--- 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: 23 published: 1843-10-15 publisher: E. Robinson and D. C. Smith; later John Taylor publisher_place: Commerce and Nauvoo, Illinois language: en type: article reference: "“[For the Times and Seasons.],” *Times and Seasons* 4, no. 23 (October 15, 1843): 354–357." printed_title: "[For the Times and Seasons.]" source: url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1843-10-15_4_23 transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v4n23.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_1843-10-15_4_23 start_page: 354 end_page: 357 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_1843-10-15_4_23 publication_year: 1843 --- # [For the Times and Seasons.] BR. TAYLOR:- Sir: I devote a few moments of time, to give a short sketch of the prosperity of the mission appointed me, to Tennessee, at the last April Conference. I left Nauvoo on the 11th of April and went to Greene county, Illinois, where I preached a few times and baptised [baptized] two. From thence I went to Lebanon, St. Clair co., where I fell in company with W. H. Edwards, who accompanied me to Tennessee. We baptised [baptized] eight near Lebanon, and organised [organized] them into a branch, known by the name of the Lebanon Branch. From Lebanon we continued our way, preaching every opportunity, and baptised [baptized] two at the Elk-horn prairie, Williamson co.; crossed into Kentucky, May 16th; continued preaching in Warren, Baron, Hart and Monroe counties Ky., and Jackson and Overton counties, Tenn., for about five months; baptised [baptized] ten in Hart co., all of whom will remove to Nauvoo this winter or next spring. The enquiries [inquiries] for the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in that country, are very great and the laborers are few. With high esteem and respect, I subscribe myself, Your fellow laborer, In the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant, FRANCIS M. EDWARDS. Nauvoo, Dec. 2, 1843. Dear Sir,-As I am a traveller [traveler] who am sometimes in the habit of committing my thoughts to paper, and having perceived that the people called Mormons are grossly abused and misrepresented, I extract the following remarks from my journal. If you think them worthy of a place in your invaluable periodical, you are at liberty to insert them:- "Having, whilst in my native land, heard a great deal said respecting the people called Mormons. I thought it would be well, in the course of my rambles (or tour) to visit their city, hold converse with them, see their city, investigate their principles, and judge for myself I had heard, previous to my leaving England, some of their missionaries, among whom was Elders Woodruff, Richards and Young. I thought they were setters forth of strange doctrine, yet it had an influence on my mind, so that I felt determined, as soon as opportunity served to hear both sides of the question, as well from the Missourians as from any other source. With an unprejudiced mind I had, previous to this time, been a member of the methodist church, but having observed that there existed in the breasts of those people a very strong prejudice with respect to the Mormons. I could not give full credence to their statements, neither could I rest satisfied with the statement of the Mormons. I thought it was possible that they might dissemble in England, but as a people, they could not do so at home, their actions would appear ungarnished; they would there act out their principles, and their moral and religious influence would there be seen as clear as the sun at noon day; but above all I wanted to know something concerning the Missourian persecution; so after having overcome all opposition, (some of my friends being greatly alarmed lest I should become a follower of Joe, as they termed it. I took ship and arrived in safety at New Orleans. I then sailed up the Mississippi, and landed at St. Louis. As soon as I had taken lodgings I commenced my inquiries respecting the Mormons. What think you of the Mormons, I asked? I had scarcely spoken before my ears were saluted form all quarters, from high and low, rich and poor. The Mormons! The mean Mormons! The G-d d--Mormons! The deluded Mormons, &c. I heard them calumniated, and vilified, nay, abused beyond belief. They informed me that their crimes were of the deepest dye. That polygamy was not only tolerated but practiced among them; that they would rob and plunder; and that blood and murder was to be found in their skirts. That after they had stripped a poor stranger of his all, they confined him in a kind of dungeon, underneath the temple, where he was fed upon bread and water, until death put a period to his sufferings-left to die alone without a kind friend by him to perform the last sad offices, or to see him consigned to the silent tomb, but like a dog he was left to die, and like a dog he was buried. Well, one would have thought that after having heard all this my courage must have failed, and that I would at once have given up the search, but I called to mind the old adage, "Nothing venture nothing have." Pistory [History] also informed me of the wonderful exploits performed in days of yore by the chivalrous and noble knights of England, and so I felt determined to see and behold the wonderful place, with the history of which I had become acquainted. I had, however, determined to sell my liberty and life as dearly as I could, in case the reports I had heard should prove true, but the fact was, I did not place much confidence in their Jack the Giant Killer's tales, looking upon them as being too marvellous [marvelous] to be true. I landed at Nauvoo on a beautiful morning in the summer season. I felt a degree of superstitious dread creep over me, as I set my foot upon the shore! Presently I discovered some armed men advancing towards where I was, but immediately perceived that they were peaceable citizens of the place engaged in a pleasure party. As I walked onward I felt myself comparatively at home, as I now and again met with an Englishman that I once had gazed upon in my native land. I directed my course towards the Temple, and after having gazed upon and thoroughly examined every part of it, I was soon led to the conclusion that there was not much danger to be apprehended from being confined in the subterranean vaults or dungeon, beneath the Temple. I took up my abode as convenient to that edifice as I could, in order that I might be the better enabled to take cognisance [cognizance] of every circumstance which might come under my observation. I had resolved to keep my head and understanding from being confused in order that I might be enabled to judge correctly, and have a true and correct report to send to my native land, should I be permitted to reach its shores in safety. The city is of great dimensions, laid out in