9. Times And Seasons

The Times and Seasons was a periodical published by the Mormon Church from November 1839 through February 1846, in Nauvoo, Illinois. Every issue of the Times and Seasons was sixteen pages. For the first year, the periodical came out monthly, but during the following years, it was published twice a month.The first two editors for the Times and Seasons were Ebenezer Robinson and Don Carlos Smith, Joseph Smith’s brother. In 1840, Don Carlos became the only editor, but when he suddenly died on August 7, 1841, Ebenezer Robinson returned to take over as editor. Later that same year, the Twelve Apostles felt that the Times and Seasons would be better off being run by the Church, so Ebenezer Robinson resigned, and Willard Richards replaced him. The Church bought the shop from Robinson for $6,600. Robinson was not upset by this decision, and in his farewell address as editor expressed that he knew the decision had been made with the help of God.

Joseph Smith MormonIt was then decided that the Prophet Joseph Smith would be the chief editor for the paper and that John Taylor would assist him.The first issue edited by Joseph Smith came out on March 1, 1842. This was also the issue that contained the Wentworth letter, a letter that inspired the writing of the Thirteen Articles of Faith, which are now a part of the official canon of the Mormon Church. Joseph Smith was editor through November of 1842. During this time, parts of his personal history were published as a series in the Times and Seasons.Joseph Smith turned over the editing of the paper to John Taylor, because Joseph Smith had too many demands on his time. Willard Richards assisted John Taylor, and they ran the Times and Seasons until February 15, 1846, when the last issue was printed. After this, the Mormons began to leave Nauvoo for the West.

See the next page in the timeline series.

Other Links: Joseph Smith Jr
History of Mormonism
Mormon Beliefs

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