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Times and Seasons, 1 April 1842

Source Note

Times and Seasons (
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL), 1 Apr. 1842, vol. 3, no. 11, pp. 735–750; edited by JS. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.

Historical Introduction

The 1 April 1842 issue of the
church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
’s
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Illinois, newspaper, Times and Seasons, was the fourth issue to name JS as editor.
1

While JS likely authored many of the paper’s editorial passages, John Taylor reportedly assisted him in writing content. No matter who wrote individual editorial pieces, JS assumed editorial responsibility for all installments naming him as editor except the 15 February issue. (Woodruff, Journal, 19 Feb. 1842; Historical Introduction to Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1842.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

The issue included a report of the organization of the
Female Relief Society of Nauvoo

A church organization for women; created in Nauvoo, Illinois, under JS’s direction on 17 March 1842. At the same meeting, Emma Smith was elected president, and she selected two counselors; a secretary and a treasurer were also chosen. The minutes of the society...

View Glossary
, a lengthy doctrinal article titled “Try the Spirits,” and two short editorials, all of which are featured below. Also included in the issue, but not featured here, were a letter dated 20 March 1842 from the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

View Glossary
to the Latter-day Saints in Europe, extracts from a letter by
apostle

A title indicating one sent forth to preach; later designated as a specific ecclesiastical and priesthood office. By 1830, JS and Oliver Cowdery were designated as apostles. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church explained that an “apostle is an elder...

View Glossary
Orson Hyde

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
, an excerpt of a letter to
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
from his mother, another installment of the serialized “History of Joseph Smith,” and a letter about Nauvoo from “an Observer” to the Columbus Advocate. In addition, the issue included a petition from residents of
Pittsburgh

Also spelled Pittsbourg, Pittsbourgh, and Pittsburg. Major industrial port city in southwestern Pennsylvania. Near location where Monongahela and Allegheny rivers converge to form Ohio River. French established Fort Du Quesne, 1754. British captured fort,...

More Info
to church leaders in Nauvoo, with an editorial comment. The comment is one of the editorials featured here; the petition is not reproduced below, but it is featured as a stand-alone document in this volume.
2

Petition from Richard Savary et al., ca. 2 Feb. 1842.


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.
3

See “Editorial Method”.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    While JS likely authored many of the paper’s editorial passages, John Taylor reportedly assisted him in writing content. No matter who wrote individual editorial pieces, JS assumed editorial responsibility for all installments naming him as editor except the 15 February issue. (Woodruff, Journal, 19 Feb. 1842; Historical Introduction to Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1842.)

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  2. [2]

    Petition from Richard Savary et al., ca. 2 Feb. 1842.

  3. [3]

    See “Editorial Method”.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *1 Apr. 1842
*Times and Seasons, 1 April 1842
*Times and Seasons, 1 April 1842 *Petition from Richard Savary and Others, circa 2 February 1842

Page 743

——————————
TIMES AND SEASONS.
CITY OF
NAUVOO

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
,
Friday, April 1, 1842.
——————————
 

Editorial Note
On 17 March 1842 a group of
church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
members organized the
Female Relief Society of Nauvoo

A church organization for women; created in Nauvoo, Illinois, under JS’s direction on 17 March 1842. At the same meeting, Emma Smith was elected president, and she selected two counselors; a secretary and a treasurer were also chosen. The minutes of the society...

View Glossary
—a women’s society created to care for the poor and strengthen the morals and virtues of the community. While the Times and Seasons inaccurately reported both the name of the organization and the date of its creation, the editorial’s enthusiastic tone likely contributed to the society’s rapid growth. Signed “Ed.,” the account notes that its author was present at the organizational meeting. It may have been written by JS or
John Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

View Full Bio
—the newspaper’s nominal and practical editors, respectively—both of whom attended the 17 March meeting.

LADIES’ RELIEF SOCIETY

A church organization for women; created in Nauvoo, Illinois, under JS’s direction on 17 March 1842. At the same meeting, Emma Smith was elected president, and she selected two counselors; a secretary and a treasurer were also chosen. The minutes of the society...

View Glossary
.
A society has lately been formed by the ladies of
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
for the relief of the poor, the destitute, the widow and the orphan; and for the exercise of all benevolent purposes. The society is known by the name of the “Ladies’ Relief Society of the City of
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
;” and was organized on Thursday the 24th of March A. D. 1842.
3

Although the society did meet on 24 March 1842, it was organized on 17 March as the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo and all appointments noted in the editorial were made that day. (Minutes and Discourses, 17 Mar. 1842.)


The society is duly organized with a Presidentess or Chairwoman, and two Councillors, chosen by herself; a Treasurer and Secretary. Mrs.
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
takes the Presidential chair, Mrs.
Elizabeth Ann [Smith] Whitney

26 Dec. 1800–15 Feb. 1882. Born at Derby, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Daughter of Gibson Smith and Polly Bradley. Moved to Ohio, 1819. Married Newel K. Whitney, 20 Oct. 1822, at Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio. Shortly after, joined reformed Baptist (later Disciples...

View Full Bio
, and Mrs.
Sarah M. [Kingsley] Cleveland

20 Oct. 1788–21 Apr. 1856. Born in Becket, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Daughter of Ebenezer Kingsley and Sarah Chaplin. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut, by 1807. Married first John Howe, 7 Dec. 1807, in New Haven. Moved to Cincinnati, by ...

View Full Bio
are her Councillors; Miss
Elvira Cole [Cowles]

23 Nov. 1813–10 Mar. 1871. Maid, nanny, schoolteacher. Born at Unadilla, Otsego Co., New York. Daughter of Austin Cowles and Phebe Wilbur. Moved to Friendship, Allegany Co., New York, 1819. Moved to Franklinville, Cattaraugus Co., New York, by 1830. Baptized...

View Full Bio
is Treasuress, and our well known and talented poetess, Miss
Eliza R. Snow

21 Jan. 1804–5 Dec. 1887. Poet, teacher, seamstress, milliner. Born in Becket, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Daughter of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Moved to Mantua, Trumbull Co., Ohio, ca. 1806. Member of Baptist church. Baptized into Church...

View Full Bio
Secretary.
There was a very numerous attendance at the organization of the society and also at their subsequent meetings of some of our most inteligent, humane, philanthropic, and respectable ladies;
4

Twenty women, as well as JS and apostles Willard Richards and John Taylor, attended the society’s inaugural meeting on 17 March. (Minutes and Discourses, 17 Mar. 1842.)


and we are well assured from a knowledge of those pure principles of benevolence that flow spontaneously from their humane, and philanthropic bosoms, that with the resources they will have at command they will fly to the relief of the stranger, they will pour in oil and wine to the wounded heart of the distressed;
5

See Luke 10:34.


they will dry up the tear of the orphan, and make the widow’s heart to rejoice.
6

See Job 29:13.


Our Ladies have always been signalized for their acts of benevolence and kindness; but the cruel usage that they have received from the barbarians of
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
, has hitherto prevented their extending the hand of charity in a conspicuous manner;
7

At the end of January 1840, Senator Richard M. Young presented to the United States Senate a memorial that JS, Sidney Rigdon, and Elias Higbee wrote. Among other things, the memorial described the extensive loss of property incurred by the Latter-day Saints during their violent expulsion from Missouri in winter 1838–1839, which the memorialists valued at two million dollars. (Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, ca. 30 Oct. 1839–27 Jan. 1840.)


yet in the midst of their persecutions, when the bread has been torn from their helpless offsprings by their cruel oppressors, they have always been ready to open their doors to the weary traveller, to divide their scanty pittance with the hungry; and from their robbed and impoverished wardrobes, to divide with the more needy and destitute; and now that they are living in a more genial soil, and among a less barbarous people, and possess facilities that they have not heretofore enjoyed, we feel convinced that with their concentrated efforts the condition of the sufferring poor, of the stranger and the fatherless will be ameliorated.
We had the privelege of being present at their organization, and were much pleased with their modus operandi, and the good order that prevailed; they are strictly parliamentary in their proceedings; and we believe that they will make pretty good democrats.
8

At the society’s first meeting, JS instructed the members to follow parliamentary procedure. (Minutes and Discourses, 17 Mar. 1842; see also Derr et al., First Fifty Years of Relief Society, 33n109.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Derr, Jill Mulvay, Carol Cornwall Madsen, Kate Holbrook, and Matthew J. Grow, eds. The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women’s History. Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2016.

—Ed.
 
————

Editorial Note
The 1 April 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons included a lengthy article titled “Try the Spirits.” The title was derived from 1 John 4:1, which reads, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” The article was prompted by “recent occurrences” of apostasy among
Latter-day Saints

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
. It specifically referenced, as cautionary examples, the experiences of an unnamed boy in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
, Ohio; Isaac Russell;
Gladden Bishop

19 June 1809–30 Nov. 1864. Watchmaker, minister. Born at Livonia, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Isaac Gates Bishop and Mary Hyde. Served as minister in Freewill Baptist Church, by 1831. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ordained...

View Full Bio
; and
Oliver Olney

11 Aug. 1796–ca. 1845. Wool manufacturer, farmer. Born at Eastford, Windham Co., Connecticut. Son of Ezekiel Olney and Lydia Brown. Married first Alice (Elsa) Johnson, daughter of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs, 14 Sept. 1820, at Hiram, Portage Co.,...

View Full Bio
(the latter two were excommunicated for apostasy only the previous month). The editorial emphasized the importance of discerning between true and false spirits and warned readers not to be misled by false prophets. In addition to giving Latter-day Saint examples, the article referenced several biblical figures and episodes as well as more recent historical figures known throughout the western world, such as Joanna Southcott, Jemima Wilkinson, and Edward Irving.
JS likely authored the article, which was signed “Ed.” Despite the numerous scriptural references and quotations, it does not appear that the author consulted the Bible when drafting the editorial—many of the quotations conflate multiple verses or provide slightly inaccurate chapter or verse citations. In this aspect the editorial mirrors JS’s usage of scriptural references in his public sermons, with frequent impromptu allusions not checked or written beforehand.
9

See, for example, JS’s sermons of 29 January and 8 April 1843. (JS, Journal, 29 Jan. and 8 Apr. 1843.)


Additionally, the editorial includes six uses of the personal pronoun “I.” Although it was not uncommon for JS’s amanuenses to author documents on his behalf using that pronoun (for instance,
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
used “I” to describe JS when keeping the latter’s personal journal), it was not typically used in Times and Seasons editorials written by someone other than JS. The frequency of use in this editorial, particularly in informal parenthetical asides, suggests JS’s authorship. Certain examples of authoritative pronouncements in the editorial—like the author’s statement that a “bad angel” could be identified by “the color of his hair”—seem to also suggest JS’s authorship.

“TRY THE SPIRITS.”
Recent occurrences that have transpired amongst us render it an imperative duty devolving upon me to say something in relation to the spirits by which men are actuated. It is evident from the apostle’s writings that many false spirits existed in their day, and had “gone forth into the world,”
10

See 1 John 4:1.


and that it needed intelligence which God alone could impart to detect false spirits, and to prove what spirits were of God. The world in general have been grossly ignorant in regard to this one thing, and why should they be otherwise, “For no man knows the things of God, but by the spirit of God.”
11

See 1 Corinthians 2:11.


The Egyptians were not able to discover the difference between the miracles of Moses and those of the magicians until they came to be tested together;
12

See Exodus chap. 7.


and if Moses had not appeared in their midst they would unquestionably have thought that the miracles of the magicians were performed through the mighty power of God; for they were great miracles that were performed by them: a supernatural agency was developed; and great power manifested.
The witch of Endor is no less singular a personage; clothed with a powerful agency she raised the prophet Samuel from his grave, and he appeared before the astonished king and revealed unto him his future destiny.
13

See 1 Samuel 28:7–20.


Who is to tell whether this woman is of God, and a righteous woman? or whether the power she possessed was of the devil, and her a witch as represented by the bible? it is easy for us to say now; but if we had lived in her day, which of us could have unravelled the mystery?
It would have been equally as difficult for us to tell by what spirit the prophets prophesied, or by what power the apostles spoke, and worked miracles. Who could have told whether the power of Simon, the sorcerer was of God, or of the devil?
14

See Acts 8:9–13.


