Ezra Booth Letters (1

Mormon History: 1830 to 1839

Ezra Booth Letters (1–3)

(1) Former 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. (2) Mormon claims of restoration. City of Zion in Missouri for second coming. Mormons to inherit treasures of enemies. Baptism, High Priesthood. Miracles postponed to Missouri. Revelations as commandments. Bible inferior. Emma wanted Joseph to quit. Martin Harris conspicuous. (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.

Booth's nine letters produced a sensation when there were published in the fall of 1831 and were later included in E. B. Howe's Mormonism Unvailed (1834), from which these texts are taken.

	Letter 1	Written Sept. 12, 1831, six days after Ezra was "silenced from preaching as an Elder in this Church" by a conference in Nelson, Portage County, attended by Joseph, Oliver, Sidney, and others. Minutes of September 6, 1831 Unvailed Mormonism Unvailed, Eber D. Howe (Painesville, Ohio: author, 1834). , 175–179. The letter was published in the Ohio Star (Ravenna, Ohio) on Oct. 13, 1831. Ohio Star transcript by Dale Broadhurst
	NELSON, Portage Co. Sept. 1831.
Returns from Missouri September 1	Rev. Ira Eddy — Dear Sir: I received yours of the 2d inst. and heartily thank you for the favor. It revives afresh in my recollection the scenes of past years, upon the remembrance of which, I dwell with a mixture of pleasurable and painful sensations. I arrived at my home on the 1st of the present month, having finished my tour to the west; since which time the scenes and events in the history of my life, for the last few months, have passed in review before my mind.
Temple corner stone laid Foolish delusion	You are not, it is probable, ignorant of the designs of my most singular and romantic undertaking: sufficient to say, it was for the purpose of exploring the promised land—laying the foundation of the city of Zion, and placing the corner stone of the temple of God. A journey of one thousand miles to the west, has taught me far more abundantly, than I should have probably learned from any other [176] source. It has taught me quite beyond my knowledge, the imbecility of human nature, and especially my own weakness. It has unfolded in its proper character, a delusion to which I had fallen a victim, and taught me the humiliating truth, that I was exerting the powers of both my mind and body, and sacrificing my time and property, to build up a system of delusion, almost unparalleled in the annals of the world.
Duty to expose	If God be a God of consistency and wisdom I now know Mormonism to be a delusion; and this knowledge is built upon the testimony of my senses. In proclaiming it, I am aware I proclaim my own misfortune—but in doing it, I remove a burden from my mind, and discharge a duty as humbling to myself, as it may be profitable to others.
Rev. Eddy warned him	You had heard the story of my wanderings, and "was induced to believe that I had been visited with a species of mental derangement," and therefore, you "had given me up, as one among those friends of early association, who in the lapse of time, would be as though they had not existed." You had concluded that the magic charm of delusion and falsehood, had so wrapped its sable mantle around me, as to exclude the light of truth and secure me a devoted slave. But thanks be to God! the spell is dissipated, and the "captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and not die in the pit."
Conversion to Mormonism	When I embraced Mormonism, I conscientiously believed it to be of God. The impressions of my mind were deep and powerful, and my feelings were exerted to a degree to which I had been a stranger. Like a ghost, it haunted me by night and day, until I was mysteriously hurried, as it were by a kind of necessity, into the vortex of delusion. At times I was much elated; but generally, things in prospect were the greatest stimulants to action.
Missouri Failed prophecy Sidney admits	On our arrival in the western part of the State of Mis[177]souri, the place of our destination, we discovered that prophecy and vision had failed, or rather had proved to be false. This fact was so notorious, and the evidence so clear that no one could mistake it—so much so, that Mr. Rigdon himself said that "Joseph's vision was a bad thing." This was glossed over, apparently, to the satisfaction of most persons present; but not fully to my own. It excited a suspicion that some things were not right, and prepared my mind for the investigation of a variety of circumstances, which occurred during my residence there, and indeed, to review the whole subject, from its commencement to that time.	The vision was of a large church raised up by Oliver Cowdery. ¶ Ezra Booth Letters (6–9)
Interviews with Joseph, Sidney, Oliver Crafty deception	My opportunities for a thorough investigation, were far greater than they could have been, had I remained at home; and therefore, I do not regret that I made the journey, though I sincerely regret the cause of it. Since my return, I have had several interviews with Messrs. Smith, Rigdon and Cowdery, and the various shifts and turns, to which they resorted in order to obviate objectors and difficulties, produced in my mind additional evidence, that there was nothing else than a deeply laid plan of craft and deception.
