History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH. 109
ervation of our persons and property, and solicit their
charity for the great cause of God. We are well aware
that many slanderous reports and ridiculous stories
are in circulation against our religion and society ; but
as wise men will hear both sides and then judge, we
sincerely hope and trust that the still small voice of
truth will be heard, and our great revelations read and
candidly compared with the prophecies of the bible,
that the great cause of our redeemer may be supported
by a liberal share of public opinion, as well as the unseen
power of God. The faith and religion of the
latter-day saints are founded upon the old scriptures,
the book of Mormon, and direct revelation from God."
Thus far have I given the History of Joseph Smith,
in substance as written by himself in his journal, 53 and
53 The most complete history of the early Mormon church is the Journal
of Joseph Smith, extracts from which were made by himself, so as to form a
consecutive narrative, under title of History of Joseph Smith, and published in
Times and Seasons, beginning with vol. iii. no. 10, March 13, 1842, and
ending Feb. 15, 1846, after the prophet's death. The narrative would fill a
good-sized 12mo volume. It is composed largely of revelations, which, save
in the one point of commandment which it was the purpose specially to give,
are all quite similar. Publication of the Times and Seasons was begun at
Commerce, afterward called Nauvoo, Illinois, Nov. 1S39, and issued monthly.
The number for May 1840 was dated Nauvoo. Later it was published semimonthly,
and was so continued till Feb. 1840. It is filled with church proceedings,
movements of officers, correspondence of missionaries, history, and
general information, W'ith some poetry. To write a complete history of the
Mormons down to 1S46 without these volumes would not be possible. The
names of E. Robinson and D. C. Smith first appear as publishers, then Robinson
alone, then D. C. Smith, then E. Robinson and G. Hills, next Joseph Smith,
and finally John Taylor. The organ of that branch of the church which remained
in Iowa was the Frontier Guardian, published by Orson Hyde at
Potawatamic, or Kanesville, 1S49-52, and of the church in Utah the Deseret
Xews, which was first issued at Salt Lake City in June 1S50.
'At the organization of this church, the Lord commanded Joseph the
prophet to keep a record of his doings in the great and important work that
he was commencing to perform. It thus became a duty imperative. After
John Whitmer and others had purloined the records in 1S38, the persecution
and expulsion from Missouri soon followed. When again located, now in
Nauvoo, Illinois, and steamboat loads of emigrants were arriving from England
via New Orleans, the sound thereof awakened an interest in the country
that led Hon. John Wentworth, of Chicago, to write to the prophet,
Joseph Smith, making inquiries about the rise, progress, persecution, and
faith of the Latter-day Saints, the origin of this work, the Book of Mormon,
the plates from which the record was translated, etc.; and it is the answer to
this letter contained in Times and Seasons, March 1, 1842, that precedes
or prefaces the present history of Joseph Smith, which is the history of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This request of Mr Wentworth's
seemed to forcibly remind the prophet of the importance of having
the history of his wonderful work restored to such a condition that correct