JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. B-1, created 1 Oct. 1843–24 Feb. 1845; handwriting of and ; 297 pages, plus 10 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the second volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This second volume covers the period from 1 Sept. 1834 to 2 Nov. 1838; the subsequent four volumes, labeled C-1 through F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction
This document, volume B-1, is the second of the six volumes of the “Manuscript History of the Church.” The collection was compiled over the span of seventeen years, 1838 to 1856. The narrative in volume B-1 begins with the entry for 1 September 1834, just after the conclusion of the Camp of Israel (later called Zion’s Camp), and continues to 2 November 1838, when JS was interned as a prisoner of war at , Missouri. For a fuller discussion of the entire six-volume work, see the general introduction to the history.
, serving as JS’s “private secretary and historian,” completed the account of JS’s history contained in volume A-1 in August 1843. It covered the period from JS’s birth in 1805 through the aftermath of the Camp of Israel in August 1834. When work resumed on the history on 1 October 1843, Richards started a new volume, eventually designated B-1.
At the time of JS’s death in June 1844, the account had been advanced to 5 August 1838, on page 812 of volume B-1. ’s poor health led to the curtailment of work on B-1 for several months, until 11 December 1844. On that date, Richards and , assisted by , resumed gathering the records and reports needed to draft the history. Richards then composed and drafted roughed-out notes while Thomas Bullock compiled the text of the history and inscribed it in B-1. They completed their work on the volume on or about 24 February 1845. Richards, , and Jonathan Grimshaw later added ten pages of “Addenda,” which provided notes, extensive revisions, or additional text to be inserted in the original manuscript where indicated.
Though JS did not dictate or revise any of the text recorded in B-1, and chose to maintain the first-person, chronological narrative format established in A-1 as if JS were the author. They drew from a variety of primary and secondary sources including JS’s diaries and letters, minutes of meetings, the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, church and other periodicals, reports of JS’s discourses, and the reminiscences and recollections of church members. As was the case with A-1, after JS’s death, , , , and others modified and corrected the manuscript as they reviewed material before its eventual publication.
Beginning in March 1842 the church’s Nauvoo periodical, the Times and Seasons, began publishing the narrative as the “History of Joseph Smith.” It was also published in England in the church periodical the Millennial Star beginning in June 1842. Once a press was established in Utah and the Deseret News began publication, the “History of Joseph Smith” once more appeared in print in serialized form. Beginning with the November 1851 issue, the narrative picked up where the Times and Seasons had left off over five years earlier.
The narrative recorded in B-1 continued the story of JS’s life as the prophet and president of the church he labored to establish. The account encompasses significant developments in the church’s two centers at that time—, Ohio, and northwest —during a four-year-span. Critical events included the organization of the Quorums of the Twelve Apostles and the Seventy, the dedication of the House of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio, the establishment of the Kirtland Safety Society, dissension and apostasy in Kirtland and Missouri, the first mission to England, JS’s flight from Kirtland to Missouri in the winter of 1838, the Saints’ exodus from Kirtland later that year, the disciplining of the Missouri presidency, and the outbreak of the Missouri War and arrest of JS. Thus, B-1 provides substantial detail regarding a significant period of church expansion and transition as well as travail.
In the course of the day , Elder Strong and others <November 16.> called to counsel with me. In the evening a council was called at my house to counsel with , on the <Council, .> subject of his moving to ; I had previously told him that the Lord had said that he had better go to next spring; however he wished a council called. The council met and President arose and said, the spirit manifested to him that it was his duty to go: others bore the same testimony. The same night I received the <Revelation, for .> word of the Lord on case. He had desired that I would enquire at the hand of the Lord, whether the it was his duty to be baptized here, or wait until he returned home. The word of the Lord came unto me saying, that had better not be baptized here, and that he had better not return by water, also that there were three men that were seeking his destruction, to beware of his enemies.
<17.> Tuesday 17 exhibited the alphabet of the ancient Records to , and some others. Went with him to , to see the Mummies. We then took the parting hand, and he started for home, being strong in the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and determined to obey its requirements I returned home and spent the day in dictating and comparing letters. A fine pleasant day, although cool. This evening at early candlelight I preached at the .
<18.> Wednesday 18 At home in the fore-noon until about [HC 2:316] 11 o clock I then went to ’s to preach his father’s funeral sermon by the request of the family. I preached on the subject of the Resurrection. The congregation were very attentive. , and accompanied me to the funeral: pleasant out, but cool and cloudy on our return.
<Council at .> This day a council of High Priests and Elders of the church of Latter Day Saints was held at to hear the complaint of Sister clarissa Matthews against Elder Reuben Keeler, “for prosecuting in a court of Law and taking their property on . Notwithstanding that he had received his pay or the most part of it. and refusing to allow them for what they had paid to him, also forfeiting his word as he had frequently stated to her that he would not take their property in such a manner, and also for oppressing her family in an unchristian like manner.” Elder Keeler plead not guilty, but the council decided that he was guilty— of the first and last charges and gave judgment accordingly, with which Elder Keeler refused to comply, and said he would appeal to the High Council at . P. E.— Clerk.
<visit ’s> At evening, , . Father, Mother & Sister-in-law, came and invited me and to go with them and visit and family. was unwell and could not go, but I and my went. When we arrived, some of the <Debate> young elders were about engaging in a debate on the subject of Miracles. [p. 654]