--- title: Times and Seasons description: Issues of 1839 to 1840. authors: - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints editors: - Ebenezer Robinson - Don Carlos Smith - Smith, Joseph, Jr. - Taylor, John collections: - periodicals tags: - newspaper - times-and-seasons - nauvoo - nineteenth-century periodical: Times and Seasons volume: 1 number: 10 published: 1840-08 publisher: E. Robinson and D. C. Smith; later John Taylor publisher_place: Commerce and Nauvoo, Illinois language: en type: article reference: "“Communications,” *Times and Seasons* 1, no. 10 (August 1840): 150–157." printed_title: COMMUNICATIONS. source: url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1840-08_1_10 transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v1n10.htm), with its page breaks; this Internet Archive scan is the reference copy (its OCR was used only as a witness for OCR repair) identifier: per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1840-08_1_10 start_page: 150 end_page: 157 curator_note: A Mormon newspaper published by the church in Nauvoo; included for historical study. Inclusion does not imply endorsement. rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1840 (Nauvoo, Illinois); published before 1931, so public domain in the United States source: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1840-08_1_10 publication_year: 1840 --- # Communications Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel what has God wrought! Numbers 23 chap . 23 verse . The above was the language of the prophet when the son of Zippor had sent for to curse the children of Israel, who had encamped near the borders of Moab, and who were about to enter into, and take possession of the land of Canaan. Fear took hold of the king Moab who had undoubtedly heard of the great deliverance which the Almighty had wrought out for them, in bringing them from the land of Egypt, and delivering nations, greater and stronger then [than] they, into their hands. Their heroic actions, and warlike achievements spread far and wide, and spread terror and dismay amongst the people through whose country they had to pass. The King of Moab, terror struck like the rest, and thinking it would be folly to hazard a battle with them; resorted to means the most extraordinary to stop the journey; and blast the expectations of the promised seed. Having called the Elders of Midain [Midian] together and loaded them with presents, he sent them to Balaam, who at that time dwelt in Pether, requesting him to come and curse the seed of Jacob. Extraordinary as was the conduct of Balack in sending for Balaam; yet, more so was that of Balaam in consenting to go on such a mission, after he had been forbid to do so by the God of heaven; and the remarkable circumstances which took place on his journey. On his arrival he would undoubtedly be received with the highest marks of respect, while every enducement [inducement] would be held out to him, provided he would curse the promised seed. After Balack had shown him, from the mountains of Moab the extended plains below, where the thousands of Israel had taken up a temporary abode, he requested altars to be erected and offered a bullock on every altar, but notwithstanding his frequent sacrifices, and his desire to oblige the King of Moab, he was not suffered to curse the favorite people of the Lord; but was constrained to bless them. Realizing that all attempts of cursing them were futile; he was obliged to exclaim, and by the spirit of inspiration too. "Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, there is no divination against Israel, according to this time shall it be said of Jacob and of Israel what has God wrought." To the children of Israel, heaven had indeed been favorable and manifested a peculiar regard, and had exerted a power in their behalf, sufficient to surprise the world: the facts of the plagues in Egypt, crossing the red sea, water issuing from the rock, the raining down of manna the over throw of Ammon, Moab and many other nations; and the final settlement of the children of Israel, in the land of Canaan; conspire to show forth the attributes of Jehovah, and cause every considerate man to exclaim "what has God wrought." Nor has the Almighty ceased to be kind to the children of men; but since those events referred to, he has manifested his love and made known his power for the good of his people, in a great many instances, which might be enumerated, and will continue to display his power and shew [show] forth his glory to the end of time. In our own day and generation, we have been favored with the manifestations of God, by the renewal of the new and everlasting covenant, the developement [development] of the principles of truth, the bringing forth of the ancient records, and the establishment of that kingdom, the glories of which have been the theme of the prophets, apostles and the saints of the most high, in every age. Although its introduction has not been attended with the thunderings of Sinai, the dividing of waters, and other circumstances as conspicuous to the work, yet there has been a glory, and a display of the love and power of the Almighty, not inferior to any preceding dispensation, and when all the circumstances which attended its introduction, and the almost overwhelming tide of opposition which it has since met with, are taken into consideration, as well as the great event which have already been accomplished, we may well exclaim "what has God wrought." Twelve years have not yet rolled round since the world was in comparative darkness, ignorance, and superstition, and the fear of God was taught by the precepts of men,. and when the way of peace was not known, nor the principles of the gospel understood, each one was pursuing the way he thought best, all destitute of that principle which bringeth life and immortality to