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Times and Seasons, 2 May 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....

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, Hancock Co., IL), 2 May 1842, vol. 3, no. 13, pp. 767–782; edited by JS. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.

Historical Introduction

The 2 May 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons, a
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...

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periodical published in
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, was the thirteenth number in its third volume.JS purchased the
printing office

Located at four different sites from 1839–1846: cellar of warehouse on bank of Mississippi River, June–Aug. 1839; frame building on northeast corner of Water and Bain streets, Nov. 1839–Nov. 1841; newly built printing establishment on northwest corner of ...

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and the newspaper from
Ebenezer Robinson

25 May 1816–11 Mar. 1891. Printer, editor, publisher. Born at Floyd (near Rome), Oneida Co., New York. Son of Nathan Robinson and Mary Brown. Moved to Utica, Oneida Co., ca. 1831, and learned printing trade at Utica Observer. Moved to Ravenna, Portage Co....

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in February 1842 and was identified as its editor from 15 February to 15 October 1842.
1

See Agreement with Ebenezer Robinson, 4 Feb. 1842.


Although JS was named as the editor in the 15 February issue, he did not consider himself the editor of the newspaper until the 1 March 1842 issue.
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 ...

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,
Wilford Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

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, and others helped JS produce the Times and Seasons from March through October 1842, but JS was directly responsible for the content of the newspaper.
2

See “To Subscribers,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1842, 3:710.


The fifth issue that JS oversaw as editor was dated 2 May 1842 and contained a letter to the Saints 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 ...

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, urging them to fund the construction of the
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
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

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; letters from missionaries and church members in the eastern
United States

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

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and Europe;
3

Several of these letters were written to JS and, because of their earlier creation dates, are featured in a previous volume of The Joseph Smith Papers. (See Letter from Eli Maginn, 22 Mar. 1842; and Letter from William Appleby, ca. Mar. 1842.)


an extract of the “History of Joseph Smith,” which was printed serially in the newspaper; and reprinted articles from several other newspapers, including the church newspaper in
England

Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...

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, the Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star.
4

The Millennial Star was a monthly church newspaper edited by Parley P. Pratt and first published in Manchester, England, in May 1840. (“Prospectus,” Millennial Star, May 1840, 1:1–2.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

In addition to this material, the issue also contained editorial content, meaning content created by JS as the editor or his editorial staff for the paper. This content in the 2 May issue included commentaries on articles about mummies, an editorial on the Nauvoo temple, news from proselytizing
elders

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

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, commentary on an article about Judaism, and notices concerning temple donations and a position with the printing office staff. Selected editorial content from the 2 May issue is featured here, with individual introductions for each passage.
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.
5

See “Editorial Method”.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Agreement with Ebenezer Robinson, 4 Feb. 1842.

  2. [2]

    See “To Subscribers,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1842, 3:710.

  3. [3]

    Several of these letters were written to JS and, because of their earlier creation dates, are featured in a previous volume of The Joseph Smith Papers. (See Letter from Eli Maginn, 22 Mar. 1842; and Letter from William Appleby, ca. Mar. 1842.)

  4. [4]

    The Millennial Star was a monthly church newspaper edited by Parley P. Pratt and first published in Manchester, England, in May 1840. (“Prospectus,” Millennial Star, May 1840, 1:1–2.)

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

  5. [5]

    See “Editorial Method”.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Times and Seasons , 2 May 1842 *Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842 *Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842 *Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842 *Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842 *Letter from Eli Maginn, 22 March 1842 Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith” Notice, circa 2 May 1842 Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842 *Letter from William Appleby, circa March 1842 Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842

Page 773

got the characters which I had drawn off the plates and started with them to the city of
New York

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

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. For what took place relative to him and the characters, I refer to his own account of the circumstances as he related them to me after his return which was as follows.
“I went to the city of
New York

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

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and presented the characters which had been translated, with the translation thereof to
Professor Anthony [Charles Anthon]

17 Nov. 1797–29 July 1867. College professor, lawyer. Born in New York City. Son of George Christian Anthon and Genevieve Judot. Attended Columbia College, 1811–1815, in New York City. Studied law; admitted to bar, 1819. Adjunct professor of Greek and Latin...

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, a gentleman celebrated for his literary attainments;—
Professor Anthony

17 Nov. 1797–29 July 1867. College professor, lawyer. Born in New York City. Son of George Christian Anthon and Genevieve Judot. Attended Columbia College, 1811–1815, in New York City. Studied law; admitted to bar, 1819. Adjunct professor of Greek and Latin...

