Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-04-03
From The n. Y. Zions Waterman.
Nj o IL Nj O MIS- NJ.
TESTIMONY OF EIGHTY WITNESSES.

AT the close of the book of Mormon
we find what is called The testimony
OF eleven Witnesses" who affirm that
they had "seen and heited" the plates
from which it is pretended the book was
translated; and also, what is called
"The testimony of three Witnesses"
who affirm that "an angel Of God came
down from heaven, and brought and
laid before their eyes the plates and
the engraving thereon"
But we have before shown that these
witnesses are not to be credited, be-
cause they are interested, and no evil
dence whatever can be given besides
their own word, to prove either their
good character for truth, or the exist
ence Of any such plates as they speak
Of
In the work called "Mormonsm Un-
veiled," before referred TO, we find tes-
timonies Of not less than EIGHTY differ
ent persons, all residents Of Wayne and
Ontario counties, n. Y, which prove,
beyond the possibility of doubt or con-
tradiction, that neither Joseph Smith, jr.
nor either of his witnesses are to be be-
lieved, and that Mormonism, from be-
ginning TO end, is base delusion, which
does not leave its originators even the
credit of honesty or good intentions in
its propagation. These witnesses are
disinterested, respectable citizens of
this state, many of whom have made
solemn oath TO the following facts, and
their characters are sufficiently vouch-
cd for by magistrates of the counties
where they live. Among many other
things which might be named to the C.
ternal dishonor of the authors of the
Mormon delusion, we will notice the
! following -
l. That Joseph Smith, Jr. and his
family were, about the time he preten>
ded to have discovered the book of
Mormon, known as 'fortune tellers'
and "money diggers," and that they
often had recourse to tricks of Juggling
for the purpose of finding money, which
they said was hid in the earth.
,. That the said Smith, up TO that
time, and after, was known as 4 wicked
man, that he was a cheat, and liar,
and used profane language; that he
was Incorporate and quarrelsome.
3. That his own father-in-law never
had any confidence in him, and he was
knowing TO he manner in which Smith
commenced his impDsiure in getting
on. what he called the book of Nor
mon.
4. That Smith has, himself conics-
scd the cheat, and SO has Martin liar-
riS, one of his principal witnesses. Har-
ris once said, "What if it is a lie ! if you
will let me alone, will make money
out of it,"
5. That Oliver Cowdrcy, another o
the witnesses 10 Smiths book, was no
: a man of good character before he Join
, cd Smith in the cheat of Mormonism.
: 6. That Smith and Martin Harris
: were in the habit Of meeting together
l often, Just before the plates were sale
; to be found, and, were familarly known
l in the neighborhood by the name of tn,
g "Gold Bible Company;" and they wer
e regarded by the community. generally
S as a lying, indolent set of fellows, j
whom no confidence could be placed
and Joseph Smith, jr's. character 70
d truth was so notoriously bad, that h
y could not be, and was not believe
IS when under oath.
n Z. The wife of Martin Harris test
ID fes, that he is both cruel man and
is liar, he having beat her, and turned he
H. "n' Of his house.