light; surely "darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the people." Amid the variety of religions and the contention of the sects, a new era broke forth upon the world, and a light burst forth, which like the star which led the amazed shepherds to Bethlehem city led men to the fountain of intelligence and truth; and pointed out in language, not to be misunderstood, the errors of the world, and at the same time declared the principles, by which mankind could be put in possession of that Spirit which leads unto all truth and shews [shows] things to come. Angels have frequently been employed in ancient days to announce important information to the world-warning men of impending judgments, and unfolding the events of futurity: Although it was not anticipated, or the least expected, by the world or by professing christians, that any thing which would transpire for ages would render it neccessary [necessary] for those celestial messengers to revisit our globe, to communicate any intelligence, yet to the astonishment of the world and to the confounding of false doctrines a holy messenger, an ambassador from the court of heaven, with a brightness above the mid-day sun appeared to a youth, and with a voice sweeter than music, saluted his ears, and made known the object of his mission, told him of the corruptions of christendom, and communicated to him the important fact, which had heretofore been involved in doubt, that the aboriginees [aborigines] of this country were the descendants of the promised seed, nor was this all, but the gospel of christ was made known, the priesthood was communicated, and a commission was given to preach this gospel to this generation. Nothing but a sense of the importance of the work, his responsibility, and unshaken reliance on the aid of Omnipotance [Omnipotence], could have induced him to deliver a testimony, or preach doctrines so unpopular to the world, which struck directly at the root of all the creeds, doctrines and opinions of this age, which is so celebrated for inteligence [intelligence], piety literature and arts.-He was pitied by a few as being of a weak mind, cursed by others as being a designing knave, and laughed at by all on account of his folly in introducing another religion, and setting forth such strange doctrines, as "baptism for the remission of sins, & the laying of hands for the gift of the holy ghost," but conscious of the integrity of his heart, desiring to obey the mandate of heaven, feeling a love to his fellow mortals, and being assured of the truth and importance of those things he "had seen and heard and which had been declared to him," induced him, young and inexperienced as he was, to go forth and proclaim like the servants of God in ancient days, the message of heaven to this generation, nor did scoffs and ridicule suffice, but to the eternal disgrace of its instigators, persecution was resorted to in order to put down the truth he promulgated, and many who were zealous for their favorite creeds, were equally so to destroy his life. Some time after he had borne testimony to the truth, he had the pleasure of introducing a few, who were nobleminded enough to obey the truth for the truth's sake, into the kingdom, agreeably to the rules and ordinances that were revealed, some of whom were ordained to be fellow laborers in the vineyard, and to assist in spreading the gospel of the son of God; nor did they labor in vain, or spend their strength for naught, for when they reared the standard of truth, and proclaimd [proclaimed] the tidings of salvation to the listening multitudes; the power of the most High rested upon them; their testimony was convincing, the truth of heaven found a reception in the honest heart, the meek increased their joy in the Lord and the poor amongst men rejoiced in the holy one of Israel. Attacks were frequently made upon them by the learned teachers of the day, but with all their intelligence and combination of superior talents, they found the bulwork [bulwark] of truth too formidable for their gigantic efforts, and its doctrines laid upon too sure a basis, to be overthrown by their herculian [Herculean] powers, and as frequently as they assailed those high and holy principles, they have as frequently retired in shame, and words of the Savior have been fully verified, to his servants, "that at the same time it should be given them what to say" and frequent has been the expression which has escaped the anxious listener, that these "men speak with authority." Notwithstanding the superiority of truth, many rejected it and chose to continue in error on account of their love of the world and a good name, yet their were others who notwithstanding their former prejudices came forward and obeyed the gospel, regardless of the smiles or frowns of their fellow mortals. It was in the State of New-York, where the church was first organized, but on account of the persecutions to which they were continually subject; they moved into the State of Ohio, where they built a large and handsome place of worship; the patern [pattern] of which was given by revelation; but there they were not suffered to dwell in peace, but were harrassed [harassed] and persecuted, even by men who were once their dearest friends; but the most cruel persecution, and one which will be an everlasting stain on the American character, was in the State of Missouri, whre [where] cruelties of the most atrocious and wicked character were practiced, which would disgrace the annals of the most barbarous nations. Many noble hearted and virtuous men, whose characters were unimpeachable, and whose names will be handed down to future generations as such, fell victims to the foul spirit of religious persecution, which commenced by a few reckless characters in the shape of men, but which was consumated [consummated] by the executive and authorities of