Joseph's titles	The relation in which Smith stands to the church, is that of a Prophet, Seer, Revelator and Translator; and when he speaks by the Spirit, or says he knows a thing by the communication of the Spirit, it is received as coming directly from the mouth of the Lord.	Term: prophet, seer, and revelator.
Disputes settled by the Spirit rather than experiments	When he says he knows a thing to be so, thus it must stand without controversy. A question is agitated between two Elders of the church—whether or not a bucket of water will become heavier by putting a living fish into it. Much is said by each of the disputants; when at length, Smith decides it in the negative, by saying—"I know by the Spirit, that it will be no heavier." Any person who chooses, may easily ascertain by actual experiment, whether the Prophet was influenced in this decision, by a true or false spirit.	Term: prophet, seer, and revelator.
Must fall under its power to know its power	[178] It is not my design, at this time, to enter into particulars relative to the evidence upon which my renunciation of Mormonism is founded. This evidence is derived from various sources, and is clear and full, and the conviction which it produces, at least on my mind, is irresistible. You are not aware of the nature of this deception, and the spirit that uniformly attends it; nor can you ever know it, unless you yield to its influence, and by experience learn what it is to fall under its power: "from which my earnest prayer is, that you may ever, ever escape."
Goal: despotism in Missouri Sidney: When we do it, the Lord will come	There probably never was a plan better suited to lead the sinner and the conscientious, when in an unguarded hour they listen to its fatal insinuations. The plan is so ingeniously contrived, having for its aim one principal point, viz: the establishment of a society in Missouri, over which the contrivers of this delusive system, are to possess unlimited and despotic sway. To accomplish this, the Elders of the church, by commandment given in Missouri, and of which I was both an eye and an ear witness, are to go forth to preach Mormonism to every creature; and now, said Mr. Rigdon—"The Lord has set us our stint; no matter how soon we perform it— for when this is done, he will make his second appearance."
Grateful for deliverance Painful reflections	I do sincerely, and I trust in deep humility, return unfeigned gratitude to the God of infinite mercy, who, in condescension to my weakness, by a peculiar train of providences, brought me to the light, enabled me to see the hidden things of darkness, and delivered me from the snare of the fowler, and from the contagious pestilence which threatened my entire destruction. The scenes of the past few months, are so different from all others in my life, that they are in truth to me "as a dream when one awaketh." Had my fall affected only myself, my reflections would be far less painful than they now are.
Regrets drawing others in Try to undo	But to know—that whatever influence [179] I may have possessed, has been exerted to draw others into a delusion, from which they may not soon be extricated, is to me a source of sorrow and deep regret. They are at this moment the object of my greatest anxiety and commiseration. I crave their forgiveness, and assure them, that they will ever have an interest in my addresses to the throne of grace. It shall be my endeavor to undo, as far as possible, what I have done in this case, and also to prevent the spread of a delusion, pernicious in its influence, and destructive in its consequences to the body and the soul—to the present and eternal interests of all men.
	I am, through restoring mercy and grace, as in former years, though unworthily, yet affectionately yours in Christ,
	EZRA BOOTH.

	Letter 2	Written Oct. 2, 1831. Unvailed Mormonism Unvailed, Eber D. Howe (Painesville, Ohio: author, 1834). , 179–183. Source
Writes for sake of others	Were there none but myself interested in the exposition of Mormonism, I can assure you my time would be otherwise employed than in writing upon a subject which has heretofore been to me one of deep interest, and at times has occasioned a painful anxiety of mind. I could wish, if possible, to bury it in oblivion; and to remember it no more forever. But as this is a thing which cannot be accomplished in a moment, for the sake of others, who may be exposed to the delusion, from which, through the mercy of God, I have been recovered, and others who are at present involved in it: and also in compliance with your request, I will, as far as I have ability, unfold a system of darkness, fraught with glaring absurdity, and deceptive as falsehood itself.
Summary of Mormon as restored church Apostolic church	This system, to some, carries the face of plausibility, and appears under an imposing form. It claims the Bible for its patron and proffers the restoration of the apostolic church, with all the gifts and graces with which the primitive saints [180] were endowed.
