^^ ^-:^i LI B R.A R.Y OF THE U N tV LflS ITY or ILLl NOIS Z98 C/5J i ' . "* ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY V \ DEL.USIONS. AN ANAL YSl S OP THE BOOK OF MORMON; WITH AN EXAMINATION OF ITS INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL EVIDENCES, AND A REFUTATION OF ITS PRETENCES TO DIVINE AUTHORITY. \ BY ALEXANDER CAMPBELL. WITH PREFATORY REMARKS, BY JOSHUA V. HIMES. BOSTON: BENJAMIN H. GREENE. 1832. WAITT AND DOW S PRESS. I '•''^.■ PREFATORY REMARKS. It is well known to some of our fellow-citizens, that two preach- ers of the Mormonites, a fanatical sect, which originated a few years since in the western part of New York, have recently come to this city to propagate their strange and marvellous doctrines. I have had several interviews with these men, and have examined their book, called the ' Book of Mormon,' have endeavored to ac- quaint myself with the details of their history and principles, have put the result of my inquiries in writing, and am satisfied of the de- lusion and absurdity of their system, and of its evil. tendency. After this investigation, I felt a desire to have the system exposed, immediately in public print. But upon consulting with some judi- cious friends upon the subject, it was thought best not to take public notice of it at that time, as the system was so unreasonable and ri- diculous, that no person of good common sense would believe it. But having witnessed the progress of the delusion among some of our respectable citizens, some of whom were considerd worthy members of the religious societies to which they belonged, I have felt it my indispensable duty, to use my exertion against its spreading and con- taminating influence. However strange to relate, about fifteen persons, in this city have been led away by these false doctrines, have been baptised and joined the Mormon church. And some of these persons have set out for the pronnsed land, the place of refuge for the house of Israel, and for all the Gentile world, who will take warning and flee thither for safety i^ Two individuals who have gone, are delenceless females. They liad acquired by their hard industry ^2300, one of them having $800, ^ihe other $1500, which they have given up to go into the general % stock. One of these females was in a consumption, and iier friends ) thought she would not live to reach her destined place. Her afflict- ^ed sister told me, that if she had been buried here, before she had -^been led away by these errors, and had left satisfactory evidence that ^<^she was prepared to die, her grief would have been far less than it is ^now. The remaining jiersons who were baptised and joined the l^church, and contemplate going to the west, possess between $3000 i-^and $4000, which they also are coing to put with the general fund, r^ * This place is situated in JacksoD county, Missouri, ten miles from the town of .Independence. and which ihey can never draw out again, should they get sick of Mormonism and wish to return home to their friends. Thus are our friends swindled out of their property and drawn from their comfortable homes, to endure the perils of a journey about two thousand miles, by these ignorant fanatics ; and when arrived at their earthly paradise, to become the miserable dupes of these temporal and spiritual lords. In view of these evils, and after waiting impatiently for some time, hoping that some person better qualified than myself to do justice to the subject, would undertake it ; but not hearing of any, I had con- cluded to publish the result of my inquiries of these men, with some strictures upon their book. But at this time I was informed by a friend, that a faithful review of the book had been published by one of the most able writers in our country. I immediately sent 600 miles for the review, and have received and perused it. In my ap- prehension it is the best thing that can be written upon the subject, and will be of inestimable use in preventing and rescuing many from the evils of Mormonism. This review of Mr. Campbell came out first in the ' Millennial Harbinger,' a monthly periodical published by him in Bethany, Vir- ginia, under date of February 7th, 1831. This work is but little known to that class of persons whom I design to benefit. My object, therefore, in publishing it in a pamphlet by itself, is to circulate it among the people of New England,* that they may receive the same benefit that the people of the south and west have, where the above periodical is extensively circulated. And I doubt not that its gifted author would not only be willing, but much gratified, in having it thus republished and circulated. And with sympathetic feelings for those friends who have been grieved and afflicted in consequence of the delusion, and to prevent others from similar trials in future, by having their friends torn from their embraces, and swindled out of their property, and if possible, to prevent others from becoming the miserable subjects and dupes of these singular fanatics, I have determined to repubhsh this review of Mr. Campbell, with these prefatory remarks ; and would recommend the review to the perusal of my fellow citizens, and an enlightened public. JOSHUA V. HIMES. Boston, Aug. 14, 1832. • These preachers intend visiting the cities and principal towns in New England. DELUSIONS. Evert a^e of the world has produced impostors and delusions. Jannes and Janjbres withstood Moses, and were followed by Pharaoh, his court, and cler- gy, rbey for some time supported their pretensions, much to the annoyance of the cause of the Isrselitcs anil their leader Moses. ""yance To say nothing of the false prophets of the Jewish age, the diviners, sooth- sayers magjcians, and all the munstry of idols among the Gentiles, by which the nations were so often deceived, the impostors wldch have appeared^nce «je Chnsfan era vvou d fill volumes of the most lamentable detii^ ever read The false Mess.ahs which have afflicted the Jews since the reject on of Jesus T...