Chapter XXXI: The Wentworth Letter. 1

_March 1, 1842_.--At the request of Mr. John Wentworth, Editor and Proprietor of the _Chicago Democrat_, I have written the following sketch of the rise, progress, persecution, and faith of the Latter-day Saints, of which I have the honor, under God, of being the founder. Mr. Wentworth says that he wishes to furnish Mr. Bastow, a friend of his, who is writing the history of New Hampshire, with this document. As Mr. Bastow has {536} taken the proper steps to obtain correct information, all that I shall ask at his hands, is, that he publish the account entire, ungarnished, and without misrepresentation.

I was born in the town of Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont, on
the 23rd of December, A. D. 1805. When ten years old, my parents
removed to Palmyra, New York, where we resided about four years,
and from thence we removed to the town of Manchester. My father was
a farmer and taught me the art of husbandry. When about fourteen
years of age, I began to reflect upon the importance of being
prepared for a future state, and upon inquiring [about] the plan
of salvation, I find that there was a great clash in religious
sentiment; if I went to one society they referred me to one plan,
and another to another; each one pointing to his own particular
creed as the _summum bonum_ of perfection. Considering that all
could not be right, and that God could not be the author of so much
confusion, I determined to investigate the subject more fully,
believing that if God had a Church it would not be split up into
factions, and that if He taught one society to worship one way, and
administer in one set of ordinances, He would not teach another,
principles which were diametrically opposed.

Believing the word of God, I had confidence in the declaration of
James--"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given
him." I retired to a secret place in a grove, and began to call
upon the Lord; while fervently engaged in supplication, my mind was
taken away from the objects with which I was surrounded, and I was
enwrapped in a heavenly vision, and saw two glorious personages,
who exactly resembled each other in features and likeness,
surrounded with a brilliant light which eclipsed the sun at noon
day. They told me that all religious denominations were believing
in incorrect doctrines, and that none of them was acknowledged of
God as His Church and kingdom: and was expressly commanded "to go
not after them," at the same time receiving a promise that the
fullness of the Gospel should at some future time be made known
unto me.

On the evening on the 21st of September, A. D. 1823, while I was
praying unto God, and endeavoring to exercise faith in the precious
promises of Scripture, on a sudden a light like that of day, only
of a far purer and more glorious appearance and brightness, burst
into the room, indeed the first sight was as though the house was
filled with consuming fire; the appearance produced a shock that
affected the whole body; in a moment a personage stood before me
surrounded with a glory yet greater than that with which I was
already surrounded. This messenger {537} proclaimed himself to be
an angel of God, sent to bring the joyful tidings that the covenant
which God made with ancient Israel was at hand to be fulfilled,
that the preparatory work for the second coming of the Messiah was
speedily to commence; that the time was at hand for the Gospel in
all its fullness to be preached in power, unto all nations that a
people might be prepared for the Millennial reign. I was informed
that I was chosen to be an instrument in the hands of God to bring
about some of His purposes in this glorious dispensation.

I was also informed concerning the aboriginal inhabitants of this
country and shown who they were, and from whence they came; a brief
sketch of their origin, progress, civilization, laws, governments,
of their righteousness and iniquity, and the blessings of God being
finally withdrawn from them as a people, was made known unto me;
I was also told where were deposited some plates on which were
engraven an abridgment of the records of the ancient Prophets that
had existed on this continent. The angel appeared to me three times
the same night and unfolded the same things. After having received
many visits from the angels of God unfolding the majesty and glory
of the events that should transpire in the last days, on the
morning of the 22nd of September, A. D. 1827, the angel of the Lord
delivered the records into my hands.

These records were engraven on plates which had the appearance of
gold, each plate was six inches wide and eight inches long, and not
quite so thick as common tin. They were filled with engravings,
in Egyptian characters, and bound together in a volume as the
leaves of a book, with three rings running through the whole.
The volume was something near six inches in thickness, a part of
which was sealed. The characters on the unsealed part were small,
and beautifully engraved. The whole book exhibited many marks
of antiquity in its construction, and much skill in the art of
engraving. With the records was found a curious instrument, which
the ancients called "Urim and Thummim," which consisted of two
transparent stones set in the rim of a bow fastened to a breast
plate. Through the medium of the Urim and Thummim I translated the
record by the gift and power of God.

