---
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: 17
published: 1841-07-01
publisher: E. Robinson and D. C. Smith; later John Taylor
publisher_place: Commerce and Nauvoo, Illinois
language: en
type: article
reference: "“Eternity of Matter,” *Times and Seasons* 2, no. 17 (July 1, 1841): 458."
printed_title: Eternity of Matter.
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1841-07-01_2_17
  transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v2n17.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_1841-07-01_2_17
start_page: 458
end_page: 458
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_1841-07-01_2_17
  publication_year: 1841
---

# Eternity of Matter

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Six thousand years ago, we're told, Man now enjoyed a paradise,

Deep Darkness brooded o'er the world; And oft, with God, talked face to face;

All matter in confusion ran- With all he was not satisfied;

Unorganized, without a plan; But, tempted, ate the fruit-and died.

In all the vast expanse around Thus, death was brought upon us all,

Naught of created good was found. And all things curs'd thro' Adam's fall.

But lo! Jehovah's word goes forth; But now, what mercy doth appear?

Behold, the elements are earth! Jesus, the Christ, to earth draws near;

Yes from invisibles appear He takes upon him sinful flesh,

A sight most beautiful fair; Endures the curse of sin and death;

This glorious earth in order stood, "Just for the unjust"-lo! he dies!

And God, the Father, call'd it good. And, thus, the law he satisfies.

When every thing is formed complete, This is the glorious gospel plan,

When beast and bird in praise unite, Which brought salvation down to man;

With plants and flowers, spread far and near, And from the curse of sin restor'd,

And lofty trees their branches rear; The earth and all things to the Lord-

To rule, direct, and dress the same, Who will, in His own time, restore

From earth, is framed God's image-man. Creation, as it was before.

He strew'd a calm, delightful place And, as the Savior burst the tomb,

With flowers, and fruits of richest taste; To flourish in immortal bloom,

Of all these fruits, did He declare, So will the resurrection's power,

Thou mayest freely eat, and share; To an unchanging state, restore

All, save one tree, the which, the day The elements of which the earth,

Thou eat'st thereof thou'lt surely die. From chaos, first was called forth. M. T.