Communications

Mt. Airy, Surry co., N. C. Dec. 15th, 1849.

To the Editor of the Times & Seasons; Fellow labour [laborer] in the dispensation of the fullness of times-

I imbrace [embrace] this opportunity of telling you something about the "Times & Seasons" in this part of our Masters vineyard: undoubtedly, you had concluded that the times must have been very hard with me, or I would have written to you before, giving an account of my success in the ministry; but you very well know, that it is not expedient for those who are pruning the vineyard to trouble you with a detailed report of the Times & Seasons while sowing the good seed among the Gentiles. For the last 17 months I have been laboring in the following counties; viz: Surry, Stokes, Rockingham, and Guilford, in N. C. also in Patrick, Grayson, Wythe, Smith, and Washing, in south western Virgina [Virginia]. Perhaps no part of the United States have heard as many false reports from Mo. as the citizens of the before mentioned counties. During the last two years, the western breezes from Ephraim's lovely plains, have been frequently impregnated with scurilous [scurrilous] reports, and base epithets of the foulest kind against the saints of the Most High; also, some of the upper Mo. land vermins have passed through this country, retailing slander and abuse with a lavish hand; the above, in connection with the various falsehoods from the North, which have been new vamped over by the Rev. D. D's. and put in circulation by their deceptive Editors, who are duly blackening their columns with the most unhallowed falsehoods that ever disgraced civilized society. From the foregoing you can readily see that the enemies of truth in this region of country have been deeply supplied with weapons to fight against the great work of the last days, inhailing [inhaling], as they have, the western air, pregnant with lies, and slanderous reports, a fine (stimulant you know,) for the "heaped up teachers" of the Gentiles, to assist them in saving their sinking craft from irretrievable ruin, its inevitable doom, where ever truth prevails. The priests have coutented [contended] in public against the impenetrable law of God written to Ephraim, until they have become disheartened and have left the field of public investigation clear and undisturbed; They now use a privet [private] influence, threatening their members with excommunication if they listen to the doctrine of the saints. I shall not attempt to describe the course, or conduct of the priests,-a whole Encyclopedia of wit, argument, and abuse would not more than do the subject justice. It sufficeth to say, that all their public exertions have proved abortive and insufficient to prejudice the public mind, and their privet [private] influence is not sufficient to keep the honest in heart from hearing the fulness [fullness] of the gospel as taught in the last days by the servants

of the Lord, who are unfurling the blood-stained banner among the nations of the earth.

I introduced the gospel into this country in 1838. At that time their had been no preaching (to my knowledge) by the Latter Day Saints within 200 miles of this county. You may well suppose that the people had a great curiosity to hear "the Mormon" preach, so much so, that they came out by hundreds from every direction of the country, inviting me to go east, west, north, and south, and when they found that I could not travel extensive enough on foot to satisfy them, they soon made up a hundred dollars and bought me a horse and equipage, suitable for traveling; my circuit soon become very extensive but I still had 3 requests for preaching, where I could fulfill one. I continued to sow the good seed in various parts of Carolina, and Virgina [Virginia] until the 9th of Oct. I then bid adieu to my hospitable friends and eight saints with whom I was sorry to part. I bent my coups for upper Missouri to visit my parents, and the saints in that region of country. I did not, however, reach upper Missouri before I met some of L. W. Boggs's mob militia returning home: from them I learned in some faint degree, the situation of the saints. I still pursued my course onward, and arrived at Far West on the 12th day of Nov. I there saw a fertile country once rich with the blessings of peace, and industry, but suddenly blackened with the smoke of desolation; and its pure stream reddened with the blood of the saints of the Lord and a wilderness sheltering the widow and orphan.

"In Caldwell forest the night wind was high,

Fast drifted the snow through the bleak winter sky,

And trees, cliffs and mountains were hoary and cold,

The clear waves of her streams congealed as they rolled."

I heard the mother weep, I saw the children cry,

I saw the blooming youth, the tears gushed from his eye,

I saw the priests of Zion, their feet made fast in chains,

I heard her prophets groan, her Virgins sighed in vain.

