Opinion

By proving contrarieties truth frequently appears. So with the religion of Jesus, its beauties and glories often shine, when its revilers are endeavoring to expose what they may denominate, its deformities. The prophet said the Lord would perform a strange work in the last days-and when we behold the various opinions of men, concerning the doctrine of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we think the time has come and the work commenced, and it is proved by more witnesses than our church. All sects, all people, even the Deists, (who are in point of common law and order, good men, and might be termed the 'salt of the earth,' on that head) seem anxious to cast in their 'mite' for or against the Mormons, (so called.) The following curious reasoning on the subject, is from the Boston Investigator.

"There is still a higher series as regards the superstitions of the world. This is an amalgamation of sects, denominations, and superstitions. Zoroaster, Mahomet, the Christ of India and of Palestine, have done this, and Joseph Smith will do it. We predicted this long ago, and affirm it still. We predicted it when it was under deep persecution. We rested our prediction not on preternatural foresight, but on the fact, that the plan covered all the ground, and combined principles and motives exactly calculated to do it. The Jewish account; the Christian religion; a revelation, latter day saints; all gifts and graces; ecclesiastical honors; an armed, peaceful neutrality, well disciplined and springing up in the midst of a free people; points taking in all our large cities, and from the world a grand concentration forming in America! Say or do what we please, Mormonism is destined to become one of the most splendid superstitions ever devised. It has originated in an age of science, resting on originations in an age of ignorance, and it is this very fact which will sustain it. Fifty years hence, and you will hear this argument:-'What! Do you believe that Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Lord, could have been an imposter [impostor]? Did he not spring up in an age

of science and mechanical invention? Did he not proclaim openly to the world his mission? Sustain persecution and brave death for the sake of God? Did he not have visions and revelations? And who but a man divinely inspired, could, at a time when the whole world was deluged with vain and contradictory teachings, have conceived this one sublime faith and worship?' If it be urged that the thing was tested, to what does it amount? 'They were enemies and persecutors.'"

TIMES AND SEASONS.

CITY OF NAUVOO,

THURSDAY, SEPT. 1, 1842.