“We shall ever glory in lifting the veil, tearing off the mantle, and stripping the cloak from the vain pretender, and hold him up to public ridicule.” —Abner Cole (as Obadiah Dogberry)1
Abner Cole, born on September 17, 1783, held important community roles in Palmyra, New York in the early 19th century. Before beginning a career in publishing, Cole served as a justice of the peace and a constable.2
In the mid-1820s, Cole became the publisher of the newspaper The Reflector. The print shop where The Reflector was issued was also used to print the Book of Mormon, the key scripture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because of this he could take the unbound pages of the Book of Mormon and make copies of this unpublished text.
Under the pseudonym Obadiah Dogberry, Cole took the liberty to publish the first few chapters of what he nicknamed "Jo Smith's Gold Bible.” His publication of these chapters included his own mocking commentary. These unauthorized publications did not go unnoticed, and they culminated in a confrontation between Cole and Joseph Smith. Cole threatened Joseph Smith with physical harm; however, the altercation did not turn violent and was instead resolved peacefully through legal arbitration. It was agreed that Cole would cease to publish any further content from the Book of Mormon in The Reflector.3
