Mormonism Unveiled / Confessions of John D Lee - Intro/Contents/Preface
MORMONISM UNVEILED.
CONTENTS.
TITLE PAGE AND PREFACES.
INTRODUCTORY.
CHAPTER I.
A STORMY BEGINNING.
Early Life of Lee - Death of his Mother - Hardships and Trials - Becomes a Mail Carrier in the Wilds of Missouri at an Early Age - Is a Stage Driver - Abandons the business - Reflections upon the condition of the Country.
CHAPTER II.
THE INDUSTRIOUS YOUNG MAN.
Remains on his Uncle's Farm - Volunteers in the Black Hawk War - Goes to St. Louis - Engages as Fireman on a Steamer - Cholera Experience - Finds a Friend - Goes to Galena and enters a Store as Clerk - Adventures with the Miners - Anecdote of Ulysses Grant - Lee Marries Agathe Ann Woolsey.
CHAPTER III.
LEE BECOMES A MORMON.
In 1838 Lee first hears the Mormon Doctrine Preached - Embraces the Doctrine of Mormonism - Sells out and Removes his Family to Far West, Mo. - Is Baptized and Joins the Church - Fight at Gallatin, at the Polls - The People Consecrate their Property to God.
CHAPTER IV.
THE SAINTS ARE BESET WITH TROUBLES.
The Saints Decline to give up their Property to the Church - Troubles Between the Saints and Gentiles - Companies of Armed Men are formed for Driving Out the Mormons - A Providential Warning - Conflicts between the Saints and Gentiles.
CHAPTER V.
THE MORMON WAR IN MISSOURI.
Death of Capt. Patton - Rebuke of the Prophet - Description of the Prophet - Continued Troubles with the Gentiles - Massacre at Haughn's Mill - Miraculous Cure of Isaac Laney, in Answer to Prayer - Cowardice of Col. Hinkle - Surrender of Joseph Smith, the Prophet - The Saints Surrender and are Disarmed - Terms of the Surrender.
CHAPTER VI.
LEE LOCATES THE GARDEN OF EDEN.
Account of the Surrender Continued - Lee refuses to Abandon his Faith - Returns to his Home - Finds his House Burned and Property Destroyed - Temple Block - Garden of Eden - Site of the Altar Built by Adam - Suffering during the Winter - Lee is ordained to the Priesthood - Holy Patriarchal Blessing.
CHAPTER VII.
THE SAINTS GATHER AT NAUVOO.
Lee returns to Illinois - Goes on a Mission to Preach - Lively Experiences by the Way - Is Strengthened of God and Resists Temptation - False Doctrines taught by Brigham Young, and their Degrading Tendencies - Preaches in Tennessee - Beholds a Vision which is realized - Mission is Successful - Organizes Branch Churches - Returns to Illinois.
CHAPTER VIII.
LEE CONTINUES HIS MISSIONARY WORK.
Spends the Winter at Home - Foundation of the Temple laid at Nauvoo - Teachings of the Prophet - Lee builds a Home in Nauvoo - Goes on a Mission in 1841 - Resumes his Labors in Tennessee - Makes many Converts - Holds a Series of Discussions.
CHAPTER IX.
MORMONISM - ITS DOCTRINE AND HOW IT ORIGINATED.
Lee holds a Discussion with Parson Hall - Identity of the Ten Tribes of Israel with the American Indians shown - Divine Origin of the Book of Mormon - Lee holds another and final Discussion with Rev. Cantrell - Many Converts are Baptized and added to the Church.
CHAPTER X.
LEE CASTS OUT DEVILS AND DOES OTHER WONDERFUL WORKS.
He goes to Jackson County and holds a public Discussion - Wonderful Manifestation of Divine Power - Lee rebukes Evil Spirits and they are still - Casts out Devils from Mark Young - Returns to Nauvoo - Vislts friends - Condition of Zion - Denunciation of Brigham Young.
CHAPTER XI.
A TENNESSEE PLANTER MAKES IT HOT FOR PARSON LEE.
Lee returns to Tennessee to Preach - Is kindly received - Goes to Nashville - Preaches in the Country - Is assailed by a Mob - Baptizes the Wife of Col. Tucker - The Colonel Hunts him with a Loaded Rifle - Escapes from the County to avoid Arrest--Returns to Nauvoo.
