Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-07-23

Sketch of Mormon Joe. smith.

Sketch of Mormon Joe. Smith.
Thirty years ago there lived near Pallny-
ra, Wayne Co., New York, an obscure in
dividual. whose name since become familiar
to the world. That individual was Joe.
Smith, the Mormon Prophet. A sketch
of this persons life is interesting, not be-
cause we find anything in his character to
admire, but because it presents to our view
the origin of Mormonism-one of the most
extravagant humbugs that the world ever
witnessed. The idea of new religion
originating in a person possessing less than
ordinary abilities, and rapidly increasing in
number till both the Old and the New
World contain multitudes of proselytes is
subject of much interest. To give the
reader an idea of the origin of this singular
sect is the object of the present essay.
The family ofwhich Joe. was member
was large, remarkable neither for intelli-
gence nor industry. His father possessed
a visionary mind, and cherished the notion
that prophet would arise out of his family.
1t is hard to say why he should arrive at
this conclusion, yet the means of accom-
plishing his wish:s were evidently in his
own power, for it was soon announced to
the world that brother of Joe's. was the
expected prophet. 1t was evident that
this appointment was not made by divine
authority, else so serious mistake could
not have occurred for the prophet suddenly
died-died of surfeit of eating too much
raw turnip? The hopes of the ambitions
father were not to be blasted by this unfor-
tunate occurrence; for it was soon known
to the people of Stafford street, where they
resided, that he was the successor of his
brother.
In order to obtain clear idea of the
prophets career, it will be necessary to re-
fer to his early years. The boyhood of
Joe. was passed on the farm with his father.
During the winter months he attended the
district school, where he acquired the little
knowledge which he possessed. He is re-
membered by his school mates as being
idle, and somewhat vicious, and was re-
garded by all as very dull scholar. AS
a young man, his prospects were anything
but cheering. He was engaged in no steady
employment, and might often have been
found lounging around the bar-rooms of
Palmyra, in company with persons as worth
less and idle as himself. This was the gen
eral character of Joe. Smith up to the time
of prophetic career, and no one surmised
that he was to become the founder of o
new religion, or an inglorious martyr at
Nanvou.
Joe's. prophetic powers were first direct
ed TO the acquisition of wealth, and money
digging soor engaged the attention of the
family, and part of the neighborhood.-
Night after night these fanatics labored,
urged on by visions of untold wealth.
Excavations were made in hillside and val
ley; but Fortune, the tickle goddess, re-
fused to smile upon them. Their golden
visions were fruitless; the prophecy was
false.
AT this state of offairs a circumstance
occurred which retrieved the waning hopes
of the prophet, and gave new direction to
his genius. This was the discovery of the
Book of Mormon, or the Mormon Bible
This event proved to be the origin of Nor
monism-the feeble germ which produced
the tree of giant proportions, whose
branches have extended over a large por-
ton of the known world. 1t was pretend
ed by the prophet that this record was
found on hill, below the surface of the
ground, written on plates of gold. This
being transcribed by a mysterious process
became the work now known as the Nor
mon Bible. This is the fabulous account
of its origin. Its authentic history is as fol
wes:-It was written by a Vermont
clergyman named Spalding. 1t was in
tended merely as work of fiction, and was
entitled The Manuscript Found The au-
thor died before its circulation, and after
various fortunes it fell into the hands of
joe Smith, who at once made it accessory to
his ambitious scheme.
1t is probable that this book owes its
origin to that sentiment which prompts us
to venerable old manuscript which contain
an account of men and times long since
passed away. 1t professed to be the his
tory of 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 Bi-
bic, but in point of beauty of diction, sub
Unity of its character, and divinity of its
Author, it holds no comparison. The only
work with which the Mormon Bible can be
compared is the Koran. Each is the oracle
of false religion, and the author of each
was an impostor.
Well my Mcrmonism bluch at its parent
age. The life of its founder presents no
new feature worthy of imitation, and his
character is associated with all that is vic
ious and immoral. Mormonism itself is
but species humbug, whose vital priaci-
pie is polygamy. Such is the man-such
is the religion of which he was the founder.
From the New York Tribune,