Letter to Oliver Cowdery, 24 September 1834

Dear brother,—

I have, of late, been perusing Mr. A[lexander] Campbell’s “Millennial Harbin ger.” I never have rejoiced to see men of corrupt hearts step forward and assume the  authority and pretend to teach the ways of God—this is, and always has been a matter  of grief; therefore I cannot but be thankful, that I have been instrumental in the provi dence of our heavenly Father in drawing forth, before the eyes of the world, the spirits  by which certain ones, who profess to be “Reformers, and Restorers of ancient princi ples,” are actuated! I have always had the satisfaction of seeing the truth triumph  over error, and darkness give way before light, when such men were provoked to expose  the corruption of their own hearts, by crying delusion, deception, and false prophets,  accusing the innocent, and condemning the guiltless, and exalting themselves to the  stations of gods, to lead blind-fold, men to perdition!

I have never been blessed, (if it may be called such,) with a personal acquaintance  with Mr. Campbell, neither a personal interview; but the great man, not unfrequently  condescends to notice an individual of as obscure birth as myself, if I am at liberty to in terpret the language of his “Harbinger,” where he says, “Joe Smith! Joe Smith! im posture! imposture!” I have noticed a strange thing! I will inform you of my mean ing, though I presume you have seen the same ere this. Mr. Campbell was very lav ish of his expositions of the falsity and incorrectness of the book of Mormon, some time  since, but of late, since the publication of the Evening and the Morning Star, has said  little or nothing, except some of his back-handed cants. He did, to be sure, about the  time the church of Christ

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

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was established in Ohio

French explored area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Partitioned from Northwest Territory and admitted as state, 1803. Bordered by Lake Erie on ...

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, come out with a lengthy article, in  which he undertook to prove that it was incorrect and contrary to the former revelations  of the Lord. Perhaps, he is of opinion that he so completely overthrew the foundation  on which it was based, that all that is now wanting to effect an utter downfall of those  who have embraced its principles is, to continue to bark and howl, and cry, Joe Smith!  false prophet! and ridicule every man who may be disposed to examine the evidences  which God has given to the world of its truth!

I have never written Mr. Campbell, nor received a communication from him but a  public notice in his paper:—If you will give this short note a place in the Star you  will do me a kindness, as I take this course to inform the gentleman, that while he is  breathing out scurrility he is effectually showing the honest, the motives and principles  by which he is governed, and often causes men to investigate and embrace the book of  Mormon, who might otherwise never have perused it. I am satisfied, therefore he  should continue his scurrility; indeed, I am more than gratified, because his cry of Joe  Smith! Joe Smith! false prophet! false prophet! must manifest to all men the spirit he  is of, and serves to open the eyes of the people.

I wish to inform him further, that as he has, for a length of time, smitten me upon  one cheek, and I have offered no resistance, I have turned the other also, to obey the  commandment of our Savior; and am content to sit awhile longer in silence and see the  great work of God roll on, amid the opposition of this world in the face of every scan dal and falsehood which may be invented and put in circulation.

To Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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