McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-09-25
THE BOOK OF MoRMoNs.
Il True History of Joe Smiths Remarkable
Piece Of Jm1giery.

Piece Of Jm11lery.
| st. Louis Spectator.
How many people know anything
about the origin of the Mormon religion,
or rather, of the Book of Mormon,
which is its authority knew precious
little about it until this week, when |
accidentally fell in with Mr.. Clark
Braden, who has recently given the
subject most searching investigation.
His story shows of what stuff religion
may be made. The Mormons number
probably 100000. They are divided
into many sects, but the principal are
the polygamous Brighamites in Utah
and the non-polygamous Josephites
scattered in various places. The story
may be given in few words. The
Book of Mormon was written by an old
broken down Presbyterian clergyman
named Solomon Spaulding. Spauld-
ing was born in Connecticut in 1861.
He graduated at Dartmouth college,
and settled as minister for Congrega-
tional church, He made a bad failure
at preaching, and went into business
with his brother in New York state, did
not succeed, and started an iron foun-
dry in town in northern Ohio. He
soon failed in that venture and became
very much discouraged. His wife sup
ported the family by taking boarders,
and he spentshis timein writing, though
what did not then appear. The family
moved to Pittsburg, when he rewrote
his book, adding a second part. He
afterwards rewrote the entire book, adj
ding u third part. This is the origin of
the manuscript.
Now, what became of it? Spaulding
made arrangements to have it printed
in Pittsburg. After a part of it had
been set up the whole manuscript was
stolen by'a tanner named Sidney Rig
don, who was in the habit of loafing
around the printing office. Rigdon
kept it concealed for some years, until
he fell in with Joseph Smith, who
evolved the plan of producingit. Smith
belonged to a not over reputable family
living near Palmyra, N. Y. They lived
in house and supported themselves by
hunting and fishing and other means
suspected to be more questionable
Joseph, one day, found remarkably
clear crystal, shaped much like child's
foot, and he declared it was ''peep-
stone," in which he could read the
future and discover stolen goods, strayed
cattle, ETC., and on several occasions
was so successful in predicting the 10
cality of goods and cattle that he soon
came by considerable reputation. He
then extended his field of operations by
divining where treasure was buried, and
under his directions a great many dig
gings were made, unsuccessful, how
ever. These diggings extended over 4
large area, some fifty miles or more,
around Palmyra, and some of them may
be seen now. He fell in with Sidney
Rigdon, who told him of the manu-
script Smith soon devised scheme
for producing it under proper surround
ings. The alleged book of copper
plates was found under divine guidance,
on which characters of reformed Egyp-
tan were craven. The book was ac-
companied by pair of spectacles of
wondrous power, which enabled Smith
to translate the remarkable characters
This he did from behind screen, while
an amenuensis took down his words.
The Book of Mormon was printed in
1880, at Palmyra, N. Y, farmer,
Martin Harris, putting up the cash to
pay the printer. Thus Solomon Spauld-
ing's manuscript found its way into
print with such additions and altera-
tions as Smith chose to make for his
own benefit.
A book will soon be published by the
Christian publishing company giving
all the Investigations of Mr.. Braden and |
the complete chain of evidence estab-
fishing the authenticity of his story. A
manuscript of the Book of Mormon is
still in existence in the possession of |
Mr.. Withmer, of Richmond, Mo-, and |
the compositor who set up most of the
book at Palmyra, fifty years ago, is
still living, Mr.. j. II. Gilbert. Mr..
Braden is now trying to arrange that |
Mr.. Gilbert shall see this manuscript to |
say whether it is the copy from which |
the book was originally set up.