--- title: Times and Seasons description: Issues of 1840 to 1841. 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: 2 number: 15 published: 1841-06-01 publisher: E. Robinson and D. C. Smith; later John Taylor publisher_place: Commerce and Nauvoo, Illinois language: en type: article reference: "“Progress of the Church,” *Times and Seasons* 2, no. 15 (June 1, 1841): 423–424." printed_title: Progress of the Church. source: url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1841-06-01_2_15 transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v2n15.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_1841-06-01_2_15 start_page: 423 end_page: 424 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 1841 (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_1841-06-01_2_15 publication_year: 1841 --- # Progress of the Church More than ten years have passed away since the rise of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and although it has had to meet with difficulties from almost every source, it still survives, and at this moment, probably, is possessed of more strength, and zeal than at any former period of its existence. While tracing over the history of events which have transpired since its first commencement, and while calling to mind the scenes of affliction and persecution which the first propagators of our holy religion had to contend with; who, nobly and honorably, bore up under scenes of woe and distress which would have daunted persons less determined and resolute, we feel our bosoms animated with the same feelings, as those which have frequently agitated our frame, while reading the privations, sufferings, valor, and achievements of our forefathers, who stem'd the current of corruption and oppression, bore up under difficulties and dangers sufficient to appall the stoutest heart, and counted not their lives dear, so that they could be privileged to bequeath to their posterity the invaluable blessing of LIBERTY. The days of the revolution, were days that tried men's souls. The sycophant crouched to each party as it rose in power, and for the sake of gain, frequently betrayed his best friends. But there was a band, resolute, determined, and invincible; who scorned to crouch to power and popularity, a band in whose bosoms, under all circumstances, continued to burn the sacred flame of liberty. Many waters could not quench it, the winds of adversity could not extinguish it: it warmed them in the winter's blast, it cheered them in disappointment and in the gloomy prison, and survived them when their bodies fell in the battle field, covered with wounds and gore, to descend upon their posterity. By their stedfastness [steadfastness], patience and indomnitable [indomitable] courage, they effected the object, they bound themselves by every sacred tie to accomplish. Victory perched on the warrior's shield and the glad notes of peace were heard through the land. The patriot found himself surrounded by friends, his name was emblazoned on his country's banners, and on the hearts of tens of thousands, who duly appreciate his toils, and who rejoiced in the liberty, for which he nerved his arm in the day of battle. The whole nation respected them and cheerfully awarded to them the honor & merit which were justly their due. And shall not those, who were the first to make a stand against iniquity, corruption, and the false religions of the day; who have had to contend against a wicked and gainsaying people; and for their testimony, have had to wade through scenes too heart rending to mention, been tarred, feathered, whipt, [whipped] stoned, imprisoned, be likewise rewarded for their toil and labor of love? Yea, verily; for they have given evidence of a love of liberty as strong, a courage as great, a spirit as indomnitable [indomitable], as the fathers of the revolution. These are the Elishas, upon whom the flowing mantles of our Elijah's fell, who have honorably maintained their character in the sight of Heaven and earth; and although some have died in the conflict, and have entered into rest, yet their names will be had in remembrance from generation to generation and they will be rewarded by the Judge of all the earth, who will do right. Those who yet survive, have the assurance that their labors have not been in vain, they know that they have been crowned with success. Ye noble hearted scions of honored sires, may Heaven's choicest blessing rest upon you, may your declining years, be years of peace, may your children and your children's children, enjoy all the blessing of that gospel which you struggled to establish and may you see them flourish like the trees of Lebanon-your sons grow op [up] as plants of renown, and your daughters be polished after the similitude of a palace-may all your wants, both temporal and spiritual, be supplied, and when you shall gather up your feet, and bid adieu to mortality, may the sacred halo of glory surround your honored heads, and your posterity catch the sacred flame of liberty and love, to be handed down to generations yet unborn. Cold is the heart of that man, and unworthy the character of a saint of God, who does not feel his bosom heave at the recital of the cruelties practised [practiced] upon the saints of the Most High, and does not appreciate the toils of the first Elders. Although they have no emblazoned urn to perpetuate their names, yet they live, and will continue to live, in the hearts and affections of a church, which is coming up out of the wilderness, "fair as the sun, clear as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners." One thing, however, is certain, that Zion shall be established, her foundations shall be laid, her beauty shall astonished [astonish] the world, and she become the glory of the whole earth. These things are decreed by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and he hath declared, that Heaven and earth may pass away, but not one jot or tittle of his word shall fall to the ground. Knowing then, that the work of the Lord is propelled by Almighty power, the saints can rest satisfied, under all circumstances, that it will roll forth with power and energy, that shall comport with the purposes of Jehovah. And if, in the short space of ten years, it has risen from obscurity-penetrated into the different states of the Union,-spread and flourished in the European Isles-caused the wisdom of wise men to perish, and the understanding of the prudent to be hid-risen above the persecutions of individuals and communities, and appears so marvellous [marvelous] in the eyes of this generation, what may be expected ten years hence? Where is the individual, whose mind is sufficient to grasp the fulness [fullness], extent and glory of the church? None but those who catch the sacred spirit which animated the bosom of the prophets, when they foretold of the glories of the last days, and when the visions of the Almighty rested upon them. A field, wide as eternity; a labor worthy the archangels, appear before the saints of God; and to accomplish which they must be faithful, diligent, enterprising, and prepared to make whatever sacrifice the Almighty may require at their hands. By doing so, they will not only be instrumental in securing the happiness of their fellow man, but their own; and when the judgment is set and the books are opened, and every man rewarded according to his works, they will hear from the righteous Judge;. "well done good and faithful servant, thou has been faithful over a few things, now I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."