, makes long discourses, and disappears. And, finally, to the apostles themselves he appears a third time; and addresses them in ill-assorted extracts and paraphrases

of his New Testament sayings. The account of these visits of our Savior to the American Nephites, and of his sayings, occupies about 48 pages. For about 400 years, the Christian doctrine and church thus planted among the Nephites had various fortune; increasing at first, and prospering, but, as corruptions came in, encountering adversity. The Lamanites were still their fierce enemies; and as wickedness and corrupt doctrine began to prevail among the Christians, the Lamanites gained more advantages. It would appear, from Joe Smith’s descriptions, that he means the war to have begun at the Isthmus of Darien--where the Nephites were settled, and occupied the country to the north, while the Lamanites lived south of the isthmus. From the isthmus the Nephites were gradually driven toward the east, till finally, at the hill of Cumorah, near Palmyra, in Wayne County, western New York, the last battle was fought, in which, with the loss of 230,000 fighting men, the Nephites were exterminated! Among the very few survivors was Moroni the last of the scribes, who deposited in this hill the metal plates which the virtuous Joe Smith was selected to receive from the hands of the angel. This occupies to the 580th page.

But now, in the Book of Ether, which follows, Joe becomes more bold, and goes back to the tower of Babel for another tribe of fair people, whom he brings over and settles in America. At the confusion of the languages, Ether and his brethren journeyed to the great sea, and, after a sojourn of four years on the shore, built boats under the Divine direction, water-tight, and covered over like walnuts, with a bright stone in each end to give light! And when they had embarked in their tight boats, a strong wind arose, blowing toward the promised land, and for 344 days it blew them along the water, till they arrived safe at the shore. Here, like the sons of Lehi, they increased and prospered, and had kings and prophets and wars, and were split into parties, who fought with each other. Finally, Shiz rose in rebellion against Coriantumr, the

last king, and they fought with alternate success, till two millions of mighty men, with their wives and children, had been slain! And, after this, all the people were gathered either on the one side or the other, and fought for many days, till only Coriantumr alone remained alive!

This foolish history is written with the professedly religious purpose of showing the punishment from the hand of God which wicked behavior certainly entails; and, with some trifling moralities of Moroni, completes the Book of Mormon.

Joseph Smith does not affect in this gospel of his to bring in any new doctrine, or to supersede the Bible, but to restore “many plain and precious things which have been taken away from the first book by the abominable church, the Mother of Harlots.” It is full of sillinesses, follies, and anachronisms; but I have not discovered, in my cursory review, any of the immoralities or positive licentiousness which he himself practiced, directly inculcated. He teaches faith in Christ,

human depravity, the power of the Holy Ghost, the doctrine of the Trinity, of the atonement, and of salvation only through Christ. He recommends the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper; and, whatever his own conduct and that of his people may be, certainly in his book prohibits polygamy and priestcraft.

The wickedness of his book consists in its being a lie from beginning to end, and of himself in being throughout an impostor. Pretending to be a “seer”— which, he says, is greater than a prophet--he puts into the hands of his followers a work of pure invention as a religious guide

inspired by God, and which, among his followers, is to take the place of the Bible. Though an ignorant man, he was possessed of much shrewdness. He courted persecution, though he hoped to profit, not to die by it. Unfortunately, his enemies, by their inconsiderate persecution, have

made him a martyr for his opinions, and have given a stability to his sect which nothing may now be able to shake. It was urged by Smith himself that the New World was as deserving of a direct revelation as the Old; and his disciples press upon their hearers that, as an American revelation, this system has peculiar claims upon their regard and acceptance. The feeling of nationality being thus connected with the new sect, weak-minded native-born Americans might be swayed by patriotic motives in connecting themselves with it. But it is mortifying to learn

that most numerous accessions are being made to the body in their new home by converts proceeding from England. Under the name of the Latter-day Saints,* professing the doctrines of the gospel, the delusions of the system are hidden from the masses by the emissaries who

have been dispatched into various countries to recruit their numbers among the ignorant and devoutly-inclined lovers of novelty. Who can tell what two centuries may do in the way of giving a historical position to this rising heresy?

