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Times and Seasons, 15 September 1842

Source Note

Times and Seasons (, Hancock Co., IL), 15 Sept. 1842, vol. 3, no. 22, pp. 911–926; edited by JS. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.

Historical Introduction

JS served as editor for the 15 September 1842 issue, the twenty-second issue in the third volume, of the Times and Seasons, a newspaper published in , Illinois. He was assisted in his editorial responsibilities by and . Together, these three men produced the semimonthly newspaper, including composing its editorial material. While the extent to which JS was involved in the creation and publication of this issue is unclear, as the newspaper’s editor he was responsible for its content.
The 15 September 1842 issue contained both non-editorial and editorial material. Non-editorial content in the issue included an installment of the “History of Joseph Smith,” a description of Mount Sinai from an English clergyman, an extract of a letter from on the desire of many converts in to immigrate to , and a letter from the “to all the Saints in Nauvoo.” In addition, the issue contained a notice that a concordance of scripture and writings about the church’s ecclesiastical history published by in was available; a reprinting of a letter from church member William Rowley reporting on his missionary efforts in , England; a reprinting of an article in the Antigua Herald on an earthquake on the Caribbean island of Antigua; a brief letter to the editor from and ; and a notice that copies of hymnbooks and of the Book of Mormon were available for purchase.
The issue’s editorial content, featured here with introductions to each passage of text for which JS was ultimately responsible, included commentary on the Book of Mormon in light of recent archaeological discoveries, reflections on the risks of philosophizing about religious matters, a condemnation of the way government officials condoned the expulsion of church members from in 1838, and a report of a recent discourse delivered by to church members in . The issue also included editorials encouraging church members living outside the city to send donations to facilitate the construction of the Nauvoo temple, urging traveling elders to arrange for the free delivery of the Times and Seasons and the Wasp through the postal service, and insisting that JS was consistent in condemning vice and promoting virtue.
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.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Historical Introduction to Times and Seasons, 1 Sept. 1842.

  2. [2]

    This First Presidency letter is featured as a separate document in this volume. (Letter to “All the Saints in Nauvoo,” 1 Sept. 1842 [D&C 127].)

  3. [3]

    This letter is featured as a separate document in this volume. (Letter from Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, 12 Sept. 1842.)

  4. [4]

    “History of Joseph Smith,” “Ascent of Mount Sinai,” “Extract of a Letter,” “Tidings,” “Winchester’s Concordance,” “Letter from William Rowley,” “Earthquake at Antigua,” and “Books of Mormon, &c.,” Times and Seasons, 15 Sept. 1842, 3:915–920, 923–926.

  5. [5]

    See “Editorial Method”.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Times and Seasons, 15 September 1842 *Times and Seasons, 15 September 1842 *Times and Seasons, 15 September 1842 *Times and Seasons, 15 September 1842 *Times and Seasons, 15 September 1842 *Times and Seasons, 15 September 1842 *Times and Seasons, 15 September 1842 *Times and Seasons, 15 September 1842 *Letter from Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, 12 September 1842 Times and Seasons, 15 September 1842 History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] “History of Joseph Smith” *Letter to “All the Saints in Nauvoo,” 1 September 1842 [D&C 127] Journal, December 1841–December 1842
Times and Seasons, 15 September 1842
Doctrine and Covenants, 1844 History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 919

with Grecian philosophy, although many receded from it, after forming such an acquaintance.
II. The philosophic doctrine respecting the architect of the world, rested on arguments of so subtle a kind, that they could not have been estimated by the Jewish populace, and could not have been applied by them, to confirm their minds in religious truth. For, according to Cicero, de Nat. Deorum, Lib. 1. 6. such was the contention, even among the learned, in respect to the doctrine of the gods, that those who had the most strength and confidence on their side were compelled to doubt.
Editorial Note
The second editorial selection was appended to an extract from a translation of a book on biblical archaeology by Johann Jahn. The passage described the beliefs held by ancient Greek philosophers on the nature of God and his role in the creation of the world. In response, the editors of the Times and Seasons warned readers of the risks associated with philosophizing about religion.
We do not make the above extract so much for the instrinsic value of the article, as to show the danger of philosophising upon religion:—Paul was well aware of this course when he exclaimed, “beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men; after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” The whole doctrine of salvation, as revealed by God at sundry times, has been diametrically opposed to philosophy. The world by wisdom know not God. Before the flood, and after, men, although they had been created upright, sought out many inventions, which, when viewed closely, all go to put God a great way off,—or to make him out a complete—nothing, showing that without the spirit you cannot know the living God.
 
