Life in Utah; or, the Mysteries and crimes of Mormonism. Being an exposé of the secret rites and ceremonies of the latter-day Saints, etc

Front matter

t PCETEA1TS OF LEADING MORMONS. LIFE IN UTAH; OR, THE grimes ansj €nmt$ of lllormomsm. BEING AN EXPOSE OP THE SECRET RITES AND CEREMONIES OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS, WITH A FULL AND AUTHENTIC HISTORY OF POLYGAMY AND THE MORMON SECT FROM ITS ORIGIN TO THE PRESENT TIME. BT J. H. BEADLE, v EDITOR OP THE SALT LAKE REPORTER, AND UTAH CORRESPONDENT OF THE CINCINNATI COMMERCIAL. Issued by subscription only, and not for pale in the book stores. Residents of any district desj-ing a copy should address the publisher, aud au agent wdl call upon them. fl TORONTO, ONT. PUBLISHED BY A. H. HOVET, 34 KING STREET WEST. 1872. TORONTO Huxier, Bosk & Co., Pbhtess

Preface

. America is the paradise of heterodoxy. All sorts of wild, strange and even abominable religions flourish unchecked, side by side, and generally without violent collision. The wild dreams of the fervid Oriental imagination ; the vague shadowings of Gothic mysticism ; the coarse materialism of French infidelity, and the ideal fancies of Greek and Asiatic, all the errors and worn out theories of the Old World, of schisms in the early Church, the monkish age and the rationalistic period, find here a free air, a fertile soil, a more congenial clime and a second native country, as it were, in which new and more luxuriant growths spring rapidly from the old and half dead stocks of pseudo theology. But the inventive American mind is not content merely with old errors, and the Yankee is nothing if not practical ; hence we see that to every new or purely American phase of religious error, there is always tacked a feature of political power, communism of property, social license or moral perversion, a general revolt against accepted theories in law, medicine, marriage, government or social relations.

Let the extreme tend which way it will, it is equally an extreme ; whether of the anti-marriage Shakers, the celibate Harmonists, the wife-communists of Oneida, or the polygamous Mormons. Ad this is, perhaps, a necessary evil — an inevitable adjunct to a great good. In the

PREFACE.

. perfect liberty of conscience guaranteed, the perverted or diseased conscience is equally free with the pure or healthy ; and where every man is free to choose as he wid, it is reasonable to suppose that many will choose but poorly. Like all good principles this liberty of conscience is strangely liable to abuse ; but a careful examination will show, I think, that the present condition is far better, with all its evil outgrowths, than would be any aiming at repression. Repression is not unity. Suppose either of the prominent sects to be made the Established Church — if indeed the mind can possibly conceive of an Established Church in America — the Methodists, for instance ; then would that Church at once lose many of its communicants; most people would avoid it to the farthest extent allowed by law, not from any particular hostility to that one Church, but simply because it was established.

We may, indeed, congratulate ourselves, that with such perfect liberty of choice so few have adopted beliefs at all dangerous either to the State or to society ; for these last are the only questions with which we have a right to deal. But certain forms of belief cannot possibly confine themselves to speculative errors ; the perversion of moral and ethical principles is too radical to be confined to the heart, and the hideous moral gangrene, starting from the soul and centre, works outwardly through the life in all manner of corruption, confusion and abomination. When the faith is perfectly inwrought, it cannot but show itself in acts, and with these the State has a right to deal. Perfect toleration is due to all beliefs, and these gross forms of error only demand attention when endeavorino against the good of the State, to make a peculiar moral

PREFACE.

. V condition the general law for a whole people, and stid more as laboring to radically pervert the Christian idea of marriage. If the experience of all civilized nations for three thousand years, and the best judgment of the best minds in law founded upon that experience, have proved any one fact more than another, it is that the marriage relation should be strictly regulated by law, that the State has an absolute right to prescribe the civil conditions accompanying and the civil rights resulting from it; and that the human passions, whether excited by mere lust or by religious fanaticism, must be controlled by positive law. It matters not if an individual esteem it his natural right to act contrary to express law, or if several individuals constituting a community believe it to be a religious right ; they are equally subject thereto, and must take the legal consequence of disobedience.

