Williams, S. Mormonism Exposed. 1838.

THE truth of the c

Williams, S. Mormonism Exposed. 1838.
THE truth of the common saying, in view of the folly, superstition and fanaticism of men, “that no system can be too absurd to obtain adherents,” is abundantly verified in the progress of Mormonism. This system, with its falsehoods, blasphemies, gross ignorance, and bloody decrees, now numbers not only its hundreds, but its thousands, perhaps tens of thousands. That we may expect imposters and lying wonders in these latter days, the pure word of prophecy clearly declares: and that we should “try the spirits” and prove the doctrines of such, by the immutable testimony of eternal truth, is equally plain. The injunction to “live peaceably with all men as much as in us lies,” does not absolve us from the obligation of “contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints,” and of “rebuking our brother,” lest we should suffer sin upon him: but on the contrary, the latter is perfectly compatible with the former. For fidelity to our Master, and to the souls of the deceived and the deceivers in timely administering the rebukes of truth, we may now incur their frown; but when the spell of the delusion is broken, we shall have their lasting gratitude, as well as the approbation of our own consciences in the sight of God. Mistakes, have been made by writers upon this subject in regard to the leaders of this delusion, for want of more particular acquaintance with the prime mover and leading spirit of this “New Jerusalem” enterprise. It has been the prevailing opinion, that Joseph Smith, Jr., was the principal man in the scene; but while it is admitted, that he stands very prominent in heavendaring presumption upon the stage, pretending to receive and convey to the world, special revelations, from the Great Jehovah; he is little more than a juggling automaton, moved by a more crafty and capable agent behind the screen, who knows how and when to pull the wires. Mr. R. D. Howe, at the close of his history of Mormonism, after tracing a number of circumstances, connected with the origin of the Golden Bible, concludes that Sidney Rigdon, must be its “author and proprietor.” This conclusion, already strong, from coinciding circumstances arrayed in his work, will be greatly strengthened by giving due attention and importance to the following facts: Sidney Rigdon was reared on a farm about twelve miles from the city of Pittsburgh, situated near to the Peter’s Creek Baptist House of worship. He professed to experience a change of heart when a [1] young man, and proposed to join the church under the care of Elder David Philips.