Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-12-28


outside by'a blanket hung up as curtain,
while Smith from inside read aloud and
the scribe took down in English what the
plates contained. The plates then dis
appeared, and nobody saw them after
ward.
Rise Of Mormonism.
What had been written was the "Book
of Mormon and served as the text book
of the new faith. 1t follows closely, but
crudely, the scriptural style Of COM
position. 1t purports to be the story Of
the Lost Tribes OF Israel, who, so the
revelation said, had crossed from Asia to
America and been the predecessors OF the
Indians here. Much of it has close re-
lation to the accepted Bible, but is in
addition thereto, a sort OF supplementary
! revelation.
This was Smiths story. The Gentle
version is that ii was all a hoax; that
Smith or some OF his friends stole a
manuscript of fanciful story that had
been written some years before by
minister named spaulding; that they
wove into it a good deal Of more serious
matter taken largely from the Bible; and
that it all had its origin in imposture.
However, Smith began at once to preach
his faith and to make converts. He pro-
fessed to be commissioned by God to
revive the forms OF the old Jewish church
and many of the practices OF that people.
His undoubted zeal, the boldness of his
utteraDces and his peculiar tenets at
tracted wide attention. With or without
cause, the disbelevers accused Smiths
followers of "spoiling the Egyptians" to
the extent OF stealing their horses, cattle
and other property. II was not long be-
fore they were subjected to violence and
finally driven from New York state.
Some OF them went to Missouri, Others to
Ohio. In Missouri trouble still pursued,
and crimes were laid to them. After
shifting about in that state, there was a
grand reassembling at Nsuvoo, ILL.,, where
rude, but well-planned, town was built
and occupied by the Mormons for several
years. But the identities would not
brook the peculiar views and alleged
offenses OF their neighbors and made 1t
very uncomfortable for them. Once
Joseph Smith was tarrei and feathered.
Finally, as the elimination of sharp ten
sion, and to avoid open warfare, the
Mormons gave up their arms under prom
Use OF immunity. Some OF the leaders
were placed in jail at Carthage, ILL.,, for
protection, but the mob broke into II and
shot Joseph Smith and his brother,
Hyram,t TO death. Smith was then only 49,
years OLD.
Il was after the death Of Smith, when
Brigham Young had become his successor
as head OF the church, that the grand
pilgrimage to the Great American
Desert took place and Salt Lake City was
founded. Speaking Of it in a material
way, the growth and prosperity OF the
church have become phenomenal since
then. Missionaries have worked actively
all over the world. Believers have come
from all quarters OF the globe.
Practice OF Polysamy.
The one blight OF Mormonism has been
the practice OF polygamy. Although Il
has been denied that Joseph Smith him
self promulgated the custom, it seems
established that he did at some time
subsequent TO his first revelation. Il did
not flourish 80 extensively under him as
under Brigham Young, after the exodus
to Utah. Plural wives and families re-
sulting therefrom were common, and the
spectacle moved the indignation Of the
country. When Utah applied for state
hood, it was stipulated that polygamy
must cease. About this time the presi.
dent OF the church received a revelation
to the same effect, and Mormons were
thenceforth commanded not to take
plural wives.