*Mormon books recognize only two persons as divine beings, and they claim that God has a body, parts and organs.—Efrawc Gadarn. See the Book of Orson Pratt on Mormonism.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1853—November, p. 445

https://journals.library.wales/view/2628237/2983760/38#?xywh=104%2C1864%2C1605%2C1570

Mormonism in Wales

The followers of Mormon doctrines are increasing instead of decreasing in those areas of South Wales where they have established themselves, and lately they have received renewed strength in the adherence of several persons from the middle class of society. The well-known Welsh orator Robert Parry, or Robyn Ddu [Black Robin], has enlisted himself under the Mormon banner, and is now preaching zealously to the deceived people. A huge exodus took place last summer, and a large number are on their way to the valleys of Salt Lake. Large groups of these deluded people have left Glamorganshire, Carmarthenshire, and the hills of Monmouthshire to come to America; and it is said that large numbers again left their native land in the spring to travel toward their imaginary paradise. It is said that many miracles have been performed by their elders, which are believed as gospel by the weak-minded creatures. It is to the credit of the Americans that not many of them have swelled the armies of the Mormon Prophet, while the shame of Wales is greater through this their foolishness than anything the Blue Books could place on them.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1854—September, p. 359

https://journals.library.wales/view/2628237/2831092/30#?xywh=713%2C370%2C1114%2C1090

Mormonism As It Is

The Mormon law on polygamy reads as follows: “If any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else.”

There is another article (that follows) to take the virgin if the previous spouse refuses to give her consent.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1855—March, p. 123

https://journals.library.wales/view/2628237/2831337/34#?xywh=748%2C277%2C1488%2C1309

Mormonism fails to hold the Light

One of the Mormons in London, convinced of the errors of Mormonism, by one of the small pamphlets of the Treatise Society, was the means of convincing a hundred of his previous friends by the same means. They had to leave this neighborhood, Bermondsey Street.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1855—May, p. 184

https://journals.library.wales/view/2628237/2831419/15#?xywh=121%2C203%2C1785%2C1570

The Latter-day Saints

Perhaps there is no other current topic of such importance, in connection with the nation of the Welsh, as is Mormonism, whether they dwell in the hills of Wales or in the midst of the broad valleys of the United States is of no import; for it brings a special connection with the one and the other, and thus it merits the attention of the public in general. Thus the purpose of this article is to provide some warning to my fellow nation lest they be deceived by the enticements of these false latter-day prophets. Such are claiming great things, altering the meaning of the Divine Revelation, and living in loathsome sins, not only in the sight of the Holy God, but also as a putrid stench in the nostrils of mankind. Lately this sect has come out in its true color; and it is no wonder, for deceit is sure to show itself, whether in the form of persons or in the form of sects, the truth will find its way through every obstacle, regardless of the amount of the mixed chaos the devil and his angels may throw against it.

Now we shall endeavor to make some observations on a sermon delivered lately, by one of the Saints around Salt Lake. He took his text in 1 Timothy 3:2—“A bishop then must be blameless of one wife,” etc. He began by saying that Paul never thought to have Timothy understand that one wife was meant, but rather that he must have one to begin with, and that that was an unchangeable law, no matter how many wives he would take after that, so much the better. He said that it was not appropriate for an old bachelor, or a young bachelor, to visit families and minister to them the things of the gospel, for there would be frequent danger of his falling into temptation; and as for Paul himself, everyone knew that he was an old bachelor; but at the same time he observed that everything was lawful for him!!!

This is how Mormonism succeeds; this is how the enemy fills his ranks with warriors. Whatever the imaginings of the Saints around Salt Lake may be, there is no doubt but what the mental powers of the children of our country are sufficiently strong to understand the foregoing sentence, for it is not necessary to have great theologians or skilled philosophers to understand a truth that clear; one does not have to travel to Greece (in whose language the original words were spoken) to come to know the meaning, for it is a perfect translation, and thus completely destroys Mormonism as a Bible-believing sect.

