I, Joseph Capron, became acquainted with Joseph Smith senior in the year of our Lord 1827. They have, since then, been really a peculiar people – fond of the foolish and the marvelous – at one time addicted to vice and the grossest immoralities – at another time making the highest pretensions to piety and holy intercourse with Almighty God. The family of Smiths held Joseph junior in high estimation on account of some supernatural power, which he was supposed to possess. This power he pretended to have received through the medium of a stone of peculiar quality. The stone was placed in a hat, in such a manner as to exclude all light, except that which emanated from the stone itself. This light of the stone, he pretended, enabled him to see any thing he wished. Accordingly he discovered ghosts, infernal spirits, mountains of gold and silver, and many other invaluable treasures deposited in the earth. He would often tell his neighbors of his wonderful discoveries, and urge them to embark in the money digging business. Luxury and wealth were to be given to all who would adhere to his counsel. Joseph Capron, sworn statement 1833
We, the undersigned, have been acquainted with the Smith family, for a number of years, while they resided near this place, and we have no hesitation in saying, that we consider them destitute of that moral character, which ought to entitle them to the confidence of any community.
They were particularly famous for visionary projects, spent much of their time in digging for money which they pretended was hid in the earth; and to this day, large excavations may be seen in the earth, not far from their residence, where they used to spend their time in digging for hidden treasures.
Joseph Smith senior, and his son Joseph, were in particular, considered entirely destitute of moral character, and addicted to vicious habits.
Martin Harris was a man who had acquired a handsome property, and in matters of business his word was considered good; but on moral and religious subjects, he was perfectly visionary – sometimes advocating one sentiment, and sometimes another.
And in reference to all with whom we were acquainted, that have embraced Mormonism from this neighborhood, we are compeled to say, were very visionary, and most of them destitute of moral character, and without influence in this community; and this may account why they were permitted to go on with their impositions undisturbed.
It was not supposed that any of them were possessed of sufficient character or influence to make any one believe their book or their sentiments, and we know not of a single individual in this vicinity that puts the least confidence in their pretended revelations. [signed by] Lemuel Durfee & 50 others, sworn affidavit 4th December 1833
We, the undersigned, being personally acquainted with the family of Joseph Smith senior with whom the celebrated Gold Bible, so called, originated, state: that they were not only a lazy, indolent set of men, but also intemperate; and their word was not to be depended upon; and that we are truly glad to dispense with their society. Pardon Butts & 10 others, sworn statement May 1834, cited Eber Howe ‘Mormonism Unvailed’
For breach of contracts, for the non-payment of debts and borrowed money, and for duplicity with their neighbors, the family was notorious. Once, since the Gold Bible speculation commenced, the old man was sued; and while the sheriff was at his house, he lied to him and was detected in the falsehood. Before he left the house, he confessed that it was sometimes necessary for him to tell an honest lie, in order to live. Roswell Nichols, sworn statement 1833
These circumstances and many others of a similar tenor, embolden me to say that Joseph Smith junior is not a man of truth and veracity; and that his general character in this part of the country, is that of an impostor, hypocrite and liar. Nathaniel C Lewis, sworn statement March 1834
In conversation with Joseph Smith junior, he (Smith) said he was nearly equal to Jesus Christ; that he was a prophet sent by God to bring in the Jews, and that he was the greatest prophet that had ever arisen. Hezekiah M’Kune, sworn statement
And yet, although so social and even convivial at times, he would allow no arrogance or undue liberties. Criticisms, even by his associates, were rarely acceptable. Contradictions would arouse in him the lion at once. By no one of his fellows would he be superseded ... one or another of his associates were more than once, for their impudence, helped from the congregation by his foot ... He soundly thrashed his brother William. Benjamin F Johnson, best friend of Joseph Smith, letter to George S Gibbs 1903
Q) What kind of a man was Smith?
A) I have entertained him for a month at a time while we lived in Philadelphia, while he was hiding from a mob. There was not a particle of true religion in him. His talk was never about anything pure or elevating. He liked to talk about be[ing] a great general or leader, and commanding people, and getting before the public. He could not reason on anything. He was well versed in Billingsgate vocabulary. Well versed in blackguard language for his evidences. He liked to use slang and cutting remarks on his persecutors. He loved to give orders to the church and to show authority. As a boy he was wild and curious. His mother and father expected great things of him. He carried what he called a ‘Peep stone’ through which he claimed to see hidden treasure etc. This is what he afterwards called his ‘Urim and Thummim’. Finally he took the notion to get up a book. Then he claimed to have made the discovery of the plates. Then he got Cowdery, Harris and Whitmer into it. Testimony of Benjamin Winchester 1900
Q) Have you any theory as to the origin of the Book of Mormon?