^ w'f ^'' ^'^ M T'^ u '"" ^'"'^"^ ^" '^"^ predictions of the Faith i.l and" IZZ T- ^\'r '^^" t^'^enty.four distinguished false Messiahs have dis- turbed the Jews. Many were deceived, and myriads lost their lives through their nnpo.r«res. feome peculiar epochs were distinguished for the number The year 1666, was a year of great expectation, and gave birth to one of the most remarkable of the false Christs. « Great multitirdes marched from un- kno n parts, to the remote deserts of Arabia, and they were supposed to be the ten tribes of Jsrael, who had been dispersed for many ages. It was said t it a Slip was arrived m the north part of Scotland, with sails and cordage ^f tha the marmei-s spoke nothing but Hebrew, and on the sails was this mo' to ' 'The Twelve Tribes of Israel.' Then it was that Sabati Levi appeared at' Smyrna and professed to be the Messiah. The Jews gave up theiKsTness and attended to him. He obtained one Nathan in JeiLalen to p2Zll^ El as, or forerunner. Nathan prophesied for him, and the Jews became vct t^wo vea.'f ^ ^^'^"'T^"r''V'^' expectation that the Messiah would appeir ^ mo yeai. 'Some lasted so long that they died-some endured melted wax to be dropped on their flesh-some rolled in snow-many whipped themselves Supei-fluities in dress and household were dispensed with ; prSpert™ S to large amounts, and immense contributions were made to tlLp'o6i7 tIioS he met with much opposition, his followers increased, and began in large n u m- esio. J- r^ '''^' '"'^ ^" 'T ''^'""^^^- F^"'- ^^""'''•ed men and women proi Z,i^^ '\\Svo^^■'''S^^r^gdo^,^ and young infants who could hardly speak would plainly pronounce - Sahati, Messiah, and Son of God." ThepeoDle frfiintnl'''"'"'r''''r^'.^°^ ^'^'"^^ '^"'^ ^''^''^ from their bowels. Se M] into trances, foamed at the month, recounted their future prosperity, their vi! sions of the Lion of Juda!., the triumphs of Sabati: ^ ^ ^' ' Ur nr fl " ./"''" '''J^^S''^ Y""^^ *^^ magistrates, some affirmed they saw a pil- ar of fire between him an.l the Cadi or Magistrates, and others actually swoe that they saw it. This the credulous Jews believed ; those who woukhiS be! ISuierpVoTiblteS.""""^ ^' excommunicated persons, and all interclls^e ' The Grand Seignor, determined to try his faith by stripping him naked and setting him a mark for his archers ; but rather than Bubject himself to this test he turned Malioraelan, to the great confusion of the Jews.' * We have been thus particular in giving a view, of the incidents of the life of this impostor as a specimen of the others; and because of some remarkable analogies between him and the ])resent New York impostor. Numerous have been the impostors among christians since the great apostacy began ; especially since, and at the time of the Reformation. Munzer, Stubner and Stork, where conspicuous in the beginning of the ] (Jth century.' These men taught that among christians, who had the precepts of the Gospel to guide them and the spirit of God to direct them, the office of magistracy was not only un- necessary, but an unlawful encroachment on their spiritual liberty ; that the dis- tinctions occasioned by birth, rank, or wealth, should be abolished ; that all christians should put their possessions into one common stock, and live togeth- er in that state of equality, which becomes members of the same family, and that polygamy was not incompatible with either the Old or New Testament. 'I'liey related many visions and revelations which they had from above, but failing to propagate their views by these means, they attempted to f)ropagate them by arms. Many Catholics joiyed them, and in the various insurrections which they effected, 100,000 souls are said to have been sacrificed.' Since the Millennium and the evils of sectarianism have been the subjects of much speaking and writing, impostures have been numerous. In the memory of the present genenition, many delusions have been propagated and received. The shakers, a sect instituted by Anna Lesse, in 1774, have not yet quite dwindled away. This elect Lady, as they style her, was the head of this party, and gave them a new bible. 'They assert that she spoke seventy-two lan- guages, and conversed with the dead. Through her all blessings flow to her Ibl- lovvers — she a[,pointed the sacred dance and the fantastic song, and consecrated shivering, swooning and falling down, acts of acceptable devotion. They are for a common stock, and rank marriage among the works of the flesh, — they are plain in their apparel, and assume the aspect of the friars and nuns of Catholic superstition.' The Barkers, Jumpers, and Mutterers of the present age, need not be men- tioned here. Nor need we detail the history of Miss Campbell, who in good Old Scotland a year or two since came back from the dead and had the gift of tongues, who was believed in by several ministers of the Scotch Church. But we shall proceed to notice the most recent and the most impudent delusion which has appeared in our time. The people that have received this imposture are called. The Mormonites. I have just examined their bible, and will first notice- its contents. It is called the ' Book of Mormon,' an account written by the hand of Mormon upon plates tak^n from the plates of Nephi, wherefore it is an abridgement of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamani'i -s, written to the Lamanites, which are a remnant of the House of Israel, and also lo Jew and Gentile. Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of Revelation.' — 'By Joseph Smith, Junior, Author and pro- prietor. From plates dug out of the earth, in thetownshipof Manchester, On- tario, New York. — Palmyra, printed by E. B. Grandin, fjr the Author, ]8;30. It is a collection of books said to have been written by different persons during the interval of 1020 years — 'J'he 1st and second books of Nephi occupy 122 pages ; the Book of Jacob the brother of Nephi occupies 21 ; that of Enos 3 ; that of Jarom 2 ; that of Omin 4 ; the words of Mormon 3 ; the book of Mosiah 68 ; that of Ahna 18(j ; that of Helaman 44 ; that of Nephi the son of llelaman 06 ; that of Mormon 2u ; that of Ether 35 ; and that of Morom 14 pages ; uiakiug in all 588 octavo pages. This romiince — but this is for it a name too innocent — begins with the reli- gious adventures of one Lehi, whose wife was Sariali, laul their fijur sons, La- man, Lomiiei, Sam, and Nephi. Lehi lived in Jerusalem all his lile, u])to the first year ofZedekiah, King of Jiulah, and when the prophets apjicared foretelling the utter destruction of Jerusalem, Lehi humbled himself, and after various visions and revelations, started with iiis sons iiuo the wilderness. Lehi, before hisdejjar- tuie, forgot to bring with him the records of his laiiiily, and that of th>; Jews; but Neph], his younjjer son, with much pious courage returned and succeeded in getting upon plates of brass the records of the Jews from the creation down to the first year of Zedekiah, King of Judah, and also the prophets including manv prophecies delivered by Jeremiah. From the records it appeared that this Lehi was a son of Joseph. He prevailed on one Ishmael and his family to accompany him into the wilderness, whose daughters the sons of Lehi took for wives. Lehi was a greater prophet than any of the Jewish prophets, and uttered all the events of the christian era, and developed the records of Matthew, Luke, and John, six hundred years before John the baptist was born,— These pilgrims travelled several days journey in some wilderness, 'a south, south-east direction, along the borders of the Red Sea.' A ball with pointers on it, in- scribed with various intelligence, legible at proper times, was the pillar and in- dex in passing through the wilderness for many, very many days. By their bow and arrow they lived for eight years, travelling an easterly course from Jerusalem, until they came to a great sea. By divine revelation Nephi con- stnicted a ship, and although opposed by his unbelieving brethren, being great- ly assisted by the Holy Spirit, he succeeded in launching her safely, and got all his tribe, with all their stock of seeds, animals, and provisions, salely aboard. They had * a compass^ which none but Nephi knew how to manage ; but the Lord had promised them a fine land, and after many perils and trials, and a long passage, they safely arrived at the land of promise. Nephi made brazen plates soon after his arrival in America, for that was the land of promise to them, and on these plates be marked their peregrinations and adventures, and all the prophecies which God gave to him concerning the future destinies of his people, and the human race. After his father's death, his brethren rebelled against him. They finally sep- a^nted in the wilderness, and became the heads of different tribes, often in the lapse of generations making incurations upon each other. The Nephites, like their father, for many generations were good christians, believers in the doc- trines of the Calvinists and Methodists, and preaching baptism and other chris- tian usages hundreds of years before Jesus Christ was born ! Before Nephi died, which was about fifty-five years from the flight of Lehi fi-om Jerusalem, he had preached to his people every thing which is now preached in the state of New York, and anointed or ordained his brother Jacob priest over his people, called the Nephites. Jacob brought up his son Enos 'in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,' gave him the plates, and left him successor in ofiice over the people of Nephi. Enos says ' there came a voice to me, saying, Enos thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. And, I sayeth. Lord how it is done. And he sayeth unto me. Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast not heard nor seen.' p._, 143. Enos died one hundred seventy-nine years from the hegira of Lehi; consequently, this happened four hundred thirty one years before Jesus Christ was bom. He was* a contemporary with Nehemiah, and may we not say how much wiser and more enlightened were the Nephites in America than the Jews at their return to Jerusalem ! Enos gave the plates to Jarom, his son. In his time ' they kept the law of Moses and the sabbath day holy to the Lord.' During the priesthood and reign of Enos, there were many commotions and wars between his people and the Lamanites. Thenr the sharp pointed arrow, the quiver, and the dart were invented. Jarom delivered I is plates to his son Omni, and gave up the ghost two hundred thirty-eight years from the flight of Lehi. Omni died two hundred