Prologue Summary and Analysis

The prologue begins with the end of the Prophet Matthias's journey in early November 1835. The Prophet Matthias was found innocent of murder and theft by a jury in New York, but guilty of lesser charges, including contempt of court and assault. He lost all his followers, and was on his way to the Mormon settlement at Kirtland. Kirtland predates the more famous Mormon territory of Utah that Joseph Smith (founder of Mormonism) would establish later.

Matthias arrived and introduced himself to Joseph Smith as Joshua, because "Matthias" was infamous in New York. Joseph Smith told him of his visions and how he came to found Mormonism. After lunch, Matthias explained his own religious leanings. To Matthias, the United States was a second Babylon, full of sin and wickedness, and that according to prophecy, the country would be destroyed by God. Smith...