“This Joe Smith must be set down as an extraordinary character, a prophet-hero, as Carlyle might call him. He is one of the great men of this age, and in future history will rank with those, who, in one way or other, have stamped their impress strongly on society.

Nothing can be more plebian, in seeming, than this Joe Smith. Little of dignity is there in his cognomen; but few in this age have done such deeds, and performed such apparent miracles. It is no small thing, in the blaze of this nineteenth century, <​to give to Man a New Revelation; found a new religion; establish new forms of worship,​> to build a city, with new laws, institutions, and orders of architecture; to establish ecclesiastical civil, and military jurisdiction; found colleges; send out missionaries, and make proselytes in two hemispheres: yet all this has been done by Joe Smith, and that against every sort of opposition, ridicule, and persecution. This sect has its martyrs also, and the spirit in which they were imprisoned and murdered, in , does not appear to have differed much from that which has attended religious persecutions in all ages of the world.

That Joe Smith, the founder of the Mormons, is a man of great talent— a deep thinker, and eloquent speaker; an able writer, and a man of great mental power, no one can doubt who has watched his career. That his followers are deceived, we all believe; but, should the inherent corruptions of Mormonism fail to develop themselves sufficiently to convince its followers of their error where will the thing end? A great military despotism is growing up in the fertile West, increasing faster, in proportion, than the surrounding population, spreading its influence around, and marshalling multitudes under its banners, causing serious alarm to every patriot.”

“Messrs Editors:— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was founded upon direct revelation, as the true Church of God has ever been, according to the scriptures: [-[Amos 3.7 and Acts 1. 2.]]- and through the will and blessings of God, I have been an instrument, in his hands, thus far, to move forward the cause of Zion: Therefore, in order to fulfil the solicitations of your letter of July last, I shall commence with my life.

“I was born in the town of , Windsor Co., Vermont, on the 23rd of December A. D. 1805. When ten years old my parents removed to [p. 1714]