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Letter to the Elders of the Church, 30 November–1 December 1835

Source Note

JS, Letter, , Geauga Co., OH, to “the Elders of the Church of the Latter Day Saints,” [30 Nov.–1 Dec. 1835]. Featured version published in “To the Elders of the Church of the Latter Day Saints,” Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate, Dec. 1835, 2:225–230. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Oliver Cowdery, Dec. 1834.

Historical Introduction

This letter to the of the church was the last in a three-part series of open letters published in the September, November, and December 1835 issues of the church’s newspaper, the Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. In this installment, written on 30 November and 1 December 1835, JS focused on biblical parables found in Matthew 13, on and the Holy Ghost, and on the establishment of the kingdom of heaven. He also wrote on the of Israel, a subject he discussed in the two previous letters in the series.
JS’s remarks included a strident response to the recent and ongoing opposition from , , , and others. Campbell, Howe, and Hurlbut had repeatedly employed the power of print media to assail JS and the . Campbell led a sizable religious following known formally as the Disciples of Christ and informally as Campbellites. Soon after and many other former Campbellites in northeastern converted to the Mormon faith in late 1830, Campbell used his newspaper, the Millennial Harbinger, and a printed pamphlet titled Delusions: An Analysis of the Book of Mormon to disparage JS. In his writings, Campbell attacked the authenticity of the Book of Mormon and labeled JS an impostor. In September 1834, after “perusing Mr. A. Campbell’s ‘Millennial Harbinger,’” JS wrote a letter to that emphasized the difference in approach between himself and the combative Disciple of Christ leader; he further stated his expectation to see “truth triumph over error” when such men cry “delusion, deception, and false prophets.”
JS’s letter featured here also dismissed the claims of and . The Painesville Telegraph, previously edited and published by Howe, had earlier reprinted some of ’s anti-Mormon polemics and included other articles and editorials belittling the church. But Howe’s book—Mormonism Unvailed, published in late 1834—attacked the reputation of JS and his role in founding the church more personally, partly through negative affidavits about JS and his family gathered by Hurlbut in . In 1833, Orris Clapp and other citizens of , Ohio, employed Hurlbut to collect information about the Smith family and the origin of the Book of Mormon. While doing so, Hurlbut developed a new theory about the Book of Mormon: , not JS, had produced it, and he had done so by plagiarizing an earlier manuscript written by Solomon Spalding. Hearing rumors of a lost “romance,” or novel, Hurlbut collected statements from Spalding’s acquaintances that described the contents of the manuscript. He also claimed that he found the manuscript in Otsego County, New York, and that it contained a story that paralleled the Book of Mormon narrative. Hurlbut supposedly delivered the manuscript to Howe, who chose not to publish the manuscript but instead used Mormonism Unvailed to introduce the Spalding theory and publish many of the affidavits Hurlbut collected about the Smith family and the Book of Mormon.
JS may also have been reacting to attacks published even more recently. In a review of Mormonism Unvailed printed in the January 1835 issue of the Millennial Harbinger, wrote, “No man, not already duped, who has the half of five grains of common sense, can read this narrative of Mormonism without being converted to the belief that Joseph Smith and his colleagues in the plot are a band of the most unprincipled deceivers that ever disgraced any age or nation, and that his followers are a set of superlative fanatics.”
JS’s letter was printed in the December issue of the Messenger and Advocate, which is the only known surviving version. With no original version extant, it is not clear whether JS or his scribe penned this letter. JS’s journal notes that he “spent the day in writing” for the Messenger and Advocate on both 30 November and 1 December. If JS followed the procedure that produced his extensive diary entries during this period, he would have dictated to or otherwise worked with Parrish to compose the letter before submitting it to the editor, , for publication.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Letter to the Elders of the Church, 2 Oct. 1835; and Letter to the Elders of the Church, 16 Nov. 1835.

  2. [2]

    JS, Journal, 30 Nov. and 1 Dec. 1835.

  3. [3]

    “Delusions,” Millennial Harbinger, 7 Feb. 1831, 85–95; Alexander Campbell, Delusions (Boston: Benjamin H. Greene, 1832). The Millennial Harbinger, a publication of the Disciples of Christ, was printed from 1830 to 1870 in Bethany, Virginia. Campbell first attacked JS personally by calling him ignorant, stupid, illiterate, and a false messiah. Campbell also analyzed the Book of Mormon, emphasizing that he considered it internally inconsistent. For more on Campbell, see Hughes, “From Primitive Church to Civil Religion,” 87–103.