CHAPTER XII.
MATTERS OF PECULIAR INTEREST AT NAUVOO.
Affairs at Nauvoo - The Nauvoo Legion organized - Building of the Hall of the Seventies - The Devil Enraged - The Doctrine of Plural or Celestial Marriage first taught - Domestic Troubles among the Saints - Joseph Smith becomes a Candidate for the Presidency of the U. S. - Lee goes to Kentucky on an Electioneering Tour - The Assassination of the Prophet causes his return to Nauvoo.
CHAPTER XIII.
DEATH OF JOSEPH SMITH - SOME OF BRIGHAM YOUNG'S CRIMES.
Assassination of Joseph Smith and his Brother Hyrum - Causes of the Assassination - Successor of the Prophet - Brigham Young Chosen - He Steals the Inheritance of Young Joseph - Lee is appointed to various Offices of Trust and Honor - Assassination of Erwin by orders of Brigham Young - Secret Murders and Robberies by the Saints - Teachings of the Church - Arrogance and Oppressions of Brigham Young.
CHAPTER XIV.
INSIDE VIEW OF POLYGAMY AND THE DOCTRINE OF SEALING.
Celestial Marriage taught and practiced - Lee embraces the Doctrine and takes a number of Wives - Troubles with the Gentiles - The Saints prepare to Emigrate - Baptisms, Washings and Anolntings in the Temple.
CHAPTER XV.
THE SAINTS MOVE WESTWARD.
Reminiscences of the Prophet Joseph - His Fourth of July Toast - Lee removes his Family from Nauvoo - Great Sacrifices of Property by the Saints to get away - Brigham Young blesses Lee - The Saints move through Iowa - Lee restores a Blind Man to Sight! - Settlements established at Garden Grove and Pisgah - Arrival at Council Bluffs - The Missouri River Crossed.
CHAPTER XVI.
LEE GOES ON AN EXPEDITION TO SANTA FE.
The Saints prepare to go into Winter Quarters - Lee is sent to the Mormon Battalion at Santa Fe to bring back the Soldiers pay - A Long and Dangerous Journey and safe Return - Follows an Invisible Guide - Miraculous deliverance from Indians - Safe Arrival - Finds his family suffering.
CHAPTER XVII.
LEE IS TREATED BADLY BY THE "BRETHREN."
In camp - Angry words with Brigham Young - Gives an account of his Trip and Pays over the Money - Contrast, 1847 and 1877 - Opens a Store at Winter Quarters - Is Sealed to a number of Wives - Summer Quarters laid out - Life on the Border - Bravery of Lee's Wives - Jealousy of the Brethren - Murmurings of the Saints against Lee - Ingratitude and Heartlessness of Brigham Young.
CHAPTER XVIII.
LAST CONFESSION AND STATEMENT OF JOHN D. LEE
Closing events of Lee's Life - Startling Revelations of Crimes and Church Secrets, implicating Brigham Young and the Mormon Leaders - The Mountain Meadows Massacre, and all the particulars thereof.
CHAPTER XIX.
CONFESSION CONTINUED AND CONCLUDED, MARCH 16, 1877, SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO HIS EXECUTION.
More Startling Revelations - Going "Over the Rim of the Basin - Brigham "goes to God" with his crimes, and is strengthened in a "Vision" - A "bully" Warrior - A model Indian Agent - Brigham preaches a "Red-hot" Sermon - The "Old Boss" on his travels - Brigham betrays Lee - Tricks of "Dirty Fingered Jake Hamblin - Some "Blood Atonements" - Some "Holy" men and their deeds - Exploits of the "Destroying Angels - Shocking Barbarities - End of Confession.
CHAPTER XX.
ARREST OF JOHN D. LEE BY WM. STROKES, DEPUTY U. S. MARSHALL.
Brigham Imagines he is going to be Assassinated - Lively Adventures of the Deputy Marshal - Hunting Lee in his Stronghold - Efforts of his sons to prevent his Arrest - Lee is found concealed in a pen, and is Arrested - A pungent Toast by one of his Daughters - The Journey to Beaver City.
CHAPTER XXI.