——————————
TIMES AND SEASONS.
CITY OF ,
THURSDAY, SEPT. 15, 1842.
——————————
 
TIDINGS.
The following letter was read to the Saints in , last Sunday week, and a copy forwarded to us for publication:—and cordially we give it a hearty welcome, and a happy spread among those who love the truth for the truth’s sake.
September 1st, 1842.
To all the Saints in :—
Forasmuch as the Lord has revealed unto me that the enemies, both of and this , were again on the pursuit of me; and inasmuch as they pursue me without cause, and have not the least shadow, or coloring of justice or right on their side, in the getting up of their prosecutions against me: and inasmuch as their pretensions are all founded in falsehood, of the blackest die, I have thought it expedient, and wisdom in me to leave the place for a short season, for my own safety and the safety of this people. I would say to all those with whom I have business, that I have left my affairs with agents and clerks, who will transact all business in a prompt and proper manner; and will see that all my debts are cancelled in due time, by turning out property, or otherwise as the case may require, or as the circumstances may admit of. When I learn that the storm is fully blown over, then I will return to you again.
And as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life; and for what cause it seems mysterious, unless I was ordained from before the foundation of the world, for some good end, or bad as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves.— God knoweth all these things, whether it be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in; it all has become a second nature to me. And I feel like Paul, to glory in tribulation, for to this day has the God of my Fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it.
Let all the Saints rejoice, therefore, and be exceeding glad, for Israel’s God is their God; and he will mete out a just recompence of reward upon the heads of all your oppressors.
And again, verily thus saith the Lord, let the work of my , and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease: and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be re-doubled; and you shall in no wise lose your reward saith the Lord of Hosts. And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets, and righteous men that were before you. For all this there is a reward in heaven.
And again, I give unto you a word in relation to the for your dead. Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning your dead:—When any of you are baptised for your dead, let there be a Recorder; and let him be eye witness of your baptisms; let him hear with his ears; that he may testify of the truth, saith the Lord; that in all your recordings, it may be recorded in heaven; that whatsoever you bind on earth, may be bound in heaven: whatsoever you loose on earth, may be loosed in heaven; for I am about to restore many things to the earth, pertaining to the , saith the Lord of Hosts.
And again let all the records be had in order, [p. 919]
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Page 919

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Times and Seasons, 15 September 1842
ID #
8156
Total Pages
16
Print Volume Location
JSP, D11:86–102
Handwriting on This Page
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Footnotes

  1. [8]

    Jahn’s Biblical Archaeology, 395–396; “Respecting the Knowledge of God before the Time of Christ, as Developed by Philosophy,” Times and Seasons, 15 Sept. 1842, 3:918–919. The Times and Seasons published commentary on a different passage from Jahn’s Biblical Archaeology in its previous issue. (See “Books,” Times and Seasons, 1 Sept. 1842, 3:908–909.)

    Jahn’s Biblical Archaeology. Translated by Thomas C. Upham. 3rd ed. New York: J. Leavitt, 1832.

  2. [9]

    “Respecting the Knowledge of God before the Time of Christ, as Developed by Philosophy,” Times and Seasons, 15 Sept. 1842, 3:918–919.

  3. [10]

    See Colossians 2:8.

  4. [11]

    See Hebrews 1:1.

  5. [12]

    See 1 Corinthians 1:21.

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