Fullness of the gospel Damnation for all who reject Miracles	It is called the fullness of the gospel of both Jew and Gentile: and is the test by which every man's faith is to be tried. Judgments are denounced against the sinners of this generation; or in other words, all who reject the Book of Mormon, are threatened with eternal damnation. Great promises are made to such as embrace it, signs and wonders are to attend them, such as healing the sick, the blind made to see, the lame to walk, &c.;
Second coming Temple	and they are to receive an everlasting inheritance in "the land of Missouri," where the Savior will make his second appearance; at which place the foundation of the temple of God, and the City of Zion, have been laid, and are soon to be built.	Early use of "temple" for the "house of the Lord," which Joseph and other Mormon sources usually used both in Kirtland and Independence.
Mormons get riches of their enemies	It is also to be a city of Refuge, and a safe asylum when the storms of vengeance shall pour upon the earth, and those who reject the Book of Mormon, shall be swept off as with the besom of destruction. Then shall the riches of the Gentile be consecrated to the Mormonites; they shall have lands and cattle in abundance, and shall possess the gold and silver, and all the treasures of their enemies.
Baptismal prayer and mode	The Mormonite preachers go forth proclaiming repentance and baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost. The form of baptism is similar to other orders; only it is prefaced with—"having authority given me of Jesus Christ;" also, the laying on of hands—"In the name of Jesus Christ, receive ye the Holy Ghost."
High Priesthood, order of Melchizedek Apostolic power in Missouri	Many of them have been ordained to the High Priesthood, or the order of Melchisedec; and profess to be endowed with the same power as the ancient apostles were. But they have been hitherto unsuccessful in finding the lame, the halt, and the blind, who had faith sufficient to become the subjects of their miracles:	Term "order of Melchizedek."
Miracles postponed from NY to Ohio to Missouri	and it is now concluded that this work must be postponed until they get to Missouri; for the Lord will not show those signs [181] to this wicked and adulterous generation. In the commandment given to the churches in the State of New York, to remove to the State of Ohio, they were assured that these miracles should be wrought in the State of Ohio; but now they must be deferred until they are settled in Missouri.
Revelations hidden from world	As the Mormonite church depends principally upon the commandments, and as most of them are concealed from the world, it will be necessary to make some statement respecting them. These commandments come from Smith, at such times and on such occasions as he feels disposed to speak, and Rigdon or Cowdery to write them.
Has 27th commandment to Emma Five or in Missouri	Their exact number I have never taken pains to ascertain. I have the "27th commandment to Emma my daughter in Zion;" and should presume there are betwixt fifty and a hundred.— They received the addition of five or six while in Missouri; and these are considered a miracle in themselves, sufficient to convince any rational mind. But none but the strong in faith are permitted to witness their origin.	D&C 25 H. Michael Marquardt dates this revelation as one of three given July [4–31], 1830. JS revelations Joseph Smith Revelations: Text and Commentary, H. Michael Marquardt (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1999). xxii. If it is considered the last of the three, it is the twenty-seventh known revelation (consistent with Ezra's copy).
Witnessed 3 revelations Revelations = commandments	I had an opportunity of seeing this wonderful exhibition of the wisdom and power of God, at three different times; and I must say, that it bore striking marks of human weakness and wickedness. They are received in the church as divinely inspired, and the name of the Lord is substituted for that of Smith. They are called "The Commandments of the Lord."
Not divulged to world Scriptures not translated correctly Joseph harmonizes	They are considered "The mysteries of the Kingdom;" and to divulge them to the world, is the same as casting pearls before swine. When they and the Scriptures are at variance, the Scriptures are wrongly translated; and Smith, though totally ignorant of the original, being a translator or an alterator, can easily harmonize them.
Everything by commandment	Every thing in the church is done by commandment: and yet it is said to be done by the voice of the church. For instance, Smith gets a commandment that he shall be the "head of the church," or that he "shall rule the Conference," or that the Church [182] shall build him an elegant house, and give him 1000 dollars. For this the members of the church must vote, or they will be cast off for rebelling against the commandments of the Lord.
Others profess revelations Joseph decides	In addition to the Book of Mormon, and the commandments, there are revelations which are not written.—In this department, though Smith is the principal, yet there are others who profess to receive revelations; but after all, Smith is to decide whether they come from the Lord or the devil. Some have been so unfortunate as to have their revelations palmed off upon the latter.
