The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-01-01

and soon he had 1000 followers. Then a
temple was erected at cost of $40. COO.
Joe Smith and bis followers Joined forces
with Rigdon at Mentor and their head
quarters were established at Kirkland.
but the establishment of fraudulent
bank by them at this place led to their
expulsion, for Joe Smith admitted that
he and Rigdon had to fly from justice at
midnight. These charges followed Joe
and being over him until death, viz. a
Immortality, to cover which the doc
trlne of spiritul marriages and polygamy
| began to be justified in 1886.
(2) Dishonesty in money matters.
(3) To justify himself he said. Nor
mons were Gods peculiar people to
whom He would give the world, as they
We're the only meek people 1t was not
stealing to take what belongs to ones
self"
In the last few years you could hear
this justification urge1 from Mormon
pulpits. as well as in private life. Joe
came into possession of Spalding' s book,
which was story of the ancient Amer
lean, written in his old days in hope of
making some money on which to live
but it has no merit. Joe's imagination
could use it, so he changed it to suit his
purpose. He found he could make money
out of it, so he invented the story of the
golden plates with Urim and Thumnum.
and st. Johns rod, to account for the
origin of the book as divine.
In 1882 Brigham Young, painter by
trade, from Boston, was converted to
the faith. He was the first to use the
gable called the gift of tongues" 1t
became rather uncomfortable for them
IN OHIO, so we next find them at indie
pendence, Mo-, which Joe Smith said
was the centre of the earth, the site of
the Garden of Eden.
But sturdy settlers there were not
ready to surrender their God given
rights even at the command of a Nor
mon prophet. Trouble soon followed.
the Mormons were worsted and depart
ed for Nauvou, Ill. There they built a
city, intending to remain. They increas-
ed in numbers; sent out missionaries
who went abroad hearalding their per-
secutions and winning converts.
Joe Smith got reckless-the old ma
ture will crop out-and took property
and wives for spiritual purposes. He
was arrested, but the hope OF the church
" Go at Iilo JiillC sun Ill nun, 50 HIS IOl
lowers had to get him free at any cost.
In 1874 the editor of paper accused
Joe of taking the wife OF the editor as
a spiritual wife. Joe had the authori-
ties of the city in his power, so they
punished the editors and destroyed their
presses. Joe resisted arrest.
Gov. Ford persuaded him and his
counsel to yield and put themselves I'M
der military protection. Joe was in jail
at Carthage; 5000 Molmons were in
arms there. A company of 200 Mis-
sourians assaulted the jail and killed the
prophet and two others. This act how
ever aroused sympathy for the saints
and it won them friends.
Joe however died at the right time.
Sidney Rigdon wanted to be the prophet
but Brigham Young now appeared on
the stage and took the reins of govern
ment. He told them that God had
called him but his strong will had more
to do with it than the call. Rigdon
left the church.
But lest | occupy too much of your
space, Mr.. Editor, let me pause here
and | will continue next week.
Yours truly.
HAM,