Abner Cole
Encyclopedia
Abner Cole also known by his pen name
Obadiah Dogberry, Esq., was a 19th-century American newspaper editor. He is notable as one of the earliest critics of the spiritual claims of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement
, having commented on the "Golden Bible" before it was even published as the Book of Mormon
. Cole's publishing philosophy was one of freethought
, which flourished in periodicals in the northeastern United States between 1825 and 1850.
, Massachusetts
. As an adult, Cole moved to Palmyra
, New York
. After a short career as a judge and perhaps a lawyer before that, Cole began editing a weekly newspaper in Palmyra called the Reflector. Under Cole, the newspaper included anything which might spark the interest of a reader from mineralogy to foreign affairs. Cole wrote most of the contents of the paper under the pseudonym "Obadiah Dogberry, Esq." In the paper's first edition on 2 September 1829, Cole wrote the first public criticisms of Mormonism
: "The Golden Bible, by Joseph Smith Junior, author and proprietor, is now in press and will shortly appear. Priestcraft is short lived!" The phrase, "author and proprietor", appears next to Joseph Smith's name on the title page of the Book of Mormon. Cole knew this before the Book of Mormon was published because it was being printed in the same one-room print shop as his newspaper.
Starting in January 1830, two months before the Book of Mormon
was published, the Reflector printed the first few chapters of what he called "Jo Smith's Gold Bible" accompanied by his own criticisms. Cole obtained the segments of the book by stealing the typeset at E. B. Grandin's press, where the Book of Mormon, as well as the "Reflector", were being printed. Accounts vary as to what happened afterward. Apparently, Smith confronted Cole and complained that he was violating his copyright. Smith may have threatened to sue and Cole may have challenged Smith to a fight. Shortly thereafter, Cole ceased publishing excerpts from the book.
Later, in June 1830, Cole printed two satires of the Book of Mormon under the name, "Book of Pukei". This satire involved an old man appearing to Joseph Smith dressed as a Native American Indian and claiming to be a messenger sent by Mormon
. It also provided some insight into the treasure-digging activities of the Smiths and Luman Walter
. Cole's commentary on Mormonism quickly gained a readership outside Palmyra and he went on to print a six-part series with a more analytical tone. "Although he did not change his scornful tone," historian Robert L. Bushman wrote, Cole "did replace satire with argument and attempted to make a case against Joseph Smith that would appeal to his enlarged readership." Cole ended his tenure as editor of the Reflector in 1831.
Cole presented Smith as a charlatan too uneducated to have written the Book of Mormon himself and supposed that Smith got help from "Walters the Magician" (Luman Walter
) who was said to have shown his followers a Latin translation of Cicero
and claimed that it was a record of the Native Americans. Cole mentions this idea in the "Book of Pukei". He ridiculed Smith's healing of Newel Knight
, objecting that "no prophet, since the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus
, has performed half so many wonders as have been attributed to that spindle shanked ignoramus Jo Smith".
In 1832, Cole moved to nearby Rochester, New York
where he published the Liberal Advocate until 1834. In this paper, he famously criticized the revivals of evangelist Charles Grandison Finney
, a leader of the Second Great Awakening
. Cole died in 1835.
Pen name
A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
Obadiah Dogberry, Esq., was a 19th-century American newspaper editor. He is notable as one of the earliest critics of the spiritual claims of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement
Latter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
, having commented on the "Golden Bible" before it was even published as the Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
. Cole's publishing philosophy was one of freethought
Freethought
Freethought is a philosophical viewpoint that holds that opinions should be formed on the basis of science, logic, and reason, and should not be influenced by authority, tradition, or other dogmas...
, which flourished in periodicals in the northeastern United States between 1825 and 1850.