seventy-six from the hegira, and gave the plates to his son Amaron, who in the year three hundred and twenty, gave them to his brother Chemish ; he, to his son Abinadom ; he to his son Amaleki ; and he having no son, gave them to the just and pious King Benjamin. King Benjamin had three sons. Mesial), Helorum, and Helaman, whom he educated in all the learning of his f'lthers. To Mosiah he delivered up the plates of Nephi, ihe ball which guid- ed them through the wilderness, and the sword of one Laban, of mighty re- nown. King Benjamin addressed his people from the new temple which 8 they had erected, for they had, even then, built a temple, synagogues, and a tower, in the New World. King Benjamin assembled the people to sacrifice according to the law around the new temple ; and he enjoined upon theui, at the same time, the christian institutions, and gave them a Patriarchal valedictory. Alter tliey had heard him speak, and had offered up their sacririces, they fell down and pray- ed in the following words: 'O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ, that we may receive forgiveness of our sirs, and our hearts may be pu- rified ; for we believe in Jesus Christ the son of God, who created heaven and earth and all things, who shall come down among the children of men.' Then the spirit of the Lord fell upon them and they were filled witli joy, having re- ceive J a remission of their sins.' p. 162. / King Benjamin ordered his people to take upon them the name of Christ, and iu these remarkable words, — 'There is no other name given whereby sal- vation Cometh ; therefore I would that you should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have etered into the covenant wiili God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives. — page 16(j. They all took upon them the name of Christ, and he having ordained them priests and teachers, and ap- pointed his son, Mosiah, to reign in his stead, gave up the Ghost 47G years after Lehi's escape from Jerusalem, and one hundred twenty- four before Christ was born, Mosiah gave up the plates of brass, and all the things which we had kept, to Ahiia the son of Alma, who was appointed 'chief judge and high priest,' the people wiling to have no king, and Mosiah died five hundred sixty-nine years from the time Lehi left Jerusalem. In the 14th year of the Judges, and 69 years before the birth of Jesus, they sent out missionai-y priests, who jjreaclied through all the tribes of tlie coun- try against all vices, holding ' fOrth the coming of the son of God, his suffer- ings, death and resun-ection, and that he should appear unto them after his resurrection : and this the people did hear with great joy and gladness.' — p. 268. Alma's book reaches down to the end of of the Siith year of the Judges. These were wonderful years — many cities were founded, many battles were fought, fortifications reared, letters written, and even in one year a certain Ha- goth buih an exceeding large ship, and launched it forth into the west sea. In this embarked many of the Nephites. This same ship-builder the next yeai- built other shii)s, one was lost with all its passengers and crew. — p, 406. Many prophecies were pronounced ; one that in 400 years after the coming of Christ, the Nephites would lose their religion. During the time of the Judges, many were called christians by name, and ' baptism unto repentance' was a common thing. ' And it came to pass that they did appoint priests and teachers ' through all the laud, over all the chuiches.'— p. :349. ' And those who did be- long to the church were faithful, yea all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them gladly the name of Christ, or christians, as they were called, because of then- belief in Christ.'-rJ'age 301. ' And it came to pass that there were many who died firmly believing that their souls were redeemed by ^the Lord Jesus Christ: thus they went out of the worid rejoicing.'— p. 353. The word was preached by Helaman, Shiblon, Corianton, Aninon.and his brethren, &c. yea and all those, who had been ordained by the holy order of God, being ^5) —baptized unto repentance, and sent forth to preach unto the people.' ^age 623. This happened in the nineteenth year of the Judges, seventy, two years before the birth of Jesus. Before this time synagogues with pulpits were built, ' for the Zoramites,' a sort of Episcopalians, 'gathered themselves together on one day of the week, which day they called the day of the Lord.'— 'And they had a place which was high and lifted up, which held but one man, who read prayers, the same prayers every week ; and this high place was called Rameumpton, which being interpreted, is the holy stand.'— p. 311. The book of Helaman reach- eth down to the ninetieth year of the Judges, and to the year preceding that in which the Messiah was bom. During the period embraced in Helaman s narrative, many ten thousands were baptized. 'And behold the holy spirit of God did come 'down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as with fire, and they could speak forth marvelleus words.'