TRIAL OF LEE AT BEAVER CITY, UTAH TERRITORY, SEPTEMBER, 1876.
Depositions of Brigham Young, George A. Smith, etc.- Witnesses Manufactured to order - Startling Developments - Determination of the Mormon Leaders to convict Lee.
CHAPTER XXII.
TRIAL OF LEE CONTINUED.
Testimony of Witnesses - Getting at the bottom facts by a circuitous route - Model Witnesses.
CHAPTER XXIII.
TRIAL OF LEE CONCLUDED.
Conclusion of the Evidence - Conviction and Sentence of Lee - Additional facts.
CHAPTER XXIV.
NAMES AND PRESENT RESIDENCES.
Of the Mountain Meadows Assassins, as given by Lee.
CHAPTER XXV.
EXECUTION OF JOHN D. LEE.
APPENDIX
LIFE OF BRIGHAM YOUNG.
EMBRACING A HISTORY OF MORMONISM FROM ITS INCEPTION
DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME, WITH AN EXPOSI-
TION OF THE SECRET HISTORY, SIGNS,
SYMBOLS AND CRIMES OF THE
MORMON CHURCH.
ALSO THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE HORRIBLE BUTCHERY KNOWN AS
THE MOUNTAIN MEADOWS MASSACRE:
ILLUSTRATED
ST. LOUIS:
BRYAN, BRAND & COMPANY.
NEW YORK: W. H. STELLS & CO.
1877.
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1877, by
BRYAN, BRAND & CO.,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
BECKTOLD & CO., BINDERS,
315 Pine Street.
Press of Chas. B. Woodward & Co.
915 & 917 N. 6th st. St. Louis.
PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.
JOHN D. LEE'S prominent connection with the Mormon Church, and the almost universal desire on the part of the public to know the secrets that he could tell, gave a peculiar interest to the life and doings of this man, and led to a general inquiry for his Autobiography and Confessions. This has caused the publication of several pretended "Lives and Confessions of John D. Lee," the materials for which were collected from fragmentary newspaper reports, and advertised by certain unscrupulous publishers as genuine. We therefore deem it but simple justice to those who may read this book, to state how we obtained the true and only LIFE AND CONFESSIONS OF JOHN D.LEE.
It was stated at the time of Lee's execution that he had left the manuscripts of his Life and Confessions with his confidential attorney for publication. We at once wrote to Col. Wm. Nelson, U. S. Marshal of Utah Territory, requesting him to give us the address of Lee's attorney. He replied promptly, stating that Mr. W. W. Bishop, of Pioche, Nevada, was the man. We immediately entered into correspondence with Mr. Bishop, and made a contract with him for the publication of the work.
In proof of the fact that this is the genuine and only genuine Life and Confessions of John D. Lee, we refer to Col. Wm. Nelson, U. S. Marshal Utah Territory; Hon. Wm. Stokes, Deputy U. S. Marshal, U. T.; Hon. Sumner Howard, U. S. Attorney, U. T.; the editor of the Salt Lake Tribune; Col. Geo. M. Sabin, Pioche, Nevada; Mr. Wm. W. Bishop, of the same place, and to John D. Lee's letter to Mr. Bishop, on page 84 of this book.
Lee wrote his Life and Confessions in prison, after his sentence to death, and subsequent to his execution his manuscripts were copied and prepared for publication by Mr. Bishop. They were at no time out of his possession or from under his immediate control, until they were delivered to the express company on the 17th day of May, 1877, to be forwarded to us.
The Mormon leaders were so greatly alarmed at the prospect of the publication of Lee's writings, and the consequent revelation of their secrets and crimes, that they sent their "Blood Atoners" to threaten the life of Mr. Bishop, and, If possible, compel him to give up the manuscripts. The danger was so great that he was compelled to have his office guarded while engaged in copying the papers; and when they were ready to be forwarded to the publishers, the Wells, Fargo & Co. Express refused to receive them until they were furnished with an armed guard to protect them until they were beyond the reach of the Mormons.
The fears of the Mormon dignitaries were well founded, for Lee's revelations of crimes committed by them are of the most startling character.
THE PUBLISHERS.