You are well acquainted with the distress of those days. "To tell it all would take a thousand tongues, a throat of brass, and adamantine lungs." On the 25th of Dec. I left the land of sorrow, of anguish, pain, and wo, in company with my aged parents, and after a journey of three hundred miles, we arrived at my brothers in Knox co. Ill. where we fully realized our expectations.

I tarried in Knox co. until the 12th of May, preaching as often as my health would permit: I baptized but 2 in the co. I attended the Conference at Quincy the last day of May, it was thought best for me to return to N. C. accordingly, I started the next morning, I arrived in Carolina the last of June, and commenced preaching in Surry co. I oon oun d [soon found] that the mind of the public had become very much prejudiced since I left in 1838, but many were yet willing to listen to the truth of heaven. I used every exertion possible to remove prejudice from the minds of the people. I had not been here long before my heart was made to rejoice by the arrival of Elder's S. B. Stoddard and C. Bird, by their assistance much prejudice was removed, although they staid [stayed] but a few weeks, yet I trust that much good will result from their labor. Before they left, some 6 or 8 came forward and was baptized, for the remission of their sins in the name of the Lord Jesus. After Elder's S. and B. left, I continued to hold forth the fulness [fullness] of the gospel in diferent [different] parts of this land. In January, 1840, I had the much desired privilege of meeting with my Br. Elder J. Grant Jr. we have continued to trave [travel] and preach very extensively, having more calls then we could or can possibly fill but few have, as yet, joined the saints. We have, within a few weeks past baptized 10 and 5 more have offered themselves as candidates for baptism, which will increase the number baptized to 40 and hundreds are believing in various parts of our circuit.-The prospect for harvest is at this time more flatering [flattering] than it has ever been. I think that many will ere long be adopted into the kingdom and participate with the saints in the glory of the last days, which may God, in his mercy grant, through Jesus our Saviour [Savior] and friend.

G. M. GRANT

Batavia, N. Y. Feb. 2nd, 1841.

Br. Smith:-

Dear sir, It is with pleasure I take my pen to address you at this time, knowing that the friends of Zion will be glad to hear of the prosperity of the cause of truth in this land. The cause of God is onward in these regions: many have beleived [believed] and obeyed the truth and hundreds of others are saying "tell us more about these things" and the Lord is working like himself, a wonder working God; his councils of old are faithfulness and truth. It is a little over one year since I began to labor in this region during which time I have babtized [baptized] near 100, and the foundation is now began for a great ingathering of souls through this country, there having been some baptized in various towns, and the work still progressing. There is now more calls for preaching within 30 miles of this place, than ten faithful elders could fill. Elder Alonzo L. Baron has been with me in this region since last harvest, but intends to be in Nauvoo at the April conference. He has been Preaching in Attica and other places, and has become quite useful in the ministry and will, (if faithful)

in a short time become mighty in pulling down the strong holds of satan and erecting the kingdon [kingdom] of God among many people. We have ordained some, which you will learn by the minutes of the conference below, who are about to begin to magnify their calling.

During last harvest I introduced the gospel into Batavia village. I preached 7 times in the court-house to attentive audiences, composed of many of the first men in the place and others from the country round about, this served to break down much of the prejudice through this country; since then, we have had access to many neighborhoods through this region, and many are believing in almost every direction, and the Lord works with us, and confirms the word with signs following them that believe. For they speak with new tongues, and interpret them, many sick are healed, and even the deaf are made to hear, and the dumb to speak. About two months since I baptized a man by the name of Shamp and wife, now residing in the village of Batavia, who had a daughter about six years old that was deaf and dumb, since then through the laying on of hands and the anointing with oil, in the name of the Lord-she has been perfectly restored to hearing, and is beginning to talk; this has caused a great excitement, many come from various towns to see the person upon whom this great miracle has been wrought, and to enquire [inquire] of her parents concerning it while the enemies of truth are doing their utmost to make people believe that no miracle has been wrought, some have offered to swear that the child is deaf and dumb still, and others assert that the child began to hear and speak before the Mormons ever saw it; thus like the false witness that came against Christ-their testimony does not agree together, but the parents of the child, (like the parents of him that was blind) testifies (and their testomony [testimony] is backed by many of their neighbors both in the church and out) "this is our child, and she was both deaf and dumb, when we embraced 'Mormonism,' but now she both hears and speaks."

I held a debate in Attica about two weeks since with David Marks, the Freewill Baptist champion: the question was "is Mormonism of divine origen [origin] or is it an imposition?" The debate continued one day and a half and two evenings, and though the congregation was none of them members of our church, but mostly Freewill Baptists, yet the decision was given in my favor, both by the moderators and the congregation: many are believing there, and I expect some will be baptized, this week.

I would say further, there is a great call for Books of Mormon here: had I one hundred I could dispose of them all in a short time, and also the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and Hymn Books.

I am &c. Your Brother in Christ-CHARLES THOMPSON.

Pekin, Tenn. 3nd Ferbuary [3rd February] 1841.

Messrs. Smith & Robinson,

Gentlemen,

Through the kindness of my brother, and by a well directed turn of divine Prvidence [providence], I have been favored [favored] with the reception of the Book of Mormon, the doctrine and Covenants of the church of the Latter Day Saints, the Voice of Warning and instruction to all people , also the 1st Volume of the Times and Seasons, all of which I have perused with wonder and admiration, with wonder because I discover there is no such a Book in existance [existence] as the "Mormon Bible" no society by the name of "Mormons" whose members disbelieve or reject the common version of the Old and New testament, and that the Book of Mormon has never been placed by those who believe it in the place of the sacred scriptures; indeed I was amazed, when I discovered that all this, and much more was misrepresented, therefore I say, I read with wonder and admiration.

I have been in possession of the Book of Mormon about sixteen months, have read it attentively, I find that it not only brings to light things that have been dark and mysterious and puzzled thousands for years, but it abundantly corroborates and bears testimony of the truth of the bible, and the book of Covenants I discover contains items of the religion which the Latter Day saints profess to believe, also principales [principles] for the

regulation of the church which seems to have been given by revelation since, as well as before, its organization, this seems to be very appropriate and not at all in contradiction with the scriptures. The Voice of Warning I think contains nothing but plain truth and sound reason, but alas! alas! when I read in the Times and Seasons of the persecution of the church of Latter Day Saints, I am struck with astonishment to think of such horrid and bloody persecution in our land of boasted liberty, and in the midst of christnedom [christendom]; good Lord! is blood and slaughter the religion of the Prince of Peace? what! to see a bloody mob, headed by a band of men denominating themselves the ministers of the gospel, marching forth with sword in hand, taking the lives of innocent men, women and children, in order to maintain their religion, instead of maintaining it by the sword of truth, and power of the word of God: Ah! but their craft is in danger. Is not this enough to drive men into the, doctrine of infidelity? I verily believe, but for the interposition of divine Providence in placing the Voice of Warning before my eyes, by which I become convinced that they are not the ministers of the gospel, but priests of sectarians, that I should have fallen into the doctrines myself. Yours Respectfully,

Change, etc.-The past year was noted for political revolutions and changes. We see the Pacha of Egypt defeated in a war with four powers of Europe-the King of Holland abdicating his throne to marry a lady of his court-the Queen of Spain deserting her sceptre [scepter] to live with her lover in Sicily-the Emperor of Austria calling his son to share with him the trials of government-the King of France hazarding his crown to preserve peace and perhaps abdicating in favor of the Duc d'Orleans-England making war upon China and Egypt, and the people of the United States strongly excited, revolutionizing their Government. To what end is the tide of human affairs tending?-Madisonian.

Lending news papers is a bad practice and should not be tolerated. Let every man buy for himself and not live on his neighbor's purse.-Ed.

TIMES AND SEASONS,

D. C. SMITH, EDITOR.

CITY OF NAUVOO,

MONDAY, MARCH 15, 1841.

TRUTH PREVAILING.

We learn verbally, that Elder Z. H. Gurley has been laboring for the last few weeks at Laharpe, in this county, with extraordinary success: In the short space of six days he had the unspeakable privilege of immersing 52 in the waters of baptism and a prospect of great accessions to their number. Those baptized, we are informed, are of the first class of society.

