History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838]

Source Note

JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. B-1, created 1 Oct. 1843–24 Feb. 1845; handwriting of
Willard Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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and
Thomas Bullock
23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...
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; 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
Far West
Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...
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, Missouri. For a fuller discussion of the entire six-volume work, see the general introduction to the history.
Willard Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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, 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.
Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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’s poor health led to the curtailment of work on B-1 for several months, until 11 December 1844. On that date, Richards and
William W. Phelps
17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...
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, assisted by
Thomas Bullock
23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...
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, 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, Willmer Benson, 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,
Willard Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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and
Thomas Bullock
23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...
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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,
Brigham Young
1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...
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,
Heber C. Kimball
14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...
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,
George A. Smith
26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...
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, 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—
Kirtland
Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...
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, Ohio, and northwest
Missouri
Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...
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—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.

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assembled, a number were blessed under the hands of <January 9> and we had a good time. Spent the evening at home.

<Sunday 10> Sunday 10th. Attended meeting at the usual hour. Elders, , and Preached in the forenoon, and Bros. and in the afternoon. They all did well considering their youth. Administered the Sacrament; during intermission, Elder baptized three, spent the evening at home. [HC 2:363]

11 January 1836 • Monday

<11> Monday 11th. There being no school, I spent the day at home. Many brethren called to see me, among whom was , from N. York, who had come to attend the Solemn Assembly. I delight in the society of my brethren and friends, and pray that the blessings of heaven and earth may be multiplied upon their heads.

12 January 1836 • Tuesday

<12> Tuesday 12th. I called on the Presidency of the church and made arrangements to meet tomorrow at 10 o clock A.M. to take into consideration the subject of the Solemn Assembly. This afternoon a young man called to see the Egyptian Manuscripts, which I exhibited. Also <> Brother Joseph Rose introduced to me , a christian or Unitarian Preacher, so called; from . N. York. We had some little controversy on Prejudices, but soon come to an understanding: He spoke of the Gospel and said he believed it, adding that it was good tidings of great joy. I replied that it was one thing to proclaim good tidings and another to tell what those tidings were. He waived the conversation and withdrew.

13 January 1836 • Wednesday

<13 General Council preparatory to the Solemn Assembly> Wednesday 13th. 10. oclock A.M. I met in council with the Presidency of and Zion, namely, , , , , . and . Also the twelve Apostles, the High Council of Zion, and the High council of ; The Bishops of Zion and , the presidency of the seventies seventy and many more of the elders. Some of the Counsellors, both of Zion and were absent. The council came to order, sung Adam-Ondi-Ahman. [HC 2:364] and opened by prayer offered up by , when I made some remarks, in my introductory lecture before the authority of the church in general terms, laying before them the business of the day, which was to supply some deficiences in the Bishop’s council, in this place; also in the High Council. After some altercation upon the most proper < chosen Bishops counsel> manner of proceeding, Elder was nominated by the and seconded by the presidency; The vote was then called from the Presidency, and carried; next from the High Council of Zion, and carried; from the twelve, and carried; from the council of the seventy, and carried; from the and his Council. and carried; and was received by the universal voice and consent of all the authority of the church; as a counsillor in the Bishop’s council in , to fill the place of Elder , who had been ordained to the Presidency of the High council of . was then ordained under the hands of Bishop to the office of counsellor, also to that of High Priest. [HC 2:365] <Bishop, Councellor> [p. 685]

assembled, a number were blessed under the hands of January 9 and we had a good time. Spent the evening at home.

10 January 1836 • Sunday

Sunday 10 Sunday 10th. Attended meeting at the usual hour. Elders, , and Preached in the forenoon, and Bros. and in the afternoon. They all did well considering their youth. Administered the Sacrament; during intermission, Elder baptized three, spent the evening at home. [HC 2:363]

11 January 1836 • Monday

11 Monday 11th. There being no school, I spent the day at home. Many brethren called to see me, among whom was , from N. York, who had come to attend the Solemn Assembly. I delight in the society of my brethren and friends, and pray that the blessings of heaven and earth may be multiplied upon their heads.

12 January 1836 • Tuesday

12 Tuesday 12th. I called on the Presidency of the church and made arrangements to meet tomorrow at 10 o clock A.M. to take into consideration the subject of the Solemn Assembly. This afternoon a young man called to see the Egyptian Manuscripts, which I exhibited. Also Brother Joseph Rose introduced to me , a christian or Unitarian Preacher, so called; from . N. York. We had some little controversy on Prejudices, but soon come to an understanding: He spoke of the Gospel and said he believed it, adding that it was good tidings of great joy. I replied that it was one thing to proclaim good tidings and another to tell what those tidings were. He waived the conversation and withdrew.

13 January 1836 • Wednesday

13 General Council preparatory to the Solemn Assembly Wednesday 13th. 10. oclock A.M. I met in council with the Presidency of and Zion, namely, , , , , . and . Also the twelve Apostles, the High Council of Zion, and the High council of ; The Bishops of Zion and , the presidency of the seventy and many more of the elders. Some of the Counsellors, both of Zion and were absent. The council came to order, sung Adam-Ondi-Ahman. [HC 2:364] and opened by prayer offered up by , when I made some remarks, in my introductory lecture before the authority of the church in general terms, laying before them the business of the day, which was to supply some deficiences in the Bishop’s council, in this place; also in the High Council. After some altercation upon the most proper chosen Bishops counsel manner of proceeding, Elder was nominated by the and seconded by the presidency; The vote was then called from the Presidency, and carried; next from the High Council of Zion, and carried; from the twelve, and carried; from the council of the seventy, and carried; from the and his Council. and carried; and was received by the universal voice and consent of all the authority of the church; as a counsillor in the Bishop’s council in , to fill the place of Elder , who had been ordained to the Presidency of the High council of . was then ordained under the hands of Bishop to the office of High Priest. [HC 2:365] Bishop, Councellor [p. 685]

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Document Information
Editorial Title
History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838]
ID #
7404
Total Pages
332
Handwriting on This Page
- Willard Richards
Footnotes
1. 210
  JS, Journal, 10 Jan. 1836.
2. 211
  JS, Journal, 11 Jan. 1836.
3. 212
  JS, Journal, 12 Jan. 1836.
4. 213
  JS, Journal, 13 Jan. 1836; Minute Book 1, 13 Jan. 1836.

History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838]

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