1838 Parley P. Pratt quote.

[_Fence Sitter]

In 1838 Parley P. Pratt wrote the follow regarding rumors and misrepresentations that were in the papers of that time.

Fortune telling, money digging, juggling,
wicked, cheat, liar, profane, intemperate,
quarrelsome, not good character, gold Bible
company, indolent, lying, notoriously bad,
wife whipper, destitute of moral character,
visionary, addicted to vicious habits; and add
to this catalogue, the ridiculous stories that
went the rounds of the religious papers concerning
the “Angel Caught;” and the walking
on the water story; and the murder story;
together with “Adultery,” and the love tale of
Mr. Smith’s stealing his wife; and then the all
things common; together with doing away
with matrimony; and then the Treason against
Government; the stirring up of the Slaves
against their Masters; the instigating of the
Indians to war and bloodshed; together with
driving the inhabitants of Jackson County,
Missouri, from their houses and lands, and the
taking possession of them by force. . . . Perhaps
they might have added the story of eating their
own children; and of having hairy throats, and
but one eye, and that in the middle of their
foreheads. . . . We are willing to give our enemies,
. . . together with his Satanic majesty;
great credit, for inventive and fertile imaginations,
as well as for great credulity.

I wonder if he realized at the time how much of it was actually true?

[_honorentheos]

It's interesting that in his Autobiography, he says the following about his own feelings during the Kirkland apostacy in 1837 -

About this time, after I had returned from Canada, there were jarrings and discords in the Church at Kirtland, and many fell away and became enemies and apostates. There were also envyings, lyings, strifes and divisions, which caused much trouble and sorrow. By such spirits I was also accused, misrepresented and abused. And at one time, I also was overcome by the same spirit in a great measure, and it seemed as if the very powers of darkness which war against the Saints were let loose upon me. But the Lord knew my faith, my zeal, my integrity of purpose, and he gave me the victory.

I went to brother Joseph Smith in tears, and, with a broken heart and contrite spirit, confessed wherein I had erred in spirit, murmured, or done or said amiss. He frankly forgave me, prayed for me and blessed me. Thus, by experience, I learned more fully to discern and to contrast the two spirits, and to resist the one and cleave to the other. And, being tempted in all points, even as others, I learned how to bear with, and excuse, and succor those who are tempted.

I'm curious if you are aware of any other sources that give a third-person account of Parley's feelings at that time?

[_Fence Sitter]

I'm curious if you are aware of any other sources that give a third-person account of Parley's feelings at that time?

I am sure you are aware of these but Bushman's R.S.R. pg 337 has a blurb.
Quinn The Mormon Hierarchy pg 573 mentions a letter he wrote accusing Joseph Smith Jr of financial fraud and other thing.

Here is a link to the letter.http://josephsmithpapers.org/paperSummary/letter-from-parley-p-pratt-23-may-1837

[_Darth J]

In 1838 Parley P. Pratt wrote the follow regarding rumors and misrepresentations that were in the papers of that time.

Fortune telling, money digging, juggling,

If the LDS Church wanted to be honest with its history, it would stop trying to hide Joseph Smith's juggling.

[_honorentheos]

I'm curious if you are aware of any other sources that give a third-person account of Parley's feelings at that time?

I am sure you are aware of these but Bushman's R.S.R. pg 337 has a blurb.
Quinn The Mormon Hierarchy pg 573 mentions a letter he wrote accusing Joseph Smith Jr of financial fraud and other thing.

Here is a link to the letter.http://josephsmithpapers.org/paperSummary/letter-from-parley-p-pratt-23-may-1837

Thanks for sharing the link, FS. I hadn't read the letter in full and it was very interesting.

It would be interesting to start a thread that was only online material of interest - an online MDB library of Babylon so to speak. It would really make keeping track of these easier.

[_Darth J]

It would be interesting to start a thread that was only online material of interest - an online MDB library of Babylon so to speak. It would really make keeping track of these easier.

Seconded.

And it would be great if Shades wanted to pin it, too.

I'm aware that this isn't responsive to the OP, but it is responsive to Honorentheos' idea, so here is a link to Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith online (this is public domain, by the way):

http://www.scribd.com/doc/13793356/Teac ... seph-Smith

[_Lucretia MacEvil]

In 1838 Parley P. Pratt wrote the follow regarding rumors and misrepresentations that were in the papers of that time.

Fortune telling, money digging, juggling,
wicked, cheat, liar, profane, intemperate,
quarrelsome, not good character, gold Bible
company, indolent, lying, notoriously bad,
wife whipper, destitute of moral character,
visionary, addicted to vicious habits; and add
to this catalogue, the ridiculous stories that
went the rounds of the religious papers concerning
the “Angel Caught;” and the walking
on the water story; and the murder story;
together with “Adultery,” and the love tale of
Mr. Smith’s stealing his wife; and then the all
things common; together with doing away
with matrimony; and then the Treason against
Government; the stirring up of the Slaves
against their Masters; the instigating of the
Indians to war and bloodshed; together with
driving the inhabitants of Jackson County,
Missouri, from their houses and lands, and the
taking possession of them by force. . . . Perhaps
they might have added the story of eating their
own children; and of having hairy throats, and
but one eye, and that in the middle of their
foreheads. . . . We are willing to give our enemies,
. . . together with his Satanic majesty;
great credit, for inventive and fertile imaginations,
as well as for great credulity.

I wonder if he realized at the time how much of it was actually true?

I guess we know where DCP gets his inspiration.

[_Fence Sitter]

It would be interesting to start a thread that was only online material of interest - an online MDB library of Babylon so to speak. It would really make keeping track of these easier.

Seconded.

And it would be great if Shades wanted to pin it, too.

I'm aware that this isn't responsive to the OP, but it is responsive to Honorentheos' idea, so here is a link to Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith online (this is public domain, by the way):

http://www.scribd.com/doc/13793356/Teac ... seph-Smith

I think this is something that Blixa was interested in also as am I.