History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

40 THE STORY OF MORMONISM.
ries of their opponents; that is, giving in the text
the narrative proper, and in the notes further information,
elucidation, and counter-statements, according to
my custom. All this by no means implies, here or
elsewhere in my work, that when a Mormon elder, a
catholic priest, or a baptist preacher says he had a
vision, felt within him some supernatural influence, or
said a prayer which produced a certain result, it is
proper or relevant for me to stop and dispute with
him whether he really did see, feel, or experience as
alleged.
As to the material facts connected with the story
of Mormonism, there is but little difference between
the Mormons and their opposers; but in the reception
and interpretation of acts and incidents, particularly
in the acceptation of miraculous assertions and spiritual
manifestations, they are as widely apart as the two
poles, as my text and notes clearly demonstrate. And
finally, I would have it clearly understood that it is
my purpose, here as elsewhere in all my historical
efforts, to impart information rather than attempt to
solve problems.
In Sharon, "Windsor county, Vermont, on the 23d
of December, 1805, was born Joseph Smith junior,
presently to be called translator, revelator, seer,
prophet, and founder of a latter-day dispensation.
When the boy was ten years old, his father, who was
a farmer, moved with his family to Palmyra, Wayne
county, New York, and four years afterward took up
his abode some six miles south, at Manchester, Ontario
county. Six sons and three daughters comprised
the family of Joseph and Lucy Smith, namely,
Alvin, Hyrum, Joseph junior, Samuel Harrison, William,
Don Carlos, Sophronia, Catharine, and Lucy. 1
1 Much has been said by the enemies of Mormonism against the Smith
family. 'All who became intimate with them during this period [1820 to
1830] unite in representing the general character of old Joseph and wife,
the parents of the pretended prophet, as lazy, indolent, ignorant, and super-