Ezra Booth (February 14, 1792 – January 12, 1873) was an early member in the Latter Day Saint movement who became an outspoken critic of Joseph Smith and the Church of Christ.
[3] Booth worked as a minister for the Methodist Episcopal Church before becoming a farmer[3] in Nelson, Ohio around the time Almeda was born.
[4]: 179 After witnessing Joseph Smith heal Elsa Johnson's paralyzed arm, he became a convert to the Church of Christ.
[4]: 180 On August 4, 1831, Booth was one of fourteen elders attending the conference called "by special commandment of the Lord" in Kaw township, Jackson County, Missouri.
On September 6, 1831, Booth was "silenced from preaching as an Elder" by Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, and others.
[10]Less than three days after being "silenced from preaching as an Elder" and after being a member for only five months, Booth renounced Mormonism in the first of nine letters to be published in the Ohio Star, beginning in November 1831.
[4]: 182 The Vermont Telegraph reported that Booth's published documents composed "an expose of their [the Mormons'] diabolical pretensions and impositions.
"[1] He also criticized Sidney Rigdon in particular and pointed out the failure of Mormonism to establish itself among the Native Americans in the United States, despite Smith's revelations that those efforts would succeed.
The reasons Booth provided for writing the letters included preventing others from falling victim to the church and responding to requests to expose Mormonism that he'd received.
[4]: 183 They helped feed the fear of community members in Kirtland and Hiram, Ohio "regarding the growing power of the Mormon Church.
[1] In 1832, Booth petitioned the Ohio Star to publish "a vindication of his character from the attacks made upon it by Mr. Ridgon, during his late visit to this place.