John C. Bennett accuses Nauvoo Masonic Lodge of initiating ten persons and antedating records.

Date
Jul 8, 1842
Type
News (traditional)
Source
John C. Bennett
Non-LDS
Hearsay
Scribed Verbatim
Reference

John C. Bennett, "Gen. Bennett’s 4th Letter," Sangamo Journal (Springfield, Illinois) 10 (July 22, 1842): 2

Scribe/Publisher
Sangamo Journal
People
Isaac Higbee, John C. Bennett, Henry Marks, D. S. Hollister, Mr. Dilts, Mr. Bowen (Mason), Joseph Smith, Jr., George W. Robinson
Audience
Reading Public
PDF
Transcription

Let me here inform the Masonic Brethren, that in Nauvoo Lodge , U. D., sixty three persons were balloted for in one ballot—and three entered, three passed, and four raised in one day, and the records made to appear as though only three were raised by ante-dating one. Robinson, Higbee and Henry Marks, can tell about this , Mr . Bowen, of Hannibal, Mo., a high Mason, can telI them (and he did tell the Junior Grand Warden Mr. Dilts, of Quincy.) that Mr. Hollister was absent from there (Hannibal,) at Nauvoo , only six or seven days, during which time he presented his petition and was entered, passed, and raised.

This was done by the direction of George Miller, the Master, by Joe’s directions , and was effected by ante-dating and interlining the Old Record , as can be seen by examination. Their Dispensation should be immediately withdrawn, and a charter refused, and Miller and Joe expelled.

BHR Staff Commentary

John C. Bennett had been excommunicated prior to writing this letter.

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