PREFACE
I WAS requested by John Doyle Lee, after he had been sentenced to be shot for the part he took in the commission of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, to publish an account of his life and confessions, in order to inform the world how it was that he had acted as he had, and why he was made a scape-goat by the Mormon Church. I accepted the trust, and, in giving publicity to the facts now, for the first time fully brought to light, I am only performing what I believe to be a duty - to him, and to the public.
The Mountain Meadows Massacre stands without a parallel amongst the crimes that stain the pages of American history. It was a crime committed without cause or justification of any kind to relieve it of its fearful character. Over one hundred and twenty men, women and children were surrounded by Indians, and more cruel whites, and kept under constant fire, from hundreds of unerring rifles, for five days and nights, during all of which time, the emigrants were famishing for water. When nearly exhausted from fatigue and thirst, they were approached by white men, with a flag of truce, and induced to surrender their arms, under the most solemn promises of protection. They were then murdered in cold blood, and left nude and mangled upon the plain. All this was done by a band of fanatics, who had no cause of complaint against the emigrants, except that the authorities of the Mormon Church had decided that all the emigrants who were old enough to talk, should die - revenge for alleged insults to Brigham Young, and the booty of the plundered train being the inciting causes of the massacre.
John D. Lee was one, and only one of fifty-eight Mormons, who there carried out the orders of the Mormon Priesthood. He has died for his crimes - shall the others escape?
The entire history of this atrocious crime is given in the confession. How it was done, and why it was the wish of the Mormons that it should be done, all Is fully stated. As one of the attorneys for John D. Lee, I did all that I could to save his life. My associates were, and are able men and fine lawyers, but fact and fate united to turn the verdict against us. The history of the first and second trials is familiar to most of the American people; therefore, I will not describe them here, any more than to say, Mormonism prevented conviction at the first trial, and at the second trial Mormonism insured conviction.
After Brigham Young and his worshipers had deserted Lee, and marked him as the victim that should suffer to save the Church from destruction, on account of the crimes it had ordered; after all chances of escape had vanished, and death was certain as the result of the life-long service be had rendered the Church, the better nature of Lee overcame his superstition and fanaticism, and he gave to me the history of his life, and his confession of the facts connected with the massacre, and wished me to have the same published. Why he refused to confess at an earlier day, and save his own life by placing the guilt where it of right belonged, is a question which is answered by the. statement, that he was still a slave to his Endowment and Danite oaths, and trusted until too late to the promises of protection made to him by Brigham Young. John D. Lee was a fanatic, and as such, believed in the Mormon Church, and aided in carrying out the orders of that Church. I believe it is my duty to publish this work, to show mankind the fruits resulting from obedience to Mormon leaders, and to show that Mormonimm was as certainly the cause of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, as it is that fanaticism has been the mother of crime in all ages of the world. I also wish the American people to read the facts, as they are told by a mistaken and fanatical follower of the Mormon doctrines, yet, one who was a brave man, and, according to his ideas and teaching, a good man; who did not believe he was doing wrong when obeying the commands of the Mormon Priesthood. I wish the American people to read this work, and then say, if they can, what should be the fate of those who caused the crime to be committed. The following pages contain simply true copies of material, furnished me by John D. Lee, for the purpose of being published; all of which was written by him while in prison, and after the jury had returned its verdict of guilty.
I have no excuses to offer for publishing the work just as it is. It is what it purports to be, a full history of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, and also a sketch of the life of John D. Lee, embracing a revelation of the secret history of Mormonism, from its inception down to the death of Lee; with a correct copy of him confession as given to me for publication. If any feel injured by the facts, I cannot help it. If this publication shall, in any degree, aid in securing the much-needed legislation, demanded by the American citizens of Utah, from the National Government, so that Church criminals, as well as Gentiles, can be convicted in Utah, I shall feel that I have been paid well toy all the vexatious I have endured in the land of the Saints, where they murder men, women and children for the glory of God, and the upbuilding of His kingdom.
I also believe this publication will be an advantage to the large number of naturally good and honest people, who inhabit Utah, who joined the Church, and moved to Utah, believing it their Christian duty to do so. To that class of people I am indebted for many favors, and with them future prosperity.
WM. W. BISHOP,
Confidential Att'y of John D. Lee.
PIOCHE, NEVADA, May 17, 1877.
