The Prophet of the Nineteenth Century: Or, The Rise, Progress, and Present ... - Henry Caswall - Google Books

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CONTENTS.

PREPARATIONS FOR MORMONISM.

Western America becomes the cradle of Mormonism-

1st, Through the want of influential religious institu-

tions-2dly, Through the growth of Fanaticism -3dly,

Through the rise of Campbellism-4thly, Through the

want of respect for antiquity, and established usages

SOLOMON SPAULDING UNCONSCIOUSLY ASSISTS IN

PREPARING THE WAY FOR MORMONISM.

Spaulding's birth and education-He becomes a preacher—

then a tradesman-then a bankrupt-He removes to Ohio,

and becomes bankrupt a second time-He writes an histo-

rical romance respecting the American Indians - He

removes to Pittsburg, where his manuscript remains in a

printing-office-He removes to Amity - He dies- The

Book of Mormon appears-It is compared with Spauld-

ing's work, and found to be generally identical with it-

Spaulding's original work is lost

INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK OF MORMON AS A

DIVINE REVELATION.

Birth of Joseph Smith, the Prophet-The Prophet is dis-

satisfied with all religious sects, and begins to dig for

money-He meets with Spaulding's manuscript, and digs

for a silver mine-He falls in love, and pretends to dis-

cover another silver mine-He elopes with Emma Hale,

and obliges a Dutchman to pay the expenses of his flight

-He begins to tell a story respecting his discovery of a

Golden Bible—He persuades his own family to believe,

and succeeds in enlisting Martin Harris-Harris visits

New York-The Prophet and Harris produce the Book

of Mormon, which is published with the testimony of

eleven witnesses besides the prophet.

RAPID PROPAGATION OF MORMONISM.

Organization of the first Mormon "Church "-Missionaries

sent to the West-History of Rigdon, the Campbellite-

Rigdon assists in preparing the way for Mormonism-He

is converted by Smith's missionaries-His flock follow his

example, and are immersed-They receive the "gift of

tongues"-Rigdon visits Smith, and becomes his prime

minister-Horrible fanaticism breaks out at Kirtland-

Smith declares it to be the work of Satan-The converts

rapidly increase-A Bishop is appointed, and Mormonism

appears in a new aspect

PAGE

SMITH TELLS A NEW STORY AND PRODUCES NEW

The Prophet tells a new and complete story respecting the

golden plates-Smith's Theory of Inspiration-Book of

Mormon and its claims-Book of Covenants and its incon-

sistencies-New version of the Old and New Testaments,

with the Prophet's alterations and interpolations-Pratt's

"Voice of Warning," "Times and Seasons," &c.

DOCTRINES AND DISCIPLINE OF MORMONISM.

Doctrine of faith - Doctrines of baptism, confirmation, and

miraculous gifts-Doctrine of apostolical succession —

Papal authority of Smith-Priesthoods of Melchisedec

and Aaron-Zion, in Missouri, the centre of the faith-

Mormon stakes-Trials of transgressors-Patriarchs—

Twelve Apostles-Seventies-Theological preparation of

preachers-Tithes-Democratic theory of Mormonism,

and theocratic practice-Witness of the Spirit-Saints

equal with the Deity-Transmigration of souls-The Deity

material, and matter eternal-Literal interpretation ·

Baptism for the dead-Doctrine of the resurrection-Doc-

trine of the Eucharist - Smith the interpreter of Holy

CONTINUED INCREASE OF MORMONISM.

Causes of the growth of this heresy-1st, It admits the

Scriptures-2d, It is congenial with erratic religious cha-

racter-3d, It is adapted to wild views of religion-4th,

It teaches authoritatively 5th, It possesses no strict

standard of morals-6th, It is in the hands of artful

leaders-Cowdery and others proceed to Missouri-Smith

holds a convocation, and appoints the "Melchisedec priest-

hood"-He sends his elders to Missouri, and proceeds

thither himself-He founds the city of Zion, and prophe-

sies respecting it—He returns to Kirtland-Rapid diffusion

of his religion-A new batch of elders sent forth-The

Mormons begin to emigrate to Missouri-Alarm of the

Missourians-Change of operations-Sacred firm estab-

lished-Commencement of the temple-Description of it-

SMITH BECOMES BANKRUPT IN AMERICA, BUT IN-

TRODUCES HIS RELIGION INTO ENGLAND.

The Mormons assume the name of Latter-day Saints-War-

like expedition in aid of their persecuted brethren in Mis-

souri-Smith and Rigdon form a mercantile house, and

run in debt-The elders are conducted to learning by a

royal road-A grand endowment takes place-Blessings

and cursings are poured forth-Smith establishes a bank

-The prophet shows two hundred boxes of specie-The

bank breaks-Harris and others apostatize and the pro-

phet runs away-Mormonism is introduced into England

-Methods of persuasion adopted by its missionaries—

Statistics of English Mormonism-Craft of its teachers

THE PROPHET APPEARS IN A MILITARY CAPACITY.

History of the Mormon settlement in Missouri - The

"Saints" claim the country as their inheritance-The

"Gentiles" are exasperated - The Mormon Bishop is

"tarred and feathered," and the Mormons are driven from

Jackson county-They appeal to Governor Dunklin with-

out success-Their sufferings at their expulsion-They

flee to Clay county-The prophet issues a "revelation "

on the subject of their persecutions-He marches to their

relief with 250 men, a distance of 800 miles-He holds a

council with the mob, and returns to Kirtland — The

Mormons settle in Caldwell county-Smith, Rigdon, and

Co. remove to Missouri - Mormonism increases

"Gentiles" are alarmed-The Mormons prepare for the

worst--The Danite band is formed, and the "Dissenters"

are expelled-Bloody schemes of Smith and his Danites

-The timid Mormons are prevented from removing-

Smith declares that hereafter he will not obey the laws of

Missouri-Election fracas-Smith is apprehended for vio-

lence to a justice of the peace, and bound over to appear

PAGE

THE PROPHET SUSTAINS A TERRIBLE REVERSE.

The Missourians seize the arms of the United States-The

militia are called out-The mob obtains a cannon, and ex-

pels the Mormons from Dewitt-The mob invades Davies

county-The Mormons rise, disperse the mob, and plunder

the houses of their enemies-They capture the cannon and

enter Far West in triumph-Battle between Mormons and

Methodists-Death of Patten-Massacre of Mormons at

Haun's mills-Far West capitulates, our prophet is given

up, and sentenced to be shot - He is imprisoned and

brought to trial with his accomplices-The Mormons are

expelled from Missouri, under a threat of extermination—

They settle in Illinois-The prophet and his comrades

escape from jail and join them.

THE PROPHET RETRIEVES HIS MISFORTUNES.

The Mormons gather strength from their reverses, and the

prophet is courted as a great political leader-Nauvoo is

founded, and increases with rapidity-The prophet again

speculates in "town-lots"-He sends Elder Hyde on a pil-

grimage to Jerusalem-The pilgrim sees great signs in

heaven, arrives in Palestine, and offers up a prayer on the

Mount of Olives-The prophet obtains charters for the

Nauvoo legion, the city of Nauvoo, the Mormon univer-

sity, &c.-Ordinances of the mayor and aldermen-Pro-

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