— p. 421. iCh ^^UaL Masonry was invented about this time ; for men began to bind themselves ill secret oatlis to aid one si'iotiier in all thing.s, good or evil. — p. 424. Powers of loosing "and binding in heaven were conferred upon Nephi, the son of Helaman, ami all miraculous power, such as the a[)ostles possessed. One ^ Samuel, also foretold that 'the Clirist would be born in five yeai"s, and that the ^ night before should be as liglit as day ; and that the day of Ins deaih should be « a day of darkness Jike the night.' — p. 445. The book of this Nephi couimeuces with the birth of the Messiah, six hundred \ears from the departure of Lehi from Jerusalem. In the niidst of the threats of the intidels to slaughter the faithful, the sun set ; but lo ! the night was clear as mid-day, and Irom that period they changed their era, and counted time as we ilo. A star also ap- peared, but it is not stated how it could bo seen in a night as bright as day ; but it was universally seen throughout all the land, to the salvaiioji of the pious from the threats of their enemies. Tiie terroi-s of the ilay of liis death are also sta eil, and in the thirty-fourth year from his nativity, after his resurrection, he des'^ended from heaven and visited tlie people ot Nephi. Jesus called upon them to examine his hands and his sides, as he did Thomas, though noue of tliem had ex|)ressed a doubt. Two thousand live hundred men, women and children, one by one, examined him, and then worshipped him. Ue com- manded Nephi to baptize, and gave him the words wliicli lie was to use, viz : 'Having authority given me, of Jesus Christ, 1 baptize you iu the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.' Ue commissioned eleven others, who with Nephi, were his twelve American Apostles, and promised himself to baptize tlieir converts ' with lire and with the Holy Spirit.' He delivers them the sermon upon the mount, and some other sayings re- corded in 3Iatthew, Mark, Luke, and John; He liealed all their diseases, and prayed for their children ; but the things spoken were so great and marvellous./ that they could not be spoken nor written. / He ordained one to administer the supper, who alone uad authority to dis- pense it to the disciples baptized in his mune. The only new commandments which were given to the American christians on his occasional visits wllich were repeated, were — ' Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.' 'Meet often, and forbid no man from coming unto you when you shall iiieet together.' — p. 492. = — Nephi was ch. el' among the twelve aiiostles : he baptized himself, and then baptized the eleven, whose names were Timothy, Jonas, Mathoui and Matho- though he spake for several days to these American disciples, noue of the new and marvellous sayings could be uttered or written ! He inspected the plates of Nephi, and only found one omiss on, which was that he lailed to meiuion the resurrection of many saints in America at the time of the tempest and earthquake. He commanded these Nephites to he called christians. The book of Nephi the son of Nephi, gives, in four pages, the history of 320 years after Christ. In the thirty-sixth year, all the inhabitants of the land were converted ; there was a perfect community and no disputatious in the land for one hundred seventy years. Three of the American apostles were never to die, and were seen four hundred years after Christ ; but what has become of them no one can tell, except Cowdery, Whitmer and Harris, the three witness- es of the truth of the plates of Nephi, be these three immortal men. I'owariis the close of the history of Nephi or the record Ammaron, sects and divsions and battles became frequent, and all goodness had almost left the continent in the year three hundred and twenty. Mormon appears next in the drama, the recording angel of the whole mat- ter, who, by the way, was a mighty general and great christian ; he command- ed in one engagement tbity-lwo tnousand men against the Lamanites ! ! ! He was_ no Quaker! This dreadful battle was fought A. D. 330. The Laihanites took South America for themselves, and gave North America to the Nephites. Mormon waa very orthodox, tor he preached in these words, 2 10 / ^. A. D. 362: — 'That Jcsiis was the veiy Christ and the very God.' He niust^ have liennl of tlif Ariaii controversy liy some anpol I ! Moroni tinislies what Mormon his futlier, left undone, and continues the his- f tory, till A. I). 400. He pleads that no one shall dishelieve hii? record Itecause 9 of i s imperfections ! I ami declares tlint none wlio receive it will condemn it on account of its imperfections, and for not doiufr so, the same shall know greater things, j). — 532. 'He that eondennieth it sliall he in dangtir of hell fire.' He laments the prevalency of free masonry in the times when his hookslujuld be dn-r u|) out of the earth, and proves that miracles will ne\er cease ; hecause God is the same yesterday, today, and forever — consequently nnist always create suns, moons, an(Lslars,every day ! ! He exhorted to ' take heed that none , be hapti/ed without telling their experience, nor partake of the sacrament of y^\ ^- Christ unworthily.'! ! — p. 537. Moroni, in the conclusion of his hook of Mor- mon, says Wilis plates had been larger we should have written in Hi hrew ; hut because of this difhculty he wrote in the 'Reformed Egyptian,' being handed down and altered unto us according to our manner of speech. — p. 538. 