    Millennial Harbinger. Bethany, VA. Jan. 1830–Dec. 1870.

    Campbell, Alexander. Delusions. An Analysis of the Book of Mormon; with an Examination of Its Internal and External Evidences, and a Refutation of Its Pretences to Divine Authority. Boston: Benjamin H. Greene, 1832.

    Hughes, Richard T. “From Primitive Church to Civil Religion: The Millennial Odyssey of Alexander Campbell.” Journal of the American Academy of Religion 44, no. 1 (Mar. 1976): 87–103.

  4. [4]

    See “Christendom in Its Dotage,” Millennial Harbinger, Aug. 1834, 374.

    Millennial Harbinger. Bethany, VA. Jan. 1830–Dec. 1870.

  5. [5]

    Letter to Oliver Cowdery, 24 Sept. 1834.

  6. [6]

    For instance, Campbell’s Delusions was reprinted in the 8 and 15 March 1831 issues of the Telegraph. Oliver Cowdery responded to Campbell in his own article printed in the Messenger and Advocate. (“Delusions,” Painesville [OH] Telegraph, 8 Mar. 1831, [1]–[2]; “Internal Evidences,” Painesville Telegraph, 15 Mar. 1831, [1]–[2]; see also Letter to Oliver Cowdery, 24 Sept. 1834; Oliver Cowdery, “Delusion,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Mar. 1835, 1:90–93.)

    Painesville Telegraph. Painesville, OH. 1822–1986.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

  7. [7]

    Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, OH: By the author, 1834); see also “Mormonism Unvailed,” Painesville (OH) Telegraph, 28 Nov. 1834, [3]. Hurlbut’s theory would have required collusion between JS and Sidney Rigdon in the 1820s, but the two did not meet until Rigdon traveled to New York to meet JS in December 1830. Rigdon encountered the Book of Mormon and was baptized just prior to meeting JS. (See Letter from Oliver Cowdery, 12 Nov. 1830; Revelation, 7 Dec. 1830 [D&C 35]; and Pratt, Autobiography, 31–32, 49–50.)

    Howe, Eber D. Mormonism Unvailed: Or, A Faithful Account of That Singular Imposition and Delusion, from Its Rise to the Present Time. With Sketches of the Characters of Its Propagators, and a Full Detail of the Manner in Which the Famous Golden Bible Was Brought before the World. To Which Are Added, Inquiries into the Probability That the Historical Part of the Said Bible Was Written by One Solomon Spalding, More Than Twenty Years Ago, and by Him Intended to Have Been Published as a Romance. Painesville, OH: By the author, 1834.

    Painesville Telegraph. Painesville, OH. 1822–1986.

    Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.

  8. [8]

    When the Spalding manuscript was later rediscovered and published, it bore little resemblance to the Book of Mormon. (See Jackson, Manuscript Found, vii–xxviii.)

    Jackson, Kent P., ed. Manuscript Found: The Complete Original “Spaulding Manuscript.” Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1996.

  9. [9]

    Howe, Mormonism Unvailed, 278–290; Winchester, Plain Facts, 8–9; Eber D. Howe, Statement, 8 Apr. 1885, Collection of Manuscripts about Mormons, 1832–1954, Chicago History Museum; for more information on Hurlbut, see “Joseph Smith Documents from February 1833 through March 1834.”

    Howe, Eber D. Mormonism Unvailed: Or, A Faithful Account of That Singular Imposition and Delusion, from Its Rise to the Present Time. With Sketches of the Characters of Its Propagators, and a Full Detail of the Manner in Which the Famous Golden Bible Was Brought before the World. To Which Are Added, Inquiries into the Probability That the Historical Part of the Said Bible Was Written by One Solomon Spalding, More Than Twenty Years Ago, and by Him Intended to Have Been Published as a Romance. Painesville, OH: By the author, 1834.

    Winchester, Benjamin. Plain Facts, Shewing the Origin of the Spaulding Story, concerning the Manuscript Found, and Its Being Transformed into the Book of Mormon; with a Short History of Dr. P. Hulbert, the Author of the Said Story . . . Re-published by George J. Adams, Minister of the Gospel, Bedford, England. To Which Is Added, a Letter from Elder S. Rigdon, Also, One from Elder O. Hyde, on the Above Subject. Bedford, England: C. B. Merry, 1841.