the State. Little did those unfeeling wretches feel, when butchering the innocent and unoffensive [inoffensive]; the broken hearted widow, and the piercing cries of the fatherless were alike unheeded by these monsters, who spared neither age nor sex, but "whose feet were fast to shed blood." The saints had to flee from a land of oppression, and were scattered far and wide on the extensive plains of Illinois. But have the enemies of the truth triumphed, as the religion of heaven extinct, No! thank God it lives, although many have sealed their testimony with their blood, and the saints have been scattered, yet like the persecutions practiced upon the children of Israel by the Egyptions [Egyptians], which was the forerunner of their memorable deliverance; so the persecutions in Missouri, is but the prelude to far more extensive usefulness of the saints, for since the saints have been scattered, the work has been every way preached, and an inquiry respecting the truth of these things is made in every quarter, and the cries of "come over and help us" is heard far and near; and never since the commencement of the church, have the Elders been so successful in proclaiming the gospel. Not only have the poor believed its precious truths and rejoiced in the same, but the rich, the noble, the honorable, men of all ranks and stations, are begining [beginning] to investigate those principles, the adherance [adherence] to which, have brought on the saints repeated persecutions and on some a MARTY'S [MARTYR'S] CROWN. Yes, our Senators and Representatives, our Governor's and our Judges "shut their mouths; "for that which had not been told them they see, and that which they had not heard, do they now consider." Not only on this continent does the work spread and prevail, but distant nations have heard the tidings of salvation. Britania [Britannia] has spread out her arms and welcomed the elders of Israel, her dence [dense] population are crowding to hear the tidings as they roll, and thousands are coming forth in obedience to the gospel; nor will it stop here, but with a light more glorious than the king of day, shine forth in its strength, until it shall penetrate and diffuse its genial warmth and light over the moral world, and erradiate [irradiate] with its brightness, all who come to the light-yes, the elders of Israel, shall have faith, power and intelligence commensurate with their important mission, and shall lift up there voices in the various tongues of the earth-shall be wafted over every sea, enter every port, traverse every land, until every ear shall hear and every heart shall be penetrated,-until the purposes of our God shall be fulfilled, Zion established, satan bound, and an everlasting righteousness bro't. in, and when shall be heard from every creature under heaven, blessing and honor, and glory and power be unto him that setteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever." In consideration of what has already been accomplished, and the promises of God in regard to the future, we are led emphatically to exclaim, "Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, there is no divination against Israel, from this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, what has God wrought." Not only has the Almighty been kind by clothing his servants with power, and spreading the work throughout the land, but a location has been secured for the saints, on the banks of the Mississipi [Mississippi]; and sure "ne'er sun, view'd in its wide career, a lovlier [lovelier] spot" with sufficient lands in the Iowa Territory for all farming purposes &c. When I contemplate the scenes which occured [occurred] and our situation in the State of Missouri, when mobs were combining against us, when our wives and little ones, had to wander on the bleak prairies, when the flames of our houses enlightened the canopy of heaven, when our beloved brethren were torn from the bosom of their families and friends, by ruthless villians [villains], and thrust into prison, while their feet were hurt with fetters, and not suffered the privileges of freemen; while thousands destitute of money and of means had to make their way out of a State whose government refused them protection: when we were taken up in the lips of talkers, and when reports were circulated against us, with an industry which would have done honor to a better cause; reports which were false, wicked and scandalous: and contrast them with our present situation, prospects, and advantages; I am led to exclaim, "surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, there is no divination against Israel; from this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, what has God wrought." R. B. THOMPSON. Nauvoo July 10th, 1840 Cotton, Switzerland co. Indiana. BR. D. C. SMITH. Sir I will inform you in short of my labors, and success in this county,-I commenced preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ,-on the 14th of October last, in the township of Cotton, Switzerland co. and was violently opposed by all the sectarians priests; and some of the learned doctors, from Scotland, undertook to assist their priests to put down the truth. But the Lord soon put those mockers to silence.-"Truth will prevail". "Paul said he fought with the beasts of Ephesus, so I fought with the beasts of Switzerland until they left the field and 36 received the gospel, and more now standing in the church of Latter Day Saints in good faith and fellowship.