View Full Bio
stated that the translation was correct, more so than any he had before seen translated from the Egyptian. I then showed him those which were not yet translated, and he said that they were Egyptian, Chaldeac, Assyriac, and Arabac, and he said that they were the true characters. He gave me a certificate certifying to the people of
Palmyra

Known as Swift’s Landing and Tolland before being renamed Palmyra, 1796. Incorporated, Mar. 1827, two years after completion of adjacent Erie Canal. Population in 1820 about 3,700. Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith family lived in village briefly, beginning ...

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that they were true characters, and that the translation of such of them as had been translated was also correct. I took the certificate and put it into my pocket, and was just leaving the house, when
Mr. Anthony

17 Nov. 1797–29 July 1867. College professor, lawyer. Born in New York City. Son of George Christian Anthon and Genevieve Judot. Attended Columbia College, 1811–1815, in New York City. Studied law; admitted to bar, 1819. Adjunct professor of Greek and Latin...

View Full Bio
called me back, and asked me how the young man found out that there were gold plates in the place where he found them. I answered that an angel of God had revealed it unto him.
He then said to me, let me see that certificate, I accordingly took it out of my pocket and gave it to him, when he took it and tore it to pieces, saying that there was no such thing now as ministering of angels, and that if I would bring the plates to him, he would translate them. I informed him that part of the plates were sealed, and that I was forbidden to bring them, he replied ‘I cannot read a sealed book.’ I left him and went to
Dr. Mitchel [Samuel Mitchill]

20 Aug. 1764–7 Sept. 1831. Lawyer, surveyor, author, editor, poet, physician, college professor. Born in North Hempstead, Queens Co., New York. Son of Robert Mitchill and Mary Latham. Raised in Quaker faith. Studied medicine at University of Edinburgh, 1786...

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who sanctioned what
Professor Anthony

17 Nov. 1797–29 July 1867. College professor, lawyer. Born in New York City. Son of George Christian Anthon and Genevieve Judot. Attended Columbia College, 1811–1815, in New York City. Studied law; admitted to bar, 1819. Adjunct professor of Greek and Latin...

View Full Bio
had said respecting both the characters and the translation.”
 
————

Editorial Note
The first editorial item consists of commentary written in response to three articles reprinted from the New York Herald, which were written by the paper’s editor,
James Gordon Bennett

1 Sept. 1795–1 June 1872. Journalist, newspaper owner. Born at Newmill, Keith, Banffshire, Scotland. Catholic. Moved to Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, ca. 1815; to Halifax, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia, 1819; to Boston; to New York, ca. 1822; to Charleston...

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. In the first article, “The Mormons—A Leaf from Joe Smith,” Bennett referenced a portion of the Book of Abraham, first printed in the 1 March 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons, and offered an alternate origin for the papyri from which the book had been presumably taken. He stated mockingly that rather than coming from the catacombs of Egypt as JS claimed, the papyri presumably had been found by an individual he identified as “Joseph Smith, the grandfather” and that it was “near one of the propylons of Medinet Abu, in the ‘City of the Sun,’ in upper Egypt,” where antiquarians such as Jean-François Champollion and Ippolito Rosselini had identified ruins.
2

“The Mormons—A Leaf from Joe Smith,” New York Herald, 3 Apr. 1842, [2]; reprinted in Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842, 3:773.


Comprehensive Works Cited

New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

In the second article, Bennett commented on a second portion of the Book of Abraham and “A Fac-simile from the Book of Abraham, No. 2,” both of which had been printed in the 15 March 1842 Times and Seasons. Bennett described the facsimile as “a curious map of the Mormon Solar System.”
3

“More Prophecy,” New York Herald, 5 Apr. 1842, [2]; reprinted in Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842, 3:774.


Comprehensive Works Cited

New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

The third article from the Herald focused on British Latter-day Saints traveling to
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
via
New Orleans

Settled by French, 1717. Acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. City, port of entry, and parish seat of justice. Population in 1840 about 100,000. Important trade center on Mississippi River. Branch of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established...

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. Bennett depicted these and other converts as additions to JS’s “religious empire.”
4

“The Mormon Movement,” New York Herald, 6 Apr. 1842, [2]; reprinted in Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842, 3:774.


Comprehensive Works Cited

New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

The editorial response to these articles focused on
Bennett

1 Sept. 1795–1 June 1872. Journalist, newspaper owner. Born at Newmill, Keith, Banffshire, Scotland. Catholic. Moved to Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, ca. 1815; to Halifax, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia, 1819; to Boston; to New York, ca. 1822; to Charleston...