There always did in every age seem to be a lack of intelligence pertaining to this subject. Spirits of all kinds have been manifested, in every age and almost amongst all people: if we go among the Pagans they have their spirits, the Mahomedans, the Jews, the Christians, the Indians; all have their spirits, all have a supernatural agency; and all contend that their spirits are of God. Who shall solve the mystery? “Try the spirits,” says John,
15

See 1 John 4:1.


but who is to do it? The learned, the eloquent, the philosopher, the sage, the divine, all are ignorant. The Heathens will boast of their Gods, and of the great things that have been unfolded by their oracles. The Mussulman
16

An archaic term for a Muslim. (See “Mussulman,” in American Dictionary [1845], 548.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

An American Dictionary of the English Language; Exhibiting the Origin, Orthography, Pronunciation, and Definitions of Words. Edited by Noah Webster. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1845.

will boast of his Koran and of the divine communications that his progenitors have received, and are receiving. The Jews have had numerous instances both ancient and modern among them of men who have professed to be inspired and sent to bring about great events, and the Christian world has not been slow in making up the number.
“Try the spirits;” but what by? are we to try them by the creeds of men? what preposterous folly, what sheer ignorance, what madness. Try the motions and actions of an eternal being, (for I contend that all spirits are such,)
17

An 1833 revelation taught, “Man was also in the begining with God, inteligence or the Light of truth was not created or made.” Similarly, JS instructed at a lyceum meeting in Nauvoo in January 1841 that “spirits are eternal.” (Revelation, 6 May 1833 [D&C 93:29]; Accounts of Meeting and Discourse, 5 Jan. 1841.)


by a thing that was conceived in ignorance, and brought forth in folly,—a cobweb of yesterday. Angels would hide their faces, and devils would be ashamed and insulted and would say, “Paul we know, and Jesus we know, but who are ye?”
18

See Acts 19:15. Another article from the Times and Seasons similarly misquotes the passage from Acts: “Paul we know; and Jesus we know, but who are ye!” (Wilford Woodruff, “Sabbath Scene in Nauvoo,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1842, 3:752.)


Let each man or society make a creed and try evil spirits by it and the devil would shake his [p. 743]
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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Times and Seasons, 1 April 1842
ID #
8145
Total Pages
16
Print Volume Location
JSP, D9:320–338
Handwriting on This Page
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Footnotes

  1. [3]

    Although the society did meet on 24 March 1842, it was organized on 17 March as the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo and all appointments noted in the editorial were made that day. (Minutes and Discourses, 17 Mar. 1842.)

  2. [4]

    Twenty women, as well as JS and apostles Willard Richards and John Taylor, attended the society’s inaugural meeting on 17 March. (Minutes and Discourses, 17 Mar. 1842.)

  3. [5]

    See Luke 10:34.

  4. [6]

    See Job 29:13.

  5. [7]

    At the end of January 1840, Senator Richard M. Young presented to the United States Senate a memorial that JS, Sidney Rigdon, and Elias Higbee wrote. Among other things, the memorial described the extensive loss of property incurred by the Latter-day Saints during their violent expulsion from Missouri in winter 1838–1839, which the memorialists valued at two million dollars. (Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, ca. 30 Oct. 1839–27 Jan. 1840.)

  6. [8]

    At the society’s first meeting, JS instructed the members to follow parliamentary procedure. (Minutes and Discourses, 17 Mar. 1842; see also Derr et al., First Fifty Years of Relief Society, 33n109.)

    Derr, Jill Mulvay, Carol Cornwall Madsen, Kate Holbrook, and Matthew J. Grow, eds. The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women’s History. Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2016.

  7. [9]

    See, for example, JS’s sermons of 29 January and 8 April 1843. (JS, Journal, 29 Jan. and 8 Apr. 1843.)

  8. [10]

    See 1 John 4:1.

  9. [11]

    See 1 Corinthians 2:11.

  10. [12]

    See Exodus chap. 7.

  11. [13]

    See 1 Samuel 28:7–20.

  12. [14]

    See Acts 8:9–13.

  13. [15]

    See 1 John 4:1.

  14. [16]

    An archaic term for a Muslim. (See “Mussulman,” in American Dictionary [1845], 548.)

    An American Dictionary of the English Language; Exhibiting the Origin, Orthography, Pronunciation, and Definitions of Words. Edited by Noah Webster. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1845.

  15. [17]

    An 1833 revelation taught, “Man was also in the begining with God, inteligence or the Light of truth was not created or made.” Similarly, JS instructed at a lyceum meeting in Nauvoo in January 1841 that “spirits are eternal.” (Revelation, 6 May 1833 [D&C 93:29]; Accounts of Meeting and Discourse, 5 Jan. 1841.)

  16. [18]

    See Acts 19:15. Another article from the Times and Seasons similarly misquotes the passage from Acts: “Paul we know; and Jesus we know, but who are ye!” (Wilford Woodruff, “Sabbath Scene in Nauvoo,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1842, 3:752.)

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