-JONATHAN DUNHAM. TIMES AND SEASONS. NAUVOO, ILL. JULY, 1840 It is with great pleasure we lay before our readers the proclamation of the Jews from the land of their inheritances, which will be read with great interest by the saints, and every inquirer after truth. The judgements [judgments] which the Lord denounced against that people, in consequence of their repeated transgressions have indeed been fulfilled to the very letter; and the promises of their restoration, to the land of their Fathers, with their ultimate splendour [splendor] and glory, now remain to be accomplished. From the events which have taken place in Europe within a few years past. The liberal and enlightened policy of the Pacha of Egypt, which with the document in question, conspire to prove, that the day of their liberty has already dawned, and that God has prepared the way, and set his hand again, the second time,. to gather them to their beloved city. Surely the "work of the Father," as spoken of in the book of Mormon,. has commenced, which shall roll forth with power and great glory, until Jerusalem shall be built up-the land of Canaan become as the garden of Eden, and Zion be established to be thrown down no more forever. Most of our new subscribers, desire the Times and Seasons from the commencement of the Volume, and we are sorry that it is not in our power to accommodate them: the three first No's, of the Times and Seasons are all gone: therefore, all new subscribers that wish to commence with the 4th No. of the present Volume, can be accommodated for the present, and they will receive the three first No's. of the second Volume to make out their years subscription. Those who commence with the 4th No. will obtain the most essential part of the history of the Missouri persecutions. From the daily increase of subscribers, and the general news from the messengers of truth, who are spreading the gospel proclamation; we are led to conclude that the work of reformation, is going on very extensively, throughout all the world. Wherever the elders are laboring, they are crowned with great success; almost every State in the Union, has furnished more or less subjects for the kingdom of God that is now established: and at the present time, the heralds of salvation, whom God hath called by his own voice from the heavens, are lifting the warning voice and extending the invitation of the gospel to the principle States in the Union, and to the Islands of the sea, and also to foreign lands. The dispensation that God has committed to his servants, is a great dispensation; it requires faithful laborers, and more of them: it requires diligence on the part of those who are now engaged in this great work-example should go hand in hand with precept-the priciples [principles] of virtue should be their associate-wisdom, be their counsellor, [counselor] and the spirit of God preside over them. There are many parts of the earth, that have not yet been penetrated with the everlasting gospel; and all these places must, of course, be looked after; for "this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, and then shall the end come." The elders of Israel should remember, that the press, rightly managed, is one of the greatest preachers on the earth, and is well calculated to penetrate the darkest corners of the earth, and search out the honest in heart, and gather them from the midst of Babylon, saying, "come out of her my people and partake [partake] not of her sins that ye receive not of her plagues." The press too, is a mighty "hunter," well calculated to "hunt" Israel from the "holes of the rocks," and from "all the world, whither they have been scattered."-Therefore, as a word to the wise is sufficient, we feel in hopes, that the Lord's "hunters" who are to do the work of which we have been speaking, will have respect to each other, and be united in their exertions, holding up each other's arms effectually, in their feeble efforts; that the work of God, the great and last dispensation, propelled by his own arm, may roll on, until the enemies of truth are subdued, and the earth shall be full of the glory of God. We have several communications of interest, which we are under the necesity [necessity] of laying over for the present; among the number is the petition of L. Wight, and the report of the committe [committee], appointed to explore parts of Iowa Territory, to seek a suitable location for the Saints, we shall try to remember them in our next. The following is from brother E. Robinson, dated Cincinnati, July 16th. After giving an account of the success of his business transactions, he says: By this you see, that the work is progressing; and I have to say to you that not only the work of the book, is progressing but the work of the Lord is onward, with rapid strides; I have formed an acquaintance with several in this place who are very anxious to hear of our doctrine, and to become better acquainted with the principles of our holy religion: I have to spend a considerable of my time in conversation with different individuals in various parts of the city. Be assured dear brother, the seed is sown, in many an honest heart in this place, and great will be the harvest here, before many moons pass away, I trust. I have quite unexpectedly, met with a brother and a mighty man of God, whom the Lord sent here to make an uproar among the priests of Baal, in this place. I need not tell you that one morning, just after breakfast, as I was standing in a back room in the foundry, a gentleman steped [stepped] in at the door, whom I thought I knew, but not expecting that he was in this country, dare not flatter myself that it was him-he too gazed at me with the same surprize [surprise] and astonishment, thinking that it could not be possible, but that his eyes deceived him; in this situation we stood for a moment, not daring to smile for fear we should be mistaken-but at length we both burst into laughter, and clasped each other by the hand, and enjoyed a very agreeable surprize [surprise]-It was our beloved brother Orson Hyde; we have spent many a pleasant hour together, we are now expecting elder Page every day, when we shall commence holding public meetings; brother H. had a letter from him yesterday morning, stating that he