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’s claims about the Book of Abraham. After a brief comment dismissing Bennett’s presumptions, the editorial staff summarized information about the Book of Abraham from a letter
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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had written to William Frye in December 1835 and published in the Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate, the church’s newspaper 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.
5

Oliver Cowdery, “Egyptian Mummies—Ancient Records,” Messenger and Advocate, Dec. 1835, 2:234–235.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

Cowdery’s letter described the excavation and acquisition of the Egyptian mummies and papyri and reproduced a certificate of authenticity signed by seven doctors.
Michael Chandler

Ca. 1798–21 Oct. 1866. Antiquities exhibitor, farmer. Born in Ireland. Married Frances F. Ludlow. Immigrated to U.S., ca. 1828. Moved to Ohio, by 1829. Moved to Philadelphia, 1833. Acquired eleven mummies, perhaps in association with others, in New York City...

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had used the same certificate in promoting exhibitions of the mummies before he sold four of the mummies and the papyri to JS and two other individuals in Kirtland. The final portion of this Times and Seasons editorial commentary criticized several newspapers and their editors for misrepresenting and slandering JS and the church; the editorial countered a recent “tirade about Morminism” written by Origen Bacheler and published in the Baptist Advocate.
6

See “Mormonism,” Baptist Advocate (New York City), 18 Dec. 1841, 3:133. Bacheler had participated in public debates with Latter-day Saint missionaries and had written a book antagonistic to JS and the church.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Baptist Advocate. New York City. 1839–1845.


From the
N. Y.

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

More Info
Weekly Herald.
THE MORMONS—A LEAF FROM JOE SMITH.
We give in this day’s paper, a very curious chapter from the “Book of Abraham,” which we find published in the last number of a weekly journal, called the “Times and Seasons,” conducted by Joseph Smith the great Mormon Prophet, in 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
, Hancock county, Illinois.
The prophet says that it was found in the catacombs of Egypt, but he is mistaken in this idea. The article was discovered, we presume by Joseph Smith, the grandfather, near one of the propylons of Medinet Abu, in the “City of the Sun,” in upper Egypt—the same city which Homer says had one hundred gates. Champollion, Young, Rosselini, and various other antiquarians give notices of the magnificient ruins, in red granite, that are strewn over the banks of the Nile. Be all this as it may, the Prophet 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
has given the chapter, and it is set down as a revelation among the Mormons.
This Joe Smith is undoubtedly one of the greatest characters of the age. He indicates as much talent, originality, and moral courage as Mahomet, Odin, or any of the great spirits that have hitherto produced the revelations of past ages. In the present infidel, irreligious, ideal, geological, animal-magnetic age of the world, some such singular prophet as Joe Smith is required to preserve the principle of faith, and to plant some new germs of civilization that may come to maturity in a thousand years. While modern philosophy, which believes in nothing but what you can touch, is overspreading the Atlantic States, Joe Smith is creating a spiritual system, combined also with morals and industry, that may change the destiny of the race. Joe believes himself divinely inspired and worker of miracles. He cures the sick of diseases—so it is said:—and although Joe is not aware of the fact, we have been informed by a medical man that his influence over nervous disorders, arises from a powerful magnetic influence—that Joe is a magnet in a large way, which he calls a power or spirit from heaven. In other respects Joe is a mighty man of God—possessing large stores of human nature—great shrewdness, and as he has taken the management of the Mormon newspaper organ, the “Times and Seasons” into his hand, we look for many revelations, and some curious ones too, pretty soon.
We certainly want some such prophet to start up, take a big hold of the public mind—and stop the torrent of materialism that is hurrying the world into infidelity, immorality, licentousness, and crime.— Professor Lyel, Richard Adams Locke, Dr. Brisbane, Master Emmerson, Prophet Brownson, Horace Greely, and all the materialists of the age, ought to take a leaf of common sense out of Joe’s book. [p. 773]
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Page 773

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842
ID #
8147
Total Pages
16
Print Volume Location
JSP, D10:15–27
Handwriting on This Page
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Footnotes

  1. [2]

    “The Mormons—A Leaf from Joe Smith,” New York Herald, 3 Apr. 1842, [2]; reprinted in Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842, 3:773.

    New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

  2. [3]

    “More Prophecy,” New York Herald, 5 Apr. 1842, [2]; reprinted in Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842, 3:774.

    New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

  3. [4]

    “The Mormon Movement,” New York Herald, 6 Apr. 1842, [2]; reprinted in Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842, 3:774.

    New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

  4. [5]

    Oliver Cowdery, “Egyptian Mummies—Ancient Records,” Messenger and Advocate, Dec. 1835, 2:234–235.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

  5. [6]

    See “Mormonism,” Baptist Advocate (New York City), 18 Dec. 1841, 3:133. Bacheler had participated in public debates with Latter-day Saint missionaries and had written a book antagonistic to JS and the church.

    Baptist Advocate. New York City. 1839–1845.

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