We are also informed that Elders Lyman Wight, Amasa Lyman, and George Miller have succeeded after an untiring effort, to lay the foundation of a great work throughout different parts of Iowa Teritory [Territory], and that extensive additions have lately been made to the church. Elder William Smith has recently gone to the assistance of Br. A. Lyman, and intends to labor in that field until conference. Elders who are waiting for the coming conference, can find a plenty of labor in the adjacent country at any point of compass, to occupy their attention until that period. People are beginning to wake up to investigate our faith; and a fair, unprejudiced investigation, is all we ask of this generation.

Six month's about gone-Two numbers more finishes half the year for the present volume, those of our subscribers who are on the six months list, will remember that our terms are

in advance in all cases, and no paper will be continued after the subscription expires. The reason of our being thus strict, is obvious to every candid observer of the times-it is the only safe principle upon which we can support the press: therefore, we hope that our patrons will make as early remittances as possible.

Agents living at a distance, having large remittances to make, would do well to make deposits in some bank and take a certificate of deposit [deposit], or check, and forward us by mail; this would be, by far, the most safe conveyance, and not so apt to get robbed by the way. We wish our agents would take this extra pains in making remittances, as experience has taught us that all Post Masters are not to be trusted with money, for large amounts of money sent to this office has been intercepted during the past season.

-> Agents will please be particular in their directions, and name the Post Office, county and state to which papers are to be sent, and write all names very plain. Also when ordering back Nos. mention the No. and Volume explicitly. To those ordering the Times without specifying the time when they wish to commence, we shall in all cases begin with the Volume; (being the 1st Nov. No.) we are satisfied our subscribers will be better suited to commence with the Volume.

General J. C. Bennett, a very popular and deserving man, has been elected Mayor of Nauvoo, Hancock county.-Chicago Democrat.

We cheerfully respond to the above statement respecting our worthy mayor, and we are indeed glad that any of our friends of the press, can nobly come forward and award to faithfulness and integrity their due, even if found in a Mormon.

We would say, that if untireing [untiring] diligence to aid the afflicted and the oppressed, zeal, for the promotion of literature and intelligence, and a virtuous and consistant [consistent], are evidences of popularity &c. we venture to say that no man deserves the appelations [appellations] "popular and deserving" more than Gen. J. C. Bennett.

Signs of the Times.-What careful observer of the times, professing faith in the scriptures of divine truth, can gaze upon the history of events, as they are daily being unfolded both to the political and religious world, without saying in his heart-the COMING OF THE LORD IS NEAR? The age is big with events, events are big with meaning, but the whole world seems to be in a state of lethargy-totally dead to any thing that shall portend the second advent of Christ; yet the scriptures tell us, that he is to come in a cloud with power and great glory, and at his coming, it shall be as it was in the days of Noah, (i.e.) "as the days of Noah were so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be."-Mat. 24:37. In the days of Noah the wicked were all destroyed, and the righteous were saved; but previous to the destruction of the former, God sent revelations to advertise them of their approaching danger; and just precisely as it was then, "so shall it be at the coming of the Son of Man." Revelations shall preceed [precede] his coming, the whole world shall ridicule them and cast them off, for so it was in the days of Noah, and the consequences were, inevitable destruction; and so it will be with this generation, the righteous only, will be saved.

There are various signs put forth by the inspired writers, also, which are to preceed [precede] his coming; among the number we quote the following, recorded in Luke 21:25. "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea & waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear," &c. These signs, are to leave the world without excuse, & to prepare the righteous for the coming of the eventful period, as they (the Saints) will be found watching. The unbelieving world will be taken as a thief in the night: the reason is obvious, they do not believe in revelations, signs and

wonders. When spots [signs] appear in the sun, (which has recently been the case,) that racks the ingenuity of the astronomers-a natural cause is assigned. When all nature is illumed [illumined] by the commotion of the starry heavens; as was the case in 1833-it is but an idle tale, nothing but meteors. When the howling tempest, and furious tornado, comes rolling the sea ("waves") beyound [beyond] her bounds, desolating cities, sweeping off its thousands-it is a light thing, the wind has blown a little harder than usual. When the bellowing earthquakes rend the earth, and she opens her mouth upon its inhabitants, and swallows them up as though they were mere insects-he [the] naturalist is again set to work to prove that God had no hand in the matter. If the devouring element desolates our beautiful cities in an hour, and leaves them in heaps-it is only the work of incendiaries. When aspiring Tyrants are carrying their conquests from nation to nation, and from sea to sea, drenching the earth with blood-it is merely a thirsting for power, something common to man; and yet the inspired writers have told us that these would be SIGNS, and they should forebode Christ's coming.

Look for a moment at the "portentous omens" which are enumerated by political demagogues to serve political purposes; for instance, during the present session of Congress, the chandeliers in the Senate, weighing about 1500 lbs., said to have cost $5,000, came tumbling down and broke into attoms [atoms]. Again, it is said that "the scroll held in the talons of the Eagle placed over the chair of the presiding officer of the Senate of the United States, and bearing upon it the motto of the Union-E Pluribus Unum-is stated to have fallen to the earth; and on the same day the hand of the figure representing the goddess of Liberty, standing in front of the capital of the United States, holding in it our glorious constitution, broke off, and came tumbling down." Again, "the individual elevated to the honored place of chief Magistrate of his great Republic starts from his home for the National Capitol.-An earthquake, as the journals friendly to him tell us, shakes the earth at his setting out from the west! He crosses the mountains and arrives at Baltimore and an explosion of the banks in that city, and Philadelphia-the 'great regulator of the currency' taking the lead-salutes him! * * Again, during the progress of the imposing celebration, got up by his friends and followers, in a style of georgeousness which Royalty itself might envy, a cord, which is stretched by them across the broad Avenue leading from the Presidential Mansion to the capitol, with the banners of the several States that voted for him strung upon it, breaks in the centre [center]; and the State emblems, dividing to the North, and to the South, are thrown to the ground, and draggled [dragged] in the mire."

These are some of the principle "ill omens" which are quoted in the political journals, but we do not believe that it is in the province of any man to say that these "omens" (if such they are) are disigned [designed] for political data to subserve the interest of either party.-We believe that God "is no respector to (parties) persons;" and if the accounts given are correct, (and they are well authenticated) we are ready to acknowledge, that we are credulous enough to believe they portend coming events, and will take rank in the signs of the Son of Man.

That the explosion of banks should have any thing to do, or part to act in this tragedy, no doubt would be thought strange: but what is better calculated to produce a "distress of nations with perplexity," than the moneyed power of the world? What is better calculated to make "men's hearts fail them for fear," &c. than to leave them pennyless. Look at the excitement which prevails throughout the United States, in consequence of the late failure of to U. S. Bank, "the Great Regulator of the currency:" it is feared that the institution is so rotten at heart, that no healing balm can remove the disease; and it has produced a general consternation. Then many of the daughters following the example set by their mother, has increased the alarm to an amazeing [amazing] degree, and the consequences are exceedingly feared: consequently, there is no doubt but banks will perform their part in the great theatre [theater] of the world to bring about the

purposses [purposes] of God, preparatory to the second advent of Christ.

In the 20th, No. Feb. 15th, We copied an article from the Upper Mississippian. Headed "Letters about the west-Nauvoo, Mormon religion, &c. As far as it relates to Nauvoo, it needs no particular comment, and we shall pass on to the writer's account of the "Mormon Religion."

