CHAPTER I. Alleged origin of Mormonism--Joseph Smith's early life--Finding the peek-stone--Visited by an angel--Received the golden plates--Was Smith a swindler or an enthusiast?--"Book of Mormon" published, and Mormon Church established--Smith's first alleged miracle--Rigdon joins the Mormons--Mormonism compared to Mohammedanism.It is acknowledged by all who have given careful thought to the subject,that Mormonism presents us with a very extraordinary civilization and themost peculiar religion under the sun; but _its history_ is as unique andpeculiar as the system itself, and is well worthy the attention of thephilosopher as well as the student of human nature and human history.Its alleged origin was miraculous, and calculated to inspire its followerswith wonder, admiration, and awe. As Moses, the founder of Judaism,received the two tables of the moral law, which constituted the briefBible of the Israelites, from the hand of God Himself, while the lightningblazed around his head and the earth quaked beneath his feet, so JosephSmith (it is alleged) received his Golden Bible from the hand of an angelon the Hill Cummorah near Palmyra, N. Y., amid thunder and lightning. Heis represented in an old picture as kneeling on the steep incline of thathill, the wind blowing his long hair out in all directions, and his eyesbig with surprise. Above him in a cloud is the placid angel, gazingintently upon the future prophet, who is eagerly taking his credentialsfrom a cemented stone chest which had been buried some 1400 years, whileout of the overshadowing cloud have come forth zigzags of lightning whichare playing around both Joseph and the angel.The name of the angel was Moroni, and he informed Smith that the fate ofthe early inhabitants of America was written on golden tablets within thatchest, and that these could be read only by the aid of some wonderfulstone spectacles called "Urim and Thummim," which were also in the chest.Smith said that on opening the precious box he found six golden tabletseighteen inches square held together by rings at the back, and also thestone spectacles to decipher the tablets; and besides these, the sword ofLaban and a "breastplate" which had been brought from Jerusalem by theearly inhabitants of our land were inclosed in the chest.The hill on which these sacred things were found is at present known asGold Bible Hill, and the true Mormon venerates it as a sacred spot, andtravels from afar to see its quiet but not remarkable beauty. It is aconical elevation several hundred feet in height, and in its isolation andpeculiar form bears a certain resemblance to an extinct volcano. It issmooth and green to the very top, from which there is a picturesque viewof hills and dales in all directions. It is situated in Wayne County, N.Y., four miles from the village of Palmyra and three miles from the homeof the false prophet who has given it its present fame.Like all other prophets, whether true or false, Joseph Smith was of veryhumble origin. His father was a cooper by trade, and he dug wells andworked on the neighboring farms when he could. His mother washed by theday, but it is said that her employers were careful to have the clothes inbefore dark, as experience had taught them they would disappear if left onthe lines over night. The whole family made baskets and maple sugar, andraised and sold garden vegetables.The youthful Joseph assisted generally, and (it is alleged) was an adeptin robbing hen-roosts and orchards. It seems that when quite young hecould read, but not write. His two standard volumes were "The Life ofStephen Burroughs," the clerical scoundrel, and the autobiography ofCaptain Kidd, the pirate. The latter work was eagerly and often perused.At an early age he committed the following lines to memory, which seemedto give him great pleasure: