1841 02 01 American Masonic Register-The Mormons

The Mormons

American Masonic Register and Literary Companion, Feb 1, 1840; v1, n22, pg. 174

THE MORMONS.—This Sect, which a few years ago, numbered, ome half a dozen fanatics, is said to have increased to many thousands, which may be ascribed entirely to the persecution they have been made to undergo. The religion of Jo Smith, as laid down in his "Golden Bible," embraces, perhaps, more absurdities and improbabilities, than can be found in the Mahometan creed, with the Arabian Nights as a "concordance." But no matter how absurd a man's belief may be, once open the floodgates of persecution, on him, and he will be surrounded with proselytes.—This has been the case with the believers in the "Golden Bible," they have been hunted down as beasts of prey—robbed of their property,—their dwellings laid in ashes, and, almost every cruelty put upon them, until from a mere handful of deluded fanatics, they have become a formidable Sect, endowed with wealth, and embracing in their communion a large number of staid and respectable citizens. An Illinois paper says, there is a society of them in New Jersey, also in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, and in numerous places in the west. They have commenced a paper in Illinois at their new Settlement, called the "Times and the Seasons," which announces the departure of twelve of their number to England, as Apostles. The Peoria Register, thus speaks of their new Settlement.

"It has been chosen by the church at a late conference, as one of the points of gathering for the church in the latter days. The Mormons regard the signs of the times as indicating the speedy approach of the Millenium; and these points are selected as ensigns for the gathering of the society to escape the judgments which will immediately precede that event.

We are told that large accessions have been made to the number of the society during the past fall, embracing many families of great respectability and influence, in Adams, Hancock, and M'Donough counties. Several branches of the church have been established in these counties, and the society is represented as never more prosperous, or as indulging brighter hopes than at present."