TIMES AND SEASONS

"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL"

Vol. 1. Whole No.1.] COMMERCE, ILLINOIS, NOVEMBER 1839 [Whole No. 1

ADDRESS.

As this No. commences the Times and Seasons, it is but proper that we should lay before its readers, the course we intend to pursue, with regard to the editorial department of the same.

We wish to make it a source of light and instruction to all those who may peruse its columns, by laying before them, in plainness, the great plan of salvation which was devised in heaven from before the foundation of the world, as made known to the saints of God, in former, as well as latter days; and is, like its Author, the same in all ages, and changeth not.

In order for this, we may at times, dwell at considerable length, upon the fullness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, as laid down in the revealed word of God; the necessity of embracing it with full purpose of heart, and living by all its precepts; remembering the words of our Savior, "he that will be my disciple let him take up his cross and follow me."

We shall treat freely upon the gathering of Israel, which is to take place in these last days-of the dispensation of the fullness of times, when the fullness of the Gentiles is to come in, and the outcasts of Jacob be brought back to dwell upon the lands of their inheritance, preparatory to that great day of rest, which is soon to usher in, when Christ will reign with his saints upon earth, a thousand years, according to the testimony of all the holy prophets since the world began.

We shall also endeavor to give a detailed history of the persecution and suffering, which the members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has had to endure in Missouri, and elsewhere, for their religion. A mere synopsis of which, would swell this address to volumes; therefore we are compelled to let it pass for the present, by touching upon a few of its most prominent features.

In Jackson county, Missouri, in the year 1833, several were murdered-one whipped to death-a number shot-others whipped until they were literally cut to pieces, then left to die; but God, through his kindness, spared their lives- others tarred and feathered-between two and three hundred men had their houses plundered, and then burned to ashes, and they, with their wives and little ones, driven into the forests to perish.

Again, in 1836 they were informed by the citizens of Clay county Mo. (where they settled after being driven from Jackson,) that they could dwell there no longer; consequently they were compelled to seek a location elsewhere; notwithstanding the greater part of them had purchased the land upon which they lived, with their own money, with the expectation of securing to themselves and families, permanent abiding places, where they could dwell in peace: but in this they were mistaken, for in the latter part of this same year, they were obliged to move out of the country, when they went to a back prairie country, where the other citizens assured them they might dwell in safety.

Here they commenced their labors with renewed courage, firmly believing they were preparing peaceful homes, where they could spend the remainder of there days in the sweet enjoyment of that liberty which was so dearly bought by the blood of their venerable Fathers, but which had been so cruelly wrested from them, by the hands of their oppressors, in both Jackson and Clay counties. But here again they were sadly disappointed, for no sooner had they built comfortable dwelling places, and opened beautiful and extensive farms, which their untiring industry and perseverance soon accomplished, than their neighbors in the adjoining counties began to envy them, and look upon them with a jealous eye; so that in the year 1838, mobs again began to harrass and disturb them, by stealing their cattle and hogs, burning their houses. and shooting at their men; when they petitioned the Governor for protection, which he utterly refused. They then saw there was no other way but to stand in their own defence;

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which they prepared to do with all possible diligence. This was no sooner made known to the Governor, than he ordered out the militia, (report says THIRTY THOUSAND) about twelve thousand of which, were on the march and issued his Edict, Maximim [Maximum] like, to have the saints EXTERMINATED, or EXPELLED from the State forthwith. Accordingly, many were murdered, or rather martyred!-about 60 thrust into prison-several hundred families driven from their homes, in the short space of ten days, in the midst of a very remarkable snow storm in the month of November-their property plundered --and the whole church, comprising about twelve thousand souls, expelled from the State!!

Thus you see, gentle reader, a minute history of all those transactions mentioned above, will be a subject of no small moment; when we consider that they have all been performed in the midst of this boasted land of Liberty; whose whole fabric, rests upon this one pivot, liberty of conscience.

Deprive her citizens of this heavenly boon, which is so freely granted to all, by the Author of our existance [existence], and all her hopes of future prosperity are blasted forever; she can stand no longer, as a free Republican Government, but must fall to rise no more.

With these brief remarks we shall suit will be hailed as a welcome guest, by every lover of freedom, and receive that encouragement which its merits may demand.

E. ROBINSON, D. C. SMITH.

Extract,

FROM THE PRIVATE JOURNAL OF JOSEPH SMITH JR.

On the fourteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, I with my family, arrived in Far West, Caldwell county Missouri, after a journey of more then one thousand miles, in the, Winter season, and being about eight weeks on our Journey; during which we suffered great affliction, and met with considerable persecution on the road. However, the prospect of meeting my friends in the west and anticipating the pleasure of dwelling in peace, and enjoying the blessings thereof, buoyed me up under the difficulties and trials which I had then to endure. However, I had not been there long before I was given to understand that plots were laid, by wicked and designing men for my destruction, who sought every opportunity to take my life; and that a company on the Grindstone forks of Grand river, in the county of Daviess, had offered the sum of one thousand dollars for my scalp: persons of whom I had no knowledge whatever, and who, I suppose, were entire strangers to me; and in order to accomplish their wicked design, I was frequently waylaid &c.; consequently, my life was continually in jeopardy:

I could hardly have given credit to such statements, had they not been corroborated by testimony, the most strong and convincing; as shortly after my arrival at Far West, while watering my horse in Shoal Creek, I distinctly heard three or four guns snap, which were undoubtedly intended for my destruction; however, I was mercifully preserved from those who sought to destroy me, by their lurking in the woods and hiding places, for this purpose.

My enemies were not confined alone, to the ignorant and obscure, but men in office, and holding situations under the Governor of the State, proclaimed themselves my enemies, and gave encouragement to others to destroy me; amongst whom, was Judge King, of the fifth Judicial circuit, who has frequently been heard to say that I ought to be beheaded on account of my religion. Expressions such as these, from individuals holding such important offices as Judge King's, could not fail to produce, and encourage persecution against me, and the people with whom I was connected. And in consequence of the prejudice which existed in the mind of this Judge, which he did not endeavor to keep secret, but made it as public as he could, the people took every advantage they possibly could, in abusing me, and threatening my life; regardless of the laws, which

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Promise protection to evry religious society, without distinction. During this state of things I do not recollect that eiither myself, or the people with whem i was associated, had done any thing to deserve such treatment, bat felt a desire to live at peace, and on friendlyterms, with the citizens of that, and the adjoining counties, a well as with all men; and I can truly say, “for my love they were my enemies,” and “sought to slay me without any cause,” or the least shadow of pretext.

My family was kept in a continual state of alarm, not knowing, when I went from home, that I should ever return again; or what would befail me from day to day. But not withstanding thesemanifestations of enmity, I hoped that the citizens would eventually ceace from their abusive and murderous purposes, and would reflect with sorrow upon their conduct in endeeavoring to destroy me, whose only crime was in worshipping the God of Heaven,and keeping his commandments; and that they would soon desist from harrassing a people who were as good citizens as the majority of this vast republic-who labored almost night and day, to cultivate the ground;and whose industry, during the time they were in that neighborhood, was proverbial.

In the latter part of September, A.D. 1838, I took a journey, in company with some others, to the lower part of the county of Caldwell, for the purpose of selecting a location for a Town. While on my journey, I was met by one of our brethrem from Dewitt, in Caroll county, who stated that our people, who had settled in that place, were, and had been for some time, surrounded by a mob, who had threatened their lives, and