Times and Seasons (, Hancock Co., IL), 15 Aug. 1842, vol. 3, no. 20, pp. 879–894; edited by JS. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.
Historical Introduction
The 15 August 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons was the twelfth JS oversaw as editor. The issue reprinted a letter from the Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star detailing the Saints’ “first Foreign Mission” to Great Britain, which lasted from 1837 to 1838. The issue also continued the serialized “History of Joseph Smith” and reprinted the conclusion of an account from the Bostonian of a “Great Discussion on Mormonism” that had recently taken place in between Latter-day Saint missionary and Methodist minister George Montgomery West.
In addition, the issue included editorial content created by the staff of the paper. These items included an account of the history of persecution endured by the ; a short treatise on the spiritual power of knowledge; a note about unwelcome “loafers” in , Illinois; and an obituary for , a in the church. The issue concluded with a notice asking those indebted to JS’s deceased brother to pay their debts to his widow, . The extent of JS’s involvement in the creation and oversight of the issue’s content is difficult to ascertain, especially since he spent early August preoccupied with attempts to extradite him to and had gone into hiding by 10 August to avoid arrest and possible extradition. Regardless, as editor of the paper, JS assumed responsibility for all published content.
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.
our testimony, and intend to return next week and give them the second edition of the same important subject. When I arrived in the saints were in a tremendous flustration for the welfare of brother Joseph, and their friends at . The disclosures of and his sattelites had just arrived, and the faith of some was failing—others doubting, and those founded on the rock were contending against such unheard of falsehoods and slanders, and turning the reproach where it belongs—upon the heads of those black and midnight fiends who have made this bold attempt to destroy a virtuous people.
Great excitement in this at this time—there is a discussion in progression between our beloved and Dr. [George Montgomery] West, the celebrated lion (liar) of sectarianism. It is really amusing to see these two champions contend with stentorian voice, eloquence, and language; and all the tact of argument that God lavishes upon the defenders of truth, and the devil upon his lawyers, is arrayed in this debate. It is appalling to hear the groans of priests—the clamors of infidels, and apparently the last dying struggles of modern Babylon, beneath the ponderous weight of truth. May the time speedily arrive when she shall have kicked her last, and liberty, truth and happiness be the principles that stand as a watch word for the faithful, who by their virtues make glad the city of God.
Although I have left the society of tried friends—the joyous circles of the young and gifted—the endearments of domestic happiness, surrounded with brothers and sisters—an affectionate mother in tears—and the society of those that would deem it a pleasure to administer to my necessities when sickness or adverse fortune had laid upon me her withering hand—I have done it for the cause of truth, and not for worldly gain, applause, or pleasure—but it is my greatest delight to defend the truth against the attacks of holy hypocrites and bible infidels—and by the assistance of God I intend to bring our relatives into the good work unless they persist in believing a lie that they may be damned. I intend going to and this fall, unless I am advised to the reverse. Uncle, if you want any thing of me write to , N. J. I should be pleased to hear from you all. If I can be of any service in this affair I am ready. I was reading in your chamber last summer—yourself and came into the lower room, and I heard you give a tremendous flagellation for practicing iniquity under the base pretence of authority from the heads of the —if you recollect I came down just before you were through talking. There are many things I can inform you of, if necessary, in relation to and his prostitutes. I am satisfied of your virtue and integrity. I have been with you to visit the sick, and time and again to houses where you had business of importance, you requested me to do so—many times I knew not why, but I am satisfied it was that you might not be censured by those that were watching you with a jealous eye, and I now solemnly protest before God and man, I never saw a thing unvirtuous in your conduct. With sentiments of high esteem to the children and family, I am your most obedient nephew.
.
Mr. Joseph Smith.
Mrs. .
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Situation of the operatives in .— “ protects the manufacturers,” say the Whigs. And how does she protect them? The following extracts from a late English paper will show, to some extent. The fact is, protects capital, while labor is left to take care of itself;—and this is precisely what the whig capitalists of this country are now contending for.
Distress in .—A meeting of the shop keepers in , called to take into considerataon the state of their trade, took place on the 13th of June.
It appears that the working classes in that great capital of manufactures, are in a wretched condition—many of them, indeed, driven by their privations to a state of desperation and utter disregard of consequences. One of the speakers, Mr. Hampson, a grocer and provision dealer, gave a most graphic account of the appalling scenes he and his brother shop keepers were every day compelled to witness.
‘It was only the other day, he said, a man came into his shop and seized a piece of cheese—being the first article of food near him on entering the shop. He (Mr. Hampson) jumped from behind the counter, and said to the man, ‘Why are you doing this? The man said he was starving to death for food. He told the man he might as well let bread serve his purpose, [p. 892]