In this important and interesting book the history of ancient
America is unfolded, from its first settlement by a colony that
came from the Tower of Babel, at the confusion of languages to
the beginning of the fifth century of the Christian Era. We are
informed by these records that America in ancient times has been
inhabited by two distinct races of people. The first were called
Jaredites, and came directly from the Tower of Babel. The second
race came directly from the city of Jerusalem, about six hundred
years before Christ. They were principally Israelites, of the
descendants of Joseph. The Jaredites were destroyed about the time
that the Israelites came from Jerusalem, who succeeded {538} them
in the inheritance of the country. The principal nation of the
second race fell in battle towards the close of the fourth century.
The remnant are the Indians that now inhabit this country. This
book also tells us that our Savior made His appearance upon this
continent after His resurrection; that He planted the Gospel here
in all its fulness, and richness, and power, and blessing; that
they had Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists;
the same order, the same priesthood, the same ordinances,
gifts, powers, and blessings, as were enjoyed on the eastern
continent, that the people were cut off in consequence of their
transgressions, that the last of their prophets who existed among
them was commanded to write an abridgment of their prophecies,
history, &c, and to hide it up in the earth, and that it should
come forth and be united with the Bible for the accomplishment of
the purposes of God in the last days. For a more particular account
I would refer to the Book of Mormon, which can be purchased at
Nauvoo, or from any of our Traveling Elders.

As soon as the news of this discovery was made known, false
reports, misrepresentation and slander flew, as on the wings of
the wind, in every direction; the house was frequently beset by
mobs and evil designing persons. Several times I was shot at, and
very narrowly escaped, and every device was made use of to get the
plates away from me; but the power and blessing of God attended me,
and several began to believe my testimony.

On the 6th of April, 1830, the "Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints" was first organized in the town of Fayette,
Seneca county, state of New York. Some few were called and
ordained by the Spirit of revelation and prophecy, and began to
preach as the Spirit gave them utterance, and though weak, yet
were they strengthened by the power of God, and many were brought
to repentance, were immersed in the water, and were filled with
the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. They saw visions and
prophesied, devils were cast out, and the sick healed by the laying
on of hands. From that time the work rolled forth with astonishing
rapidity, and churches were soon formed in the states of New York,
Pennsylvania Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri; in the last
named state a considerable settlement was formed in Jackson county:
numbers joined the Church and we were increasing rapidly; we made
large purchases of land, our farms teemed with plenty, and peace
and happiness were enjoyed in our domestic circle, and throughout
our neighborhood; but as we could not associate with our neighbors
(who were, many of them, of the basest of men, and had fled from
the face of civilized society, to the frontier country to escape
the hand of justice,) in their midnight revels, their Sabbath
breaking, horse racing and gambling; they commenced at first to
ridicule, then to persecute, {539} and finally an organized mob
assembled and burned our houses, tarred and feathered and whipped
many of our brethren, and finally, contrary to law, justice and
humanity, drove them from their habitations; who, houseless and
homeless, had to wander on the bleak prairies till the children
left the tracks of their blood on the prairie. This took place
in the month of November, and they had no other covering but the
canopy of heaven, in this inclement season of the year; this
proceeding was winked at by the government, and although we had
warrantee deeds for our land, and had violated no law, we could
obtain no redress.

There were many sick, who were thus inhumanly driven from their
houses, and had to endure all this abuse and to seek homes
where they could be found. The result was, that a great many of
them being deprived of the comforts of life, and the necessary
attendances, died; many children were left orphans, wives, widows
and husbands, widowers; our farms were taken possession of by the
mob, many thousands of cattle, sheep, horses and hogs were taken,
and our household goods, store goods, and printing press and type
were broken, taken, or otherwise destroyed.

Many of our brethren removed to Clay county, where they continued
until 1836, three years; there was no violence offered, but there
were threatenings of violence. But in the summer of 1836 these
threatenings began to assume a more serious form, from threats,
public meetings were called, resolutions were passed, vengeance and
destruction were threatened, and affairs again assumed a fearful
attitude, Jackson county was a sufficient precedent, and as the
authorities in that county did not interfere they boasted that they
would not in this; which on application to the authorities we found
to be too true, and after much privation and loss of property, we
were again driven from our homes.

We next settled in Caldwell and Daviess counties, where we made
large and extensive settlements, thinking to free ourselves from
the power of oppression, by settling in new counties, with very
few inhabitants in them; but here we were not allowed to live in
peace, but in 1838 we were again attacked by mobs, an exterminating
order was issued by Governor Boggs, and under the sanction of
law, an organized banditti ranged through the country, robbed us
of our cattle, sheep, hogs, &c., many of our people were murdered
in cold blood, the chastity of our women was violated, and we
were forced to sign away our property at the point of the sword;
and after enduring every indignity that could be heaped upon us
by an inhuman, ungodly band of marauders, from twelve to fifteen
thousand souls, men, women, and children were driven from their
own firesides, and from lands to which they had warrantee deeds,
houseless, friendless, and homeless (in the depths of winter) to
wander as exiles on the earth, or to seek an asylum in a more {540}
genial clime, and among a less barbarous people. Many sickened and
died in consequence of the cold and hardships they had to endure;
many wives were left widows, and children, orphans, and destitute.
It would take more time than is allotted me here to describe the
injustice, the wrongs, the murders the bloodshed, the theft, misery
and woe that have been caused by the barbarous, inhuman, and
lawless proceedings of the state of Missouri.

