--- title: Mormonism Unvailed description: 1834 book by E. D. Howe about the origins of Mormonism, included as a historical source. authors: - Howe, Eber Dudley collections: - history tags: - history - 19th-century published: "1834" publisher: Printed and published by the author edition: First edition (Painesville, Ohio, 1834) language: en type: book reference: 'E. D. Howe, *Mormonism Unvailed* (Painesville, OH: Printed and published by the author, 1834), "Chapter X," 124-132.' source: url: https://ia801708.us.archive.org/33/items/mormonismunvaile00howe/mormonismunvaile00howe.pdf identifier: mormonismunvaile00howe transcription: Text from the Spalding Studies Library online transcription, with printed pagination checked against the Internet Archive scan; website navigation text removed; bracketed markers such as [sic] come from that transcription. start_page: 124 end_page: 132 curator_note: First published 1834. Online text from the Spalding Studies Library was used for transcription; the Internet Archive scan was used for printed pagination and section ranges. rights: status: public-domain basis: 1834 US publication (Painesville, Ohio); published before 1931, so public domain in the United States source: https://archive.org/details/mormonismunvaile00howe publication_year: 1834 --- # Chapter X About this time an opinion was propagated among them, that they should never *taste death,* if they had sufficient faith. They were commanded to have little or no connection with those who had not embraced their faith, and every thing must be done within themselves. Even the wine which they used at their communion, they were ordered to make from cider and other materials. All diseases and sickness among them were to be cured by the Elders, and by the use of *herbs* -- denouncing the Physicians *of the world,* and their medicines, as enemies to the human race. ==> They had one or two *root doctors* among them, for whose benefit it is presumed the Lord made known his will, if at all. Notwithstanding, the prophet himself was the first one to break over the rules he had received from the Lord. Being much alarmed for the fate of his "elect lady," in an obstetrical case, he *applied to the world,* (after all the Mormon remedies had failed,) for an eminent physician. This gave dissatisfaction to some of the followers, but like every thing else, was easily smoothed over. About the last of March, a young man about 20 years of age, by the name of *Dota,* became suddenly ill and died. He was duly commissioned, after their manner, to preach, was very active and zealous in the cause, and so fully did he believe in the divine mission and miraculous powers of Smith, that he had a firm expectation of living in the world a thousand years. This he made known to a near relation of his, about four weeks before his disease. Five days before he expired, he was suddenly attacked with an inflammation in the bowels. He was immediately removed to the residence of his parents, living in the neighborhood, who had no faith in the Mormon remedies for the cure of diseases. No persuasion, however, could induce the young man to have a physician called, so strongly was he impressed with the supernatural powers of Smith. Several of the Elders assembled around the sick man, where they continued to encourage him to persevere, and ministering to his delusion, by telling him that he was getting better, and would soon be well, till they saw he was about to expire, when they left him to his fate. Smith was sent for soon after he was taken sick, and proceeded towards the house of Dota, to heal him, but soon returned back, saying that he had received a commandment not to "cast pearl[s] before swine." He, however, visited the sick man a day or two after, and protested against calling a physician, saying that he would get well. A physician was finally called, a few hours before he expired, who told him he had fallen a victim to his delusions. When the young man discovered that death was nigh, his faith in Smith's pretensions seemed to forsake him. He said, "what a wonderful mistake I have made." Addressing himself to an old man of the Mormon faith, he said, "you are a friend to every body -- I must shake hands with you -- this is a lesson which I have learnt by actual experience, by which you ought to profit, but with me it is too late." The Mormons soon began to assemble in considerable numbers at and about Kirtland, the supposed "eternal inheritance," and those who were able, bought land; but the greater part of their dupes had thus far been the poor and needy, and came there with a view of enjoying all things "in common," as such doctrine had gone forth. Many, however, found out their mistake after their arrival; and the revelation appeared to be only that the prophet and some of his relations should be supported by the church. -- In consequence of their inability to purchase lands adjoining head-quarters, they were scattered about in several townships, much exposed to "wild beasts," and subject to have their faith shaken by the influence of reason. Several renounced it. They were daily running to the prophet with queries and doubts which were constantly arising upon their minds. He generally satisfied them by *explaining;* nevertheless, they annoyed him much, and the necessity of withdrawing them from the influences which surrounded them, became apparent; hence, their removal to Missouri, where they could, in time, purchase all the land which