02.02. Prefatory Remarks
Prefatory Remarks
It is well known to some of our fellow-citizens, that two preachers of the Mormonites, a fanatical sect, which originated a few years since in the western part of New York, have recently come to this city to propagate their strange and marvellous doctrines.
I have had several interviews with these men, and have examined their book, called the ’Book of Mormon’, have endeavored to acquaint myself with the details of their history and principles, have put the result of my inquiries in writing, and am satisfied of the delusion and absurdity of their system, and of its evil tendency.
After this investigation, I felt a desire to have the system exposed, immediately in public print. But upon consulting with some judicious friends upon the subject, it was thought best not to take public notice of it at that time, as the system was so unreasonable and ridiculous, that no person of good common sense would believe it. But having witnessed the progress of the delusion among some of our respectable citizens, some of whom were considerd worthy members of the religious societies to which they belonged, I have felt it my indispensable duty, to use my exertion against its spreading and contaminating influence.
However strange to relate, about fifteen persons, in this city have been led away by these false doctrines, have been baptised and joined the Mormon church. And some of these persons ave 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. [FOOTNOTE #1: This place is situated in Jackson county, Missouri, ten miles from the town of Independence.] 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 go into 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 me, that if she had been buried here, before she had been led away by these errors, and had left satisfactory evidence that she was prepared to die, her grief would have been far less than it is now. The remaining persons who were baptised and joined the church, and contemplate going to the west, possess between $3000 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.
Thus are our friends swindled out of their property and drawn from their comfortable homes, to endure the perils of a journey about two thousand miles, by these ignorant fanatics; and when arrived at their earthly paradise, to become the miserable dupes of these temporal and spiritual lords. In view of these evils, and after waiting impatiently for some time, hoping that some person better qualified than myself to do justice to the subject, would undertake it; but not hearing of any, I had concluded to publish the result of my inquiries of these men, with some strictures upon their book. But at this time I was informed by a friend, that a faithful review of the book had been published by one of the most able writers in our country. I immediately sent 600 miles for the review, and have received and perused it. In my apprehension it is the best thing that can be written upon the subject, and will be of inestimable use in preventing and rescuing many from the evils of Mormonism. This review of Mr. Campbell came out first in the ’Millennial Harbinger’, a monthly periodical published by him in Bethany, Virginia, under date of February 7th, 1831. This work is but little known to that class of persons whom I design to benefit. My object, therefore, in publishing it in a pamphlet by itself, is to circulate it among the people of New England, [FOOTNOTE # 2:These preachers intend visiting the cities and principal towns in New England.] that they may receive the same benefit that the people of the south and west have, where the above periodical is extensively circulated. And I doubt not that its gifted author would not only be willing, but much gratified, in having it thus republished and circulated. And with sympathetic feelings for those friends who have been grieved and afflicted in consequence of the delusion, and to prevent others from similar trials in future, by having their friends torn from their embraces, and swindled out of their property, and if possible, to prevent others from becoming the miserable subjects and dupes of these singular fanatics, I have determined to republish this review of Mr. Campbell, with these prefatory remarks; and would recommend the review to the perusal of my fellow citizens, and an enlightened public.
JOSHUA V. HIMES.
Boston, Aug. 14, 1832.