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Letter to the Elders of the Church, 30 November–1 December 1835

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have the clearer proof that the kingdom of satan is divided against itself, and consequently cannot stand: for a kingdom divided against itself, speedily hath an end. If we were disposed to take this gentleman upon his own ground and justly heap upon him that which he so readily and unjustly heaps upon others, we might go farther; we might say that he has wickedly and maliciously lied about, vilified and traduced the characters of innocent men. We might invite the gentleman to a public investigation of these matters; yea, and we do challenge him to an investigation upon any or all principles wherein he feels opposed to us, in public or in private.
We might farther say that, we could introduce him to “Mormonism Unveiled.” Also to the right honorable , who is the legitimate author of the same, who is not so much a doctor of physic, as of falsehood, or by name We could also give him an introduction to the reverend , the illegitimate author of “Mormonism Unveiled,” in order to give currency to the publication, as , about this time, was bound over to court, for threatening life. He is also an associate of the celebrated Mr. [Orris] Clapp, who has of late immortalised his name by swearing that he would not believe a Mormon under oath; and by his polite introduction to said ’s wife, which cost him (as we have been informed) a round sum. Also his son Mathew [Matthew Clapp] testified that, the book of Mormon had been proved false an hundred times, by ’s book: and also, that he would not believe a Mormon under oath. And also we could mention the reverend Mr. [Adamson] Bentley, who, we believe, has been actively engaged in injuring the character of his brother-in-law, viz: Elder .
Now, the above statements are according to our best information: and we believe them to be true; and this is as fair a sample of the doctrine of Campbellism, as we ask, taking the statements of these gentlemen, and judging them by their fruits. And we might add many more to the black catalogue; even the ringleaders, not of the Nazarenes, for how can any good thing come out of Nazareth, but of the far-famed mob: all sons and legitimate heirs to the same spirit of , and “Mormonism Unveiled,” according to the representation in the cut spoken of above.
The above cloud of darkness has long been beating with mountain waves upon the immovable rock of the , and notwithstanding all this, the mustard seed is still towering its lofty branches, higher and higher, and extending itself wider and wider, and the charriot wheels of the kingdom are still rolling on, impelled by the mighty arm of Jehovah; and in spite of all opposition will still roll on until his words are all fulfilled.
Our readers will excuse us for deviating from the subject, when they take into consideration the abuses, that have been heaped upon us heretofore, which we have tamely submitted to, until forbearance is no longer required at our hands, having frequently turned both the right and left cheek, we believe it our duty now to stand up in our own defence. With these remarks we shall proceed with the subject of the .
And another parable spake he unto them: The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened. It may be understood that the church of the Latter Day Saints, has taken its rise from a little leaven that was put into three witnesses. Behold, how much this is like the parable: it is fast leavening the lump, and will soon leaven the whole. But let us pass on.
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitudes, in parables, and without a parable spake he not unto them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables: I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world: Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house, and his disciples came unto him, saying, declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, he that soweth the good seed is the son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one. Now let our readers mark the expression, the field is the world; the tares are the children of the wicked one: the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world. Let them carefully mark this [p. 228]
have the clearer proof that the kingdom of satan is divided against itself, and consequently cannot stand: for a kingdom divided against itself, speedily hath an end. If we were disposed to take this gentleman upon his own ground and justly heap upon him that which he so readily and unjustly heaps upon others, we might go farther; we might say that he has wickedly and maliciously lied about, vilified and traduced the characters of innocent men. We might invite the gentleman to a public investigation of these matters; yea, and we do challenge him to an investigation upon any or all principles wherein he feels opposed to us, in public or in private.
We might farther say that, we could introduce him to “Mormonism Unveiled.” Also to the right honorable , who is the legitimate author of the same, who is not so much a doctor of physic, as of falsehood, or by name We could also give him an introduction to the reverend , the illegitimate author of “Mormonism Unveiled,” in order to give currency to the publication, as , about this time, was bound over to court, for threatening life. He is also an associate of the celebrated Mr. Orris Clapp, who has of late immortalised his name by swearing that he would not believe a Mormon under oath; and by his polite introduction to said ’s wife, which cost him (as we have been informed) a round sum. Also his son Mathew Matthew Clapp testified that, the book of Mormon had been proved false an hundred times, by ’s book: and also, that he would not believe a Mormon under oath. And also we could mention the reverend Mr. Adamson Bentley, who, we believe, has been actively engaged in injuring the character of his brother-in-law, viz: Elder .
Now, the above statements are according to our best information: and we believe them to be true; and this is as fair a sample of the doctrine of Campbellism, as we ask, taking the statements of these gentlemen, and judging them by their fruits. And we might add many more to the black catalogue; even the ringleaders, not of the Nazarenes, for how can any good thing come out of Nazareth, but of the far-famed mob: all sons and legitimate heirs to the same spirit of , and “Mormonism Unveiled,” according to the representation in the cut spoken of above.
The above cloud of darkness has long been beating with mountain waves upon the immovable rock of the , and notwithstanding all this, the mustard seed is still towering its lofty branches, higher and higher, and extending itself wider and wider, and the charriot wheels of the kingdom are still rolling on, impelled by the mighty arm of Jehovah; and in spite of all opposition will still roll on until his words are all fulfilled.
Our readers will excuse us for deviating from the subject, when they take into consideration the abuses, that have been heaped upon us heretofore, which we have tamely submitted to, until forbearance is no longer required at our hands, having frequently turned both the right and left cheek, we believe it our duty now to stand up in our own defence. With these remarks we shall proceed with the subject of the .
And another parable spake he unto them: The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened. It may be understood that the church of the Latter Day Saints, has taken its rise from a little leaven that was put into three witnesses. Behold, how much this is like the parable: it is fast leavening the lump, and will soon leaven the whole. But let us pass on.
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitudes, in parables, and without a parable spake he not unto them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables: I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world: Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house, and his disciples came unto him, saying, declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, he that soweth the good seed is the son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one. Now let our readers mark the expression, the field is the world; the tares are the children of the wicked one: the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world. Let them carefully mark this [p. 228]
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