1832-09-07-Christian Watchman-The Mormonites

The Mormonites

Source: Christian Watchman, v13 n36, 7 September 1832, pg 1

The Mormonites

It is our humiliating duty to record the fact, that two of the preachers of this fanatical sect have visited our city, endeavouring to propagate their strange doctrines, and it is said that about fifteen persons here have become converts, having been led away by their delusions. Rev. JOSHUA V. HIMES, pastor of a Baptist church in this city, has republished Mr. Campbell's Analysis of the pretended "Book of Mormon," with prefatory remarks, for which service he merits the thanks of the public. Mr. Himes states that he has had several interviews with these men, and has examined their book, which they pretend is a revelation from God. He has acquainted himself with the details of their history and principles, and is satisfied of the delusion and absurdity of their system, and of its evil tendency. One of the leading tenets of these deluded people is,—a positive contradiction of the Scriptures,—that the promised land is not Palestine, but a tract of country situated in Jackson county, Missouri, ten miles from the town of Independence. Some of these enthusiasts have set out for "the promised land, the place of refuge for the house of Israel, and for all the Gentile world, who will take warning and flee thither for safety." Mr. Himes says in his preface, that "two individuals who have gone are defenceless females. They had acquired by their hard industry, $2300, one of them having $800, the other $1500, which they have given up to the general stock.—One of these females was in a consumption, and her friends thought she would not live to reach her destined place."—Her afflicted sister told Mr. Himes, that if she had been buried here, before she had been led away by these errors, and had left satisfactory evidence of grace, her grief would have been much lessened.

Mr. Himes adds—"The remaining persons who were baptized and joined the Mormonites, and contemplate going to the West, possess between $3600 and $4000, which they also are going to put with the general fund, and which they can never draw out again, should they get sick of Mormonism, and wish to return home to their friends." The pretended "promised land" of these ignorant people is about two thousand miles distant.

These preachers intend visiting the cities and principal towns in New-England. We are informed that they have recently visited Lynn, where they have endeavoured to make a favourable impression, by the appearance of great sincerity.

It seems surprising that persons of common sense should be deceived by such a production as this "Book of Mormon." It carries internal evidence of its folly. It admits the Old and New Testaments to be divine, but contains numerous contradictions of the Bible. One Joseph Smith is supposed to be its real author, though it is pretended to be a translation from some mystical plates. Whoever is its author or pretended translator, he is grossly ignorant of English grammar. The book is a 12mo. vol. of more than 500 pages.

The facts stated in this connexion bring to mind the exhortation of Paul to the Hebrews—"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines; for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace." There are some persons who appear remarkably predisposed to delusions. If a new doctrine has a fascinating colouring of the marvellous, they seem to be all ready to receive it as a new discovery of truth. They have very inadequate views of religion, almost uniformly connecting with it, something that is strange and unreasonable. True religion, or that which the apostle calls, "the heart established with grace," will lead us to the infallible test which we have in our hands, the Scriptures of truth. Whoever contradicts these, is either a deceiver, or deceived, however sincere or even pious he may seem to be. Hence the great worth of enlightened personal religion.

The "Analysis" may be bought at the Bookstore of Mr. B. H. Green.