Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-05-18
THE MORMON BIBLE.

gin and history oil the mormon DiDc. II dC.
counts most satisfactorily for the existence Of
the book, fact which heretofore IT has haen
difficult TO explain. 1t was difficult to imagine |,
how a work containing many indications of
being the production Of cultivated mind should
be connected with knavery impudent and a
superstition gross as that which must have
characterized the founders Of this pretended re-
ipious sect. The present narrative, which. in
dependenty Of the attestations annexed, appears
to he by no means improbable, was procured
from the writer by the Rev. Mr.. Stow, Of Hollis
ton who remarks that he has chad occas ion TO
come in contact with Mormonism in its grossest
forms'' 1t communicated by him for publ
cation in the Record.-Boston Daily Advertiser
ORIGIN OF THE "BOOK OF MORMON OR
"GOLDEN BIBIEn
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
owe TO the Public to state what know touch
ing its origin That its claims to a divine origin
are wholly unfounded, needs proof to a mind
unpervertec by the grossest decisions. That
anv sane person should rank it higher than any
other merely human composition, is matter of
the greatest aston:shment yet it is received
divine by some who dwell in enlightened New
England, and even by those who have sustained
the character of devoted Christians. Learning
recently that Mormonsm has found its way into
a church in Massachusetts, and has impregna-
ted some of its members with its gross decisions,
so that communication has become necessary,
4 am determined to delay no longer doing what
4 can strip the mask from this monster of SIM
and to lay open this pit of denominations.
The Rev. Solomon Spaulding,to whom was uni
ted in marriage in early fewas agraduate OF Dart
mouth College, and was distinguished for lively
Imagination and great fondncss for history.
At the time Of our marriage, he resided in Cherry
Valley. New York. From this place remo-
Esa TO as Il
neaut creek. Shortly after our removal to this
place, his health sunk, and he laid aside
from active labors. Ia the town of New Salem,
there are numerous mounds and forts, supposed
by many to be the delapidated dwellings and for
tificatons of race extinct. Thes ancient relics
arrest the attention of the new settlers and be-
come objects OF research for the curious. Nu-
mcrous implements were found and other articles,
evincing great skill in the arts, Of antiquity and
in order to beguile the hours of retirement, and
furnish employment for his lively ina gina tion he
conceived the idea of giving an historical sketch
Of this long lost race. Their extreme antiquity
of course would lead him to write in the most an
Client style, and as the Old Testament is the most
ancient book in the world, he initiated its stvle
as nearly as POSSIBLE His sole object in writing
this historical! romance was to amuse himself and
n <.
Hu's surrender al Detroit occurred near the
same time, and | recollect the date well from
that circumstance. AS he progressed in his mar
rativc, the neighbors would come in from time to
time to hear portious read, and great interest
in the work was excited among them. 1t claimed
to have been written by one Of the lost nation,
and to have been recovered from the earth, and
assumed the title of "Mauuscript Found" The
neighbors would often inquire how Mr. S. progress
sed in deciPhering "the annscri pt,' and when he
had a sufficient portion prepared he would inform
them, and they would assemble to hear it read.
He was enabled, from his acquaintance with the
classics and ancient history, to introduce many
singular names, which were particularly noticed
by tho people, and could be easily recognised bv
them. Mr.. Solomon Spaulding 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 removed to Pittsburgh,
Pa. Here Mr. S. found an acquaintance and friend
IN the person OF MIR. Patterson editor of a
newspaper. He exhibited his manuscript to Mr.
Z. who was very much pleased with it, and bor-
rowed II for perusal. He retained it 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
10 do, for reasons which l cannot now state
Sidney Rigdon,* who has figured so largely in the
history of the Mormons, at this time connec-
ted with the printing office of Mr.. Patterson as
Is well known in that region, and as Rigdon him.
self has frequently stated. Here he had ample
opportunity TO become acquainted with Mr.
SPaulding's manuscript and copy it if he chose
1t was matter of notoriety and interest to all
who were connected with the printing establish
ment. AT length the manuscript was returned
to its author, and soon after We removed to Ami
ty. Washington county, Pa. where Mr. S. decea
sed in 1916 The manuscript, then fell into nv
hands and was carefully preserved. 1t has fire.
quently been examined by my daughter. Mrs.
Mckenstr-, of Monson, Mass, with whom now
reside, and by other friends. After the sBook |!
OF Mormon" came out. copy of it was taken
TO New Salem, the place of Mr. Spaulding,s
former residence, and the very place where the
Manuscript Found" was written A woman
preacher appointed meeting there, and, at the
Meeting. read and repeated copious extracts from
he "Book of Mormon" The historical part
vas Immediately recognised by all the older in
abitants the Identical work of Mr.. S. in
which they had been so deeply interested years
efore. Mr.. John SPaulding was present, who
an eininently pious man, and recognised per-
ectly the work Of his brother. He was amazed
I'd afflicted that it should have been perverted