'Con- demn me not,' says he, 'because of mine imperfections ; neither my fiither, be- cause of his imperfections, n- ither them which have written before hiin ; but rather give thanks unto God that he hatli made manifest unto you our imper- fections, that you may learn to be more wise than wc have been.' — p. 5;jti. A very necesssry advice, indeed ! ! JMoroni writes the book of Ether, containing an account of the peo|>le of Ja- red, who escaped from the building of the tower of Babtd unconlbunded in his language. These j>eople of Jared, God marched before in a cloud, and direct- ed them through the wilderness, and instructed them to build barges to cross seas; and finally they built eight barges, air tight, and were commanded to make a hole in the top to admit air, and one in the bottom to admit water, and in them were put sixteen windows of molten stone, which when touched by the linger of Jesus, became as transparent as glass, and gave them light un- der 'the mountain waves,' and when above the water. He that touched these stones, ap|)eare(l unto the brother of Jared, and said, behold I am Jesus Christ, I am the father and the son.' Two of these stones were sealed up with the plates and become the spectacles of Joseph Smith, according to a prediction uttered before Abraham was Iwrn. It was also foretold in the book of Ether, written by Moroni, tliat he that should find the plates should have the privilege of showing fliL- plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work, and unto three shall they be shown by the power of God: wherefore they shall of a surety known that these things are true. — p. 548, And the 8 barges, air-tight, made like ducks, after swimming and diving 344 days, arrived on the coasts of the land of promise. The book of Ether relates the wars and carnage amongst these people. In the lapse of generations, they coun^- I ed two millions of mighty men, besides women and children, slain ; and finally, \ the' were all killed but one, and he fell to tlie earth as if he had no life. So ends ' the book of Ether. — p. 573. The book of IMoroni details the manner of ordaining priests and teachere, the manner of administering ordinances, and the ejiistles of Morn.on to his son Moroni. JMoroni seal up the record A. D. 420, and assures the world that spiritual gifts shall never cease, only through unbelief. And when the plates of Nephi should be dug up out of the earth, he declares that men should ask God the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, ' Jf these things are not true.' ' If with a sincere heart and real intent, having fiiith in Christ, such jirayers are made, ye shall know the truth of all tilings.' — p. 58(j. The testimony of Oliver Cowdeiy, David Whitmcr, and Martin Ilr.rris, asserting that they saw the plates, is appended. They also testify that they know that ihey have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice has declai-ed it unto them. Another testimony is appended signed by four Whitmers, one Hiram Page, atid three Smitlis, affirming that they saw the plates, handled thetn, and that Smiili has got the plates in his jiossession. Such is an analysis of the book of Mormon, the bible of the Mormonites. For H noticing of which T would have nsked forgiveness from all my readers, had not several himdred persons of different denominations Relieved in it. On this accniiiit alone has it become necessary to notice it, and for the same reasdn we must examine its |)retcnsion.s to divine authority ; for it jturports to he a revela- tion from God. And in the first place, we shall examine its intcral evidences. INTERNAL EVIDENCES. It admits the Old and NewTestaments to contain the revelations, institutions and conmiandments of God to Patriarchs, Jews, and Gentiles, down to the year 1830, and always, as such, speaks of them and quotes them. This admis- sion at Oiice blasts its protensions to credibility. For, no man with his eyes open can admit both books to have come from God. Admitting the bible now received to have come from God, it is impossible that the book of Mormon came from the same author. For the following reasons : — 1. Smith, its real author, as ignorant and as in)pudent a knave as ever wrote a book, betrays the cloven foot in basing his whole book upon a false fact, or a pretended fact, which makes Gi>d a liar. Itisthis : — With the Jews, God made a covenant at Mount Sinai, and instituted a priesthood and a high priesthood. The priesthood he gave to the tribe of l.evi, and the high priesthood to Aaron and his sons for an everlasting priesthood. He separated Levi, and covenanted to give him this office irrevocably while ever the temple stood,or till the Messi- ah came. 'Then, says God Moses shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office, and the stranger, (the person of another f-imi- ly,) who Cometh nigh, shall be put to death.' Numbers iii. 10. 'And the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come near ; forth'm the Lord thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of tlie Lord, and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried.' Deut. xxi. 5. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, with 250 men of renown, rebelled against a part of the institution of the priesthood, and the Lord destroyed them in the presence of the whole con- gregation. This was to he a memorial that no stranger invade any part of the office of the priesthood. Num.xvi. 40. Fourteen thousand and seven hundred of the people were destroyed by a plague for murmuring against this memo- rial. In the 18th chapter of Numbers the Levites are again given to Aaron and his sons, and the priesthood confirmed to them with this threat — 'The stranger that Cometh nigh shall be put to death.' ' Even Jesus, says Paid, were he on earth, could not be a priest, for he was of a tribe concerning which 3Ioses spake noth- ing of priesthood.' Heb. vli. I'S. So irrevocable was the grant of the priesthood to Levi, and of the high juiesthood to Aaron, that no stranger dare approach the altar of God which Moses established. Hence, Jesus himself was excluded from officiating as ])riest on earth according to the law. This Joseph Smith overlooked in his impious fraud, and makes his hero Lehi spring from Joseph. And just as soon as his son< return with the roll of his lineage, ascertaining that he was of the tribe of Joseph, he and his sons accep- tably ' offer sacrifices and burnt offerings to the Lord.' — p. 15. Also it is re- peated, p. 18 — Ne|)hi became chief artificer, ship-builder and mariner; was scribe, prophet, priest and king unto his own people, and ' consecrated Jacob and Joseph, the sons of his father, priests to God and teachers — almost siv hun- dred years before the fulness of the times of the Jewish economy was comple- ted.