It is then a gratdying fact, that so few have adopted beliefs tending to pervert the marriage relation. Of the forty millions in America less than half a midion are included in all of such sects. In this light liberty of conscience in America is almost a perfect success. The vast majority of our people have founded their religious belief on theories not inimical to the public good ; and the scores of varying sects which arise from year to year, generally do so only to run a brief and me teor-like race, and sink like dissolved exhalations in the bogs and mire of ignorance from which they arose. But occasionally we see one of these parasitic growths upon the body of religious freedom, which, from peculiar and special causes, extends its existence beyond what we would naturally look for ; and a few, originally trans planted from Europe where the parent organization has

PREFACE.

. VI long since expired, maintain a sort of sickly dfe through two or three generations in America. Of such are the Shakers from England, and the Harmonists from Germany. But where in contact with vital Christianity, they must sooner or later yield : their wild enthusiam is sufficient for rise and growth, but lacks the virtuous energy to direct and continue. To such, comparatively innocent and harmless, the public direct little attention. But there are a few, which manage to preserve a sort of isolation even in the midst of other sects, or in extreme eases, to get apart and aside, and maintain for a long period an independent existence. Of these none have attained to such prominence as the sect called Mormons. Having leaders at once sagacious and unscrupulous, they have long* managed to avoid whatever contact would weaken their organization.

We have seen them, from smad and obscure beginnings, rise to a strength sufficient to create a local rebellion in Missouri ; transplanted thence to Illinois, rise to a threatening power ; transplanted again, flourish rapidly for a while, and though now evidently on the decline, yet strong enough to create a difficult and delicate political problem, and like the Bohon Upas, overshadow a whole Territory with a deadly influence. Scattered through the nation Mormonism would be the weakest of all religions ; collected into one Territory, and ruling there with almost absolute power, they present a painfully interesting problem. Comparatively, their numbers are trifling ; locally, they are of great importance. In the light of the principles here enunciated, and with perfect confidence in their correctness, this work has been prepared ; with a view to the better enlightenment of the American public on this question and, if possible, to make

PREFACE.

. VII the duty of Government and people more plain, to set forth the most salient points in the progress of redgious imposture, and to draw attention to a Territory rich in natural resources. It is believed that the work contains most of the material facts of interest in regard to Utah and the Mormons ; whether of the climate and resources of the former, or the history, theology and peculiar social practices of the latter. The history of the sect is drawn from many sources : from their own works, from personal records of several who have spent many years among them, from evidence published by the State of Missouri, from official documents of States or the General Govern ment, from previous compilations and other accredited sources. Of charges against the Mormons not fully proved, the statements for and against them have been equady presented.

The same rules of evidence have been applied in summing up their history, as are held applicable in courts of justice. The author's opportunities for per sonal observation wid be seen in the course of the work. The author is wed aware of the many imperfections of the work, but does not seek to disarm criticism by a pre faced apology ; it is given as a compilation of testimony, on which the reader has the same privilege of passing judgment as the author has exercised on those before him. Whatever may be thought of the style in which they are presented, I trust many of the facts will be found interesting, and if the work should excite an intedigent interest among the American people, in regard to the affairs of Utah, it wdl have accomplished the dearest wish of the author. J. H. B. Corinne, Utah Territory, April 5th, 1871. CONTENTS. PxiOII

Chapter I. Historical

Birth and early life of the Mormon Prophet — The original Smith family — Opinion of Brigham Young — The " peep-stone " — "Calling" of Joe Smith — The Golden Plates — " Reformed Egyptian" translated — " Book of Mormon" published — Synopsis of its contents — Real author of the work — "The glorious six" first converts — Emma Smith, ' ' Elect Lady and Daughter of God" — Sidney Rigdon takes the field — First Hegira— " Zion" in Missouri — Kirtland Bank — Swindling and "persecution" — War in Jackson County — Smith "marches on Missouri" — Failure of the "Lord's Bank" — Flight of the Prophet — "Mormon War" — Capture of Smith — Flight into 21

