New Witnesses for God (Volume 2 of 3)Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Religion
New Witnesses for God (Volume 2 of 3)
Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Book of Mormon; Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844
Such is a plain statement of all I know respecting the "Mormons."
My impression now is, that the plain-looking countryman was none
other than the Prophet Smith himself, who assumed an appearance
of great simplicity in order to entrap me, if possible, into some
recommendation of his book. That the Prophet aided me, by his
inspiration, in interpreting the volume, is only one of the many
amusing falsehoods which the "Mormonites" utter, relative to my
participation in their doctrines. Of these doctrines I know nothing
whatever, nor have I ever heard a single discourse from any of
their preachers, although I have often felt a strong curiosity to
become an auditor, since my friends tell me that they frequently
name me in their sermons, and even go so far as to say that I am
alluded to in the prophecies of scripture!
If what I have here written shall prove of any service in opening
the eyes of some of their deluded followers to the real designs of
those who profess to be the apostles of "Mormonism," it will afford
me satisfaction equalled, I have no doubt, only by that which
yourself will feel on this subject.
I remain, very respectfully and truly,
Your friend,
CHAS. ANTHON.
Rev. Dr. T. W. Coit, New Rochelle, N. Y. [8]
It will be observed that there is a discrepancy between the letter
written by Professor Anthon to the Rev. Mr. Coit and the one he sent to
E. D. Howe. In the latter he states that he refused to give his opinion
in writing on the characters submitted to him; but in his letter to
Rev. Coit he says that he gave a written opinion to Harris without
hesitation, and to the effect that the marks on the paper appeared to
be merely an imitation of various alphabetical characters that had
no meaning at all connected with them. According to Martin Harris'
statement he gave him a certificate to the effect that the characters
submitted were genuine, and that the translation accompanying them was
correct; but upon hearing that the existence of the Nephite plates
was made known to Joseph Smith by a heavenly messenger, he requested
the return of the paper he had given Martin Harris, and he destroyed
it, saying that the visitation of angels had ceased, etc., I shall
leave it for the anti--"Mormon" friends of Mr. Anthon to reconcile the
contradiction that occurs in his statements, merely remarking that
since the doctor in one letter declares that he refused to give Martin
Harris a written opinion on the characters; and in the other that he
gave him a written opinion, increases very much one's faith in Martin
Harris' statement as against that of Professor Anthon's upon this
point; namely, that the Professor gave Harris a written statement, but
afterwards recalled and destroyed it. The reader should observe also
that in his letter to Rev. Coit, written in 1841, the Professor says
that no one until that time had ever requested from him a statement
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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