--- title: Times and Seasons description: Issues of 1842 to 1843. 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: 4 number: 15 published: 1843-06-15 publisher: E. Robinson and D. C. Smith; later John Taylor publisher_place: Commerce and Nauvoo, Illinois language: en type: article reference: "“Mormonism,” *Times and Seasons* 4, no. 15 (June 15, 1843): 235." printed_title: MORMONISM. source: url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1843-06-15_4_15 transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v4n15.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_1843-06-15_4_15 start_page: 235 end_page: 235 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 1843 (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_1843-06-15_4_15 publication_year: 1843 --- # Mormonism MR. EDITOR:-On visiting Boylston Hall, as usual, on Sunday last, I missed Elder Maginn's honest countenance, and in his stead was a stranger, who, I was informed, is called Elder Willey. I was somewhat disappointed, but as I am "seeking after truth," I care not from whom or from what quarter it comes. I determined to pay every attention to what was said, and seated myself with pencil and memorandum book in hand, for, Mr. Editor, I always take notes of chapter and verse, and when I go home, take down my Bible and examine whether they have told me truth; and if I ever do catch them misquoting, or trying to deceive the people by preaching any other doctrine but that contained in the Bible, I'll expose them-the way I'll serve them up will be a caution-General Bennet's expose will be no touch to it.-But to return to Elder Willey. He commenced by saying that he meant to take the Bible for his text, and the contents of his sermon; and I was much pleased to hear the manner in which he quoted from that good book. He took up the subject of the restoration of Israel and certainly handled it in a masterly manner. He spoke with much energy and appeared to feel and mean just what he said. He contended that Israel would be restored, and as I have not time, and do not wish to trespass too much on "Every body's Corner," I will briefly quote some few of the many passages he cited to prove his position, so that any of your readers who feel an interest in these things may examine for themselves. But first, he quoted John, chap. 5, v. 39; "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me" and then enquired [inquired], "How are we to search them? and found an answer in Romans, 15, 4, 2d Peter, 1, 19, to 21; John, 17, 17; Amos 3, 7,-and that taking "thus saith the Lord" for a definite assertion-a figure for a figure and a parable for a parable, a rule was laid down by which to work. He then, to show that Israel would be restored, proceeded to quote and briefly comment on the following texts: Jeremiah, 12, 14 to 17; Isaiah, 11, 11; Deut., 30, 1 to 9; Jeremiah, 16, 21; Isaiah, 40, 1 to 5; 43, 1 to 7; 49, 10 to 23; Jeremiah 30, 3 7 and 11; 31, 3 to 13; Ezekiel, 34, 22 to 31; 29, 21 to 29; 37, 21 to 28; 36 34 and 35, Hosea, 14, 4 to 7; Amos, 11, 15; Psalms, 144, 5 to 15; Joel, 3; Zachariah, 2, 4 to 13; 10, 6 to 12; 12, 8 to 11; 14 ch.; and several other passages, but perhaps when the reader has attentively examined the ones above mentioned, he will be convinced of the fact that the Jews will be gathered back to Jerusalem, that that city will be built up and that they shall again possess the land from which they were driven. Elder Willey, I understand, has been in the church almost ever since its formation. He has labored much and suffered much: he was in the midst of the Missouri persecution; he has been buffeted, ill treated and imprisoned; robbed of property to a considerable amount-his all. The cold earth has often been his bed, while his weather-worn valise served for a pillow and the canopy of heaven for a covering.-Cold and hunger are not unknown to him. Yet, he has braved all for the gospel's sake, and is now rejoicing that he was considered worthy to suffer. Can all this be delusion or imposition? or is it the work of God that these men come to proclaim? I can only say that if it is the work of God, all the combined powers of earth and hell, hireling priests and devils, cannot stop it; and if it be the work of man-if it be delusion or imposition, it will come to nought and must soon be numbered with the things that were. Let us then, as we value the salvation of our immortal souls, let us diligently enquire [inquire] whether these things are so-let us search the scriptures, and if we find these people preach the doctrine there laid down, and practice what they preach, then we are bound to believe them: and if they do not, it is our duty to reject them. As long as there is any thing to be learnt, I trust I shall continue to be- A SEEKER AFTER TRUTH.