Chapter II History From The Founding Of Nauvoo Till

1843. Rapid groxvth of Nauvoo — Apparent prosperity — "The xmltures gather to the carcass" — Crime, polygamy and politics — Subserviency of the Politicians — Nauvoo Charters — A government within a government — Joe Smith twice arrested — Released by S. A. Douglas — Second time by Municipal Court of Nauvoo — McRin ney's Account — Petty thieving — Gentiles driven out of Nauvoo — "Whittling Deacons" — " Danites" — Anti-Mormons organize a Political Party — Treachery of Davis and Owens — Defeat of Anti- Mormons — Campaign of 1843 — Cyrus Walker, a great Criminal Laxvyer — " Revelation" on Voting — The Prophet cheats the Law yer — Astounding perfidy of the Mormon Leaders — Great increase of popular hatred — Just anger against the Saints CONTENTS. X PAGE

Chapter III. Mormon Difficulties And Death Of The Prophet

Ford's account — Double treachery in the Quincy district — New and startling developments in Nauvoo — Tyranny of Joe Smith — Revolt of a portion of his foUowers — The ' ' Expositor" — It is declared "a nuisance" and "abated" — Flight of apostates — Warrants issued for Smith and other Mormons — Constables driven out of Nauvoo— Militia called for — Nauvoo fortified — Mormon war im- , minent — Governor Ford takes the field in person — Flight of the Prophet and Patriarch to Iowa — Their return and arrest — The Governor pledged for their safety — In his absence the jail is attacked — Death of the Smiths — Character of the Prophet — Comments 71

Chapter IV. Two Years Of

STRIFE— EXODUS FROM ILLINOIS. No Successor to the Prophet — David Hyrum Smith, the ' ' Son of Promise" — Contest for the Leadership — Diplomacy of Brigham Young — Curious Trials — All of Brigham's Opponents " cutoff" — Troubles Renewed — Fights, Outrages, Robberies and Murder — Another Election and more Treachery — Singular " Wolf Hunt" — Capture and Trial of Smith's Murderers — Of the Mormon Rioters — Failure and Defects of the Law — Further Outrages on Gentiles — Troubles in Adams County — The "Oneness" — The People of Adams Drive out the Mormons — Revenge by the Mormons — Murders of McBratney, Worrell, Wilcox, and Daubeney er— Retaliation, and Murder of Durfee -The Mormons Ravage Hancock — Flight of the Gentiles — Militia Called, and Hancock put under Martial Law — The Mormons Begin to Leave Illinois — Fresh Quarrels — More Mormon Treachery — Bombardment of Nauvoo, and Final Expulsion of the Mormons 98

Chapter V. From The Nauvoo Exodus To The Mormon War In Utah

The Via Dolorosa of Mormon History — Through Iowa — Great suf- CONTENTS. XI PAGE fering — " Stakes of Zion" — Settlement in Nebraska — "Mormon- Battalion" — Journey to Utah — Founding of Salt Lake City — Early accounts — Outrages upon California emigrants — Travellers murdered — Apostates " missing" — Dangers of rivalry in love with a Mormon Bishop — Usurpations of Mormon Courts and officers — Federal Judges driven out — Murders of Babbitt and Williams — Flight of Judges Stiles and Drummond — The Army set in motion for Utah — New officers appointed — Suspicious delay of the army — The "Mormon war begun." 122

Chapter VI. The Bloody Period

Sounds of war in Utah — Popular excitement — Fears of the disaffected — Attempted flight — Murder of the Potter and Parish families — Massacre of the Aiken party — Assassination of Yates — Killing of Forbes — Brigham "Turns loose the Indians" — Mountain Meadow Massacre — Horrible Barbarity of Indians and Mormons — Evidence in the case — Attempt of Judge Cradlebaugh — Progress of the "' Mormon War" — Delay of the army — Treachery or inefficiency ? — Mormon Legicn — Lieutenant General Wells — Brigham " Commands" the National troops to withdraw — Army trains destroyed — Lot Smith, the Mormon Guerilla — The ' ' Army of Utah" in Winter Quarters — Colonel Kane again — Negotiations with Brigham — Governor Cumming "passed" through the Mormon lines — "Peace Commissioners" — Mormon Exodus — Weakness of Cumming — End of the War — Murders of Pike, the Jones's, Bernard, Drown, Arnold, McNeil, and others — A change at last 136

