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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<February 22.> closed by singing and prayer, which is customary at the commencement, and close of all councils, and meetings of the church of Latter Day Saints although not always mentioned in this Record.

23 February 1836 • Tuesday

<23> Tuesday 23d Read and translated Hebrew. This afternoon the sisters met again at the to work on the veil; towards the close of the day I met with the presidency and many of the brethren in the . I made some remarks from the pulpit upon the rise and progress of the church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, and pronounced a blessing upon the sisters, for their liberality in giving their services so cheerfully. to make the veil for the ; also upon the congregation and dismissed.

24 February 1836 • Wednesday

<24> Wednesday 24th. attended to my studies as usual. At evening <Council of Quorums of Ordination &c> met the quorums in at the school room in the , to take into consideration the propriety or im[HC 2:399]propriety of ordaining a large number of individuals who wish to be ordained to official stations in the church; each individuals name was presented and the voice of the assembly called: and Charles Wightman, David Cluff, , Reuben Barton ,— and were received; and nineteen were rejected. Their ordinations deferred until another time.

Presidents , , and were nominated and Seconded to draft rules and Regulations concerning Licences, vote of the assembly passed unanimously.

< chosen Clerk.> chosen by nomination to officiate as clerk to record licences, and receive pay for his services, accordingly. Also voted that the Twelve and Seventy see that the calls for preaching in the regions round about , be attended to, and filled by judicious elders of this church.

25 February 1836 • Thursday

<25.> Thursday 25th. attended to my studies as usual and made some proficiency. In the afternoon I was called upon by to go and see his wife who was very sick. I did so, in company with my scribe. We prayed for her and anointed her in the name of the Lord, and she began to recover from that very hour. Returned home and spent the evening.

26 February 1836 • Friday

<26> Friday 26th., read Hebrew with the first class in the morning. Spent the P.M. in the . Settled some misunderstanding between Brother and .

27 February 1836 • Saturday

<27> Saturday morning 27th. cold and fine sleighing. I prepared my horse and sleigh for to ride to and visit his family, to return on monday next. attended with my class at the , both in the forenoon and afternoon and lectured and translated Hebrew.

28 February 1836 • Sunday

<Sunday 28 2 scotch Gentlemen> Sunday 28th. This morning two Gentlemen, late from [HC 2:400] Scotland called to see me, to make enquiry about the work of the Lord in these last days. They treated me with respect, and the interview was pleasing to me, and I presume interesting to them. They attended our meeting with me and expressed a satisfaction at in what they heard. They spoke of Irvin the oriental reformer and his prophecies. After meeting [p. 707]

February 22. closed by singing and prayer, which is customary at the commencement, and close of all councils, and meetings of the church of Latter Day Saints although not always mentioned in this Record.

23 February 1836 • Tuesday

23 Tuesday 23d Read and translated Hebrew. This afternoon the sisters met again at the to work on the veil; towards the close of the day I met with the presidency and many of the brethren in the . I made some remarks from the pulpit upon the rise and progress of the church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, and pronounced a blessing upon the sisters, for their liberality in giving their services so cheerfully. to make the veil for the ; also upon the congregation and dismissed.

24 February 1836 • Wednesday

24 Wednesday 24th. attended to my studies as usual. At evening Council of Quorums of Ordination &c met the quorums at the school room in the , to take into consideration the propriety or im[HC 2:399]propriety of ordaining a large number of individuals who wish to be ordained to official stations in the church; each individuals name was presented and the voice of the assembly called: and Charles Wightman, David Cluff, , Reuben Barton ,— and were received; and nineteen were rejected. Their ordinations deferred until another time.

Presidents , , and were nominated and Seconded to draft rules and Regulations concerning Licences, vote of the assembly passed unanimously.

chosen Clerk. chosen by nomination to officiate as clerk to record licences, and receive pay for his services, accordingly. Also voted that the Twelve and Seventy see that the calls for preaching in the regions round about , be attended to, and filled by judicious elders of this church.

25 February 1836 • Thursday

25. Thursday 25th. attended to my studies as usual and made some proficiency. In the afternoon I was called upon by to go and see his wife who was very sick. I did so, in company with my scribe. We prayed for her and anointed her in the name of the Lord, and she began to recover from that very hour. Returned home and spent the evening.

26 February 1836 • Friday

26 Friday 26th., read Hebrew with the first class in the morning. Spent the P.M. in the . Settled some misunderstanding between Brother and .

27 February 1836 • Saturday

27 Saturday morning 27th. cold and fine sleighing. I prepared my horse and sleigh for to ride to and visit his family, to return on monday next. attended with my class at the , both in the forenoon and afternoon and lectured and translated Hebrew.

28 February 1836 • Sunday

Sunday 28 2 scotch Gentlemen Sunday 28th. This morning two Gentlemen, late from [HC 2:400] Scotland called to see me, to make enquiry about the work of the Lord in these last days. They treated me with respect, and the interview was pleasing to me, and I presume interesting to them. They attended our meeting with me and expressed a satisfaction in what they heard. They spoke of Irvin the oriental reformer and his prophecies. After meeting [p. 707]

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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. 265
  JS, Journal, 23 Feb. 1836.
2. 266
  JS, Journal, 24 Feb. 1836.
3. 267
  JS, Journal, 25 Feb. 1836.
4. 268
  JS, Journal, 26 Feb. 1836.
5. 269
  JS, Journal, 27 Feb. 1836.
6. 270
  JS, Journal, 28 Feb. 1836.

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

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