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The Star of Wales
- 1851 October 16, p. 5—Meeting held in Llanidloes
- 1852 July 8, p. 1—List of Mormon books—(figure out some way to translate)
- 1852 July 8, p. 4—Review of Llyfr Mormon
- 1852 August 5, p. 123—Review of J. Davies pamphlet “The Miraculous Gifts”
- 1852 September 2, p. 139—Rise and Deceit of Mormonism—long quote from #4
- 1852 October 14, p. 3—Review of “Lectures on the Deceit of M” by T. Hughes
- 1852 November 11, p. 7—Mormon missionary in East India with great success
- 1857 May 2, p. 169—letter from minister in Utah about immorality, polygamy, etc.
- 1857 May 16, p. 189—Buchanan sending an army to Utah
- 1857 June 13, p. 219—Roger Daniel, Sirhowy, convinced by M to starve himself
- 1857 June 27, p. 241—Numerous Mormon immigrants in Boston on way to SLC
- 1857 June 27, p. 241—Mormon Theft in Nottinghamshire
- 1857 July 11, p. 257—Missionaries at Llanidloes market hall—no one listening
- 1857 July 11, p. 260—Orson [sic] Pratt shot dead—a brief paragraph
- 1857 August 22, p. 320a—a number of immigrants reach Utah—brief paragraph
- 1857 August 22, p. 320b—Mormons in Birmingham—brief paragraph
- 1857 September 5, p. 341—Mormon refugee letter—John Davies to brother Thomas
- 1857 September 5, p. 344—trouble with Indians & US military in Utah
- 1857 October 3, p. 380—Mormon Conference in London
- 1857 October 3, p. 381—New plan of Mormons—to keep deeds secret
- 1857 October 17, p. 404—100 fugitives fled to Kansas, another 400 to Oregon
- 1857 November 14, p. 444—conflicts with state officials in SLC
- 1857 November 28, p. 452—Salt Lake Temple—from Drych a’r Gwyliedydd
- 1857 November 28, p. 464—Utah Mormons had killed 1,400 American soldiers
- 1857 December 12, p. 452—confused reports of military confrontations in Utah
- 1858 October ——, p. 456—Mormonism Losing Ground—from Jefferson Examiner
Star of Wales, 16 October 1851, p. 5
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Llanidloes
Some of the sect called “Mormons” or “Latter-day Saints” have been coming over the last several months. They hold their meetings weekly and on the Sabbath under the old Hall, continuing faithfully and assiduously to offer their Mormon balderdash to the people; but it appears that the Llanidloesians are not so weak-minded and insipid as to receive their despicable rubbish into their minds. “Every new thing is shiny,” says the old proverb. At the outset they received a considerable number of listeners; but by now, there is a deterioration in this matter; now there is frequently only the old building and themselves there, similar to the old priest and sexton of Llangurig formerly, and truly “Ichabod” could be written on one of the old blades of the old weathercock behind their rostrum, for, despite their many schemes and tricks, they have not succeeded in getting a single follower until now. One John Jones (who was a minister with the Baptists in Hebron, Dowlais), delivered a very fine lecture on the deceit of Mormonism some time ago; and also Mr. J. Jones (Idrisyn), a printer of this town, has publicly debated with one of them several times on the nature of miracles. Perhaps, between the two, there is much of their deceit and their magic that have been exposed, so that there is but little hope for their success here.
Meurig Idloes
Star of Wales, 8 July 1852, p. 1
BOOKS
OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS,
FOR SALE BY
J. DAVIS, PRINTER, GEORGETOWN,
MERTHYR,
And by the Saints throughout Wales.
[line]
BOOK OF MORMON; an Account written by the hand of Mormon, and Plates taken from the Plates of Nephi. Translated into Welsh. Price, in embossed calfskin, gilt edges, 4s. 6p.
BOOK OF DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS, bound in embossed calfskin, gilt edges, 3s. 6p.
THE SCRIPTURAL TREASURY. Prices, bound, 3s. 8p. 4s.
PROPHET OF THE JUBILEE. Vol III. Price 2s., unbound.
THAT WHICH IS IN PART, AND THAT WHICH IS PERFECT. Price a Penny.
BAPTISM. Price a Penny.
TWO COLLECTIONS OF HYMNS. Price, in calfskin, 1s. 4p.
SMALLEST BOOK OF HYMNS. Price 4p. unbound.
LECTURES OF JOSEPH SMITH ON FAITH. Price 4p.
PROVE ALL THINGS. Price Halfpenny.
THE REVEREND AND THE BOY. Price Halfpenny.
SONG OF THE PREACHER. Price Halfpenny.
REVIEW of the Lectures of the Rev. E. Roberts, Rhymney, against Mormonism. Price 4p.
REVIEW OF THE SECOND. Price Penny and a Halfpenny.
THE BODY OF CHRIST, or the CHURCH; treatise. Price 1p.
THE WAY OF ETERNAL LIFE; treatise. Price 1p.
PREACHING TO THE SPIRITS IN PRISON, AND BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD; treatise. Price 1p.
THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT IN THE COURT OF THE ENEMY. Price 2p.
SOUND DOCTRINE. Price Halfpenny.
CONVERSATIONS. Price Halfpenny.
Several SONGS. Halfpenny each.
THE GREAT FIRST CAUSE, or the Self-moving Forces of the Universe. Price 2p.
Treatise on MIRACLES. Price a Penny.
TESTAMENT of the Twelve Patriarchs. Price 10c.
Treatises on MIRACLES, containing a Review on the Lectures of the Rev. J. Jones, Llangollen, and a Booklet of the Rev. J. Davies, Llanelli, on the same topic. The last Treatise ready, price 1p. each.
*** All the above books can be obtained by Mail, at 6p. per pound, by sending pre-payment for the whole. The customary profit given to the Distributors.
Star of Wales, 8 July 1852, p. 4 [p. 108]
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Book of Mormon; that is, an account written by the hand of Mormon, on Plates taken from the Plates of Nephi. Merthyr Tydfil; John Davis.
We cannot be expected to give any approval whatsoever to this work, or praise the superstition of the Welsh people for supporting its publication in Welsh; and there is no composition set up as equal to the Word of God which deserves any more than the most definitive condemnation. Whatever of that, there is no danger that anyone who reads it attentively will be deceived by it, so as to become one of the Latter-day Saints; for it appears to us to be nothing but a pack of foolish lies, composed deceitfully to imitate, to some extent, the scriptural account, and the names of persons have been changed, and many fables have been added. Whatever of that the work has been printed well, with clear letters and excellent paper, as is all the work of Mr. Davis. The translation also is fluid and intelligible.