Chapter VII. Gentiles In Utah

A New Element— Livingston and Kinkead—" Jack-Mormonism at Washington" — Judge Drummond — M. Jules Remy— Gilbert and Sons — Heavy Trade — Later Gentile Merchants — Walker Brothers — Sales at Camp Floyd — " Crushing the Mormons" — Ransohoff & Co. — Mormon Outrages again — Murders of Brassfield and Dr. Robinson — Whipping of Weston — Evidence in case of Robin- CONTENTS. PAGE son — Outrages on Lieut. Brown and Dr. Williamson — Gentiles driven from the Public Land — Territorial Surveyor — Success of General Connor's Administration — The Government Returns to the Old Policy — Murder of Potter and Wilson — Horrible Death of "Negro Tom" — The Last Witness "put out of the Way" — " Danites" again — Murder each Other — Death of Hatch — Flight of Hickman — Forty-three Murders — Another change of Officials — Doty — Durkee — Shameful Neglect of the Government — Flight of the Gentiles — Comparative Quiet Again — A better Day — The Author Arrives in Utah 150

Chapter VIII. First Views In Utah

The real "American Desert" — No Myth — Bitter Creek -Green River — Lone Rock — Plains of Bridger — Quaking Asp Ridge — Bear River — A Mormon Autobiography — "Pulling hair" — "Aristocracy" on the Plains — "Mule-skinners" and "Bullwhaekers" — The " Bullwhaekers Epic" — Cache Cave — Echo Canon — Mormon "fortifications" — Braggadocio — Storm in Weber Canon — Up the Weber — Parley's Park — A Wife-stealing Apostle — Down the Canon — Majestic Scenery — First View of the Valley — The " City of the Saints." , 166

Chapter IX. Two Weeks In Salt Lake City

Views of the City — Temple Block— Brigham's Block — Theatre — Immigrants — Mormon Arguments — Reasons for Polygamy — " Book of Mormon "— First Mormon Sermon — " Old " Joe Young — His Beauty (?) — His Sermon — Mormon Style of Preaching — Order of Services — First impressions rather favorable — Much to earn yet 183

Chapter X. Trip To Bear River And Return

Northward foot — Hot Springs — "Sessions Settlement" — Poly- CONTENTS. XIII PAGE gamy again — " Ephe Roberts' young wife " — Farmington — Kaysville — Three wives, and stone walls between — "Let us have Peace "—Red Sand Ridge— Ogden— Brigham City— Into the Poor District — Scandinavian porridge- -English cookery — Rural life in Utah — Bear River, North — Cache Valley and the Canon—" Pro fessor" Barker, the "Mad Philosopher "— A New Cosmogony — Mormon Science — "Celestial Masonry" — "Adam" redivivus — A Modern " Eve " — Folly and Fanaticism — Mineral Springs- The country vs. the city Mormon 201

CHAPTER XL THE CONFERENCE AND ITS RESULTS.

I A Mormon mass-meeting — Faces and features — Great enthusiasm — A living "martyr" — A Mormon hymn — The Poetess — A "president " chosen — He recites the Church history — First view of Brigham — He curses the Gentiles — A " nasty sermon " — Coarseness and profanity — Bitterness of other speakers — Swearing in the pulpit — Exciting the people — Their frenzy and fanaticism — Hatred against the United States — Foolish bravado — The author gains new light on Mormonism — A subject to be studied — English and European Sects of like character — Division of the subject 214

