Parley Chase's Affidavit Accusing Joseph Smith Sr. of "money digging" and that it was the Smith family's principal employment.

Date
1834
Type
Affidavit
Source
Parley Chase
Critic
Non-LDS
Hearsay
Direct
Reprint
Reference

Affidavit of Parley Chase, December 2, 1833, in E. D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville: E. D. Howe, 1834), 248

Scribe/Publisher
E. D. Howe
People
Joseph Smith, Sr., Parley Chase, Joseph Smith, Jr.
Audience
Reading Public
Transcription

Manchester, December 2d, 1833.

I was acquainted with the family of Joseph Smith, Sen., both before and since they became Mormons, and feel free to state that not one of the male members of the Smith family were entitled to any credit, whatsoever. They were lazy, intemperate and worthless men, very much addicted to lying. In this they freqently boasted of their skill. Digging for money was their principal employment. In regard to their Gold Bible speculation, they scarcely ever told two stories alike. The Mormon Bible is said to be a revelation from God, through Joseph Smith Jr., his Prophet, and this same Joseph Smith Jr. to my knowledge, bore the reputation among his neighbors of being a liar. The foregoing statement can be corroborated by all his former neighbors.

PARLEY CHASE.

Citations in Mormonr Qnas
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