Times and Seasons
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The Times and Seasons was the periodical of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints published in Nauvoo, Illinois, from November 1839 until February 1846. During that time, the editorship of the Times and Seasons changed hands on several occasions. Each issue consisted of 16 pages. During the first year (Volume 1) it was published once a month, and twice a month thereafter. The first editors of the paper were Ebenezer Robinson and Don Carlos Smith (one of Joseph Smith Jr.ΓÇÖs younger brothers). Don Carlos became sole proprietor in December of 1840. After the sudden death of Don Carlos on August 7, 1841, Ebenezer Robinson returned to take over the editorship of the Times and Seasons (Times and Seasons 2:503). In late 1841 the Twelve Apostles, headed by Brigham Young, expressed their disapproval of the manner in which the Times and Seasons was conducted. They voted to remove Ebenezer Robinson from his position as editor, and appoint Willard Richards in his place. It was finally decided that Joseph Smith Jr. would be the chief editor of the paper, assisted by John Taylor (Church History 2:552-557; see also Times and Seasons 3:729). RobinsonΓÇÖs valedictory statement in his last issue (February 15, 1842) is interesting, as it gives the early history of the Times and Seasons, and indicates that as long as the paper would be under the supervision of Joseph Smith "all things will go right" (Times and Seasons 3:696). The first issue of the Times and Seasons edited by Joseph Smith Jr. was March 1, 1842. This issue contains the so-called "Wentworth letter" to John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat, telling of JosephΓÇÖs early revelatory experiences (Times and Seasons 3:706-710). (Note: there is a typo on page 710 of this issue which incorrectly gives the date as March 15, 1842. A careful review of Volume 3, pages 702-735, shows that the date should have been March 1.) Joseph Smith continued as editor throughout the 3rd volume, during which his personal history began to be published as a series of articles in the Times and Seasons. Due to the great burden of activity which he carried, Joseph turned over the paper to Apostle John Taylor, beginning with Volume 4 in November, 1842 (Times and Seasons 4:8). Apostle Taylor continued as editor for the remainder of the Times and Seasons. He was assisted by Willard Richards until early in 1845. The last issue of the Times and Seasons was on February 15, 1846, after which the exodus of saints from Nauvoo began.

A letter from John Green reporting the activities of the mission in New Jersey. The elders had borne testimony concerning the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

A response to an article by Matilda Davidson. The LDS scripture is not called the “Mormon Bible” (as if to replace the well-known Bible), it is called the “Book of Mormon” The Book of Mormon corroborates the Bible. Pratt refutes Sidney Rigdon’s connection with the Spaulding manuscript.

Contains an interview with Solomon Spaulding’s widow, Matilda Davidson, and daughter, Mrs. McKinistry, concerning the Spaulding manuscript’s connection with the Book of Mormon. The wife and daughter saw little resemblance between the two documents, thinking there may have been a similarity in some names.

An extract from the Book of Mormon concerning the dispersion and gathering of Israel (1 Nephi 22).

Announces that copies of the Book of Mormon are available after a long shortage and big demand for them.

Reprint of an article from the Upper Mississippian that relates some aspects concerning the Book of Mormon. Says that Joseph Smith found brass plates and was instructed by the Lord to employ people to translate them. The translation contained a prophecy about the condition of the Latter-day Saints, including their persecutions in Missouri. The Times and Seasons editor notes that some of the views about the Book of Mormon in the article are off quite “widely from the mark”

Oliver Cowdery, in a letter to W. W. Phelps, describes how the plates were buried and how Joseph received them.

Imaginary dialogue between an “Elder Pierce,” “Mr. Matthews” and “Mr. Roberts” on Book of Mormon topics, including the visit of Jesus in 3 Nephi. Examines why the Indians apparently had no traditions confirming the Book of Mormon.

Missionary letter sent to the Times and Seasons. Includes an excerpt of a statement by Charles Anthon, who describes the characters given to him by Martin Harris, with the intention of discrediting the LDS story about him. The author then cites works by Humboldt, Raffinesque, and Stephens to argue that Anthon’s description unwittingly coincides with inscriptions found in Latin America.

Part of an open letter proclaiming the message of the Restoration. Shows the Book of Mormon to be a fulfillment of prophecy. Addresses the objection concerning the anathema of adding to the book of Revelation. Quotes Parley P. Pratt regarding the Book of Mormon as a record of ancient America.

A missionary proclamation including an account of the origin of the Book of Mormon and its purpose. Quotes from 1 Nephi, concerning the “great and abominable Church”

Excerpts from a book by the same title. Compares descriptions of ancient American fortifications with comparable fortifications in the book of Alma. Discusses the Gadianton robbers and the visit of Martin Harris to Dr. Mitchel.

A proclamation to the inhabitants of America that Jesus Christ has appeared to the forefathers of the Indians, that God inspired Columbus to discover America, and that America became a free land “to prepare the way for the coming of the Book of Mormon” A warning for the same inhabitants to repent and believe in the words of Jesus Christ as presented in the Book of Mormon.

The discovery of mummies in Kentucky recalls the Hebrew practice of embalming. Author suggests that this practice was brought to ancient America by the Hebrews because, according to the Book of Mormon, the native Americans are descendants of Hebrews.

Presents a comparison of many of the metals, animals, and plants mentioned in the Book of Mormon with similar things found in the United States.

Speaks of the methods in which ancient books were bound. Books consisting of tablets, plates, metal, or wood were made of leaves bound with rings at the back. Flexible materials were sewn in long sheets and rolled around a stick, like a scroll. That the Book of Mormon was similarly bound is evidence of its authenticity.

Using extracts from the writings of Stephens, these articles suggest that the archaeological and historical observations of Stephens in Central America provide evidence that the Book of Mormon contains the truth.

Comments on and quotes from Stephen’s Incidents of Travel in Central America. It is claimed that the Toltecs were of the house of Israel, a concept that is seen as corroborating the existence of Nephites and Lamanites.

Reports of ruins of temples, castles, and pyramids adorned with reliefs and frescos. Many of the buildings were oriented eastward and possessed walls that were finished with a hard composition like concrete. It was thought that these ruins were archaeological evidences of the Book of Mormon.

Thoughtful description of the dynamics of the author’s conversion. After hearing negative things about the Book of Mormon, Spencer studied the book and was converted to Jesus Christ.

An account of the discovery of the Kinderhook plates—six brass plates held together by a ring. R. Wiley discovered them in a mound and hoped that Joseph Smith would be able to decipher them and that they would prove the authenticity of the Book of Mormon.

A letter to the editor written by Joseph Smith in rebuttal to the allegation that the word “Mormon” was translated from a Greek word. Joseph interprets the word “Mormon” to mean “more good” He attests that the language from which the plates were translated was Reformed Egyptian. He reaffirms the divine intervention of God in the translation process.

It is helpful to compare Stephens’s writings on Central America with the Book of Mormon, for his works help to verify the Book of Mormon.

Supports the case that archaeology proves the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Cites as an example the ruins of ancient cities, castles, and temples lying near Santa Fe, Texas.

Supports the case that archaeology proves the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Cites as an example the ruins of ancient cities, castles, and temples lying near Santa Fe, Texas.

The immense ruins in Central America should dispel any doubts that the Book of Mormon records the history of ancient civilizations of America.