A) I am satisfied that it originated with Smith and Cowdery and possibly Harris contributed some to it. Afterward as Smith was very quarrelsome – the most abusive man I ever saw – he quarreled with the three witnesses, and all the other witnesses only his own family. Cowdery at the time, however, claimed to not know the source of the book. As the church increased in numbers Smith got more saucy and more abusive and he got to drinking badly. ibid.
Q) Did Joseph Smith, the prophet, ever practice polygamy?
A) Yes, I know he had for wives Ella Kimball, Louisa Beman, Eliza Snow and two Partridges. Also before the revelation came out on polygamy he had a child to a Miss Smith of Philadelphia. She had two children before he sealed her as his wife. She was a fine looking woman, and traveled for months with Smith, about nine or ten months before her child was born. It could not have been any other man’s child. Smith got Philo Dibble to marry her so as to avoid scandal. ibid.
There were not over 150 members when I joined it. I kept educating myself. I often saw Smith’s bad conduct but they admonished me to keep on. They pointed out to me just as bad things in other churches. They pointed to the men of the bible, how wicked many of them were, and how oppressive they were; yet that God approved of them – so I kept on and thought it was all right. ibid.
Was Smith prayerful? No. He often stopped at my house and though I have asked him to say grace at the table or to offer family prayers he always refused. There was not a particle of piety in him. He never wanted to talk on piety ... but always on some ideas of greatness etc. ibid.
Smith was a perfect libertine. Women got to running after him because they believed him to be a prophet. The whole church is a rotten concern.
A Professor of the Eclectic college of Cincinnati got to running around with Smith. His name was John C Bennet. They ran with other men’s wives so much that much trouble arose over it. Then Bennet got up this revelation on polygamy, which was a fraud, to cover their perfidy. He got out of Nauvoo before Smith’s assassination, but he and Smith had a ‘big time’ before that. ibid.
What caused Smith’s death? It was the masons who killed him. Hiram Smith had been an arch-mason, but left them after the Book of Mormon came out, as it denounced secretism etc. But afterward Smith applied for a charter to initiate members and conduct masonry among his followers. The charter was granted and he began to initiate into the lodge every Tom, Dick and Harry. Every male among us that was old enough was admitted into membership. This was at Nauvoo. This conduct caused trouble, and the charter was revoked. Smith never stuck long to any thing. The mob consisted mostly of masons, and those who were indignant over plural marriages, seduction, etc. ibid.
How I do love to hear the wolves howl! Joseph Smith
It is the will of the Lord that those who went to Zion, with a determination to lay down their lives, if necessary, should be ordained to the ministry, and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the Lord, which was nigh – even fifty-six years, should wind up the scene. Joseph Smith, The History of the Church vol II: 182
We then partook of some refreshments, and our hearts were made glad with the fruit of the vine. ibid. II:369
Elders Orson Hyde, Luke S Johnson, and Warren Parrish then presented the Presidency with three servers of glasses filled with wine to bless. And it fell to my lot to attend to this duty, which I cheerfully discharged. It was then passed round in order, then the cake in the same order; and suffice it to say, our hearts were made glad while partaking of the bounty of earth which was presented, until we had taken our fill. ibid. II:378
The south will cry out against me as being uncharitable, unfeeling, unkind, and wholly unacquainted with the Gospel of Christ ... the first mention we have of slavery is found in the Holy Bible ... And so far from that prediction being averse to the mind of God, it remains as a lasting monument of the decree of Jehovah, to the shame and confusion of all who have cried out against the South, in consequence of their holding the sons of Ham in servitude ... I can say, the curse is not yet taken off from the sons of Canaan, neither will be until it is affected by as great a power as caused it to come; and the people who interfere the least with the purposes of God in this matter, will come under the least condemnation before him; and those who are determined to pursue a course, which shows an opposition, and a feverish restlessness against the decrees of the Lord, will learn, when perhaps it is too late for their own good, that God can do his own work, without the aid of those who are not dictated by His counsel. ibid. II:436-438