Times and Seasons, three issue lot (Joseph Smith for President)

Disbound. Three issues: 5, no. 4 (Feb. 15, 1844), 5, no. 5 (Mar. 1, 1844), 5, no. 15 (Aug. 15, 1844). Disbound. The Feb. 15 issue has two sections of pages (separated) that are trimmed at different sizes, scattered marking.

Obviously, 1844 in Nauvoo was an incredibly chaotic time. These three issues of the church periodical Times and Seasons reflect the many swirling concerns. The Feb. 15 issue includes an article "Who Shall Be Our Next President?" that surveyed the upcoming election, an election in which Joseph Smith was preparing to participate. This issue also includes a letter from Governor Thomas Ford hoping that Nauvoo would remain peaceful. Ominously, the last piece in this issue is a poem "Farewell to Nauvoo" that noted the author's heart "will often turn with sadness and regret/When far away my dwelling place shall be."
The next issue, Mar. 1, made the presidential campaign plans quite clear. In an article entitled "For President Gen. Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois," the editor noted that "the step that we have taken is a bold one." While Smith's character "has been a great deal calumniated and misrepresented," the article declares that "his election would be conducive of more happiness and prosperity at home and abroad, than that of any other man in these United States."
Of course, by the Aug. 15 issue, Nauvoo-and Mormonism-had forever changed. This issue reprinted a piece-"Joseph Smith, Mayor of Nauvoo, Murdered," from the Philadelphia Sun-that, in the face of "slander and mobocracy" demonstrated that "that cause, 'goes forth conquering and to conquer!'"
These three original issues of this very important periodical are a fascinating glimpse of Nauvoo on both sides of the most critical watershed in Mormon history. Condition: Very good. Item #39314

Price: $1,500.00