Another assertion of one of the elders was that he believed that the marriage of the Savior of the world took place in Cana of Galilee, when he was invited to the wedding and when he performed the well known miracle of turning the water into wine. He said that he was the groom, and that if he was not, he wanted to know who was. It is easy to ask a series of such foolish questions, in an effort to cast a cloud of mist over the clarity of the Scriptures; but all of these do not make the truth less true, neither do they raise the sect in the esteem of a single thoughtful mind. If some of the Saints wish to reason on fair ground, let them come out; and if they can prevail on the ground of reason and Scripture, we shall readily yield to them and embrace Mormonism; but if, on the other hand, they are forced to retreat, let them be silent forevermore and never again mention such an abomination to a single Welshman. The foregoing Saint must be incomparably blind himself or else he must consider the whole world to be blind and in complete lack of reason to know the difference between the groom and a person who was invited to the wedding. It is possible that the amount of shameless blasphemy and effrontery which came to such an extent from the mouth of the aforementioned Saint, has never before been heard, and that it would not be any wonder in the world to see Beelzebub blush, with all his fallen angels standing by, for the purpose of yielding their place to some who are more impudent and execrable.

If time permitted, we could comment on several other topics in connection with Mormonism. Nevertheless, my fellow nation can plainly see that the Salt Lake and environs are no paradise. No, there are thousands there this day who lament having been persuaded to leave the land of their birth and who wait fretfully to see the day dawn in which they will be able to escape the clutches of their cruel betrayers.

B. W. New York

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1855—June, p. 240

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Mormon Colony

The ship Siddons reached Philadelphia lately, from Liverpool, with 425 Mormon immigrants on their journey, as evidenced by the directions on their chests, to “Salt Lake City.” They were composed of British families, English and Welsh, and they had a healthy look to them. We saw 250 of the same religion headed to the same place, after starting from Swansea, at the beginning of last April.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1856—January, pp. 42–43

https://journals.library.wales/view/2628237/2633105/33#?xywh=625%2C1451%2C2558%2C2503

Mormon Numbers

The following interesting facts, linked with the increase of Mormonism, have been taken from the official notice, published in the Deseret News in Salt Lake City. According to this notice that church has about 95 missionaries in Europe, and a similar number in Asia, Africa, and the South Sea Islands, without counting the large number of native elders in the various fields of labor, and a sizeable number scattered through the United States and British America. Regarding newspapers and periodicals: the Church has one in Salt Lake City distributing 4,000 copies weekly; one in Liverpool, with a circulation of 22,000 weekly; one in Swansea, South Wales; one in Copenhagen in Danish; one in Australia; one in India; and one in French in Switzerland. The Book of Mormon has been translated and published in WELSH, Danish, French, Italian, and German, and has succeeded to a great extent in Sweden and Norway despite all the efforts of the Government authorities to obstruct. The notice claims that 480,000 members are scattered across the world. From Denmark alone there are a thousand converts who have reached Salt Lake.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1856—July, p. 285

https://journals.library.wales/view/2628237/2633351/36#?xywh=316%2C615%2C1970%2C1733

Mormonism

Eight hundred Mormon immigrants went through Buffalo, the majority of them Welsh, on the 28^th of May; and very frequently it is perceived that groups of them vary from two to three hundred are landing at the Atlantic ports and rush toward Salt Lake City, the Paradise of Polygamy and Oppression. We are worried to hear that a number of Welsh are in their midst, and think of the virtuous young women from the hills and areas of Wales who may become the seventh or the eighth wives to adulterers of this shameful and insufferable sect. To all who wish to understand how women and wives are treated in Utah, we urge them to read “Female Life Among the Mormons.” The proponents of Mormonism assert that good and evil are unchanging, and that since polygamy was permitted to Abraham, David, and Solomon, that it is permitted to them as well!

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1856—December, p. 476

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November 18^th, In Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. John Jones, Llangollen. He was ill for three weeks with the Intermittent Fever, which together with the goiter on his throat, caused his death. He left behind a widow and two daughters to mourn his loss. He was buried on the 20^th; the religious service was held on the occasion by the Reverends Mr. Powell, Mr. Edwards, and Mr. Storrs. He requested that the Rev. H. Powell preach his funeral sermon. Mr. P. intends to fulfill his wish on December 7^th. “Llangollen” has died!” The eloquent orator, the powerful debater, the assiduous writer, the polished bard, the astute autodidact, and the practical proponent of the temperance movement. We do not have a full understanding of his theology. Perhaps it would have been wiser had he not undertaken the ministry. He no doubt received many false accusations from his enemies, whatever his true character. After all is said and done, our feeling is that “A great man has fallen today”—a small man could not have attracted so much attention from his nation. A low tree is the most secure against the storms.