    Collection of Manuscripts about Mormons, 1832–1954. Chicago History Museum.

  10. [10]

    “Mormonism Unveiled,” Millennial Harbinger, Jan. 1835, 44–45, italics in original.

    Millennial Harbinger. Bethany, VA. Jan. 1830–Dec. 1870.

  11. [11]

    JS, Journal, 30 Nov. and 1 Dec. 1835.

Page 228

have the clearer proof that the kingdom of satan is divided against itself, and consequently cannot stand: for a kingdom divided against itself, speedily hath an end. If we were disposed to take this gentleman upon his own ground and justly heap upon him that which he so readily and unjustly heaps upon others, we might go farther; we might say that he has wickedly and maliciously lied about, vilified and traduced the characters of innocent men. We might invite the gentleman to a public investigation of these matters; yea, and we do challenge him to an investigation upon any or all principles wherein he feels opposed to us, in public or in private.
We might farther say that, we could introduce him to “Mormonism Unveiled.” Also to the right honorable , who is the legitimate author of the same, who is not so much a doctor of physic, as of falsehood, or by name We could also give him an introduction to the reverend , the illegitimate author of “Mormonism Unveiled,” in order to give currency to the publication, as , about this time, was bound over to court, for threatening life. He is also an associate of the celebrated Mr. [Orris] Clapp, who has of late immortalised his name by swearing that he would not believe a Mormon under oath; and by his polite introduction to said ’s wife, which cost him (as we have been informed) a round sum. Also his son Mathew [Matthew Clapp] testified that, the book of Mormon had been proved false an hundred times, by ’s book: and also, that he would not believe a Mormon under oath. And also we could mention the reverend Mr. [Adamson] Bentley, who, we believe, has been actively engaged in injuring the character of his brother-in-law, viz: Elder .
Now, the above statements are according to our best information: and we believe them to be true; and this is as fair a sample of the doctrine of Campbellism, as we ask, taking the statements of these gentlemen, and judging them by their fruits. And we might add many more to the black catalogue; even the ringleaders, not of the Nazarenes, for how can any good thing come out of Nazareth, but of the far-famed mob: all sons and legitimate heirs to the same spirit of , and “Mormonism Unveiled,” according to the representation in the cut spoken of above.
The above cloud of darkness has long been beating with mountain waves upon the immovable rock of the , and notwithstanding all this, the mustard seed is still towering its lofty branches, higher and higher, and extending itself wider and wider, and the charriot wheels of the kingdom are still rolling on, impelled by the mighty arm of Jehovah; and in spite of all opposition will still roll on until his words are all fulfilled.
Our readers will excuse us for deviating from the subject, when they take into consideration the abuses, that have been heaped upon us heretofore, which we have tamely submitted to, until forbearance is no longer required at our hands, having frequently turned both the right and left cheek, we believe it our duty now to stand up in our own defence. With these remarks we shall proceed with the subject of the .
And another parable spake he unto them: The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened. It may be understood that the church of the Latter Day Saints, has taken its rise from a little leaven that was put into three witnesses. Behold, how much this is like the parable: it is fast leavening the lump, and will soon leaven the whole. But let us pass on.
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitudes, in parables, and without a parable spake he not unto them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables: I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world: Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house, and his disciples came unto him, saying, declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, he that soweth the good seed is the son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one. Now let our readers mark the expression, the field is the world; the tares are the children of the wicked one: the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world. Let them carefully mark this [p. 228]
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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to the Elders of the Church, 30 November–1 December 1835
ID #
287
Total Pages
6
Print Volume Location
JSP, D5:89–100
Handwriting on This Page

    Footnotes

    1. [22]

      See Matthew 12:25–28.

    2. [23]

      “Doctor” was Hurlbut’s given first name. He did not practice medicine.

