| 51 a high profession of piety, turned aside the force of palpable truth, or leaned on tradition for inextricable difficulties, that they could not solve into harmony with their professions, was very far from dissuading me from my new views. What could I do? Truth had taken possession of my mind; plain, simple, bible truth. It might be asked if I could not expel it from my door: yes I could do it; but how would that harmonize with a sincere profession to preach and practise [practice] the truth by way of example for others? It was a crisis I never shall, I never can forget. I remember it as an exodus from parents, kindred, denomination and temporal support. Has any one ever passed such a crisis, they will say at least be careful of Br. Spencer's character and feelings.
Little as I supposed that I cared about popularity, competence, or the fellowship of those who were sincerely in error; when I came to be stretched upon the altar of sacrifice, and the unsheathed blade that was to exscind from all these hung over me with perpendicular exactness. Then, then, brother I cried unto the Lord to strengthen me to pass through the scene with his approbation.
While I was enquiring [inquiring], to know what the Lord would have me to do, many brethren of different denominations warned and exhorted me faithfully: but their warnings consisted very much in a lively exhibition of evils to be endured if I persisted, or in other words, they appealed to my selfish nature; but I knew too well that truth should not be abandoned through the force of such appeals, however eloquently urged. Some with whom I conversed, gave glowing descriptions of the obnoxious character of Joseph Smith, and of the contradictory and unscriptural jargon of the Book of Mormon, but it was their misfortune usually, to be deplorably ignorant of the true characters of either.
Of the truth of this statement many instances might be furnished, if the limits of my sheet would allow. My own solicitude to know the character of Mr. Smith in order to judge of the doctrines propagated by him, was not so great as that of some others. My aversion to the worship of man is both educational and religious; but I said boldly concerning Mr. Smith, that whoever had arranged and harmonized such a system of irresistible trnth [truth] has borne good fruit. Some suggested that it would be wisdom to make a personal acquaintance with Mr. Smith previous to embracing his doctrines; but to me the obligation to receive the truths of heaven seemed absolute, whatever might be the character of Mr. Smith.
I read diligently the Book of Mormon from beginning to end, in close connection with the comments of Origen Bachelor, Laroy Sunderland, and Dr. Hurlburt, together with newspapers and some private letters obtained from the surviving friends of Mr. Spaulding, the supposed author of that Book. I arose from its perusal with a strong conviction on my mind that its pages were graced with the pen of inspiration. I was surprised that so little fault could be found with a book of such magnitude, treating as it did of such diversified subjects, through a period of so many generations. It appeared to me that no enemy to truth or godliness would ever take the least interest in publishing the contents of such a book; such appeared to me to be its godly bearing, sound morality and harmony with ancient scriptures that the enemy of all righteousness might as well proclaim the dissolution of his own kingdom, as to spread the contents of such a volume among men: and from that time to this, every effort made by its enemies to demolish, has only shown how invincible a fortress defends it. If no greater breach can be made upon it than has hitherto been made by those who have attacked it with the greatest animosity and diligence, its overthrow may be considered a forlorn hope. On this subject I only ask the friends of pure religion to read the Book of Mormon with the same unprejudiced, prayerful and teachable spirit that they would recommend unbelievers in the ancient scriptures to read those sacred records. I have not spoken of the external evidence of the truth of the Book of Mormon, which is now worthy of much consideration; but the internal evidence I think will satisfy every honest mind.
As you enquire [inquire] after the reasons that operated to change my mind to the present faith, I only remark that Stevens' Travels had some influence, as an external evidence of the truth of the Book of Mormon.
My present view after which you also enquire [inquire] is that, the evidence both internal and external have been multiplied-it may have caused surprise and wonder to many of my respected and distinguished friends in New England how I could ever renounce a respectable standing in the churches and in the ministry to adhere to a people so odious in every one's mouth and so revolting to every one's natural liking. The answer in part is this: As soon as I discovered an identity in the doctrines of the Latter-Day Saints and the Ancient Saints, I enquired [inquired] whether the treatment bestowed upon each was also similar: I immediately began to dig deep to find the foundation and cornerstone of the true church, I looked narrowly at
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