P.S. A report reached our ears today that his brother, namely Captain Jones, the famous Mormon, has died, near Salt Lake.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1857—July, p. 286—item 1

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The Shooting of One of the “Mormon Apostles”

Recently in Utah, Parley P. Pratt, a brother of Orson Pratt, a native of England and one of the “Mormon Apostles,” while traveling with the wife of one Hector McLean, from New Orleans, was overtaken by her husband and was shot to death. The wife is complaining bitterly about her husband and sympathizing with the apostle, but the country in general approves of the deed of the husband.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1857—July, p. 286—item 2

Mormon immigrants

The Baltimore Sun for the 4^th reports: That the train from Philadelphia on the day before that had brought there over five hundred Mormons on their way to Salt Lake. They were mainly Norwegian. They were under the direction of a “high priest” by the name of Mathias Crowley [sic], who is a strong and healthy-looking man. He is about 5 ½ feet tall, of light complexion, with red hair. His face was almost all hair. He wore a beard similar to those of the hold patriarchs. There are many craftsmen among the immigrants. There was one handsome man who bragged of having six wives already, and twenty-one children!

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1857—July, pp. 286–87—item 3

https://journals.library.wales/view/2628237/2633844/37#?xywh=-27%2C1015%2C1605%2C1570

Utah and Mormonism

The condition of things in Utah are such that they cannot be ignored any longer. Far too many things there have already been ignored. It is hard to say why. By now, Kansas has taken second place in the view of the government as compared to Utah. Far too much power has been conceded to Brigham Young, who, as head of his church and the Governor of the Territory has in his person the temporal and the spiritual power. The more the principles of Mormonism come to light in their deeds, as is happening daily in Utah, the more repugnant it appears. The testimony of Joe Smith’s brother is sufficient to prove the spirit of deadly vengeance that follows all who oppose them. It is a system not only of debauchery and lasciviousness, but also of tyranny and destruction. We are glad to understand that the government in Washington has decided on swift measures aimed at putting an end to the lawlessness that is in Utah. The aim of the government, as soon as the new Governor arrives there, is to make known the protection offered to whoever wishes to return to the States. It is expected that the women in general will accept the offer. After that, the circumstances must reveal.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1857—March, p. 106

https://journals.library.wales/view/2628237/2634177/25#?xywh=149%2C1067%2C498%2C438

Mormonism in Gloucester

It seems that Mormonism is doing frightful damage to the morals of some of the inhabitants. And so it does in several other places as well. Too wicked to defend.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1858—April, pp. 155–56

General Johnston

It is well known that this man with an army of United States soldiers has been camping for months on the boundaries of Utah with the intention of subduing the war of the Mormons at the beginning of spring. Many schemes have been suggested in Washington for increasing his army lest they are overcome by the Mormons. The Leavenworth Times reports that four companies of soldiers began their journey from Kansas toward Utah on the 18^th of last month and that General Hoffman set off before this with 160 wagons loaded with necessary supplies for maintaining the army. The most obvious thing is that the Saints will retreat to some other place instead of fighting or surrendering.

Friend of the Old Country in America, 1858—April, p. 155

https://journals.library.wales/view/2628237/2634218/36#?xywh=829%2C1299%2C1605%2C1570

Utah

The adulterous Mormons are clinging to their profession of faith, and they have decided not to bow to the laws of the Union, even if they are forced to lose their country or lose their lives in the battle for the Mormon faith. Lately a Mormon wrote to his brother in New York, as follows: “We suffered great hardships in crossing the desolate plains for months to come to the valley of the Salt Lake; we found it with no one but the red man roaming around it. It is a very lovely settlement at present, through diligence and skillful labor, but this excellent and blessed settlement will be sacrificed on the altar of our religion if we are driven from here. Perhaps someone asks, ‘Why are you so willing to sacrifice your precious things?’ Because we believe that Mormonism is the gospel of Jesus Christ, who shows the way to eternal life; and despite the trampling and persecution that it has suffered, it is more powerful and noble than ever.”