History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

CHARACTERISTICS OF JOSEPH. 187
ciencies are fully supplied by a natural genius, strong
inventive powers of mind, a deep study, and an unusu-
ally correct estimate of the human passions and feel-
ings. In short, he is now endowed with all the re-
quisite traits of character to pursue most successfully
the humbug which he has introduced. His address
is easy, rather fascinating and winning, of a mild and
sober deportment when not irritated. But he frequently
becomes boisterous by the impertinence or
curiosity of the skeptical, and assumes the bravado,
instead of adhering to the meekness which he pro-
fesses. His followers, of course, can discover in his
very countenance all the certain indications of a divine
mission."
One more quotation will serve to show the impression
that Joseph Smith's doctrines and discourse made
not onh on his own followers but on the gentiles, and
even 01 gentile divines. In 1843 a methodist minister,
named Prior, visited Nauvoo and was present
during a sermon preached by the prophet in the temple.
"I took my seat," he remarks, "in a conspicuous
place in the congregation, who were waiting in
breathless silence for his appearance. While he tarried,
I had plenty of time to revolve in my mind the
character and common report of that truly singular
personage. I fancied that I should behold a countenance
sad and sorrowful, yet containing the fiery marks
of rage and exasperation. I supposed that I should
be enabled to discover in him some of those thought-
ful and reserved features, those mystic and sarcastic
glances, which I had fancied the ancient sages to possess.
I expected to see that fearful faltering look of
conscious shame which from what I had heard of him
he might be expected to evince. He appeared at last;
but how was I disappointed when, instead of the head
and horns of the beast and false prophet, I beheld
only the appearance of a common man, of tolerably
large proportions.
"I was sadly disappointed, and thought that, al-