--- 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: 3 published: 1842-12-15 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. 3 (December 15, 1842): 46–47." printed_title: For the Times and Seasons source: url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1842-12-15_4_3 transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v4n03.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_1842-12-15_4_3 start_page: 46 end_page: 47 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 1842 (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_1842-12-15_4_3 publication_year: 1842 --- # For the Times and Seasons BROTHER TAYLOR:-It has occurred to my mind that a few thoughts on the utility of a general diffusion of science, would not be uninteresting to the readers of the 'Times and Seasons.' The following is therefore respectfully submitted for your consideration. Science, in its extended import is a development and collection of facts, and their comparison with each other, or the comparing of things as they exist in nature. True science is a discovery of the secret, immutable and eternal laws, by which the universe is governed; and when practically applied, sets in motion the mighty wheels of useful engines, with all the various machinery which genius has invented, or art contrived.-It ameliorates the condition of man, by extending the means of intellectual, moral, social, and domestic happiness. The greatest discoveries in science, have not been made by the most powerful intellects under extraordinary circumstances; but by the concentrated efforts of ordinary minds under favorable circumstances. As the concentrated solar rays will ignite when brought to a focus through a common lens. A spectacle-maker's boy led to the discovery of the telescope. The discovery of a fountain player, that water could rise only to thirty-two feet in the tube of a forcing engine led Galileo, to calculate the gravity of the air. Archimedes by observation discovered the process of determining the specific gravity of bodies while in the act of bathing. Newten's [Newton's] attention was directed to the law of gravitation by the falling of an apple upon his head. On being asked how he discovered the true system of the universe, he replied, "by continually thinking about it. If I have done the world and service' (continued he) 'it has been by industry, and patient thought.' The saints being of choice intellects, selected from the great mass of mankind, with free and independent minds, determined to think and know for themselves, are well situated by an attentive observation of the phenomens [phenomena] and laws of nature, (the laws of motion, mechanics, &c.) to discover and demonstrate new truths. And in this way may excel in science and the arts, by turning every thing to profit in agriculture and machinery, as well is in religion, and morality. If the world in confusion and under mental bondage have made valvable [valuable] acquisitions, what may not the saints do? Situated as they are, with a man at their head. who can detect error, and fully appreciate philosophical truth, 'even by the spirit of truth, which will guide into all truth.' May they not, by every man improving his own talent, by industry and perseverance, become the most prosperous, happy, and intelligent people upon the earth? For the number, and value of scientific truths made known, will be in proportion to the number of active minds engaged. Thus, while the surrounding nations are convulsed and 'perplexed,' for the want of a circulating medium; we, by making capital of genius and intellect, may dwell in civil peace and harmony. H. TATE. Nauvoo, Illinois, Dec. 15th 1842.