they should need at a low rate, and become a "distinct people." As before noticed, Cowdery and his companions, proceeded on to the west, with the avowed intention of converting the Indians, under a command of the Lord. On their way they tried their skill on several tribes, but made no proselytes, although their deluded brethren at home could daily see them, in visions, baptizing whole tribes. They finally arrived at the western line of the State of Missouri, late in the fall of 1830, with the intention of proceeding into the Indian country, but were stopped by the agents of the general government, under an act of Congress, to prevent the white people from trading or settling among them. They then took up their winter quarters in the village of Independence, about 12 miles from the State line. Here they obtained employment during the winter. In the following spring, one of them returned to Kirtland, with a flattering account of the country about Independence. About the 1st of June, the prophet assembled all his followers, for the purpose of a great meeting, at which time it was given out that marvelous events were to take place. Here many new attempts were made by Smith to perform miracles and otherwise deceive his followers. Previous to this time, it should be remarked, nearly all the Mormonites had arrived from the State of New York, under a revelation, of course, to take possession of the "promised land." There were, in all, about fifty families. At the above mentioned meeting a long revelation was manufactured, commanding all the leading men and Elders to depart forthwith for the western part of Missouri, naming each one separately, informing them that only two should go together, and that every two should take separate roads, preaching by the way. Only about two weeks were allowed them to make preparations for the journey, and most of them left what business they had to be closed by others. Some left large families, with their crops upon the ground, &c. &c., and embarked for a distant land, from which they have not yet returned. For further particulars of this expedition, its objects and return, we shall refer the reader to the statements of an eye-witness, who was one of the party, which are given at length hereafter, (see Booth's Letters.) On arriving at the village of Independence, they proceeded to purchase a lot of land, upon which the prophet directed Rigdon and Cowdery to perform the mock ceremony of laying the corner stone of a city, which he called *Zion.* Of the future prosperity and magnificence of this city, many marvelous revelations were had by the prophet and many more marvelous conjectures formed by his dupes. Among others, it was said that it would in a few years exceed in splendor every thing known in ancient times. Its streets were to be paved with gold; all that escaped the general destruction which was soon to take place, would there assemble with all their wealth; the ten lost tribes of Israel had been discovered in their retreat, in the vicinity of the North Pole, where they had for ages been secluded by immense barriers of ice, and became vastly rich; the ice in a few years was to be melted away, when those tribes, with St. John and some of the Nephites, which the Book of Mormon had immortalized, would be seen making their appearance in the new city, loaded with immense quantities of gold and silver. Whether the prophet himself ever declared that these things had been revealed to him, or that he had seen them through his magic stone, or silver spectacles, we will not say; but that such stories and hundreds of others equally absurd, were told by those who were in daily intercourse with him, as being events which would *probably* take place, are susceptible of proof. The prophet and his *life-guard* of Elders, stayed in their city about two weeks. Revelations were had for a part of them to return to Ohio, a part to stay and take charge of the city, and a part to commence preaching "in the region round about." Much dissatisfaction was manifested by some of the dupes, as to the selection of the site, and the general appearance of the country. Smith, Rigdon and Cowdery returned to the old head-quarters in Kirtland. -- Their followers immediately commenced selling their lands, mostly at great sacrifice, and made preparations for emigrating up the Missouri. All were now anxious to sell, instead of buying more land in Ohio. A special command was given to seventeen families, who had settled in one township, some three months previous, to depart forthwith to the promised land, who obeyed orders, leaving their crops to those who owned the land. Besides a great variety of special revelations relating to individuals, and other matters, a general one was given to the proselytes to sell their lands and other property and repair to Missouri as fast as possible, but not in haste. Accordingly, many went during the year, making sacrifices of property, (those few of them who had any,) in proportion to their faith and their anxiety to be upon their "eternal inheritance." In the mean time, thirty or forty "Elders" were sent off in various directions in pursuit of proselytes. This year passed off with a gradual increase, and considerable wealth was drawn in, so that they began to boast of a capital stock of ten or fifteen thousand dollars. Their common stock principles appear to be somewhat similar to those of the Shakers. Each one, however, is allowed to "manage his own affairs in his own