was then in Milton, preaching and baptizing, he had baptized six in that place, and was to baptize six more yesterday, (15th,) among the number baptized, was a respectable Merchant and family, of the first standing in the country. Bro. Hyde has a great many calls to converse with the people in different parts of the city which he attends with pleasure, in which he is laying the foundation for a great work. May the Lord roll on his great and mighty kingdom, until the earth shall be illumined by the light and glory of the gospel of peace, and the kingdoms of this world,. become the kingdoms of our God and of his Christ, is the prayer of your brother in the the Lord. E. ROBINSON. D. C. SMITH. Below is an extract of a letter written buy our beloved brother O. Hyde, dated Franklin, Warren co. Ohio, July 7th, 1840. We have since the receipt [receipt] of this, heard by the way of bro E. Robinson that these brethren were laboring in Cincinnati, and a place called Milton, with considerable success; they had baptized in all, since leaving this place 62: there is such a wide extended field of labor in the vineyard of the Lord, that these brethren make but slow progress on their way to Palestine; however, from accounts they are not idle, the Spirit of the Lord is with them, and they are sowing the seed of the gospel effectually wherever they travel. We rejoice that they feel the spirit of their mission, and we say speed them on their journey, O Lord! arm them with the sword of the Spirit, cause error to flee before them like the hoary frost before the burning rays of the morning sun: cause the kingdoms of the devil to crumble into forgetfulness before them, and the kingdom of our God to be reared triumphantly behind them, waving the banner of truth to all nations, that all who will, may come and partake of the waters of life freely.-ED. The work of the Lord is prospering; and many are convinced of the truth, and some obeying it. Bro. Page is a boanarges, well calculated to storm sectarian ramparts and castles; and spread terror and dismay through the strong holds of Babel's empire. We have by the grace of God, succeeded in routing priests and people from scriptures hallowed ground; and we now stand on the frontiers of the same, with the sword of truth, pleading the cause of our Master, while our enemies stand afar off and cry, " Give us a sign ," " give us a sign ," thus revealing the true character of most of this generation., clearly showing that they are in the slough of wickedness, and mire of adultry [adultery] according to our Savior's words In Dayton, we preached in the court house to crowded congregations; and also in the grove. We have baptized only five persons there, but we have left a great harvest for some faithful elders to reap-we felt hurried to Cincinnati and so on east. The Jews are gathering; and have issued orders or a circular, and universal proclamation for their brethren, in all the world, to return to Palestine, for the land is ready for their reception. "But there is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought up, but these two things are come unto thee."-See Isaiah 51:18,19. Things , you know, in English means any kind of fish, beast, or birds. But the book of Mormons says, "These two sons are come unto thee;" this is better sense, and more to the point. As Jerusalem has no sons to take her by the hand and lead her among all the number whom she hath brought forth, Bro. Page and myself feel that we ought to hurry along and take her by the hand; for we are her sons but the Gentiles have brought us up. I am informed that both England and Rusia [Russia}, have extended protection to the Jews in Palestine;and proffer to aid them in their return. Let Kings become nursing fathers, and Victoria a nursing mother; and I will say, roll on thy righteous cause, thou King of saints. I spoke to a crowded audience last night in this place, and expect to have a greater one to night. We had the Presbyterian and Methodist ministers out to hear. The Methodist made an attack upon me; but when he had fired his second round, he retreated. If each of us could be divided into 20 parts; and each part be a Mormon preacher, we could find business for the whole. * * * Elder Page is laboring in Fairfield for a few days, and I am here doing all can. I hope the Saints in Nauvoo will show favor to Bro. Jonathan Crosby and Ross R. Rogers of Pleasant Garden, Ia. for they have spared no pains to wait upon the traveling elders; and they, of their pecuniary have freely administered to their wants. Therefore let them be had in remembrance.-The brethren in Quincy, Jacksonville and Springfield, have been exceedingly kind to us, and have done all they could for this mission; and my heart feels to bless them, and God will bless them and they shall be his when he makes up his jewels. Br. Eldridge of Indianopolis [Indianapolis], has done well by us; and, also, bro. Willson who lives near Cadiz in Ia. may the Lord remember all these brethren and reward them all according to the spirit of kindness and generosity with which they have treated us. We have no fault to find with any of our brethren and sisters; we believe they are all trying to do the best they can. We have not proceeded fast on our journey; but those among whom we have laboured [labored], can testify whether we have been faithful or not. * * * Bro. Joseph's letter to us was a treat, I assure you: it was just such an one as we might expect his generous spirit to produce. We feel as though we were free men and had all the liberty we want to do good, and hope we may never do any thing to restrict our privileges or curtail our blessings. I feel that the time past of my life is sufficient to have wrought the will of the Gentiles and my prayer in Lord deliver me from the snare of the devil. Yours forever in the bonds of the covenant. ORSON HYDE.