John C. Bennett accuses Nauvoo Lodge of initiating Masons before the installation of the Lodge.

Date
Jul 15, 1842
Type
News (traditional)
Source
John C. Bennett
Excommunicated
Critic
Hearsay
Scribed Verbatim
Reference

John C. Bennett, "Gen. Bennett’s third Letter," Springfield, Illinois: Sangamo Journal 10, July 15, 1842, 2

Scribe/Publisher
Sangamo Journal
People
Nancy Rigdon, John C. Bennett, Brigham Young, Samuel Harrison Smith, George Miller, Francis Higbee, Job Snyder, Hiram Kimball, Mr. Stoddard, Robert D. Foster, Mr. Sessions, Joseph Smith, Jr., Peter Haws, Amasa Mason Lyman, Henry G. Sherwood, George W. Robinson, Willard Richards
Audience
Reading Public
Transcription

3d. NAUVOO LODGE U. D. The original records show that Joseph Smith, Job Snyder, Brigham Young, Peter Haws, Willard Richards, and one other, I think Adara [Amasa] Lyman, were initiated, passed, and raised, before the installation of the Lodge, and all but one have passed through since, — Joe by the hands of the Grand Master Jonas, and the remainder by other brethren. That record was sealed up, and a new one commenced, — the second was sealed up, and a third commenced, — and then a new record book procured and such parts copied as they were willing should go to the Grand Lodge, and such only.

Let the original book be produced and all these facts will appear — I stand pledged that they shall appear. A part of the original record is in my hand writing, as all know; now if they will produce a record that has any of my hand writing in it, (for the new one has nothing but my name,) I will show all the facts, unless the leaves have been torn out. Mr. Stoddard was suspended for blackballing Mr. Sessions, but it was not put to record. The charges of H. G. Sherwood and Samuel H. Smith, against Robert D. Foster, during thetrial of which Foster received such a severe rebuke by Joe, never appeared upon record, and Joe said, as the case was likely to effect his brother Samuel, "I will see the records in hell and burn this house, before it shall be said that a Smith ever failed lo accomplish any thing he undertook, or before any thing shall be recorded that may ever operate against Samuel — and if we can't get a charter without that the Grand Lodge may go to the Devil." Is this not so? I appeal to George W. Robinson, Francis M. Higbee, and Hiram Kimball, all Master Masons. These are only some of the actings and doings of the Nauvoo Lodge, U. D. under the Supervision of Joe, and his servile priest, George Miller — that little creature that does Joe s dirty work. — Let the Grand Lodge look to this. Why does not Nauvoo Lodge, U. D. deal with Joe for the attempted seduction of Nancy Rigdon, a Master Mason's daughter, and for the actual seduction of several Master Masons' wives, sisters and daughters? — Simply because they say Joe is a Prophet, and the Lord's annointed must not be harmed, the Lord will not suffer his annointed to fall! O, tempora! O, mores!

BHR Staff Commentary

John C. Bennett had been excommunicated from the Church before this article was written.

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