Star of Wales, 5 August 1852, p. 123
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The Miraculous Gifts, as they are portrayed in the Holy Scriptures; with Observations on other topics related to Miracles. By the Rev. J. Davies, Llanelli, Brecon. Brynmawr; John Davies, King Street.
This little booklet is one of the best on the topic that has ever come to our attention; and there is no doubt that it will do much good in the present degenerate age with respect to religion. We use the word “degenerate” with all earnestness, since we believe that the great degeneration has already taken place lately among every denomination of believers, despite all the preaching and all the beneficial and interesting books that are being disseminated in our midst. One cannot give an accounting of the success and growth of the religious deceit in any other way; and we think that the observation of the author of this booklet in his foreword is extremely accurate and true; and we hope that it will have the effect that it deserves on the minds of our religious teachers. The author says the following:
There is no doubt according to the account given in Chapter 8, signed by Joseph Smith’s father-in-law and Mrs. Davidson, that the founders of Mormonism were intentional deceivers; but no doubt there were many unlearned men with the Saints who believed it all and who were led to temporal and spiritual destruction. The damage in this to some extent lies at the doors of the churches of our country, for the majority of them are men who had never come to a place of worship, and had we gone out to the “main roads and the fields,” as well as laboring in the chapels, there would have been hundreds of excellent members in our churches who are now followers of the Saints. They are with the Saints not because Saintism is true, but because it was the Saints who went to them to offer some religion to them. With a sincere prayer for the missionary and aggressive spirit to take possession of the churches, I present the following observations to bless the Head of the Church.
This booklet has been divided into eight chapters on the following interesting topics.—Description of a miracle, and the need for it.—Particulars and criteria of genuine miracles.—Is Satan able to work miracles?—Miracles of the New Testament.—Spiritual gifts of the primitive churches.—Disappearance of the gifts from the churches.—History of men pretending to work miracles follow the apostolic age.—Rise and deceit of Mormonism.
In all these chapters the author discusses the topic in an enlightening and consistent manner, and he leaves no controversy without a thorough analysis. There are many observations that are new to us, especially where he discusses the topic, “Is Satan able to work miracles?” and no doubt they will be read with great interest. His observations on “Miracles of the New Testament” are also excellent and meaningful.
Although we have never considered the Mormon deceit worth spending our time to write against, yet we respectfully believe that the author of this little booklet is worthy of praise, since he has performed a service to religion; and if the booklet happens to fall into the hands of some Mormon, or into the hands of someone who is halting between two opinions, we do not doubt but what it will be of great benefit to him, if it is read thoughtfully. We are confident that he will obtain that as well as an overall good read. It is printed with clear letters, on good paper, and has been done up neatly. It contains 60 pages, 12-fold, all for sixpence.
Star of Wales, 2 September 1852, p. 139
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GROWTH AND DECEIT OF MORMONISM.
(From the Pamphlet on the Spiritual Gifts, by the Rev. John Davies.)
Several persons cooperated to form and establish Mormonism. Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Martin Harris were the main priests, although a few others belonged to the work. Sidney Rigdon did the planning, Joseph Smith published the plans, by pretending to have received them from God, and Martin Harris gave the necessary money for the expenses. The calling of Joseph Smith was to indicate places in the earth where silver and treasures were buried. He pretended to do that by putting some small stone in his “hat,” and the placing his “hat” over his eyes and looking into it, and thus he saw, says he, the place where the buried treasures lay.
Sidney Rigdon spent much of his time in a printing establishment in Pittsburg, America, with a man by the name of Mr. Patterson. Martin Harris owned a plot of land, which he mortgaged to have money to proclaim and establish Mormonism. It appears that Martin Harris was a respectable business man, but was quite lacking in ability to weigh and judge religious matters. Money was promised to him, with great interest after getting the new religious machine to work well.
The way that the arrogant deceit called Mormonism was invented, was as follows. In America there are very many old mines, and remnants and ruins of towns and cities; since a variety of opinions exist concerning their beginning, and the reason for their destruction, a learned and famous man by the name of Mr. Spaulding composed a kind of fictitious history about them. He imagined how things could have taken place, and he wrote those imaginings according to the writing style of the authors of the Old Testament. He read his manuscript many times to his friends in New Salem, Ashtabula County, the State of Ohio. They greatly loved the manuscript, as it was entertaining and cleverly written, and they came frequently to his house to listen to him reading it. After some time Mr. Spaulding moved to Pittsburgh, where he became a great friend to Mr. Patterson, a newspaper editor. Spaulding showed Patterson the imaginary story he had composed; Mr. Patterson found it to be exceptional and offered to publish it; all that lacked was for Mr. Spaulding to prepare an introduction for it. Mr. Spaulding refused to give his permission to print it, since it was all an imaginary tale. Hearing this, Mr. Patterson requested the loan of the manuscript so that he could read it at his own leisure, and to this Mr. Spaulding agreed. Mr. Patterson had the manuscript for some time, and eventually Sidney Rigdon made a copy of it. Soon afterwards Mr. Spaulding died, and the manuscript was returned to Mrs. Spaulding. About this time Sidney Rigdon took the copy which he had made of the manuscript to Joseph Smith, in order to plan and counsel together what they should do. They agreed not to show the manuscript directly to everyone; but instead they decided to noise it abroad to awaken interest in it from the world. And also to strive to prove his divinity,—one evening while on his journey, telling of his search for silver buried in the earth, Joe pretended to have had a vision, in which he was told by an angel that he was to be a prophet of the Most High, and to reveal a Golden Bible which was hidden in the earth and written on golden plates. The angel showed him where they were, but told him not to take it from there or to show it to anyone.—It was to remain there until Joe had married and until after his firstborn had appeared; when his child was two years old, at that point he could dig for the Golden Bible. As proof that the angel had told him the truth, he revealed to Joe that he needed to go on a journey toward the mountains of Pennsylvania where he would find a young woman, who was to become his wife. He did not need an angel to show him about this young woman, since he had been staying for some time in her house and had asked her father for her hand in marriage. He had replied that he was not agreeable to that, since he did not like Joseph’s vocation or his manner of living; but despite her father’s opposition, the girl agreed to the marriage;—Smith departed promising to return after a while, and so he did, making known in the area where he was at the time, that an angel had directed him to a girl he had never seen before. During this time Sidney Rigdon was busy changing and adding to Mr. Spaulding’s imaginary tale, so that it would be ready to be lifted from the earth and revealed at the time Joe Smith indicated. He said that it was written on golden plates, and that it was in a stone box, and he pretended to have two magic stones which enabled him to read the plates without opening the box. Before long, the Golden Bible was published in the form of the Book of Mormon, without any credible person having seen the golden plates or the stone box that contained them.