Revelations supercede Bible Bible being revised	These revelations entirely supercede the Bible, and in fact, the Bible is declared too defective to be trusted, in its present form; and it is designed that it shall undergo a thorough alteration, or as they say, translation. This work is now in operation. The Gospel of St. Matthew has already received the purifying touch, and is prepared for the use of the church.	"Plain and precious" parts removed, Old Testament revision began in late 1830 and ended in late December ¶ D&C 37:1. Work on the New Testament began March 7 or 8, 1831 ¶ D&C 45:60–61.
Secrecy	It was intended to have kept this work a profound secret, and strict commandments were given for that purpose; and even the salvation of the church was said to depend upon it. The secret is divulged, but the penalty is not as yet inflicted.—	Secrecy in early days: See Sidney on the Early Days.
Status of the Bible Joseph knows all things	Their revelations are said to be an addition to the Bible.—But instead of being an addition, they destroy its use; for everything which need be known, whether present, past or future, they can learn from Smith, for he has declared to the church, that he "knows all things that will take place from this time to the end of the world." If then, placing the Bible under circumstances which render it entirely useless, is infidelity, Mormonism is infidelity.
Joseph, Sidney, Oliver, Martin Martin most conspicuous	Joseph Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, and Martin Harris, may be considered as the principals in this work; and let Martin Harris tell the story, and he is the most conspicuous of the four.—
Emma wanted Joseph to quit	He informed me, that he went to the place where Joseph resided, and Joseph had given it up, on account of the opposition of his wife and [183] others: but he told Joseph. "I have not come down here for nothing, and we will go on with it."
Martin boastful, fast talker	Martin Harris is what may be called a great talker, and an extravagant boaster; so much so, that he renders himself disagreeable to many of his society. The money he has expended, and the great things he has done, form a considerable topic of his conversation; he understands all prophecies, and knows every thing by the spirit, and he can silence almost any opposer by talking faster, and louder than he can: or by telling him, "I know every thing and you know nothing: I am a wise man and you are a fool;" and in this respect, he stands a fair sample of many others in the church. Yours affectionately,
	E. BOOTH
Letter 3	October 24, 1831	Ohio Star (Ravenna, Ohio), Oct. 27, 1831, Unvailed Mormonism Unvailed, Eber D. Howe (Painesville, Ohio: author, 1834). , 183–187.
Changed Mormonism	Mormonism has in part changed its character, and assumed a different dress, from that under which it made its first appearance on the Western Reserve. Many extraordinary circumstances which then existed, have vanished out of sight; and the Mormonites desire, not only to forget them, but wish them blotted out of the memory of others. Those wonders, which they wish to have forgotten, stand as the principal foundation of the faith of several hundred of the members of their church.
Ezra tells the truth	With the wonders of Mormonism, or some of them, I design to occupy your attention in this letter; and I wish you to observe here, and hereafter remember, that the evidence by which all my statements are supported, is derived from my own experience and observation, or from testimony of persons who still adhere to Mormonism; and I hold myself responsible to any tribunal, whether on earth or in heaven, for the truth of what I write, or at least for an intention to write the truth, and nothing but the truth.
Carried away in the spirit Gift of tongues	"Being carried away in the spirit" and "I know it to be [184] so by the spirit," are well known phrases, and in common use in the Mormonite church. We will first notice the gift of tongues, exercised by some when carried away in the spirit. These persons were apparently lost to all surrounding circumstances, and wrapt up in the contemplation of things, and in communicating with persons not present.—	Tongues
Indian dialect	They articulated sounds, which but few present professed to understand; and those few, declared them to be the Indian language. A merchant, who had formerly been a member of the Methodist society, observed, he had formerly traded with the Indians, and he knew it to be their dialect.
Chapters from the Bible	Being myself present on some of these occasions, a person proffered his services as my interpreter, and translated these sounds, which to me were unintelligible, into English language. One individual could read any chapter of the Old or New Testament, in several different languages. This was known to be the case by a person who professed to understand those languages.
Imagine addressing Indians	In the midst of this delirium, they would, at times, fancy themselves addressing a congregation of their red brethren; and mounted upon a stump, or the fence, or from some elevated situation, would harangue their assembly, until they had convinced and converted them. They would then lead them into the water, and baptize them, and pronounce their sins forgiven.
Imitate Indians	In this exercise, some of them actually went into the water; and in the water, performed the ceremony used in baptizing. These actors assumed the visage of the savage, and so nearly imitated him, not only in language, but in gestures and actions, that it seemed the soul and body were completely metamorphosed into the Indian. No doubt was then entertained but that was an extraordinary work of the Lord, designed to prepare those young men for the Indian mission; and many who are still leaders of the church, could say, "we know by the spirit that it is the work of the Lord."
