| Popular Methodist minister, Ezra
Booth, joins
the church early in 1831, goes to Missouri, and comes to
the conclusion that Mormonism is a hoax and a fraud. He writes nine
letters detailing his experience. They are published in the Ohio Star (Ravenna,
Ohio, about 38 miles from Kirtland) between October 13 and December 10,
1831. From early December 1831 to January 8 or 10, 1832, Joseph and Sidney
preach in Ravenna and the surrounding area to counteract the letters'
effect. |
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| In 1834 Eber D. Howe gives the letters wider
circulation by including them in Mormonism
Unvailed, the first
book-length exposé of Mormonism. |
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| Joseph
a despot |
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Letter 1 Methodist minister Ezra Booth admits he was completely fooled by Mormonism
and now considers it a duty to expose the delusion. Joseph's failed
vision of a large congregation in Missouri. He settles everything by
revelation. Goal of despotic society in Missouri for second coming. |
Restoration
claims
Miracles postponed
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Letter 2
Mormon claims of restoration. City of Zion in Missouri for second coming.
Mormons to inherit treaures of enemies. Baptism, High Priesthood. Miracles
postponed to Missouri. Revelations as commandments. Bible inferior. Emma
wanted Joseph to quit. Martin Harris conspicuous. |
Speaking
in tongues
Three Witnesses
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Letter 3
Gift of tongues, Indian connection discarded. Visions once popular, now
only for Joseph. Three Witnesses told what to say. Hidden treasures to benefit
church. |
June
3–6, 1831 conference
Vision, Man of Sin |
|
Letter 4 High expectations
for June 4, 1831 conference. Joseph promised some would see the Savior.
Joseph ordains Lyman Wight and others to the High Priesthood, then Lyman
declares he has seen the Lord and Joseph delegates him to ordain the others.
The "Man of Sin" is manifest and Joseph casts him out. |
Joseph
travels in style
Disappointment in Independence
Saints believe land free
Vision of large congregation fails
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Letter 5
None leave the church because of the unusual events of June 4, because
they were diverted by the prospects of a visit to Missouri, the promised
land. Joseph, Sidney, and Martin travel in comfort, by boat, and the rest
overland on foot. They are disappointed by Independence—little civilization,
unfulfilled promises of miracles and spiritual gifts. Joseph tells the Saints
they must purchase the land, which they believed would be given to them.
His vision of a large congregation proves false. |
Indians
Temple cornerstone
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Letter 6
Independence was selected because of its proximity to the Indians, who
are to be converted. But they are not interested. Laying of the temple
cornerstone is a disappointment. An expensive trip of little value. Joseph
announces there is a great work to do in Kirtland, so gathering to Missouri
is no longer a high priority. |
Edward
Partridge
Joseph's temper, manipulations
Sidney's exaggerations
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Letter 7
Edward Partridge is an honest man, but he serves at Joseph's pleasure and
cannot last long—was commanded to obtain 1,000 acres for the church
in Thompson, without going into debt, which couldn't be done. September
20, 1831 letter to Edward, imploring him to leave the church. Recounts their
trip to Missouri—Joseph's false prophecy of a large church built up
there by Oliver Cowdery, his hot temper, overbearance, use of revelations
to silence critics, Sidney's exaggerations. |
Indians,
New Jerusalem
Joseph's authority
Oliver's aspirations
Sister Hubble
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Letter 8
Native origins a popular topic, but only God knows. Book of Mormon claims
Indians part of House of Israel and New Jerusalem to be built among them.
Oliver to preach to them. Text of D&C 28. Copy of covenants to go by
Oliver and companions. Joseph's exclusive prerogatives to give written
commandments, name successor. Oliver's aspirations, may declare oral revelations,
assigned to put down Hiram Page's revelations. Kirtland prophetess popular
with some, including Sydney; put down by Joseph. |
Sidney's
visions
Oliver's tarnished reputation
Indians uninterested
Marry Indian women |
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Letter 9
Lamanite missionaries visit Sidney, who gets a vision confirming Mormonism.
He claims many visions, most ignore them. Oliver's reputation tarnished
by proposing marriage to two women at the same time. Indians at Sandusky
not interested. Went to Missouri but lacked commitment to get and use required
documentation. Instead plan is to use storehouse license to visit Indians,
also to marry Indian women. |
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Kirtland
Jackson County
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