As proof of the foregoing account, we note the testimony of Joseph Smith’s father-in-law, and that of the widow of Mr. Spaulding. “I first became acquainted with Joseph Smith in November, 1825. He was at that time in the employ o a set of men who were called “Money Diggers;” and his occupation was that of seeing, or pretending to see by means of a stone placed in his hat, and his hat closed over his face. In this way he pretended to discover minerals and hidden treasure. His appearance at this time, was that of a careless young man, not very well educated, and very saucy and insolent to his father. Smith and his father, with several other money diggers boarded at my house for a while… Smith gave the money diggers great encouragement at first; but when they had arrived in digging to near the place where he had stated an immense treasure would be found, he said the enchantment was so powerful that he could not see. The diggers then became discouraged, and soon after dispersed. After these occurrences, Smith made several visits at my house, and at length asked my consent to his marrying my daughter Emma. This I refused, and gave my reasons for so doing, that he was a stranger, and followed a business that I could not approve. He then left the place. Not long after this, he returned, and while I was absent from home, carried off my daughter, into the state of New York, where they married without my approbation or consent. In a short time they returned, bringing with them a Peter Ingersol… Soon after this, I was informed they had brought a wonderful book of plates down with them. I was shown a box, in which it is said they were contained, which had to all appearances, been used as a glass box, about the size of the common window glass. I was allowed to feel the weight of the box, but I was not allowed to look into it… After this, I became dissatisfied, and informed him that if there was anything in my house without my knowing what it was: and that if he had any such thing he must take it away; if he did not, I was determined to see it. After that, he said that the plates were hidden in the woods. About this time arrived there… … The manner that Smith pretended to read and translate the writings to Martin Harris, was the same way as when he looked for the money diggers, with the stone in his hat, and his hat over his eyes, while the plates were still hidden in the woods… I conscientiously believe from the facts I have detailed, and from many other circumstances, that the scheme planned through falsehood and wickedness is the Book of Mormon, was made with a design to profit, to dupe the credulous and unwary, in order that its fabricators may live upon the spoils of those who swallow the deception.” Isaac Hale, father-in-law of Joseph Smith.
This is the testimony of Smith’s father-in-law—now we shall note the testimony of Mrs. Spaulding, (presently Mrs. Davidson,) having remarried. She portrays the manner in which her first husband composed his imaginary story about the old American remnants, and the great pleasure his neighbors received from listening to him reading it. She said they came New Salem to Pittsburgh, and that Mr. Patterson, accompanied by Sidney Rigdon, borrowed the manuscript. Mrs. Davidson continues as follows: As is well known in that neighborhood, and as Rigdon has admitted many times, he came to be acquainted with the manuscript of Mr. Spaulding, and he copied it… After the Book of Mormon came out, a copy of it was taken to New Salem, the former residence of Mr. Spaulding… A woman preacher appointed a meeting there, and read and repeated copious extracts of the Book of Mormon. The historical parts were immediately recognized by the older inhabitants as the work of Mr. Spaulding… Mr. John Spaulding was present and recognized perfectly the work of his brother. He was amazed and afflicted that it should have been perverted to so wicked a purpose. He broke out in tears, and he arose on the spot, and expressed to the meeting his sorrow—that the writings of his deceased brother should be used for a purpose so vile and shocking. I am sure that nothing would grieve my husband more, were he living, than the use which has been made of his work.” Matilda Davidson.
It is impossible to have more fitting witnesses, and testimonies more clear and appropriate.—The father-in-law of the founder of Mormonism,—“I conscientiously believe from the facts I have detailed, and from many other circumstances, that the thing called the Book of Mormon was fabricated through falsehood and wickedness,—made with the intent to profit, by duping the credulous and unwary, in order that its fabricators might live upon the spoils of those who swallowed the deception.” No benefit or profit could proceed to the father-in-law of Joseph Smith from his accusation, and it must be love for the truth and hate for deceit that cause him to bear his testimony in the foregoing manner. Second, we have Mrs. Davidson, the widow of Mr. Spaulding, as well as John Spaulding, his brother, fervently testifying that the tale composed by Mr. Spaulding constitutes the greatest part of the Book of Mormon.—These are persons who had a chance to know, and here they are testifying fearlessly to the world—that the imaginary tale composed by Mr. Spaulding is the Book of Mormon. Who in Wales will be so foolish as to offend his senses, and cause harm to his temporal and eternal welfare by joining with, and supporting deceit such as this!!
The latest letters published from Salt Lake, together with the reports of representatives of the United States, prove that tyranny and oppression, and sin and corruption of the most disgusting kind exist there. If Salt Lake were nearer to us, and if the carrying of letters were more convenient, we would no doubt have hundreds of letters expressing repentance by some who have spent their money for that which is not bread, and their labor for that which satisfieth not.
For several years, some of the infallible preachers of the Latter-day Saints have been heard taking their text from the seventeenth chapter of the “Gospel of John the Baptist,” and while preaching in English, they say that “All damnations are in the wrong,” and that all preach for money except for them.—That they preach for free; but that the spirit has commanded their leaders to collect tithing from all the Saints.
Star of Wales, 14 October 1852, p. 3 [p. 163]
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Press Review
Lectures on the Deceit of Mormonism by Thomas Hughes (T. ab Gwilym). Isaac Clarke, Ruthin
As was mentioned in the previous number, the famous lecturer T. ab Gwilym has delivered six lectures on Mormon deceit; and the first lecture, which is presently before us, contains “Exposure of the Deceit and the Beginning of Mormonism.” The lecturer treats his topic in this lecture with unusual skill, and we are not surprised that it has received such high praise by those who heard it being delivered. It exposes all the deceit and the tricks used in the establishment of Mormonism, so that there is no further reason to hesitate about them; and we are amazed that any man in his right mind has been enticed to believe such blasphemous foolishness. There is no doubt that these lectures will be of tremendous benefit in forestalling Mormonism, and we would counsel all to read them attentively if they wish to know the truth. We especially call attention of our compatriots in the South to them, and assure them that they cannot get better elucidation and exposure concerning the deceit that is currently beguiling many of our compatriots to the destruction of their own souls. If everyone knew the undeniable facts which are set out in this lecture, we think that Mormonism would cease immediately. The price of the lecture is only twopence, and so it is within the reach of everyone; and the other lectures will be printed in the same format as this one so that they can be bound as a booklet after the six of them are off the press. We consider our compatriots to be greatly indebted to T. ab Gwilym for undertaking this work and dealing with it so skillfully and eloquently; and we have no doubt but what these lectures will have general acceptance as their worthiness deserves. We would be happy to set before our readers extensive quotations from this lecture, but our limitations at present do not permit us to give but one small quotation in which the author shows the similarity that exists between the Mohammed of Asia and the Mohammed of America. The lecturer says the following:
“Having composed the Book of Mormon according to their fancy, it was necessary to fashion and exercise some cunning before opening the Mormon Exhibition before the world. It appears that the cunning was for Smith to play Mohammed. As Mohammed claimed to have received the Koran at the hand of an angel in a cave, so the deceiver Smith claims to have received the Book of Mormon secretly on the Hill Cumorah! It was in a cave that the Mohammed of Asia was appointed to be a prophet to the world; it was in a secret and shady wooded area that the Mohammed of America was appointed to be the prophet of ‘these latter days!’ The Mohammed of Asia says that he was taken up through seven heavens and that in one night, under the guidance of the Angel Gabriel, he saw all the wonders of the heavenly realms; in the same manner the Mohammed of America saw all the heavens open above him—angels ascending and descending to him—that he saw indescribable things—that the Lord himself had left his throne and descended to him to speak with him face to face, as some emperor and his prime minister—that he saw legions of infernal demons at the same time, a larger army than that of Napoleon when he first went to Russia!”
Star of Wales, 11 November 1852, p. 7 [p. 183]
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The Mormons have sent one of their prophets to East India; and it is said that he is very successful in converting the Hindus.
Star of Wales, 2 May 1857, p. 169
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The Mormons in America
The accounts received from the Mormon territory in Salt Lake are enough to cause every lover of mankind worry and shame, because of the filth and immorality which flourish in their midst. It is not without cause that they are spoken and written about; and the ministers of the gospel and the teachers of our Sabbath schools should raise their voices loudly against them, exposing their atrocious abomination, so that more of our fellow nation will not be seduced to emigrate to their ungodly Sodom. So that our readers may have a glimpse at the villainy that is carried on by them, we set before them an excerpt of a letter which was sent by a Baptist Minister to his brother in Wales:
“The latest story I have seen from Salt Lake gives the number of wives which their leaders have. Brigham Young, their president and high priest, 67 wives, and another 30, etc., so that 40 of their officials have over 400 spiritual wives, sealed, as they call them. They send missionaries to every part of the world they can, to deceive and the beguile the unfortunate poor people, especially young and foolish girls, to satisfy their impure desires. The first day of this year 212 arrived in New York, the majority of them from Denmark. There were 600 a few months ago on their journey to the Mormon Paradise; they were from seven different nationalities. And the thing that surprised me more than anything else was to learn from a Mormon traveler that there were many Welsh among them. O! where are you, friends of religion and mankind? The light of life is in your hands to fill the small Principality with the light of Christ; how is it that you have not done so? Mormonism cannot dwell in the light; therefore, there must be some places remarkably dark, even in Wales, where this monstrous deceit finds quiet to prosper. The poor creatures! they suffer frightful tribulations on their journey to Utah as they cross a desert from six to seven hundred miles wide; and when they arrive there those who possess the slightest degree of moral feeling in their bosoms will be so terribly disappointed upon seeing themselves not in paradise, as their deceivers had promised, but in the Great Sodom of the West, where adultery is the law of the land, and where a woman whom God had made to be honored, loved, and respected, as a diadem to crown his fair creation has been cast down from her nobility to the deep mire of affliction and humiliation. According to a speech of Brigham Young which he delivered in the Great Mormon Temple about three months ago, he made it known that there was a great unwillingness among the women, and he said to all the women (his own and those of others) that he gave them a fortnight to contemplate whether they would choose to submit to their husbands (that is, to the system of polygamy), which constitutes part of their religion, or to be turned away. O! such a cruel wretch! speaking of turning away thousands of defenseless women whose consciences forbid them from living in adultery! Look, Christians! Look, you men, at the frightful choice this filthy high priest has given to his deceived followers! They must submit to living in sin against the laws of God and civilized society, or to be turned away from their children and their friends, to the great wilderness, to perish or fall prey to the hands of barbarous men or to the clutches of wild beasts. The merciless high priest ended his speech like this: ‘I have grown so tired of the battle and the clambering (of the women) that I have decided to go to heaven on my own.’ Christ warned regarding these things, that false prophets would arise and if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect. They teach the poor damsels that if they refuse this adulterous union with these unchaste leaders they will not be saved.
“They deny in England and Wales that they practice polygamy. And whenever their converts arrive here and are told about it, they claim that there is no such thing there; that it is the Gentiles who are telling lies about the saints. But when they come to believe that it is true, they begin to justify the practice on the basis that there are more women than men in the world and that unmarried women are sure of being lost and that their prophets have received a revelation from heaven on the topic. A Mormon elder came over here lately from England with a large family, especially young women on their journey to the Salt Lake. They are staying here to earn money to go to Paradise. He had lunch with us ten days ago. He said that he intended to take his six daughters to the Mormon city. We begged him to leave his daughters behind and not to deliver them to destruction by following him. The poor creature! he cannot read a word, and he believes every word the Mormons say. Among other things to justify their loathsomeness, he said that Jesus Christ has many wives!!”
This is dreadful blasphemy! The abomination of Mormonism is worse than that of Muslimism, and that of the worst system of paganism.
