I had often read references to Mark Twain's experiences with the Mormons in his "Roughing It". I had no idea he devoted SIX chapters in his book to his experiences with the Mormons.

I have come across a wonderful reading by the very talented charactr actor, Norman Dietz.

One of the most facinating chapters from which I had heard quotes, especially his infamous "chloroform in print" was chapter 16. It is an entire chapter of commentary on the Book of Mormon.

This is the link to it: http://db.tt/DJIPEZqA

If you want links to the six "Mormon" chapters, email me.

Here's a link to the text version.

Agreed -- great stuff!

http://www.mtwain.com/Roughing_It/17.html

Three more passages:

1) The famous "Chloroform in Print", in context.

"All men have heard of the Mormon Bible, but few except the "elect" have seen it, or, at least, taken the trouble to read it. I brought away a copy from Salt Lake. The book is a curiosity to me, it is such a pretentious affair, and yet so "slow," so sleepy; such an insipid mess of inspiration. It is chloroform in print. If Joseph Smith composed this book, the act was a miracle--keeping awake while he did it was, at any rate."

2) "I could not be more satisfied if..."

"And when I am far on the road to conviction, and eight men, be they grammatical or otherwise, come forward and tell me that they have seen the plates too; and not only seen those plates but "hefted" them, I am convinced. I could not feel more satisfied and at rest if the entire Whitmer family had testified."

3) The Mrs.s Youngs and Breast Pins (Chapter 15)

"And Mr. Johnson said that while he and Mr. Young were pleasantly conversing in private, one of the Mrs. Youngs came in and demanded a breast-pin, remarking that she had found out that he had been giving a breast-pin to No. 6, and she, for one, did not propose to let this partiality go on without making a satisfactory amount of trouble about it. Mr. Young reminded her that there was a stranger present. Mrs. Young said that if the state of things inside the house was not agreeable to the stranger, he could find room outside. Mr. Young promised the breast-pin, and she went away. But in a minute or two another Mrs. Young came in and demanded a breast-pin. Mr. Young began a remonstrance, but Mrs. Young cut him short. She said No. 6 had got one, and No. 11 was promised one, and it was "no use for him to try to impose on her--she hoped she knew her rights." He gave his promise, and she went. And presently three Mrs. Youngs entered in a body and opened on their husband a tempest of tears, abuse, and entreaty..."

RG

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I love the book. Dietz's reading seems real straight. His voice sounds like a guy reading an actual religious text instead of reading Twain.

The people of the area resented mormons because of their clannish voting practices, their elitism and complete disdain for nonmormon locals, their polygamy, and their high-handedness. I think Mark Twain absorbed these social implications long before he traveled to SLC and before he first picked up a "mormon bible."

I visited Hannibal, too. Got Mark Twained to death. I couldn't escape his visage no matter how clever my strategy. His name was was converted to an adjective and appeared on everything from menu items to the tag on the restroom key. I never felt so violated with force feeding until those ridiculous JG Wentworth ads came out. Took a full year to recover.

But I didn't see any indication of his connection with Mormons in Hannibal, so I am at a loss how your visit brought you to your conclusion. Want to share?