    3. [24]

      JS here suggested that Hurlbut should have been credited as the author of Mormonism Unvailed because he provided the bulk of the research, developed the Spalding theory, and obtained the affidavits published in that book but that Howe was named as author because of court proceedings against Hurlbut in 1834 that might have discredited the book. Hurlbut faced charges and was fined and ordered to “keep the peace” on 9 April 1834, after he threatened to “beat wound or kill” JS. (Geauga Co., OH, Court of Common Pleas Record, vol. P, pp. 431–432, 31 Mar. 1834, microfilm 20,278, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; see also “Joseph Smith Documents from February 1833 through March 1834;” Note to Newel K. Whitney, ca. Oct. 1833–Early 1834; JS, Journal, 28 Jan. and 7–9 Apr. 1834; and “Mormon Trial,” Chardon [OH] Spectator and Geauga Gazette, 12 Apr. 1834, [3].)

      U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

      Chardon Spectator and Geauga Gazette. Chardon, OH. 1833–1835.

    4. [25]

      Orris Clapp of Mentor, Ohio, was patriarch of a prominent family, a follower of Alexander Campbell, and formerly a neighbor of Sidney Rigdon. JS here appears to insinuate that Clapp had an affair with Maria Woodbury, Hurlbut’s wife. Several later articles in the Messenger and Advocate referred to Clapp’s immorality and used it to discredit Campbellism. (Sidney Rigdon to Oliver Cowdery, in LDS Messenger and Advocate, Apr. 1836, 2:298–299; “Persecution,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Jan. 1837, 3:436–439.)

      Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

    5. [26]

      Sidney Rigdon later reiterated this claim. He stated: “Old Clapp, with his two pious sons . . . did actually go and swear, before a justice of the peace, that they would not believe any of the saints under oath; when there was not one out of fifty of them, whose names they had ever heard, nor of whom they had the most distant knowledge; and knew nothing about them, still they were ready to swear, without the most distant knowledge of them, that they would not believe them under oath. If this does not amount to false swearing, in the sight of the great Jehovah, I must confess I do not know what does.” (“Persecution,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Jan. 1837, 3:438.)

      Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

    6. [27]

      Adamson Bentley settled in Warren, Ohio, in 1810 and became the first minister of Concord Baptist Church. Rigdon lived with Bentley when he first moved to Ohio in 1819 or 1820. The two ministered together in the 1820s for northeastern Ohio’s Reformed Baptist movement, which became affiliated with Campbell’s Disciples of Christ in 1832. Both Bentley and Rigdon married daughters of Dorcas and Jeremiah Brooks, making them brothers-in-law after Rigdon’s marriage in 1820. Their relationship became estranged when Rigdon converted to the Latter-day Saint faith in 1830. (See Hayden, Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, 13–14, 102–109; and Rollmann, “Early Baptist Career of Sidney Rigdon,” 39, 47–49.)

      Hayden, Amos Sutton. Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio; with Biographical Sketches of the Principal Agents in Their Religious Movement. Cincinnati: Chase and Hall, 1875.

      Rollmann, Hans. “The Early Baptist Career of Sidney Rigdon in Warren, Ohio.” BYU Studies 21, no. 1 (Winter 1981): 37–50.

    7. [28]

      See John 1:46.

    8. [29]

      Mentor, Ohio, north of Kirtland, was home to a large congregation of Disciples of Christ, or Campbellites, and a stronghold for anti-Mormon activity. (See Pratt, Short Account of a Shameful Outrage, 3–11; and JS, Journal, 2 Dec. 1835.)

      Pratt, Parley P. A Short Account of a Shamevul Outrage, Committed by a Part of the Inhabitants of the Town of Mentor, upon the Person of Elder Parley P. Pratt, while Delivering a Public Discourse upon the Subject of the Gospel; April 7th 1835. [Kirtland?]: [1835?].

    9. [30]

      See Matthew 13:33.

    10. [31]

      See Testimony of Three Witnesses, Late June 1829. Eber D. Howe also published “The Testimony of Three Witnesses” in Mormonism Unvailed, 94–95.

      Howe, Eber D. Mormonism Unvailed: Or, A Faithful Account of That Singular Imposition and Delusion, from Its Rise to the Present Time. With Sketches of the Characters of Its Propagators, and a Full Detail of the Manner in Which the Famous Golden Bible Was Brought before the World. To Which Are Added, Inquiries into the Probability That the Historical Part of the Said Bible Was Written by One Solomon Spalding, More Than Twenty Years Ago, and by Him Intended to Have Been Published as a Romance. Painesville, OH: By the author, 1834.

    11. [32]

      See Matthew 13:34–38.

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