A delegation of the "Mormons" having been in
this city [Washington] some time, to seek remuneration of congress for their
Missouri losses, Joseph Smith ("Jo Smith" as known to fame) has held
one or two meetings here. I dropped in a little while on the evening of the 4th
instant6 to see and hear. The Prophet, or inspired penman, (whichever title he
prefers, for he averred to the meeting that he was inspired to write the golden
Bible, or the "Book of Mormon," a copy of which he held in his hand,)
is a stout, squarebuilt man of abo t thirty or thirty-five years of age, of
prepossessing manner, and look, and shrewd mind. He has evidently
a good English education, and is an energetic, impassioned speaker. The
doctrines he professes in Washington are similar to those of the Campbelites of
the west, laying great stress on baptism "FOR" the remission of sins.
He quotes from the New Testament readily in his addresses. He took good care,
as there was an intelligent congregation, including several members of
congress, present, to say but little about the "Book of Mormon." He
averred, however that nobody wrote it but him, and that it contained nothing
contrary to the Bible, or its virtue. In describing the sufferings of his
followers in Missouri he was somewhat eloquent, as he has a good voice for the
pathetic. (Christian Advocate and Journal [March 6, 1840]:5, as cited in
The Words of Joseph Smith: The Contemporary Accounts of the Nauvoo
Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. Andrew F. Ehat and Lydon W.
Cook [Orem, Utah: Grandin Book Company, 1991], 34-35)