In the situation before alluded to, we arrived in the state of
Illinois in 1839, where we found a hospitable people and a friendly
home; a people who were willing to be governed by the principles
of law and humanity. We have commenced to build a city called
"Nauvoo," in Hancock county. We number from six to eight thousand
here, besides vast numbers in the county around, and in almost
every county of the state. We have a city charter granted us,
and charter for a Legion, the troops of which now number 1,500.
We have also a charter for a University, for an Agricultural and
Manufacturing Society, have our own laws and administrators, and
possess all the privileges that other free and enlightened citizens
enjoy.

Persecution has not stopped the progress of truth, but has only
added fuel to the flame, it has spread with increasing rapidity.
Proud of the cause which they have espoused, and conscious of our
innocence, and of the truth of their system, amidst calumny and
reproach, have the Elders of this Church gone forth, and planted
the Gospel in almost every state in the Union; it has penetrated
our cities, it has spread over our villages, and has caused
thousands of our intelligent, noble, and patriotic citizens to
obey its divine mandates, and be governed by its sacred truths. It
has also spread into England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, where,
in the year 1840, a few of our missionaries were sent, and over
five thousand joined the Standard of Truth; there are numbers now
joining in every land.

Our missionaries are going forth to different nations, and in
Germany, Palestine, New Holland, Australia, the East Indies, and
other places, the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed
hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage,
mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the
truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it
has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every
country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall
be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.

We believe in God the eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ,
and in the Holy Ghost.

We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not
for Adam's transgression.

{541} We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind
may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

We believe that the first principle and ordinances of the Gospel
are: (1) Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; (2) Repentance; (3)
Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; (4) Laying on of
hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We believe that a man must be called of God by prophecy and by
the laying on hands, by those who are in authority, to preach the
Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive
Church, viz.: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists,
etc.

We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions,
healing, interpretation of tongues, etc.

We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is
translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the
word of God.

We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal,
and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important
things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the
restoration of the Ten Tribes: that Zion will be built upon this
[the American] continent; that Christ will reign personally upon
the earth; and that the earth will be renewed and receive its
paradisiacal glory.

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to
the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same
privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and
magistrates, in obeying honoring and sustaining the law.

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous,
and in doing good to _all men_; indeed we may say that we follow
the admonition of Paul, "We believe all thing, we hope all things,
we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all
things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report,
or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

Respectfully, &c.,

Joseph Smith.

Footnotes:

1. The "Wentworth Letter" is one of the choicest documents in our Church literature; as also it is the earliest published document by the Prophet making any pretension to consecutive narrative of those events in which the great latter-day work had its origin. It was published in number 9 of Volume III of the "Times and Seasons," March 1st, 1841; while the publication of that more pretentious History of the Church under the title "History of Joseph Smith," of which these volumes are but a reproduction, was not commenced until number 10, Volume III, of the "Times and Seasons," March 15th, 1841. Introducing this "History of Joseph Smith," in the "Times and Seasons" (Vol. III, p. 726) is the following note referring to the Wentworth Letter and the more pretentious "History."

"In the last number I gave a brief history of the rise and progress of the Church, I now enter more particularly into that history, and extract from my journal."

Referring again to this Wentworth Letter, I may say that for combining conciseness of statement with comprehensiveness of treatment of the subject with which it deals, it has few equals among historical documents, and certainly none that excel it in our Church literature. In it one has in a few pages (less than six of these pages) a remarkably full history of the leading events in the Church, and an epitome of her doctrines, from the beginning (the birth of the Prophet, 1805) up to the date of publication, March, 1841, a period of thirty-six years. The epitome of the doctrines of the Church, since called "The Articles of Faith," and published by millions, has been carried to all the nations of the earth and tribes of men where the gospel has been preached. These Articles of Faith were not produced by the labored efforts and harmonized contentions of scholastics, but were struck off by one inspired mind at a single effort to make a declaration of that which is most assuredly believed by the Church, for one making earnest inquiry about the truth. The combined directness, perspicuity, simplicity and comprehensiveness of this statement of the principles of our religion may be relied upon as strong evidence of a divine inspiration resting upon the Prophet, Joseph Smith.

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