The history of the saints, or, An exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism
By: John C. Bennett ; introduction by Andrew F. Smith.
Edition: 3rd ed.
Publisher: University of Illinois Press
Published: 2000
Place of publication: Urbana
Language: eng
Number of pages: 341
Subjects: Smith, Joseph, 1805-1844.; Mormons -- Controversial literature.; Mormons -- Illinois -- Nauvoo -- History -- 19th century.; Nauvoo (Ill.) -- Church history -- 19th century.
Genres: Controversial literature.
Other titles: History of the saints; Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism
Description: "Calling Joseph Smith "one of the grossest and most infamous impostors that ever appeared upon the face of the earth," John Cook Bennett exposes a viper's nest of bitterness and corruption in his inflammatory History of the Saints, which appeared in 1842.".

"Issuing dire warnings of a Mormon conspiracy to overthrow the government, Bennett catalogs the "Mormon Monster's career of imposture, iniquity, and treason" while presenting testimonies to his own unsullied character.

Castigating the church and everyone associated with it, he describes the elaborate "seraglio" - the hierarchy of females at the disposal of men of power - and the Mormons' military and civic organization, as well as their secret societies, including the Danites, an elite group of spies and informers who purportedly dressed as women while engaged in their dark schemes.

This same John Bennett had been Joseph Smith's assistant president and close confidant, as well as the mayor of the city of Nauvoo, a major general of its militia, and a chancellor of its university." "Andrew F. Smith's introduction examines this enigmatic character, putting Bennett's disavowal of the church and his near-fanatical crusade into perspective."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.
Originally published: Boston : Leland & Whiting, 1842. With new introd.