Life
Cole was born in ChesterfieldChesterfield, Massachusetts
Chesterfield is a rural hill town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States, 28 miles southeast of Pittsfield and 108 miles west of Boston. The population was 1,201 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Chesterfield was...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. As an adult, Cole moved to Palmyra
Palmyra (town), New York
Palmyra is a town in Wayne County, New York, USA. The population was 7,672 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the ancient city Palmyra in Syria....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. After a short career as a judge and perhaps a lawyer before that, Cole began editing a weekly newspaper in Palmyra called the Reflector. Under Cole, the newspaper included anything which might spark the interest of a reader from mineralogy to foreign affairs. Cole wrote most of the contents of the paper under the pseudonym "Obadiah Dogberry, Esq." In the paper's first edition on 2 September 1829, Cole wrote the first public criticisms of Mormonism
Mormonism
Mormonism is the religion practiced by Mormons, and is the predominant religious tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement. This movement was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. beginning in the 1820s as a form of Christian primitivism. During the 1830s and 1840s, Mormonism gradually distinguished itself...
: "The Golden Bible, by Joseph Smith Junior, author and proprietor, is now in press and will shortly appear. Priestcraft is short lived!" The phrase, "author and proprietor", appears next to Joseph Smith's name on the title page of the Book of Mormon. Cole knew this before the Book of Mormon was published because it was being printed in the same one-room print shop as his newspaper.
Starting in January 1830, two months before the Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
was published, the Reflector printed the first few chapters of what he called "Jo Smith's Gold Bible" accompanied by his own criticisms. Cole obtained the segments of the book by stealing the typeset at E. B. Grandin's press, where the Book of Mormon, as well as the "Reflector", were being printed. Accounts vary as to what happened afterward. Apparently, Smith confronted Cole and complained that he was violating his copyright. Smith may have threatened to sue and Cole may have challenged Smith to a fight. Shortly thereafter, Cole ceased publishing excerpts from the book.
Later, in June 1830, Cole printed two satires of the Book of Mormon under the name, "Book of Pukei". This satire involved an old man appearing to Joseph Smith dressed as a Native American Indian and claiming to be a messenger sent by Mormon
Mormon (prophet)
Mormon is believed by followers of Mormonism to have been the narrator of much of the Book of Mormon, a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement, which describes him as a prophet-historian and a member of a tribe of indigenous Americans known as the Nephites...
. It also provided some insight into the treasure-digging activities of the Smiths and Luman Walter
Luman Walter
Luman Walter is known for his connection with the family of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement....
. Cole's commentary on Mormonism quickly gained a readership outside Palmyra and he went on to print a six-part series with a more analytical tone. "Although he did not change his scornful tone," historian Robert L. Bushman wrote, Cole "did replace satire with argument and attempted to make a case against Joseph Smith that would appeal to his enlarged readership." Cole ended his tenure as editor of the Reflector in 1831.
Cole presented Smith as a charlatan too uneducated to have written the Book of Mormon himself and supposed that Smith got help from "Walters the Magician" (Luman Walter
Luman Walter
Luman Walter is known for his connection with the family of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement....
) who was said to have shown his followers a Latin translation of Cicero
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...
and claimed that it was a record of the Native Americans. Cole mentions this idea in the "Book of Pukei". He ridiculed Smith's healing of Newel Knight
Newel Knight
Newel Knight was a close friend of Joseph Smith, Jr. and one of the first branch presidents in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints....
, objecting that "no prophet, since the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus
Titus
Titus , was Roman Emperor from 79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father Vespasian upon his death, thus becoming the first Roman Emperor to come to the throne after his own father....
, has performed half so many wonders as have been attributed to that spindle shanked ignoramus Jo Smith".
In 1832, Cole moved to nearby Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
where he published the Liberal Advocate until 1834. In this paper, he famously criticized the revivals of evangelist Charles Grandison Finney
Charles Grandison Finney
Charles Grandison Finney was a leader in the Second Great Awakening. He has been called The Father of Modern Revivalism. Finney was best known as an innovative revivalist, an opponent of Old School Presbyterian theology, an advocate of Christian perfectionism, a pioneer in social reforms in favor...
, a leader of the Second Great Awakening
Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening was a Christian revival movement during the early 19th century in the United States. The movement began around 1800, had begun to gain momentum by 1820, and was in decline by 1870. The Second Great Awakening expressed Arminian theology, by which every person could be...
. Cole died in 1835.