beautiful order; the streets are wide, and cross each other at right angles, which will add greatly to its order and magnificence when it is finished. The city rises on a gentle incline from the rolling Mississippi, and as you stand near the Temple you may gaze on the picturesque scenery around. At your side is the Temple, the wonder of the world; round about and beneath you may behold handsome stores, large palaces, and fine cottages, interspersed with varied scenery. At the foot of the town rolls the noble Mississippi, bearing upon its bosom the numerous steam ships which are conveying the Mormons from all parts of the world to their home. I have seen them landed, and I have beheld them welcomed to their homes with the tear of joy and the gladdening smile, to share the embrace of all around. I have heard them exclaim how happy to live here! How happy to die here! and then how happy to rise here in the resurrection! It is their happiness, then why disturb the Mormons as long as they are happy and peaceable, and are willing to live so with all men. "I would say, let them live!" The inhabitants seem to be a wonderful enterprising people. The walls of the Temple have been raised considerably this summer; it is calculated, when finished to be the glory of Illinois. They are endeavoring to establish manufactories in the city. They have enclosed large farms on the prairie ground, on which they have raised corn, wheat, hemp, &c. and all this they have accomplished within the short space of four years. I do not believe that there is another people in existence who could have made such improvements in the same length of time, under the same circumstances, and here allow me to remark, that there are some here who have lately emigrated to this place, who have built themselves large and convenient houses in the town, others on their farms on the prairie, who, if they had remained at home might have continue to live in rented houses all their days, and never once have entertained the idea of building one for themselves, at their own expense. Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet, is a singular character; he lives at the "Nauvoo Mansion House," which is, I understand, intended to become a home for the stranger and traveller [traveler]; and I think from my own personal observation that it will be deserving of the name. The Prophet is a kind, cheerful, agreeable companion. I believe that he has the goodwill of the community at large, and that he is ever ready to stand by and defend them in any extremity, and as I saw the Prophet and his brother Hyrum conversing together one day, I thought I beheld two of the greatest men of the nineteenth century. I have witnessed the Mormons in their assemblies on a Sunday, and I know not where a similar scene could be effected or produced. With respect to the teachings of the prophet, I must say that there are some things hard to be understood, but he invariably supports himself from our good old Bible. Peace and harmony reigns in the city. The drunkard is scarcely ever seen as in other cities; neither does the awful imprecation, or profane oath strike upon your ear; but while all is storm and tempest and confusion abroad, respecting the Mormons, all is peace and harmony at home. With regard to the persecution in Missouri, I do not believe that the Mormons deserved it at their hands. But it is my firm belief that the Missourians did actually slay innocent men, defenceless [defenseless] women, and helpless children. From all the testimony that I have been able to gather, both from the inhabitants of Missouri and the Mormons, this is established in my mind beyond a doubt! Oh, Missouri, Missouri! what hast thou done? Thou hast slain the innocent and defenceless [defenseless]; driven twelve thousand men and women, from thy inhospitable bosom; thou has robbed them of their property-of their all; compelled them to wander on the wide-spreading prairie, in the depth of winter, there to endure cold, hunger, and thirst. Thou hast bound their leaders in chains, confined them in dungeons, without affording them a sufficiency of bread and water; feeding them on human flesh; setting demons to guard them, whose boast it was that they had robbed innocence of its charms, and trampled upon virtue with more than fiendish impunity. But cease my pen to rehearse the story, and take up a lamentation for her-the star whose glory is dimmed; the state, whose escutcheon is tarnished with deeds of inhumanity and blood. Where, oh where is Washington? Where, oh, where is your fathers, who amidst the clash of arms, and the thunder of cannon, so nobly stood forward in defence [defense] of liberty and innocence? But they are gone, and what they bled and died for is abused and trampled upon by their recreant children! Yes, trampled upon by Missouri; and thou that mightest have been the glory of the west, hast fallen, thy honors are fled, thy glory is laid in the dust, and a dark page will forever rest on thy history. But what shall be done for thee, oh thou most mighty? Wherewith shall thou be restored to thy greatness? Is thy wound incurable? Is there no balm, is there no healing medicine, is there no physician? If there is a kind, merciful heart left in Missouri-a philanthropist, he may exclaim, they shall be restored to their houses and homes, to their lands and to their all! and then shall not our glory and honors return to us gain? But justice would answer in a voice of thunder, you cannot restore the wife of him whom ye have murdered in cold blood! You cannot restore the innocent child to the fond embrace of its parent, which you, with more than savage barbarity, destroyed! Neither can you restore the virtue, which you have inhumanly [inhumanely] taken away with devilish rage! Therefore do the devils rejoice, the heavens are ashamed, and thy name will never be mentioned by the virtuous and good but with detestation and abhorrence. But, say some, the State of Illinois has disgraced itself by protecting the Mormons. Wherein, I ask? In protecting the innocent and brave? The Mormons are calculated to do honor to any state! Look and see what they have done at Nauvoo during the comparatively short time they have been there, and if they are enabled to proceed as they have commenced their town ere long will become a great and mighty city. The Prophet and the Temple attract people from all parts; these must bring wealth into the state necessarily, and now I would say in conclusion, Beware men of Illinois, and let the Mormons alone; let them be protected; let their rights and privileges be preserved unto them sacred, and they will soon become a great and a mighty people, and the governor who received them from the lawless Missourians will be held in everlasting remembrance. Yea, his name will be had in honor through all generations. Yours, AN ENGLISHMAN.