Chapter XII. Analysis Of Mormon Society

Difficulty at the outset — Extremes among witnesses — Prejudice on both sides — First impressions favorable — " Whited Sepulchres" — Classes of Mormons — Brigham Young ; imposter or fanatic ? — The dishonest class — The "earnest Mormons"— Disloyalty — Church and State KiUing men to save their — Slavery of woman — Brigham the government — Prophecy against the United States — " War" — " Seven women to take hold of one man" — Another war expected — Blood and thunder in store for the Gentiles — "The great tribulation" about due — Popular errors — Witchcraft— " Faith-doctoring" — Zion in Jackson County, Missouri — Comfortable prospect CONTENTS. PAGE

Chapter XIII. Analysis Of Mormon Theology

Its origin — A theological conglomerate — Mythology, Paganism, Mohammedanism, corrupt Christianity and Philosophy run mad — "First principles of the Gospel " — The five points of variance — Materialism — No spirit — A god with "body, parts and passions" — Matter eternal — No "creation" — Intelligent atoms — Pre-existent souls — High Times in the Spirit Worlds — Birth of Spirits — They hunt for " Earthly Tabernacles " — The "Second Estate" — Apotheosis— The " Third Estate" — " Fourth Estate " — Men become gods — "Divine generation" — Earthly Families and Heavenly Kingdoms — Did man come from the Sun? — "Building up* the Kingdom" — One day as a thousand years— The time of the Gentiles about out — Great events at hand — " Gog and Magog, " et. al. — Gentiles, prepare to make tracks— Return to "Zion," in Missouri — Christ's earthly empire— Great destiny for Missouri — Tenets from Christianity — Baptism a "Saving Ordinance" — Baptized twelve times — Office of the Holy Ghost — Strange fanaticism — Eclectic Theology — A personal god — The homoousian and the homoiousian — The Logos and the Aeon — Grossness and Vulgarity 239

Chapter XIV. Theoretical Polygamy- Its History

Poetry of religious concubinage — Fanaticism and Sensualism — Two extremes — Origin of Polygamy — The great revelation — Its contradictions and absurdities — Mormon argument — Real origin- Beginning of Polygamy — A prostitute for religion's sake — Failures and Scandals — War in the Church — Stealing a Brother's wife — Furore in consequence — The Expositoi — Its destruction — Death of the Smiths — Polygamy practised secretly and denied openly — Brigham's marriages — Nine years of concealment — Avowal at last — Argument in its favor — Demoralization in the English Church — Aclimax of unnatural obscenity — The " Reformation" — Temporary decline in Polygamy — Hostility of native CONTENTS. XV PAGE Mormon girls — Outside influence — Difference of opinion — It dies hard — Spiritual wives— Mystery and abomination 255 CHAATER XV.

PRACTICAL POLYGAMY. Open evils and hidden sufferings — Miss S. E. Carmichael's testimony — Mormon sophistry — The sexual principle — Its objects — Theory and facts — Monogamist vs. Polygamist — Turk, Persian, and African vs. the Christian White — The same effects in Utah — Jealousy and Misery — Children of different wives — Cultivated indifference — Hatred among children — Brigham's idea of parental duty — Are the Mormon women happy ? — Submission and silence — Degradation of women — Mormon idea of politeness — Heber C. Kimball and his "cows" — "My women" — Slavery of sex — Moses and Mohammed outdone — Incest — Marrying a whole family— Robert Sharkey — Remorse and suicide — Uncle and niece — Bishop Smith and his nieces — Mixture of blood — Horrible crimes — Half-brother and sister — The Prophet "sold" — The doctrine of incest; — "Too strong now, but the people will come to it" — Now openly avowed — Brothers and sisters to marry for a " pure priesthood " — Testimony of Wm. Hepworth Dixon — Father and daughter may marry — Effects upon the young — Infant mortality — Large average mortality — Fatal blindness— The growing youth — Demoralization — Youthful depravity — No hope for young men and women— Sophistry and madness — Ancient sensualism to be revived 272

