Book of Mormon was published in the year 1830. Since that period
its believers and advocates have propagated its doctrines and
absurdities with a zeal worthy of a better cause. Through every State
of the Union, and in Canada, the apostles of this wild delusion have
disseminated its principles and duped thousands to believe it true.
They have crossed the ocean, and in England have made many converts;
recently some of their missionaries have been sent to Palestine. Such
strenuous exertions having been, and still being made, to propagate the
doctrines of this book, and such fruits having already appeared from the
labours of its friends, it becomes a matter of some interest to
investigate the history of this strange delusion, and, although it does
not deserve it, treat the subject seriously.

The Book of Mormon purports to be the record or history of a certain
people who inhabited America previous to its discovery by Columbus.
According to the book, this people were the descendants of one Lehi, who
crossed the ocean from the eastern continent to that of America. Their
history and records, containing prophecies and revelations, were
engraven, by the command of God, on small plates, and deposited in the
hill Comora, which appears to be situated in Western New York. Thus was
preserved an account of this race (together with their religious creed)
up to the period when the descendants of Laman, Lemuel, and Sam, who
were the three eldest sons of Lehi, arose and destroyed the descendants
of Nephi, who was the youngest son. From this period the descendants of
the eldest sons "dwindled in unbelief," and "became a dark, loathsome,
and filthy people." These last-mentioned are the present American
Indians.

The plates above mentioned remained in their depository until 1827, when
they were found by Joseph Smith, junior, who was directed in the
discovery by the angel of the Lord. On these plates were certain
hieroglyphics, said to be of the Egyptian character, which Smith, by the
direction of God, being instructed by inspiration as to their meaning,
proceeded to translate.

It will be here proper to remark, that a narrative so extraordinary as
that contained in the book of Mormon, translated from hieroglyphics, of
which even the most learned have but a limited knowledge, and that too,
by an ignorant man, who pretended to no other knowledge of the
characters than what he derived from inspiration, requires more than
ordinary ev