Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-05-03
THE MORMON BIBLE.

" '"S H'oto'y " WV NV'"o"
Bible. 1t accounts most satisfactorily for
the existence of the book, fact which
heretofore it has been difficult to explain.
1t was difficult to imagine how work con.
tanning so many indications of being the
production Of cultivated mind. should be
connected with knavery SO impudent, and
a superstition so gross as that which must
have characterized the founders Of this
pretended religious sect. The present
narrative, which independently Of the at
testations annexed, appears 10 be by no
means improbable, was procured from the
writer by the Rev. Mr.. Stow Of Holliston,
who remarks that he has chad occasion to
come in contact with Mormonism in its
grossest FORMS" 1t was communicated by
him for publication in the Recorder.
Origin Of the "Book Of. Mormon" or "Gold.
en- Bible."
As this book has excited much attention
and has been put by certain new sect, in
the place of the sacred scriptures, | deem
it duty which l owe to the public, to
state what I know touching its origin
That its claims to divine origin are Who'll
y unfounded, needs no proof TO mind IN.
perverted by the grossest decisions. That
any sane person should rank it higher than
any other merely human composition, is q
matter oftbe greatest establishment; vet
it is received as divine by some who dwell
in enlightened New England, and even by
those who have sustained the character of
devoted Christians. Learning recently
that Mormonism has found its way into a
church in Massachusetts. and has mpreg.
mated some Of its members with its gross
decisions, so that accommodation has be.
come necessary, am determined to delay
no longer doing what l can to strip the
mask from this monster of sin and to lay
open this pit Of denominations.
Rev. Solomon Spaulding, TO whom was
united in marriage in early life, was grad.
uate Of Dartmouth College. and was dis
tinguished for lively Imagination and
great fondness for history. At the time of
our marriage. he resided in Cherry Valley,
A>s 4IOW tHIo pioCC we TcIlDteu "
New Salem. AshtabuIa County, Ohio ;
sometimes called Conneaut, as it is situated
upon Conneaut Creek. Shortly after our
removal TO this place, his health sunk, and
he vas laid aside from active labors. In
the town of New Salem, there are numer.
Gus mounds, and forts, supposed by many
20 be the dlapidated dwellings and for,if.
cations of a race now extinct. These an
cient relics arrest the attention Of The new
settlers and become objects of research for
the curious. Numerous implements were
found and other articles evincng great
skill in the arts. Mr.. Spaulding being an
educated man and passionateIy fond of his.
tory, took lively interest in these devel-
opponents of antiquity; and in order TO
beguile the hours Of retirement and furnish
employments for his lively Imagination, he
conceived the idea of giving an historical
sketch of this long lost race. Their ex.
treme antiquity of course would lead him
to write in The most ancient style, and as
the Old Testament is the most ancient
book in The world, he initiated its style as
nearly as possible. His sole object in wr.
ting this historical romance was TO amuse
himself and his neighbors. This was about
the year 1912. Hull's surrender at De.
troit, occurred near the same time. and !
recollect the date we'll from that circum-
stance. As he progressed in bis narrative,
the neighbors would come in from time to
time TO hear portions read, and great in.
terest in the work was excited among them.
Ut claimed to have been written by one of
The lost nation, and to have been recovered
from the earth. and, assumed the title of
| Z" Manuscript Found" The neighbors
would often inquire how Mr.. S. progressed
in decipherng 1.-The manuscript" and when
he had sufficient portion prepared he
would inform them, and they would assem-
bic to hear it read. He was enabled from
his acquaintance with the classics and an.
cient history, TO introduce many singular
names, which were particularly noticed by
the people and could be easily recognized
by them. Mr.. Solomon Spauldlng had a
brother, Mr.. John Spaulding residing in
the place at the time, who was perfectly
familiar with this work and repeatedly
heard the whole of it read.
From New Salem we removed TO Pitts
burgh,Pa. Here Mr.. S. found an acqualnt.
ance and friend. in the person of Mr.. Pat-
terson, an editor of newspaper. He
exhibited his manuscript to Mr.. P. who
was very much pleased with it,und borrow.
ed it for perusal. He retained it a long
time and informed Mr.. S, that if he would
make out title page and preface, he would
publish it and it might be source of profit.
This Mr.. S. refused to do for reasons which
| cannot now state. Sidney Rigdon,* who
has figured so largely in the history Of the
Mormons, was at this time connected with
the printing Office Of Mr.. Patterson. az is
well known in that region, and as Rigdon
himself has frequently stated. Here he
had ample opportunity TO become acquaint
ed with Mr.. Spauldipg's manuscript and to
copy it it he chose. II was a matter of
notoriety and interest to all who were con.
Dec,ed with the printing establishment
AT length the manuscript was returned TO