Chapter XVI. The Mormon Theocracy

Absolutism — An ancient model — Three governments in Utah — Church officials — First President — First Presidency — " The worst man in Utah " — Quorum of Apostles — " The Twelve " — A dozen men with fifty-two wives — President of Seventies — Patriarch — "A blessing for a dollar " — Bishops — Division of the City and Territory — Their magisterial capacity— High Council — Judge and CONTENTS. XVI PAGE Jury — Ward teachers — The confessional — The priesthood — Aaronic and Melchisedec — Evangelists — Secret police or "Dan ites " — Civil government only an appendage — Excessive power of the Mormon Courts — Perversions of law and justice — Organic Act defective — Federal Judges — Their weakness aud disgrace — Ver dict by ecclesiastical " counsel" — Verdicts dictated from the pul pit — Probate Judges really appointed by Brigham Young — Voting system — Marked ballots — "Protecting the ballot" — The Hooper- McGroarty race — Plurality of offices as well as wives — Tyranny of the Church — the Mormon vs. the American idea — The evils of which Gentiles complain 293

Chapter XVII. Recusant Sects Of Mormons

Repression not unity — Great break up at Nauvoo — Sidney Rigdon's Church — J. J. Strang— Cutler, Brewster, and Heddrick : "The Gatherers" — The "Truth-teller" — Lyman Wight in Texas — San Bernardino Mormons — Apostacy, Spiritualism and insanity — Brigham supreme in Utah — First Secession, the " Gladdenites"— Persecution and murders — Blood-atonement introduced — Second Secession, the "Morrisites" — War with the Sect — Massacre of the "Morrisites" — Governor Harding's adventure — General Connor protects the recusants — Soda Springs — Another Prophet — The "infant Christ" — Beginning of the Josephites — Emma and her sons — The " Re-organized Church " — First Mission — Mission of the " Smith boys " — Excitement at Salt Lake — Priestly lying — The Godbe Schism — Liberal principles — Hopeful indications- After Brigham, Who ? — Orson Hyde ?— Daniel H. Wells ?— George A. Smith ? — Probable future of the Church 309

Chapter XVIII. Geographical Features

Territorial limits — " Basins " — "Sinks " — " Flats " — Rain and evaporation — Elemental action and reaction — Potamology — Jordan — Kay's Creek— Weber — Bear River — Cache Valley — Timber — Blue Creek — Promontory — Great Desert — Utah Lake —Spanish Fork — CONTENTS. XVII PAGE Salt Creek — Timpanogos — Sevier River — Colorado System — Fish — Thermal and Chemical Springs — Healing Waters — Hot water plants — Analysis by Dr. Gale — Mineral Springs — Salt beds — Alkali flats — Native Salts — Great Salt Lake — First accounts — Fremont — Stansbury — Amount of salt — Valleys — Rise of the Lake — Islands — Bear Lake — " Ginasticutis " — Utah Lake — Climate — Increase of rain — Singular phenomena — Fine air — Relief for pulmonary complaints 334

Chapter XIX. Material Resources Of Utah

Amount of arable land — Its nature and location — Increased rainfall — Causes — Probable greater increase — Mode of irrigation — Aquarian — Socialism — No room for competition — Alkali — Some advantages — Yield of various crops — " Beet sugar" — Sorghum syrup — Mormon improvements (?) — Grossly exaggerated — True Wealth of Utah — Mining and grazing — Bunch-grass — Mountain pastures— Sheep and goats — "Fur, fin and feather" — Trapping and hunting — Carnivora — Ruminants — Buffalo — None in the Basin — Shoshonee tradition — Game, fowl — Amphibia — "Sandy toad " — Serpents — Fish — Oysters in Salt Lake — Insects — " Mormon bedbugs " — Advantages from the dry air — Insectivora — ■ Crickets — Grasshoppers or locusts ? — Indians of Utah — Rapid extinction — " Diggers " — " Club-men " — Utes — Shoshonees — Their origin — Mormon theory — Scientific theory — Chinese annals — Tartars in America — Mormon settlers — Twenty-three years of "gathering" — Much work, slow progress — Reasons — Inherent weakness of the system — Great apostacy — Their present number — Exaggeration — Enumeration of settlements and population — Nationality — Total military force — Future of the Territory 35$