In the first place he says "that their society did not recognize Mormon as a prophet or teacher sent from God to the Latter Day Saints, &c. It seems from the nature of the expression, that in consequence of the fictitious name ("Mormons") given us by our enemies, he had supposed that Mormon was a prophet sent among us, but this was not the case. Mormon was a prophet who lived on this continent about 400 years after the crucifiction [crucifixion] of Christ, and was a descendant of Ephraim; his fore-fathers came out of Jerusalem about six hundred years before the coming of Christ, in the reign of Zedekiah King of Judah, and were led by the hand of God in a miraculous manner through the wilderness and across the sea to this continent, being warned of the destruction which was coming upon Jerusalem just previous to her captivity by the King of Babylon. Again, "that the book, commonly called the 'Mormon bible,' was considered by them as an additional revelation from heaven, made by God himself, to Joseph Smith," and "that the Almighty spoke orally, and disclosed to Smith, in a vision, where to find the long buried 'Brass plates.[']" As respects the "Mormon bible, additional Revelation," &c. We suppose he has refference [reference] to the Book of Mormon, which received its title from the fact that it was written by the hand of Mormon, and is the history of a people who were once spread over the face of this continent, but are now extinct; and nought [naught] remains but old forts, mounds, dilapidated walls and cities, hieroglyphics, and fragments of mechanism which are strewed over the face of nature, to testify that a great and powerful people, possessing a knowledge of science and the arts, were once the lords of American soil. Antiquarians have presented these facts to the world with a formidable front to plain to be discarded.

The Book of Mormon gives an account of the Aborigenees [Aborigines] of America, from whom they descended, &c. a subject which has exausted [exhausted] all the learning and talents of the age, and would have been a secret still had it not been for this work. It was revealed to Joseph Smith by an holy angel where he would find the plates, (not "brass plates,") or records; an account of which we have already published in No 4, whole No 16, which the reader can reexamine at leasure [leisure].

That an angel should appear to a man in this age of the world, we are aware, is thought incredible. That God manifested himself to the ancients in various ways, none will pretend to deny. Moses could see the Lord, Jacob could wrestle with an angel, Abraham could converse with angels, Isaiah could gaze upon the "King the Lord of Hosts," Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel could gaze upon the Lord, and even describe the place of his feet, angels could take Lot and his family by the hand and hasten them from the city of Sodom lest they should be destroyed, and even Hagar, Sarah's maid, could view a messenger of the skies and hear his voice; also, hundreds of others, and all this is no marvel-yet God is unchangable [unchangeable] and no respector of persons. For God to speak, or angels to appear now, is considered to be sacrilege; however, we are disposed to believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and HE is unchangable [unchangeable]. See Malachi 3:6, "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Acts 10:34, "Then Peter opened his mouth and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted with him."

As God is unchangable, [unchangeable] why is it thought a thing incredible that angels should appear in this age of the world, as well as in the days of the apostle and prophets? there is certainly as much need of their administration now, as there was then. But says one, we have the Bible now; so we have, and so had the apostles the old scriptures. Paul told Timothy "that from a youth thou

hast known the scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation:" yet they were divided into sects and parties, all understanding the scriptures their own way; and it was necessary that angels should appear to them, not withstanding all their former revelations, and that too after they had been privileged with the ministry of Christ during his life, and he had been slain upon the cross, as was in the case of Peter when he was led out of the prison by an angel, also Cornelius the centurian [centurion], and John upon the Isle of Patmos, Mary Magdalene, and also the Roman Soldiers who kept the sepulchre [sepulcher], and in many instances, which are too numerous to mention here. The Lord also, appeared to his apostles at different times after his resurrection, and we are informed that he appeared unto five hundred at once.

What individual in his sober senses, possessing common intellect, will profess to believe the sacred scriptures, and then have the daring affrontery [effrontery] to say that God has ceased to give revelations, that angels have ceased to come to earth, and then say, I am consistant [consistent]? None but hireling priests and their dupes, who by their inconsistencies, have driven the world into infidelity.

Much might be written upon this subject, but we have already been more prolix than we intended.

The writer seems to express himself with full confidence as though the whole "Mormon" system was a mere sham, or delusion; however, he is willing to acknowledge that the society is "more sinned against than sinning." This, we think, is an unbiased sentiment; and we presume that a candid investigation would unmask a field of light and intelligence to his understanding of the book of Mormon, the plates upon which it was engraven, and the manner of translation &c. we subjoin the title page, and also the testimony of the witnesses, which testimony is sufficient to establish the fact in any court under heaven, and cannot be controverted.