Star of Wales, 2 May 1857, p. 174
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Brigham Young
The Mormon prophet, Young, published the most frightful curses against a man by the name of Gideon, who had spoken against polygamy, as follows: “Who is this Gideon who has come among you? His work in St. Louis was selling tape; and now he has come here to blaspheme the Lord and to destroy the house of Israel. And what should you, children of the covenant, do as punishment for him for this evil work? Pull out your knife and in the name of God and the prophet, send him to hell!”
Star of Wales, 16 May 1857, p. 189
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Mr. Buchanan and his privy council intend to make an attempt to produce a revolution among the Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake. They have decided to send five hundred and twenty soldiers there, with men of good and virtuous character as their officers; and they also intend to appoint judges and administrative officials of merit and high character who have families to take the place of Brigham Young and his corrupt officials.
Star of Wales, 13 June 1857, p. 219
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SIRHOWY. -- On the third of this month, an inquest was held here on the body of a young widower, a miner, by the name of Roger Daniel. It appears he had joined the Latter-day Saints, or more aptly, Satanists. He was, poor thing, as simple and innocent as the earthworm, and had entrusted his body and soul completely to the Saints, as he called them; and they in turn had taken advantage of his innocence, and had persuaded him to starve himself, and carry every halfpenny he could get to them. Nor did they allow him to eat anything but bread and water; but he failed to continue with his work in a little while, because of physical weakness. He was again persuaded that he did not need a doctor, that they would cure him; and he, poor thing, believed every word they said, as though they were reading the Bible to him. But to finish the whole affair, they kept him all day Sunday, a week before his death, in Tredegar, from meeting to meeting, without a bite to eat; and they persuaded him that he was better, and that he could go to work the next morning; and so it was. He went to work, and everyone who saw him was astonished; but it was not long before he had come from the level, and he had great difficulty in dragging himself home, but after all this he did not believe there was any deceit in the Saints. He lived until Saturday night, when death put an end to his life. Oh, people of Wales! how long will you be tricked by these rapacious wolf-hounds, who swarm like locusts all over the world, to trick and cheat innocent men, and slander everyone but themselves? I think these are the voracious dogs mentioned in the Bible.
People of Wales! People of Wales! do not receive
The cheating Saints, and their ugly heresy;
Let them go, the hypocritical tricksters,
Toward the Salt Lake after their fellow cheats.
An Observer
Star of Wales, 27 June 1857, p. 241—item 1
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Landing of Mormons in America
Lately, (says the Boston Courier), eight hundred Mormons arrived with the ship George Washington from Liverpool. There were forty elders among them who had been preaching the Mormon doctrine in the old country. There were many families who had considerable goods. The captain estimated that the travelers had about £20,000 of gold on the ship; and he said that he knew that many persons possessed £1,000 each. There were many women who had left their husbands so that they could go to dwell in the land of the Saints. When the captain asked one woman what had caused her to leave her husband, she answered that she had done so for the sake of Christ; he had promised that if anyone were to leave father, mother, and husband for his sake, they would receive so much in this world and they would receive eternal life in the world to come. As soon as the emigrants left Liverpool they formed into eight sections with one hundred in each section; and they chose a bishop and an elder to preside over each company. They had morning service and afternoon service; and on the Sabbath a sermon was delivered to each group. It was very obvious that the Mormon preachers had given a completely false description of the condition of things in the Mormon territory, to every place they had gone.
Star of Wales, 27 June 1857, p. 241—item 2
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A Mormon Robbery.
A few days ago, a charitable organization for the sick in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, was robbed of over £200. A man by the name of Wright was questioned before the magistrates, along with two men by the name of Hollis and Bentley, when it appeared, from the evidence of the police superintendent, Bentley, that Wright and his wife had been caught in Sheffield as they were boarding the morning train for Liverpool. They were searched carefully, when £35 in gold was found about a child they were carrying. When Wright was being searched, he swore terribly. And in answer to Palethorpe, who said to him that he thought Mormons were not allowed to swear, he said, “Oh! D——, I’m putting religion aside in a situation like this. I don’t care if I go slightly beyond bounds.” Then they were taken to Mansfield, where the two other Mormons were caught (Hollis and Bentley), and each one was put in a cell by himself. Having found that the baggage had been sent by Wright from the railway station in Mansfield to Liverpool in the name of Anne Jones, instructions were sent by telegram, ordering the authorities in that station to hold the luggage. Palethorpe set out immediately for Liverpool, and sought the assistance of one of the best detectives. Then they hired a boat, and chased after the ship, as she had gone from the dock down the river. When they boarded the ship, they saw Ann Jones, who was also a Mormon, and had signed the book for the luggage. Upon searching her, Palethorpe found a bag containing £150 in gold coins; and he took possession of them and returned with everything to Mansfield. Wright has also stolen much property from his recent master, Colonel Cook. Close to a wagon load of property stolen from him was in the house of the broker, to whom Wright had sold the furniture.
Star of Wales, 11 July 1857, p. 257
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Llanidloes—About the beginning of last month, three or four of those men who are called Saints, and Satanists by others, made their appearance in this town, and they were, like others before them belonging to that tribe, unsuccessful. They were for a few nights at twilight in the old market-hall in this place, offering their foolishness to the posts of the old building, because none of the hundreds of people was paying them any attention at all. No one of this wandering, unprincipled tribe dares present himself here, because the Sunday Schools are too numerous, and their adherents too knowledgeable to be tricked by such rogues as these vagabonds.
Dafydd Risiart
Star of Wales, 11 July 1857, pp. 260–61
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Shooting of a Mormon Leader
Orson [Parley] Pratt, the famous Mormon leader, has been shot. It appears that he deceived the wife of a man by the name of McLean in San Francisco, and he was preparing to take her and her children to Utah, in which place she would live with him as his ninth wife! The fugitives were followed by McLean who shot Pratt dead in Van Buren, Arkansas. It is said that the deceased was a man of abundant talents, and had traveled as a missionary through Great Britain, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany. He was the next in influence to Brigham Young, and one of the first followers of Joe Smith, the founder of Mormonism.
Star of Wales, 22 August 1857, p. 320, item 1
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The Mormons
Since the 1st of last January, in four different ships, more than two thousand one hundred immigrants who had embraced the Mormon faith in the old country, arrived in the United States, and they went ahead to the Utah territory. These Mormons were composed chiefly of English and Welsh, together with a few Danes, Norwegians, and Germans.
