Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-12-13
A SKETCH OF JOE SMITH.
BY wM. II. PAYNE.


Wayne county New York, an obscure indi-
vidual whose name has since become familiar
to the world. That individual was Joseph
Smith, the Mormon prophet. A sketch Of
this persons life is interesting, not because
we find anything to admire, bnt because it
presents to our view the origin Of Mormon
ism-one Of the most extravagant humbugs
that ever was witnessed The idea of new
religion originating in a person possessing
less than ordinary abilities, and rapidly in-
creasing in number until both the Old and
and the New World contain multitudes of
proselytes is a subject of much interest. To
give the reader an idea of the origin of this
singular sect is the object Of the present es-
say.
The family Of which Joseph was a mem
Der was large remarkable neither for intel
lgence nor industry. His father possessed
visionary mind, and cherished the notion
that prophet would arise out Of his family.
1t is hard to say why be should arrive at this
conclusion, yet the means of accomplishing
his wishes were evidently in his own power,
for it was soon announced to the world that
brother ofJoseph was the expected proph-
et 1t is evident that this appointment was
not made by Divine authority, else SO serious
a mistake could not have occurred, for the
prophet suddenly dicd-dicd Of surfeit-of
eating too much raw turnp! The hopes of
the ambitious father were not to be blasted
by this unfortunate occurrence, for it was
soon known to the people of Stafford street,
where they resided, that Joseph was the sue
cessor of his brother.
In order to obtain clear idea of the
the peophet's career, it will be necessary to
refer to his early years The boyhood Of Jo-
seph was passed on the farm with his father
During the winter months he attended the
district school, where lie acquired the little
knowledge he possessed. He is remembered
by his schoolmates as being idle, and was re-
garded by all as dull scholar AS a young
man, his prospects were anything but cheer
ing. He was engaged in no steady employ
ment, and might often be found lounging
around the bar-rooms of Palmyra, in compony
with persons as worthless and idle as himself.
This was the character of Joseph Smith up
to the time of his prophetic career, and no
one would have surmised that he was to be-
come the founder of a new religion, or an
inglorious martyr Of Nauv0o.
Joseph's prohetic powers were first directed
to the acquisition of wealth, and money-dg-
ging soon engaged the attention Of the fami-
ly and part of the neighborhood Night after
night these fanatics labored, urged on by Wis
ions of untold wealth. Excavations were
made in hillside and valley but Fortune, the
tickle goddess, refused to smile upon them
Their golden visions were fruitless; the proph-
ecy was false.
At this state Of affairs a circumstance oc-
Cured which revived the waning hopes of the
prophet, and gave new direction to his ge-
MUS. This was the discovery of the Book
of Mormon, or the Mormon Bible This
event proved to be the origin of Mormonism
the feeble germ which produced the tree
of giant proportions, whose branches have
extended over large part of the known
world. 1t was pretended by the prophet
that this record was found on a hill, below
the surface of the ground, written on plates
of gold. This being Transcribed by a mystic
rious process became the work now known
as the Mormon Bible. This is the fabulous
account of its origin. Its authentic history
is as follows:-It was written by Vermont
clergyman named Spalding 1t was intended
merely as work of fiction, and was entitled
"The Manuscript Found The author died
before its circulation, and, after various for
tunes, it fell into the hands of Joseph Smith,
who at once made it necessary to his ambi-
tious designs.
1t is probable that this book owes its ori-
gin to that sentiment which prompts us to
venerate old manuscripts, which contain an
account of men and times long since passed
away. 1t professed to be the history of a
people which had its origin at the time of the
confusion of tongues, and whose prophets
name was Mormon. The style Of the book
is in imitation of the Holy Bible, but in point
of beauty of diction, sublimity of character
and divinity of its Author, it holds no com
parison The only work with which the Nor
mon Bible can be compared is the Koran
Each is the oracle of false religion, and tn,
author of each was an imposter
Well may Mornonism blush at its parent
age The life Of its founder exhibits no fea
ture worthy of imitation, and his character
is associated with all that is vicious and i'm
moral Momonism itself is but a specioui
humbug, whose vital principle is poligamy-
Such is the man--such the religion Of which
he was the founder
TALE-BEARING-Ne repeat story, I'M
less YOU are certain it is correct, and even not
then unless something is to be gained, either
of interest to Yourself or for the good of the
person concerned Tattling is mean and
wicked practice, and he who INDUCES in it
grows more fond of it in proportion as he is