— p. 72. Nephi rej)resents himself withal as 'under the law of Moses,' p.l05. They build ateniple'in the new world, and in 55 years after they leave Jerusa- lem, make anew priesthood whicli God approbates. A high' priest is also con- secrated, and yet they are all the while 'teaching the law of Moses, and exhort- ing the |ieoj)le to kee|) it! — |). 140, 209. Thus God is represented as instituting, approbating and blessing a new jiriesthood from the tribe oj" Joseph, concerning which rd OSes gave no commandment concerning priestliood. Although God had promised in the law of Moses, that ifany man, not of the trilie and family of Levi and Aaron, should approach the office of ])riest, he would surely die; he is represented by Smith as blessing, aj)probating, anil sustaining another 12 family in this appropriated office. The God of Ahraham or Joseph Smith must then be a liar ! ! And who will liesitate to prononnce him an impostor ? Tliis lie runs tlirounh his records for the first six hundred years of his story. 2. This ignorant and impudent liar, in tlie next place, makes the Ood of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, violate his covenants with Israel and Jiidah, con- cerning the lann, every error and almost every truth discussed in N.York for the last ten years. He decides all the great controversies— infant baptism, ordination, the trinity, regeneration, repentance, justification, the fall of n:an, the atonement, transubstantiation, fasting, penance, church government, religious experience, the call to the ministry, the general resurrection, eternal punishment, who may baptize, and even the question of freemasonry, republi- can govermnent. and the rights of man. All these topics are repeatedly allu- ded to. How much more benevolent and intelligent this American Apostie, than were the holy twelve, and Paul to assist them ! ! ! He prophesied of all these topics, and of the apostacy, and infallibly decides, by his authority, ev- ery question. How easy to prophecy of the past or of the present time ! ! 8. IJut he is better skilled in the controversies in New York than in the geograi)hy or history of Judea. He makes John baptise in the village of Beth- abara, (page 22) and says Jesus was born in Jerusalem, p. 240. Great must be the faith of the Mormonites in this new Bible!!! The mariners compass was only known in Europe about 300 years ago ; but Nephi knew all about steam boats and the com])ass 2400 years ago. 9. He represents the christian institution as practised among his Israelites before Jesus was born. And his Jews are called christians while keeping the law of Moses, tlie holy sabbath, and worshipping in their temple at their altars, and by their high priesis. — 10. But not to honor him bj^ a too minute examination and exposition, Iwlll sum up the whole of the internal evidence which I deezn worthy of remark, in the following details: — The l)ook professes to be written at intervals and by different pei-sons during the long j)erio(i of 1020 years. And yet for uniformity of style, there never was a book more evidently written by one set of fingers, nor more certainly conceiv- ed in one cranium since llie first book appeared in human language, than this same book. If I could swear to any man's voice, face or person, assuming dif- ferent names, I could swear that this book was written by one man. And as Joseph Smith is a very ignorant man and is called the author on the title page, I camiot doubt for a single moment that he is the sole author and [)roprietor of it. Asa specimen of his style the reader will take the following samples — Page 4th. In his own preface : — 'The plates of which hath been spoken.' In the last page, -the ])lates of which hath been spoken.' In Cowdery and histw^o witnesses* he has the same idiom, tower otw.'iich hath been spoken ;' page 16, ' we are a •The virgin which thou seest is the mother of God.' 'Behold the Lamb" of God the Kternal Father,' p. 25; 'Ye are like unto they,' 'and I saith unto them,' p. 44. ' NVe did arrive to the promised land ;' p. 49, 'made mention upon the first |)l!ite,' p. 50. Nephi 2400 years ago hears the saying of a Pagan who lived f>34 years after him — 'The God of nature suffers.' p. 51. 'The righteous netd not fear, for it is they whicli shall not be confounded.' p. 58. Shakspeare was read by Ne- phi 2200 years before he was born — 'The silent grave from whence no traveller returns,' 61. 'Your own eternal welfare' was a phrase then com- mon in America, p. 62. « Salvation is free' was then announced. ' That Jesus ith been spoken.' In the it , n the certificate signed by U »m, ' wliich came Irom the ) \ a descendant of Joseph.' * 14 should rise from the dead' was repeatedly declared on this continent in the reign ef Nebuchadnezzar. And at the same time it was said, 'Messiah cometh in the fulness of time tiiai he mi;,'ht redeem the children of men from the fall ;' p. G5. 