cording 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, jun., 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 evidence to substantiate it. It will, therefore, be our purpose
to inquire into the nature and degree of testimony which has been given
to the world to substantiate the claims of this extraordinary book.

In the first place, the existence of the plates themselves has ever
since their alleged discovery been in dispute. On this point it would be
extremely easy to give some proofs, by making an exhibition of them to
the world. If they are so ancient as they are claimed to be, and
designed for the purpose of transmitting the history of a people, and if
they have lain for ages deposited In the earth, their appearance would
certainly indicate the fact. What evidence, then, have we of the
_existence_ of these plates? Why, none other than the mere _dictum_ of
Smith himself and the certificates of eleven other individuals, who say
that they have seen them; and upon this testimony we are required to
believe this most extraordinary narrative.

Now,