Star of Wales, 22 August 1857, p. 320, item 2
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The Mormons in Birmingham
The Sabbath evening before last, Dr. Brindley, from Leamington, delivered a lecture on the “Abomination of Mormonism” in Birmingham, to a congregation of nearly two thousand people. The observations of Dr. Brindley stirred up such abhorrence among the people that, at the end of the lecture, hosts of them went straightway to the nearby chapel of the Mormons, where President Aubrey was preaching at the time. Every empty space was filled immediately, and some began to make observations on the sermon, so that Aubrey was obligated to end in the middle, and the “Saints” had to flee for their lives through the crowd. The greatest scorn was shown them; and it was said that they would have set the chapel on fire had not the police not come to the place. They attacked the chapel again on Monday; they broke the windows and the doors, and they tore their books into shreds.
Star of Wales, 5 September 1857, p. 341
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Letter from a Mormon Refugee
The following letter was written by a young Welshman from the Maesteg area, who set off for the Salt Lake two years ago with his father and mother. He was an ardent Mormon then, but it can be imagined by now that he has seen enough of the abomination of that regime.
Council Bluffs City, June 29, 1857.
“My dear brother Thomas—It is with great pleasure and satisfaction that I write these few lines to you, in the hope that you are all alive and well. I can assure you that I am in much better health now than when I wrote before. I can go about without a shade over my eyes. Now I shall try to give a brief account of my journey from Salt Lake City, across the Plain; as I can write my thoughts at present more easily. I often think about the promise I made you before we took leave of each other. I said at that time, you remember, that I would be sure to let you hear the truth and nothing but the truth—and I have done that as far as I am able. I wrote several letters, but I do not expect you have received them all. Thank God, I am now in a free country, and in the company of white men, after being so long in the company of black men. As I suspect you are anxious to know the reason I left Salt Lake City, I shall attempt, in the first place, to express what a man must do if he wishes to be a Mormon. He must hand over to Brigham Young, himself, his family, and all he possesses. They next thing he must do is to give a tenth part of all he receives, a tenth of the days of the year, and keep from two to ten wives. Whoever refuses to agree to these things, must leave the place; but while doing so, he is in great danger for his life every minute, as they would rather kill him than let him be a means of transmitting to the world the state of affairs in their midst. A great multitude have been shot while trying to escape. I myself saw dozens of people being shot down in the streets; and three days before I left, I saw three people being killed for no reason other than they intended to escape. While they were packing their chests in a place called Springfield, they were shot down to the ground! This took place about eight o’clock Sunday evening, within fifty yards of the city gates. The first was a young man called William Parrish: seven bullets were shot into his body. The second was his father; and the third was a person by the name of Potter, into whose body as many as fifteen bullets were shot! The old man was hit in the back, and his neck was broken in three different places.
“I left Salt Lake City on the night of the 17th of April, in the company of two Welsh boys and one African—four persons in all. Those Mormons who knew of our intention to flee said that we would not reach the States alive; but I said I was determined to make an attempt at it come what may. Saturday, the day after we left, when we had traveled 30 miles from the city, three men came upon us who had been sent to catch us by the powers that be. The name of one of these men was Patrick Lynch, an Irishman, who was Brigham Young’s secretary. The man shot bullets from a revolver, and the shot went past my ear without harming my body. Then they came closer to us on their horses, and asked our names, etc. After we answered, they said we had to return with them to the city; and when I refused to agree to their request, they said they would blow out my d——d brains. One of them took hold of a revolver as though he intended to use it. He had one on each side of the saddle. Then I took a revolver out of my belt, and told him to fire if he chose. I was armed with six revolvers, and one rifle, and there were 37 bullets in them all. Then a bullet was fired at me, which whizzed past my left cheek. Then I fired, and I hit him with one bullet in his thigh, and the other went into his shoulder. My friends had run to the woods, and so I had to fight on my own. At this I lost my footing, and I fell to the ground; and one of the men ran towards me with a knife in his hand; he cut my belt, and he took away four revolvers. The other two were hidden in my boots. I got hold of one of them, I fired, and I managed to hold them off for some time until I had an opportunity to flee to the woods, where I received my friend’s assistance. We continued to travel all the rest of that day, and the following night, until we reached a place called Fort Bridger, which is about 113 miles from the Salt Lake. The number of our pursuers had increased to twenty by now, and we had to take refuge in the woods this time again. We traveled all of that night, and we were lucky enough to meet a group of friendly Indians, who gave us Buffalo meat. The following day, we caught up with a number of wagons which were known by the name of “Mrs. Babbitt’s train,”—28 in number. I was hired to drive one of the wagons, which was pulled by six mules. We had some trouble from a group of Indians, who are known by the name “Crow tribe,” who were armed, and about a thousand in number. About six hundred arrows were shot into our tents. We killed about 30 of the Indians, and they killed five of our men.
“We arrived here on the 13th of June, with joyful hearts, and we were given a warm welcome by the people of Florence. We went to see my grandfather’s grave; and thank God it is where it is. I left my mother and Jane Louisa, Mary, and John, all well—also Mr. Thomas. J—— is a Mormon through and through, and I am sorry to say that he did his best to kill me, as he believed that that was better than letting me escape, to spread their story over the world. None of them believed I would reach this place alive. I am very anxious for my mother and the children to leave the Salt Lake, and join me here. If they did that, I would buy some land, which I could get for a dollar and a quarter. I left 500 dollars’ worth with my mother until she sees a time to flee from the place. My work here is to take care of a brickworks, and I am given 30 dollars in wages every month, as well as food and lodging.
From your affectionate brother,
John Davies”
Star of Wales, 5 September 1857, p. 344
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It appears that the tribulations of the Mormons are increasing more and more one week after the other. Not only are they threatened by the soldiers of the United States, who are on their way to Utah, but it is affirmed that great hosts of the Indians are attacking their possessions, stealing and destroying their cattle and their horses; there is frightful contention and division among the Saints themselves. “The general opinion is,” says the Times correspondent from California, “that they are migrating further to the north and to the west, and that they are leaving from Salt Lake. Brigham Young, their leader, has returned from his journey in search of a new home, according to the latest news in May.”
Star of Wales, 3 October 1857, p. 380
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Mormon Conference
On the 7th of last month, a large conference was held by the Mormons in the Adelaide Gallery, in London, under the leadership of two apostles from the Salt Lake, namely Orson Pratt and Ezra Benson. Focusing on the topic of polygamy, the apostle Orson Pratt said that marriage, if performed in the Mormon Church, the only one that possessed the true authority, continues not only until death, but for eternity. Women are encouraged not to marry anyone except Mormons; otherwise, when they awake on judgment day they will find themselves without men, and they will be alone for eternity. He described this as a frightfully unfortunate circumstance, and he explained the doctrine that the procreation of spirits will go on in the coming world exactly as men beget their kind in this world. Ezra Benson also referred to the topic of marriage, and to his own wives and children whom he left in Utah; and he said that he believed that not all his wives would apostatize, and for that reason he would not have to suffer the misfortune of being without a wife in heaven. He described Brigham Young as being the best and holiest man in the world, and he said that he was not surprised that the sisters would fall in love with him. He said that every man should have more than one wife.
Star of Wales, 3 October 1857, p. 381
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New Plan of the Mormons to Keep their Deeds Secret
The Mormons have devised a new alphabet, and their new letters have been made for printing. They intend to print the newspaper which is published by them in Utah with these new letters; and thus it will be a secret to all except for those who are taught by them. Their new alphabet has 41 letters which are very similar to the Ethiopian letters.
Star of Wales, 17 October 1857, p. 404—item 1
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Fugitives from the Mormons
A letter from Lawrence, Kansas (dated July 26), reports that a company of immigrants, containing 100 persons—men, women, and children—arrived there the day before from Salt Lake: they were Mormons, or some who had been of that belief as of late. They were 26 days in completing the journey; and despite the oppressive heat they had been able to endure the hardships of the journey well. They had escaped from the Mormons in order to obtain deliverance from the injustices of the government of Brigham Young, and they had come to Kansas in order to improve their situation. They said that about 1,000 had left the area of Salt Lake at about the same time—some to the states, about 400 to Oregon, and themselves to Kansas—and that there were many others who were still there who would flee if they could; but that there were also many there who were firm in their faith of the corrupt principles of this deceiver, and prepared if necessary to give their lives for him.
Star of Wales, 17 October 1857, p. 404—item 2
The large number of 740 new Mormon missionaries arrived in England from the Utah territory. It appears that they wish to make a special effort to win disciples in this country.
Star of Wales, 14 November 1857, p. 444
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There were several officials in the service of the government who had been chased away from the great city of Salt Lake by the Saints, who had placed themselves in a defense position against any attacks from the outside. Some of the top officials of the Saints assert that by now they are sufficiently powerful to challenge the strongest army of the United States!
Star of Wales, November 1857, p. 452
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The Great Temple of the Latter-day Saints in the Valley of the Salt Lake, Utah
From The Mirror and the Sentinel
The Mormon matter is creating quite a stir among the populace these days, for many reasons. The moral and civilized class feel for the reputation of our country and nation, and they are worried by the constant reports that the Mormons are increasing so quickly. Also, many a Welshman is compelled to bow his head as he reads about the emigration ships, that nearly every one contains some number of Welsh. That was the nature of the recent news from Boston, about some ship that arrived there fairly recently, when it was said that all the Saints were English or Welsh.
But our purpose now is to write a little about the city and the temple, in the Salt Lake Valley. The Mormons believe they had to have a temple dedicated in perfection to Almighty God before they could truly worship; and Brigham Young regularly preached of the necessity of building a house to God, showing the people that it was impossible to satisfy Him until a magnificent temple was built. As a consequence, they all had to contribute generously to the work. A sort of tax was laid on everyone, with a compulsion to pay until the debt was cleared from God’s house. The temple was built by immigrants, and the best workers. It has already cost over 300,000 dollars, and it will cost much more yet before it is completely finished. It includes nearly every sort of material, such as gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, etc. No true worship is made in any other place, and they tend to believe that God will not listen to their prayers if they do not pray in the temple.
The city of the Saints is surrounded by a wall of clay, twelve feet high, with a wide, deep ditch on its outside, and semi-defended sites to a distance of half a gunshot. There are holes in these walls, so that one might shoot through them if an attack were made upon the city. It is said that the purpose of building these walls was as a defense against the Indians; but some judge that keeping the people busy was the intention, lest they had time to question and rebel.
As we enter the city through a gateway in the wall, we discover that it has been divided into blocks, often of ten acres each, which are crossed by roads of 130 feet in width, running to north and south, and east and west, and hardly possible to traverse in wet weather. The houses on the outskirts of the town are scattered, and are mainly composed of clay cottages with turf roofs, and wooden houses. The houses in the center of the city are more frequent, and better built. The sidewalks are of good width, and many of them with a stream of water flowing through them, on the banks of which cottonwood trees, and other trees of fast growth, have been planted. Everything gives the impression of diligence and labor. Improvements are discernible on all sides, which no idler could accomplish. The number of the inhabitants is about fifteen thousand. Most of them are English or Scottish, a few Americans, many Welsh and a few Danes. The Americans, most of whom came there from the western parts of the United States, though they do not make up one part in three of the population, control most of the political power, fill most of the jobs, church and state, and receive all the wages. They are, nearly without exception, polygamous, bitter in their hatred of the gentiles, and full of zeal for their pitiful religion.
