Before the Mormons settled in the vicinity, no shop for the sale of spirituous liquors had been established in Montrose. After their arrival two of their preachers commenced a grog-shop in that place, which was principally supported by the "Latter-day Saints." In September 1841, the prophet being in Montrose, became intoxicated at this shop. While in this condition he told the by-standers "that he could drink them all drunk," and requested the shop-keeper to treat all his friends at his expense.
On another occasion, having been discharged from arrest, through informality in the writ requiring his apprehension for high treason against the State of Missouri, Smith gave a party at Monmouth, and, after a regular frolic with his lawyers and friends, became thoroughly intoxicated. On being asked how it was that he, a prophet of the Lord, could get drunk, he replied, that it was necessary that he should do so, in order to prevent his followers from worshipping him as a God.
While intoxicated at Montrose, at another time, he was heard by several persons saying to himself, "I am a P.R.O.F.I.T. I am a P.R.O.F.I.T."—spelling (or rather mis-spelling) the word deliberately, and repeating the letters in solemn succession.
About two years since, at a political convention held in Nauvoo, the prophet became intoxicated, and was led home by his brother Hyrum. On the following Sunday, he acknowledged the fact in public. He said that he had been tempted, and had drunk too much; but that he had yielded to the temptation for the following reason:—Several of the elders had got drunk, and had never made confession; but he was desirous of getting drunk and confessing it, in order to set the elders a good example.
The language of the prophet is gross in the extreme. A Mormon, for example, having made some remarks derogatory to "the elect lady," Mrs. Smith, the prophet was dreadfully exasperated. He endeavoured to find out the name of the offender; but, being unable to do so, he alluded to the subject in a sermon, preached in the open air, at Montrose, on the 9th of May, 1841. He said, "I hope I may never find out that person; for if I do, my appetite shall never be satisfied till I have his blood; and if he ever crosses my threshold I will send him to hell."
I have already stated some circumstances which may appear to reflect on the common honesty of some of the Mormons. Mr. K. mentioned that he had lived five years among heathen Indians, and had never been robbed by them of the most trifling article. During the three years which have elapsed since the settlement of the Mormons at Montrose and Nauvoo, fourteen robberies, to the amount of two thousand dollars, have been committed upon his property. 1st, His store was robbed of goods worth five hundred dollars; 2nd, his warehouse was plundered of one barrel of pork, two barrels of sugar, and five kegs of lard; 3rd, his smoke-house was despoiled of thirty-three hams and eleven shoulders; the 4th robbery deprived him of a barrel and a half of salt; the 5th, of another barrel of salt; the 6th, of a saddle, bridle, and martingale, which were taken from his stable; 7thly, four wheels were taken from his waggon; 8thly, three saddles and bridles and a martingale from his stable; 9thly, sixty bushels of wheat from his granary; 10thly, six boxes of glass, a hundred and fifty pounds of bacon, and two boxes of axes, from his warehouse; 11th, six more barrels of salt; 12th, between three and four hundred bushels of Indian corn; 13th, one wheel was stolen from his chariot within an enclosure; and, 14th, his store was robbed of forty-two pieces of dark prints, five or six pieces of satinette, and other articles, worth about four hundred dollars.
Joseph Smith, alluding to these robberies in a sermon, said that he "did not care how much was taken from Mr. K. and his brother." He cited the example of Christ and his apostles, who, he said, when hungry, scrupled not to steal corn while walking in the fields. He added the following words,—"The world owes me a good living; if I cannot get it otherwise, I will steal it, and catch me at it if you can."
He has, however, thought fit to disavow these principles. In the "Times and Seasons" of Dec. 1, 1841, we have the following official document:
| "State of Illinois, | ⎫ | |
| ⎬ | SS. | |
| Hancock County. | ⎭ |