Chapter XX. Mormon

MYSTERIES— THEIR ORIGIN. The Endowment — Actors — Scenery and dress — Pre-requisites — Adam and Eve, the Devil and Michael, Jehovah and Eloheim— A new version — Blasphemous assumptions — Terrible oaths — Bar- B CONTENTS. PAGE barous penalties — Origin — Scriptures Lost — Paradise and Eleusi nian mysteries — "Morgan's Free-masonry" — The witnesses- Probabilities — Their reasons — Changes 372

Chapter XXI. Present Condition And Prospects

Co-operation — The " bull's eye " signs — Inherent weakness of the system — Immediate effects on the Gentiles — Final result to the Saints — Founding of Corinne — Its bright prospects — Trip to Sevier — The deserted city — New Silverado — Mines and mining — ■ A new interest in Utah — Rich discoveries — Hindrances — Grant's administration in Utah — Better men in the Revenue Department; — Experience of Dr. J. P. Taggart; — More "persecution" — The Judges — The Governor — Congressional Legislation — " Cullom Bill " — Probable effects — Guesses at the future — Another «xodus — "Zion" in Sonora 387

Chapter XXII. Redeeming Agencies

The Church — First attempt — Rev. Norman McLeod — Dr. J. K. Robinson — Second attempt, Father Kelley — Last attempt — The Episcopal Mission, success and progress — Sabbath School — Grammar School of St. Marks — A building needed — Mission of Rev. George W. Foote — Difficulties of the situation— Number and occupation of Gentiles — Political prospects — Gentile newspapers —The Valley Tan— The Vedette— The Utah Reporter— S. S. Saul, the founder— Messrs. Aulbach and Barrett — The author's experience — Principles advocated — Courtesy of the Gentiles — Conclusion LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 1. Portrait of Brigham Young frontispiece. 2. Portrait of Joseph Smith " 3. Portrait of HeberC. Kimball " 4. Portrait of Hyrum Smith " 5. Portrait of Orson Pratt " 6. Portrait of Orson Hyde " 7 Portrait of John Taylor " PAGE 8.

Death of Joseph Smith 93 9. Four Wives 179 10. Mormon Temple being built in Salt Lake City 191 11. Scenes in the Endowment Ceremonies AND CRIMES OF MORMONISM.

Chapter I. Historical

Birth and early life of the Mormon Prophet — The original Smith family — Opinion of Brigham Young — The " peep-stsne " — " Calling " of Joe Smith — The Golden Plates — "Reformed Egyptian" translated — " Book of Mormon " published — Synopsis of its contents — Real author of the work — "The glorious six " first converts — Emma Smith, "Elect Lady and Daughter of God " — Sidney Rigdon taftes the field — First Hegira — "Zion" in Missouri — Kirtland Bank — Swindling and "persecution" — War in Jackson County — Smith " marches on Missouri " — Failure of the "Lord's Bank" — Flight of the Prophet—" Mormon War " — Capture of Smith — Flight into Illinois. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, was born De cember 23rd, 1805, at Sharon, Windsor county, Vermont. His parents, Joseph Smith, Sen., and Lucy Mack Smith, belonged to the lowest grade of society, and, by the testimony of all their neighbors, were illiterate and supersti tious, as well as indolent and unreliable.

They could believe in the supernatural as easily as the natural; for they were as ignorant of the one as the other. These qualities seemed to descend upon the son by " ordinary generation ;" but at an early age he showed that he far excelled all the rest of the family in a peculiar low cun- C ning, and a certain faculty of invention, which enabled him to have a story ready for any emergency. In the year 1815, the Smith family removed to New York, and settled near Palmyra, Wayne county, where they resided ten years. Here young Joseph developed a remarkable talent for living without work, and at an early age adopted the profession of " Water Witch," in which calling he^ wandered about the adjoining country with a forked stick, or hazel rod, by the deflections of which, when held in a peculiar manner, he claimed to determine the spot where a vein of water lay nearest the surface.