Having reached the center of the city, we come to the Temple Block, and a road full of shops. There is here an advantageous place to trade, and the traders make immense profits, often reaching 150 to 600 per cent. Very many goods are sent there every year along the plains in huge wagons, pulled by oxen. The shops are built of bricks, or adobes baked in the sun, and their light coloring gives a lively look. In this part of the city live the senior officers of the church. Their houses are generally comfortable, although little beauty belongs to them. You see a large house on the corner, like a guesthouse. That is the house of elder Benson and his four wives. Brother Grant and his five wives lived of late in the pretty house that you see on the east side. The hermit, Parley P. Pratt, with his nine wives, lives in a more singular manner, and content to dwell in the shabby house that you see on the west side. Dr. Richards, and his eleven wives live in that long, dirty row of rooms, which are partly hidden by a beautiful garden and orchard. Looking to the north, we find a complete rectangle covered with houses, barns, gardens, and orchards. There, in quiet family happiness, lives the great apostle H. C. Kimball, with his nineteen or twenty wives, their families and their servants. Here is an ostentatious building, with a lion couchant carved on its surface. It can only be the home of the hero of the faithful, “The Lion of the Lord,” as he is sometimes called—the famous Brigham Young. Here with his seventeen wives, he guards the success of his sweet settlement. Over 150,000 dollars were spent to build this house, in addition to the roofing, which was done by all the carpenters of the city by order of Brigham Young “in the name of the Lord, and by authority of his holy priesthood.” But we have not yet reached the house (seraglio) of the excellent wives of our western Sultan. This is a large, magnificent building, well plastered, glistening white, balconied from floor to roof, a viewing platform on top, and above the whole is the Mormon symbol of diligence, namely the beehive. It cost over 65,000 dollars, and is the most magnificent building of the settlement. The senior wife of the patriarch, and her family live in it. There are orchards and gardens behind it, and around it. Nearby is the Community Hall, used for drama and dance. This is an important institution among the Mormons, and Brigham Young himself, does not consider it beneath him to enlighten the uninformed in the mystery of Terpsichore. He is an excellent master of the dance, as well as an inspired prophet. The tabernacle is a superb building, in Temple Block, a rectangle that contains ten acres, and is surrounded by a wall, and handsome, shady trees. The tabernacle holds over 2,000 people seated, and here Brigham and the other leaders, impart the word of the Lord every Sabbath to the people. They have an instrumental band, which places marches, waltzes, and other lively tunes, besides the choir which sings the products of the Mormon muse set to Old Dan Tucker, Bach chants, and Handel oratorios. Their religious meetings are begun with singing and praying, followed by speeches on how to make bricks, wash clothes, clean houses, dig ditches and similar educational topics; and the whole service is finished with announcements about letters in the post office, picnic plans and work arrangements. The Mormons like to combine together worldly and religious advantages. Even their dramatic performances are started with prayer. And the feast is released by a blessing with clasped hands; and often the prophets will be so drunk, that they can hardly stand on their feet while talking.
Star of Wales, 28 November 1857, p. 464—item 1
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The news from the Mormon settlement is extremely hostile and uncertain. The latest stories report that the strong force of the Mormon soldiers, under Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, are ready to leave Salt Lake City, with military resources for six weeks; it is said that their aim is to keep the United States soldiers from coming to the City. Another account is given that the aim of the Mormons is, if things get too hot for them, to move to Russian territories and build their New Jerusalem there.
Star of Wales, 28 November 1857, p. 464—item 2
From the Drych a’r Gwyliedydd (Mirror and Sentinel)
“News has been received that recently the Mormons have attacked the soldiers of the United States, in the borders of the ‘holy city,’ and have defeated them, and have killed 1,400 of them. We do not know to what extent we can rely on the foregoing report, since there are many who doubt it. Nevertheless, it is generally believed that all the Saints are armed and determined to defend their rights. The news from St. Louis, on the 21st, say that the military expedition against Utah has arrived at Fort Laramie by the 24th of September. Also at the same time there were eight regiments with large cannons. The arrival of Captain Cook at the fort was expected at any day in the lead of six regiments. They intend to exact full revenge on them for opposing the laws of the United States. All success to Uncle Sam, we say.”
Star of Wales, 12 December 1857, p. 452 [352]
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The latest news from the Mormon is cloudy. The Mirror and the Sentinel says the following: “We had news from Omaha City up to the 22nd of last month, announcing that the Mormons on the Platte River had received reinforcements from the Salt Lake a little earlier, as well as sacred instructions from Brigham Young for them all to gird up their loins, and prepare their arms, for the day is approaching when they shall fight for their God, to preserve the purity and integrity of his kingdom. It is also said that Brigham Young and Elder H. C. Kimball, are busily preparing to campaign with the Saints’ militia, to stop the coming of the enemy, that is the soldiers of the United States, who at that time were within a hundred and fifty miles of the Holy City. The elders believe it would take them six weeks to defeat the Americans, and they are to take sufficient food for that length of time. Prophet Young had declared an untimely death to be the fate of anyone who informs any of the barbarian outsiders of his military plans during the coming winter, but it is commonly believed that his chief intention is to guard the two passes that lead to the Valley of the Salt Lake, hoping to succeed in defeating the enemy there. They have purchased many firearms; where they came from is not easy to make out; and it is claimed by some that they have in their possession many heavy field guns. Many of the mountain men in the outlying districts of the Valley of the Mormons say that there are many passes to go through—that a dozen good marksmen could keep two hundred soldiers from passing; and there is no one who understands all these paths as well or better than do the saints. The Mormons have become accustomed to all sorts of affliction and hard work during the past years, making them capable of suffering fatigue and labor totally unfamiliar to the soldiers of the United States; Prophet Young has also sent messengers to the chiefs of all the Indian tribes in Utah, the Territories of Washington and Oregon, urging them to come to fight with the Mormons against the pillagers of their land, and the murderers of their elders! We are assured that all the Indians are making their way as one to the vicinity of the “New Jerusalem”, so that they can join up for the holy war. This matter deserves attention, and although we do not believe everything that is said about the rebelliousness of the saints, yet we fear there will be a great deal of trouble before they are brought to obedience.
Star of Wales, October ——, 1858, p. 456
MORMONS LOSING GROUND
It appears that the followers of Joe Smith—those who were beguiled, by the cunning of the Mormon missionaries affecting their feelings, to leave their country, their relatives, and their friends—are now beginning to open their eyes, and are seeing through the deceit that was practiced upon them. Since the settlement of the American soldiers in Utah, a great many have turned from Mormonism; and last September, a letter appeared in the Jefferson Advertiser giving the history of the conversion of 300 Mormons, which we present here:-
“September 4.—I left Camp Scott on the 13th of June. The Mormon excitement had totally quietened. Many wagon trains, in which there were Mormons, had passed Camp Scott, on their way to the States. I cam down with two wagon trains from Camp Scott, in which there were about three hundred people, mostly made up of English and Scots, and their main discussions on the journey were about the madness and wickedness of Mormonism. With one voice, they condemned Brigham Young and the apostles, and his murder by the Mormons who remained in Fort Scott was talked about as a certainty. They all, without exception, loathe Mormonism, and have rejected it, and they demonstrate a resolve to do what they can from now on to try to oppose and eradicate Mormonism from the face of the earth. They demonstrate, each and every one, a wish to return to the countries of their birth; and if that were within their power, they would start without delay, in order to be the means of delivering others from the destructive influence of Mormonism.”
