Without Disclosing My True Identity
Doctor Philastus Hurlbut
Doctor (an assumed title, not a professional) Philastus Hurlbut (“Hurlburt” in some
histories)^91 was a womanizer, although an avowed believer in the Book of Mormon. He saw
great prospects in the LDS Church because it had accepted Jacob Cochran’s polygamist
followers. (See Appendix 2 on polygamy.) His wife was not too keen on the idea, of course,
but Hurlbut temporarily left her and followed his hearty appetite for women, joining the
Saints in Kirtland. It didn’t take long before Joseph and other Church leaders censured him.
Joseph said of Hurlbut, “The moment I met him I knew what his heart desired.” Hurlbut
was excommunicated, reinstated, and then shortly thereafter, excommunicated again.^92 If
Joseph had it his way, he would have never given Hurlbut a copy of the Book of Mormon;
and yet the intrinsic power of the Book of Mormon had grabbed Hurlbut and convinced him
that there was something about “Joe Smith” and his “golden Bible” that was real.
After his appeal for a second reinstatement was refused by Oliver Cowdery, who
spoke on Joseph’s behalf, Doctor Hurlbut lost his composure. He swore up and down that he
would destroy Joe Smith and his church. With that, Hurlbut spent a great deal of his life
researching any information available that he could use to prove Joseph was a fraud. His
research and notes were later given to E. B. Howe, who published the first official anti-
Mormon book in 1834, entitled, Mormonism Unvailed [sic].^93 Unfortunately for Hurlbut’s
integrity, E. B. Howe did not speak well of his character, in spite of the information he
provided: “Well, Hurlbut is not to be relied on. ...Hurlbut was always an unreliable fellow.”^94
It didn’t take a contemporary author, however, to call Doctor Philastus Hurlbut’s
integrity into question. Joseph did this very well himself in the fall of 1833. While gathering
information in Kirtland, Ohio, Hurlbut confronted Joseph in public, demeaning the prophet
and his “delusional followers” with anger, contempt, and ridicule. Hurlbut yelled, “If you
have gold plates and the Urim and Thummim, then bring them forth for all to see. Show us
a sign of who you are. Why, you’re nothing but a coward and a false prophet!” Not
skipping a beat, Joseph turned his attention fully upon Hurlbut and, demonstrating extreme
patience and kindness, Joseph engaged Hurlbut in the following dialogue:
Joseph: There are few men as mean as you, Brother Hurlbut. Why do you fight me
and the Mormons? Are your actions not a true reflection of who you truly are?Hurlbut: I’m only mean enough to stand against you, Joe, and I will continue
to fight you and your fraud unless you can prove to us what we want.Joseph: Your meanness is then a reflection of how you treat another who
does not agree with you. Am I correct?Hurlbut: You could say that is true.Joseph: How would you then treat me if I showed you the plates and the Urim
and Thummim—if an angel of God stood forth between me and you and
showed these people that I am who I claim to be? Would you then treat me
good, with respect?Hurlbut: Yes, Sir, I would!