'Tliefall' was frequently spoken ol'at the Isthmus of Darien 240U years ago. 1 had no object, sa\s Nephi, in the reign of Zedekiah, 'but the everlasting salvation of your souls.' 66. 'I liad spake many things,' ' for a more history p&rt are written upon mine other |)Iates.' 69. ' Do not anger again because of mine enemies,' p. 70. ' Fur it behovelh the Great Creator that he die for all men.' ' It must needs be an infinite atonement.' 'This flesh must go to its mother eartli.' ' And this dejith must daliver up its dead,' p. 70, were common phrases 2.'J00 years ago — ' for the atonement satisfieth the dcmandsof his justice upor. nil those who have not the law given them,' |). 81. The Calvinists were in America bel'ore Nephi. ' The Lord remembercth all they,' 85. The atone- ment is infinite for all mankind,' j). 104. The Americans knew this on the Columbo 2400 years ago. ' His name shall be calledJesus Christ the Son of God.' An angel told this to Nephi 515 years bef«)re it was told to Mary, p. 105. 'And they shall teach with their learning and deny the Holy Ghost which giveth them utterance;' this pro|)hecy was at that time delivereii against us, p. 112. 'My words shall hiss forth unto the ends of the earth,' p. 115. ' Wherein did the Lamb of God fill all righteousness in being ba|)tised by water,' 118. This question wns discussed 2300 years ago. 'The baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost was preached in the days of Cyrus,' p. 119. 'The only true doctrine of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost which is one Gorl without end. Amen,' p. 120. This was decided in the time of Daniel the Prophet. ' I glory in plainness,' says Nejthi. ' Christ will show you that these are his words in the last day,' p. 122. Too late to jjrove your mission, IMr. Nephi ! ' Aftfr that ye have obtained a hope in CInist, ye shall obtain riches if you seek them.' So spoke Jacob in the days of Ezekiel the Prop!i"t. ''ihey be- lieved in Chnst and worshipped the Father in his name,' j). l29. This was said by Jacob in the time of Daniel. ' Do as ye hath hitherto done,' says Mo- siali, page 158. These Smithisms are in every page. 'And his mother shall be called Mary.' p. 160. 'The Son of God and Father of heaven and earth.' p. 161. ' The iniant perishetli not, that dieth in his infancy.' ' For the natural man is an enemy of God and was from the fall of Adam, and will be fo'-everand ever,' [). 161. This, was spoken by King Benjamin 124 years before Christ. He was a Yankee, too, for he spoke like Smith, saying, 'I who ye call your king.' 'They saitli unto the king,' |). 182. This was another Joseph Smith called iNlo- siah. 'They were ba[)tised in the waters of Monion, and were called the church of Christ,' p. 192. This happened 100 years before Christ was born. 'Aima, why persecuteth thou the church of God,' p. 222. 'Ye must be born again ; yea, born of God — changed from their carnal and fallen state to a state of righteousness,' 214. This was preached also 100 years before Christ was born. 'These things had not ought to be,' 220. 'I, Alma, being consecrated by my fiither Alma to be a high priest over the church of God, he having power and authority from God to do these things (p. 232) say unto you, e\ce|)l ye re|)ent ye can in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.' 237. ' He ordained priests and elders, by laying on his hands, to w^atch over the church' — 'Not so nnich as a hair of the head shall be lost in the grave' — ' The holy order oftiie high jjriesthood.' p. 250. The high priesthood of Alma was about 80 years before Christ. 'The T^ord pour^^d out his spirit to prepare the minds ofthe people for the preaching of Alma, jjreaclung repen- tance.' p. 268. Alma was a Yankee of Smith's school, for he saith : 'The light ofeverlasiing light was lit u|)in his soul.' |). 47. During the ponlifieale of Alma men ] rayed thus : 'If there is a God, am! if thou art God will thOii make tliyself kisovvn unto me.' p. 286. Alma 'clapped his hands upon all they which were with iiim' p. 313. 'Instruments in the hand of God' wer(; the [)rea(hers of Alma. p. 323, Modest and orthodox men, truly ' ! ' If ye (K ny ihe Holy Ghost when it once hath place in you, and ye know that }e deny, behold this is the unpardonable sin.' p. 332. So Ahna 15 preached. 'And now my son, ye are called of God to preach the Gospel.' p. 340. ' Tliey were high priests over tlie church.' p. MSO. ' The twenty and sec- oml year of the Judges this came to pass.' j). 3(34. 'They were valiant for courage.' j). 37(5. Tliese are Init as one drop out of a bucket compared with the amount of Smiiliisms in this hook. It is |)atched up and cemented with '.And it came to pass' — 'I saveiii un o you' — 'Ye saith unto him' — and all the King James' halhs, (lids and doths—m the lowest imitation of the common version ; and is, without exaggeration, the meanest book \u the E.iglish language ; but it is a translation made throii h stone spectacles, in a dark room, and in the hat of the prophet Smitii from the reformed Egyptian!! It has not one good sen-^ tence in it, save the profanation of those sentences quoted from the Oracles of the living (Jod. I would as soon compare a bi'.tto the American eagle, a mouse to a mammoth, or the deformities of a spectre to the beauties of llim whom John saw in Patmos, as to contrast it