New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-12-06
sut,,orsbip Of the Book of Mormon.

To The Editor Of The Neo York tribune:
In YOUR paper of 10th inst, my attention was
drawn to an article headed Author OF the Nor
mon Bible" wherein it is stated a certain Judge
Campbell asserted at recent public meeting, at
Cherry Valley, that the Rev. Solomon Spauldlng
was the actual composer OF most OF what's known
as the Mormon Bible, and that he Mr.. - wrote
it intending to publish it as romance. DE-
Robt. Campbell is stated to have seen this cele-
bratcd manuscript. Mr.. Spaulding has been dead
many years, but how it got into the hands OF Joe
Smith the writer Of said article knOWeth not but
it is probable Mrs. s. can tell. Now, Mr.. Editor,
/ am very aversc to public writing or speaking,
but being humble member OF that much ca!um-
mated and grossly prosecuted community, can
not suffer the above erroneous statement to pass
current in spite Of its Endorsement by Revs. Drs.
Judges and high sounding titles without endea-
vorng to throw a little more light upon the sub
ject than the author OF the assertion evidently
capable OF doing,
In the frstplaco would say that the term Nor
mon Bible, in the sense used, IS inappropriate,
and proceeds from the ignorance or ptejudlce OF
the speaker or writer The Bible Of the Nor
mons is that in common USE containing the scrip
lures OF the Old and New Tcstanents, in which
fhev fully andsincerely believe, as any person who
has had any conversation with them or at all eX
amned their doctrines, must be quite convinced
of that they are more consistent III the belief
thereof might be also asserted, But herein they
differ from the professors, they do regard them
as all the revelation of God to man. or that reve-
lation is necessarily confined obyegone days.
Asregards the Book of Mormon, they look upon
it as a written revelation to another portion OF
the House O. Israel on this continent, and equal
" worthy OF our belief as the Bible with which
it fully comedies in the exposition OF doctrinal
truth. So much for that part OF the subject, which
may dispel in some measure very popular error
As regards the main subject in hand, the Author
ship of the Book of Mormon, there are various
conflicting statements, and all backed by very
reverend and respectable authority, and each
asserted with equal force. First and foremost, it
is attributed to the Rev. Solomon Spaulding, from
whose possession MSS. was obtained By some
unknown process and subsequently converted in
to the aforesaid Book. Again, another report or
affidavit, asserts that Joseph Smith was the au
thor, and that he translated tue plates, when they
Were in the woods, and he III the house, same as
when he looked for the money dlggers with
stone in his hat, and his hat over his face, and Oil
yer Cowdery acted as Secretary or Scribe. Here
is an evident contradiction, but the latter state
ment is so extensively absurd as to deserve no at
tention. The Iormeris more plausible. But facts
and dates are stubborn things, and these will com
pletely tlemolsh the whole affair. TIE story
started by an infamous character named ID. L.
Hulburt who was cut of from the Church for nm
moral conduct, and whose disappointed ambition
prompted him to a wrongful retaliation. He heard
of this romance entitled 1.-THE Manuscript found
and thinking it would suit his malicious purpose,
obtained it from Mrs. DAVIDSON widow OF Mr..
Spaulding to get 1t out Of the way, under prctense
of having it published, and so destroy the Book o!
Mormon promising to pay her halt the proceeds
arising from the sale thereof He then writes her
that the Manuscript does notread as he expected,
and he should not print it. Hubert finding little
OF no affinity between the writings to cover hts
retreat cndenvors to make out that Sidney Rig
ST U n pIftqUurpl.
Mrs. S. formerly lived, obtained the Manuscript,
but there the dates disagree. Mr.. r. did not live
in Pittsburgh until 1922 and resided there until
1896. Mr.. Spauldng wrote his romance III 1912,
in New Salem, Ohio; removed to Pittsburgh, ac-
cording to Hulberts statement, the same year,
and thence to Amity in 1911.
Mrs DAVIDSON says, in the Origin OF Mormon
ism' published by La Roy Sunderland, . AT
length the MSS. was returned to its author and we
removed to Amity. The MSS. then fell INTO my
hands and was carefully preserved SO tlat the
only time Mr. r. could possibly have obtained it
was between the wears 1919 and 1914, for since
that time it has been carefully kept by Mrs. u
until delivered to Hubert. Mr.. Rgdon was then
mere lad, far distant and engaged at home IN
agricultural pursuits, and moreover the Book OF
Mormon was not pu blished until after an interval
Of eighteen or twenty years. Thus we see the
| publishers of the Book OF Mormon had not the
| benefit Of the Reverend novel writer's production,
! and it remains with Mrs. DAVIDSON or Mr.. Hubert
! to bring 1t to light They have or should have 1t
between them-bring it forth, publish it to the
world as the Book OF Mormon is published, and
| let us see the identity OF the two publications, or
let the advocates of the imposture forever hold
their peace, and invent story that's more conss.
! tent and plausible.
Now, Mr.. Editor, the imposition is transparent.
| The story is long since ploded and will not bear
investigation, and as my only object and aim is to
expose popular error operating adversely to our
community, against whom calumny and falschood
have been too generally disseminated by the pull
pit and press, which have eyentuated in hostile
acts of bloodshed, arson and cxpatrlation trust
your natural feeling of Justice and benevolence
will permit the insertion of this statement in re-
ference to the former published article.
Very truly, Yours. JCsTITIA.
| Repeal of the License Luw-The Chiefs Re-
port-Nine Senpe-gOass to Preserve the
l.aw-Questtous that Interest Dealers in
Liquor.