Abner Cole

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Abner Cole was editor of the Palmyra Reflector in 1830. He is notable as one of the earliest critics to the printing of the Book of Mormon. Cole printed the first few chapters of "Jo Smith's Gold Bible" as he called it before the book was published. He obtained the segments of the book by stealing the typeset at E.B. Grandin's press, where the Book of Mormon was being printed. After his first printing, he was confronted by Joseph Smith and told about the copyright on the book. Cole became upset and threatened to fight Smith. Smith refused and after reminded Cole that there was rule of law left. Shortly thereafter Cole ceased publishing excerpts from the book.

Later, he printed two satires of the Book of Mormon under the heading "Book of Pukei". ^[1] This satire had an old man appearing to Joseph Smith dressed as an Indian and claiming to be a messenger sent by Mormon.

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