The Golden Bible

              “The Golden Bible.” Painesville Telegraph (Ohio) (16 November 1830). 

The Golden Bible.–Some two or three years since, an account was given in the papers, of
a book purporting to contain new revelations from Heaven, having been dug out of the ground, in
Manchester in Ontario Co. N.Y. The book, it seems, has made its appearance in this vicinity.–It
contains about 600 octavo pages, which is said to be translated from Egyptian Hieroglyphics, on
metal plates, by one Smith, who was enabled to read the characters by instruction from Angels.
About two weeks since some persons came along here with the book, one of whom pretends to
have seen Angels, and assisted in translating the plates. He proclaims destruction upon the world
within a few years,–holds forth that the ordinances of the gospel, have not been regularly
administered since the days of the Apostles, till the said Smith and himself commenced the
work–and many other marvellous things too numerous to mention. In the neighboring township
of Kirtland, we understand that twenty or thirty have been immersed into the new order of
things; many of whom had been previously baptised.–The name of the person here, who pretends
to have a divine mission, and to have seen and conversed with Angels, is Cowdray. We
understand that he is bound for the regions beyond the Mississippi, where he contemplates
founding a “City of Refuge” for his followers, and converting the Indians, under his prophetic
authority.