The Mormon puzzle, and how to solve it

by R. W. Beers

2. Again, in support of the swindling theory, it may be said that, apart from the “peek-stone” business, his previous immoral life and ignorance favors the idea that he was a base villain; but, on the other hand, it might be said that that is only another form of the old mistaken notion that “no good thing can come out of Nazareth.”

3. Then, too, it might be said that Mormonism was regarded as a swindle by the people generally who lived right around him and were acquainted with him and his character; but, on the other hand, it may be said that that is no proof whatever that the Mormon scheme was a fraud, but only another evidence of the truth of the well-known proverb: “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country.”

4. Again, it may be said that Joseph Smith was evidently a swindler, because most of the “Book of Mormon” was copied from the manuscript of one Solomon Spaulding, a Presbyterian clergyman of Western Pennsylvania. Between 1809 and 1813 he lived in Northeastern Ohio, and, being fond of the study of archæology, he became intensely interested in the ancient mounds and fortifications which abound in that region, and he himself opened up one near his own dwelling. Since these mounds gave unmistakable evidences of the existence of an extinct race higher in the scale of civilization than the present American Indians, he adopted the theory that this Continent was peopled by a colony of ancient Israelites, and in a time of infirm health he wrote an historical romance embodying that theory.

The style of the book was a clumsy imitation of our English Bible, and the book originally bore the title of “The Manuscript Found,” the idea at the root of the book being that Mr. Spaulding discovered among other prehistoric mementoes in one of the earth-mounds near his house an ancient manuscript which gave an account of the wanderings and sufferings of the Israelites after coming to America, and he merely translated the story as contained in the manuscript that was found. He tried to have it published and took it to a printing-office in Pittsburg, where it remained for some time. It is said that in his book there was much repetition of phrases common in Scripture, such as, “And it came to pass,” and also that he used the names Lehi, Nephi, Moroni, Lamanites, etc., which names are all found in the “Book of Mormon.”

It is supposed that this manuscript in some way unknown fell into the hands of Smith, and that he and his confederates introduced into it the religious part of the “Book of Mormon” touching the establishment of another church.

But, on the other hand, it may be said that that has ever been strenuously denied by the Mormons, and has never yet been proved. The editor of the Independent says, in the issue of January 7th, 1886, that Mrs. Spaulding herself was in total ignorance concerning the fate of “The Manuscript Found.” During the year 1834, when the events must have been comparatively well fixed in her memory, “she thinks it was once taken to the printing-office of Patterson & Lambdin [in Pittsburg]; but whether it was ever brought back to the house again she is quite uncertain.” The fact is, that from the time it went into the hands of the printer its history is lost. It is true that it might have fallen into the hands of Smith or his confederates, but it is just as likely that it did not. All that we have learned of its contents has been obtained from the memory of persons who had read it or heard it read fifty or more years ago, none of whom are now living. The manuscript itself is not known to have been seen since it was given to the printer. Whether it was destroyed, or is still in existence, no one knows positively.

The only manuscript of Solomon Spaulding’s yet found is the one recently discovered in Honolulu, Sandwich Islands; but concerning this, Rev. Sereno E. Bishop, of Honolulu, says: “Unlike the ‘Book of Mormon,’ the Spaulding manuscript is not sham Hebraistic, but in ordinary English. It contains perhaps no quotations from the Bible, unlike the other, which transfers large portions of Isaiah and other books. Both devise a number of uncouth names for their characters; both record a series of desperate wars; both narrate a voyage across the Atlantic in ancient times and a settlement in North America.” Evidently the “Book of Mormon” was not copied from that manuscript, and the Mormons welcomed it as disproving the Spaulding origin of their sacred book, and have had an edition of it published.

5. Those who believe in the swindling theory will only say that Spaulding had more than one manuscript, and the one recently found is not the one that the “Book of Mormon” was taken from. Besides, the similarity of names and the account of the wars mentioned in this manuscript and the “Book of Mormon” would go far to substantiate the idea that the “Book of Mormon” was copied from some manuscript of Spaulding’s.

But, again, it may be said that there is no doubt that Joseph Smith was at one time in the employ of the brother of Mrs. Spaulding, at whose house she was then residing, just after her husband’s death. Of course he heard all the talk of the house, and much was said concerning the romance by Solomon Spaulding, which all regarded as wonderful both in style and substance. This talk would naturally make a great impression upon the superstitious mind of Smith. He would be very apt to take it as absolute truth, and without seeing the manuscript at all, was prepared to use what he knew of it in getting up one of the greatest delusions in the history of modern times.

6. Moreover, there can be no question at all concerning the fact that his mind was strangely exercised by the popular religious movement that swept through the country at that time, and his imaginative and superstitious mind was deeply impressed by the eloquence of the different evangelists. He became familiar with biblical language, and followed the inclination of those about him to listen to any new-fangled doctrine; and surely the religious teachings of the “Book of Mormon” are positive evidence of the strongest character that the mind of Smith and his coadjutors were greatly influenced by the doctrinal questions that were being agitated at that time in Central New York—Calvinism, Universalism, Methodism, Millerism, Romanism, Campbellism, and other isms.