Gift of tongues abandoned	And now [185] they can say, "they know it is the work of the devil." Most of those who were the principal actors, have since apostatized, and the work is unanimously discarded by the church.
Summary newly invented Mormonism	The limits which my want of time to write, as well as your want of patience to read compel me to prescribe for myself, will allow me only to touch on some of the most prominent parts of this newly invented and heterogeneous system.
Authority licenses Three witnesses sufficient	A new method for obtaining authority to preach the Gospel was introduced into the church. One declared he had received a commission, directly from Heaven, written upon parchment. Another, that it was written upon the palm of his hand, and upon the lid of his Bible, &c. Three witnesses, and they were formerly considered persons of veracity, testified, that they saw the parchment, or something like it, when put into the hands of the candidate. These commissions, when transcribed upon a piece of paper, were read to the church, and the persons who had received them, were ordained to the Elder's office, and sent out into the world to preach. But this also sunk into discredit, and experienced the fate of the former.
Visions popular	Visions, also, were in high credit, and sounded abroad as an infallible testimony in favor of Mormonism. The visionary, at times, imagined he saw the City of New Jerusalem; unlocked its gate, and entered within the walls; passed through its various apartments, and then returned, locked the gate, and put the key into his pocket. When this tour was finished, he would entertain his admiring friends, with a detailed description of the Heavenly City.
Ten Tribes	The condition of the ten tribes of Israel since their captivity, unto the present time, has excited considerable anxiety and given rise to much speculation among the learned. But after all the researches which, have been made, the place of their residence has never been satisfactorily ascer-[186]tained.
North pole	But these visionaries have discovered their place of residence to be contiguous to the north pole; separated from the rest of the world by impassable mountains of ice and snow. In this sequestered residence, they enjoy the society of Elijah the Prophet, and John the Revelator, and perhaps the three immortalized Nephites.—	¶ D&C 133:26–27 See Dale Broadhurst's Hollow Earth Theory (1818–1827) of John C. Symmes.
Passage for return	By and by, the mountains of ice and snow are to give way, and open a passage for the return of these tribes, to the land of Palestine.
Ministering of angels	About this time, the ministration of angels was supposed to be frequent in the church. The Heavenly visitants made their appearance to certain individuals: they seldom made any communication, but presented themselves as spectacles for the beholder to gaze upon, with silent admiration.
Smith only visionary now	Smith is the only one at present, to my knowledge, who pretends to hold converse with the inhabitants of the celestial world. It seems, from his statements, that he can have access to them when and where he pleases. He does not pretend that he sees them with his natural, but with his spiritual, eyes; and he says he can see them as well with his eyes shut, as with them open. So also in the translating. The subject stands before his eyes in print, but it matters not whether his eyes are open or shut; he can see as well one way as the other.
Three Witnesses popular speakers	You have probably read the testimony of the three witnesses appended to the Book of Mormon. These witnesses testify that an angel appeared to them, and presented them the golden plates, and the voice of God declared it to be a divine record. To this they frequently testify, in the presence of large congregations.
Commanded to testify Told what to say	When in Missouri, I had an opportunity to examine a commandment given to these witnesses, previous to their seeing the plates. They were informed that they should see and hear these things by faith, and then they should testify to the world, as though [187] they had seen and heard, as I see a man, and hear his voice: but after all, it amounts simply to this—that by faith or imagination, they saw the plates and the angel, and by faith or imagination they heard the voice of the Lord.	D&C 17
Joseph: discern spirits Angel has bright pillar on head, devil has black pillar	Smith describes an angel as having the appearance of a "tall, slim, well-built, handsome man, with a bright pillar upon his head." The devil once, he says, appeared to him in the same form, excepting upon his head he had a "black pillar," and by this mark he was able to distinguish him from the former.
Hidden treasures for church	It passes for a current fact in the Mormon church, that there are immense treasures in the earth, especially in those places in the state of New York from whence many of the Mormons emigrated last spring: and when they become sufficiently purified, these treasures are to be poured into the lap of their church; to use their own language, they are to be the richest people in the world. These treasures were discovered several years since, by means of the dark glass, the same with which Smith says he translated the most of the Book of Mormon. Several of those persons, together with Smith, who were unsuccessfully engaged in digging and searching for these treasures, now reside in this county, and from themselves I received this information.
	EZRA BOOTH.
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