Times and Seasons (, Hancock Co., IL), 16 May 1842, vol. 3, no. 14, pp. 783–798; edited by JS. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.
Historical Introduction
The 16 May 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons was the sixth issue of the newspaper JS edited. It featured a variety of items, including “A Fac-simile from the Book of Abraham. No. 3,” with an explanation of various figures depicted in the facsimile, a serial installment of the “History of Joseph Smith,” letters from British members, and reprinted articles from the Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star and Dollar Weekly Bostonian. In addition, the 16 May 1842 issue included three editorial comments, written by JS or the staff of the newspaper, which are featured here. JS’s level of involvement is unclear—he may have directed their creation or reviewed the material once written—but as editor he assumed editorial responsibility for all of the content in the issues of the paper published during his time as editor.
Note that only the editorial content created specifically for this issue of the Times and Seasons is annotated here. Articles reprinted from other papers, letters, conference minutes, and notices, are reproduced here but not annotated. Items that are stand-alone JS documents are annotated elsewhere; links are provided to these stand-alone documents.
A letter to the editor from an individual identified only by the initials “I. T.” related and refuted discussions of the church in the Baptist periodical the Cross and Journal, published in Columbus, Ohio.
“To Subscribers,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1842, 3:710. JS was identified as editor of the newspaper from 15 February to 15 October 1842. Although JS was named as the editor of the 15 February issue, he began editing the newspaper with the 1 March issue.
omnipotent as ever the Pope was in his palmiest days. He is a genius—and a rare one—and all the armies of Satan, should they confront him in a solid phalanx, would sure to meet with sore discomfiture, if not with complete annihilation. The true philosophy of goaheadity—the quintessence of concentrated moral and spiritual energy—fears no combat—and although we cannot say it exactly courts danger, it never flies from the post of duty on its approach.— We have so high an opinion of Joe Smith that we intend to open a correspondence with him in order to acquaint ourself with all his secret springs of action, and thus get all the secrets of his success, public and private, worldly and ecclesiastical.
The chapter from the recently recovered Book of Abraham, and the unique cut which illustrates it, on our outside, has occasioned us some expense; but we care not for that so long as we please our patrons, which we mean to do at all hazards, trusting to the good sense of the most enlightened public in this, or any other universe, for suitable remuneration.
The Mormons hold meetings in regularly on the Sabbath, somewhere in commercial street, and are equally successful in saving souls, healing the sick and restoring sight to the blind. Meetings are also held in Chelsea, and the cause is on the increase in that place.—
Will , or some of the brethren, furnish us with the statistics?
————
From the Dollar Weekly Bostonian.
LATTER DAY SAINTS AGAIN.
We have the pleasure to lay before our readers the following letter from , the presiding elder of the church of Latter Day Saints in , who believes, to use his own words, that “wickedness will soon be swept from the earth, and that the day of universal righteousness will set in during this generation, when our offices shall all become peace, and our exactions righteousness:”
, April 11, 1842.
To the Editor of the Daily Ledger:
Dear Sir:—Observing a request in your paper for information of the situation and progress of the Latter Day Saints in and vicinity, I rejoice that I have this opportunity. The cause of truth is onward in this city and the region round about. I commenced preaching in on the 30th of May last, in Winchester hall, in the forenoon, and in the afternoon took a part in the free discussion, which I followed for several months, when one of the number which was called infidels, began to believe in the truth of the Old and New Testaments, which the world calls Mormonism. The individual was Mr. , who opened his shipping office, and seated it, for free preaching. He was the first that was baptized in . Three others were baptized on the 9th of January, 1842. I have held fore and afternoon meetings at 82 Commerical street ever since. There was a branch organized in , numbering thirty, including one elder and three priests, on the 9th of March. The great inquiry after truth still continues. Several are added to the church weekly. I have baptized in and vicinity. Some from , some have gone to sea in vessels, several in Lynn, four in Medfield, and seven in Cape Cod, and all are strong in the faith, and in good standing. I have baptized in all a little rising fifty persons. There are calls for preaching on every side.
We have meetings in private houses through the , nearly every evening. People of all classes come to hear, and it is rare that one goes away dissatisfied. The honest in heart are coming out; and I think will every one join the church. There is likewise a branch organized in . is preaching there. His church has sixty two members, and is increasing every week. There is one elder and one priest. is preaching in , Gilson, and vicinity, where there are several branches, numbering about one hundred. I understand twenty have been baptized in one day. A branch has been established also, in Northbridge, of upwards of thirty members, and is on the increase; Elder Swett presides.
I am now in , and invite all the honest in heart, both priests and people, to come and hear for themselves, as I do believe the end of this age is near at hand, and the fulness of the gospel is preached, and the honest in heart, or the elect of God will be gathered in from the four quarters of the earth, and a new era, a reign of righteousness will commence on the earth, which will continue for a thousand years. If any, either priests or people, desire an interview for information they will please give me their names [p. 797]