1844-11-23-The Prophet-Letter From W. Smith
Letter from W. Smith
The Prophet
23 November 1844
Letter from W. Smith
Bordentown, N. J., Nov. 1st, 1844.
Brother Brannan,
I ask pardon for obtruding the name of B. Winchester once more before the public, as I had considered him unworthy of further notice, and I still consider him so; but his manner of proceeding is calculated to give an air of importance and notoriety entirely unworthy of the man. (When we speak of man, we have reference to man in principle, not is shape.) And I should not have replied to his unholy attack and outrages upon the church, if circumstances had not rendered it necessary. Being in the city of Philadelphia last evening, I became more acquainted with his foul aspersions and base calumny, mingled with sophistry and subterfuges, to carry out his aspiring plans.
I stated in my last, that there was no law in this church commanding a plurality of wives; and I am bold to say, that B. Winchester is a wanton falsifier, and base calumniator, when he says a doctrine of this kind is tolerated or taught in the church!
It is plain to be seen then, that Benny is fighting nothing but the air; the belief and private opinion of men in or out of the church, is not the standard for church government, unless that opinion or belief is submitted to a law, and a church considered bound by it.
The first causes that have led to the late infraction, are not because (neither is it contended) there are deficiencies of immoralities in the laws of the church. But the difficulties pretended are in the Elders, or members of said church. What an argument is this? This would disorganize and unchristianize the whole religious world, allowing them to be christians as well as the old orthodox Mormon church. The only remedy to be applied is for bad men and members to repent and do their first works over again; if in error of doctrine--forsake it, and sin no more (especially where this doctrine that is false becomes a leading or a standard principle); otherwise the candlestick must be removed out of its place. But I do contend that all men have a right to their own opinion and belief, uncontrolled by church or state, provided that opinion does not interfere with church government, or the rights and privileges of others.
Who appointed Ben Winchester the Prophet, great dictator and regulator of this church, to direct and dictate to the saints, their faith and doctrine? Did Israel's God do it? If he did, I must confess that men of veracity and truth are getting rather scarce, judging from personal manifestations; but as he is ordained a King, when he is crowned, perhaps, there may be a different manifestation. It is singular, indeed, to see the raw subterfuge resorted to by these Rigdonites, garbling the scriptures, Book of Doctrine and Covenants, revelations given to the saints concerning Jackson County, Mo., are made to apply to Nauvoo. Sayings spoken thousands of years ago, concerning Judea and Jerusalem are applied to the daughters of Nauvoo with their head dress, round tires, "nose jewels, and tinkling ornaments," when they have none -- these few, if no more, are enough to show the saints the rottenness of a cause that has to be sustained by misapplying scriptures and revelations by false arguments. * * *
As ever your brother in Christ.
WILLIAM SMITH