way," until he arrives in Missouri. There the Bishop resides; he has supreme command in all property matters, according to the revelations given by the prophet. The one relating to this branch of business reads in these words: "If thou lovest me, thou shalt serve me and keep my commandments; and behold thou shalt consecrate all thy properties, that which thou hast unto me, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken; and they shall be laid before the Bishop of my church, and two of the Elders, such as he shall appoint and set apart for that purpose. And it shall come to pass that the Bishop of my Church, after that he has received the properties of my Church, that it *cannot be taken from the Church,* he shall appoint every man a steward over his own property, or that which he has received, inasmuch as shall be sufficient for himself and family; and the residue shall be kept to administer to him who has not, that every man may receive according as he stands in need; and the residue shall be kept in my store-house, to administer to the poor and needy, as shall be appointed by the Elders of the Church and Bishop, and for the purpose of purchasing land, and the building up of the New Jerusalem, which is hereafter to be revealed; that my covenant people may be gathered in one, in the day that I shall come to my temple; and this I do for the salvation of my people. And it shall come to pass, that he that sinneth and repenteth not, shall be cast out, and *shall not receive again that which he has consecrated unto me:* For it shall come to pass, that which I spoke by the mouths of my prophets shall be fulfilled, for I will consecrate the riches of the Gentiles, unto my people which are of the house of Israel." The next year commenced with something like a change of operations. Instead of selling their possessions in Ohio, they again began to buy up improved land, mills and water privileges. It would seem that the Missouri country began to look rather dreary to the prophet and his head men, supposing that they could not enjoy their power there as well as in Ohio. They could not think of undergoing the hardships and privations incident to a new country. Besides, the people there were not much disposed to encourage the emigration of such an army of fanatics -- and their "Lamanite" brethren under Gen. Black Hawk, were about that time commencing a war upon the whites. They, therefore, continued to extend their impositions by sending abroad every thing that could walk, no matter how ignorant, if they had learnt the tales and vagaries of their leaders. All that were so sent, were dubbed *Elders* or *High Priests,* and furnished with a commission, purporting to have been dictated by the Lord to the Prophet. These requisites being added to their credulity, they were of course inspired will all necessary self-sufficiency, zeal and impudence. They were thus prepared to declare that every thing which they stated or imagined, was absolutely true -- for the *Spirit* had so informed them. Many of them actually carried their power of discerning spirits, and their enthusiasm, so far that they frequently declared, that if Smith and all his witnesses were now to come forward and say that his pretensions were a wicked deception, they would not believe a word of it -- because the *Spirit* had shown that it was true. Here again, the intelligent mind will readily discover one of the principal sources of all error and delusion. Here is the sure refuge, the fast hold, of every impostor. This something, which is the *Spirit,* or the *Holy Spirit,* has been the standing, unequivocal, incontrovertible and true witness for at least 24 false Messiahs, for Mahomet, who is considered the prince of impostors, and for nearly fifty others who have come with pretended commissions from Heaven. They all had, or may still have, numerous followers, whose faith was wrought and confirmed by what they suppose to be the *Spirit.* During the year 1832, considerable progress was made in writing out, and revising the Old and New Testaments, which the prophet pretended to do by inspiration, or by the guidance of the Spirit. In this business, most of his leisure hours were occupied, Rigdon acting as scribe. They say that the Scriptures, in their present form, retain but little of their original purity and beauty, having been so often copied and translated by unskilful hands. The whole of the old Bible is now said to be ready for the press, in its amended form, and will be forthcoming, as soon as the state of their finances will permit. The curious, perhaps, may be anxious to learn what alterations the prophet has made in the numerous verses and chapters which he has copied into his book of Mormon, almost verbatim, and especially the thirteen chapters of Isaiah. Revelations and commandments still continue to be received. Visions were frequently had, and extraordinary prophecies given out verbally by Smith, to his followers, to strengthen and prolong their faith. Although he has assumed the name and title of prophet, he is very cautious how he commits himself. His predictions are always found far off, equivocal, and ambiguous, and always relate to some events which every one supposes to be quite probable, and delivered in such a way, that their failure is susceptible of an easy explanation, but if he happens to *guess right,* in any case, it is immediately placed to his credit as a true prophecy. We will give but a single specimen of this