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...
View Full Bio
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...
View Full Bio
; 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...
More Info
, 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...
View Full Bio
, 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...
View Full Bio
’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,...
View Full Bio
, 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...
View Full Bio
, 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...
View Full Bio
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...
View Full Bio
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...
View Full Bio
,
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...
View Full Bio
,
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,...
View Full Bio
, 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...
More Info
, 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 ...
More Info
—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.

Hide editing marks

assistant president saying these words; In the name of Jesus <December 5. ordained At. Prest.> Christ who was crucified for the sins of the world, I lay my hands upon thee, and ordain thee an assistant president to the high and holy priesthood in the church of the Latter Day Saints. [HC 2:176]

11 December 1834 • Thursday

<11. Letter to Thompson.> On the 11th. wrote from , clay county, To J. T. V. Thompson— , (in reply to his letter of the 25th. November,) expressive of thankfulness to his for introducing the sufferin[g] of the Saints in his Message; also asking counsel, “whether it would avail any thing for the Society to petition his honorable body, (the Legislature) for an act to re-instate them in their rights” &c. and requesting him to confer with his friends and his excellency and on the subject, and give an early answer.

About the middle of the month the message of of , <to the legislature,> -[see p. 559.]- arrived at , was read with great interest, and revived the hopes of the church for the scattered brethren of .

18 December 1834 • Thursday

<18. Letter to Thompson> wrote again to esquire Thompson, on the 18th. as follows,

“Dear Sir, By this mail I have forwarded to of the lower house, a petition and documents, on the subject of our rights in . He will hand them to you for the Senate, when through in the House, I shall be greatly obliged if you lay them before your honorable body; and any information [HC 2:177] you may require, or even personal attendance, write, and you shall not have it if in my power. As a people, all we ask is our rights, with esteem &c. .—

20 December 1834 • Saturday

<20 Thompson & ’s Letter to .> On the 20th. Messrs Thompson and , wrote from the “Senate “Chamber,” acknowledging the receipt of his letter, stating that the committee on the Message had not reported, and recommending the saints to get up a petition to the Legislature with as m[an]y signers as possible, promising their assistance and influence to obtain redress of grievance.

A petition was accordingly forwarded, but the year closed without bringing any thing to pass for the relief of the saints in . [HC 2:178]

1835.

January 1835

<January Lectures on Theology.> During the month of January I was engaged in the school of the elders, and in preparing the Lectures on Theology for publication in the Book of Doctrine and covenants, which the committee appointed last September, were now compililing. Certain brethren from Bolton, New York, came for council, relative to their proceeding to the west, and <Council 18.> the High council assembled on the 18th.. After a long investigation, I decided that assist with his might to build up the cause by tarrying in , which decision received the unanimous vote of the council.

February 1835

<February.> The school still continued, and arrangements were also made, according to the Revelation of June 1829, for choosing “the twelve” [p. 563]

assistant president saying these words; In the name of Jesus December 5. ordained At. Prest. Christ who was crucified for the sins of the world, I lay my hands upon thee, and ordain thee an assistant president to the high and holy priesthood in the church of the Latter Day Saints. [HC 2:176]

11 December 1834 • Thursday

11. Letter to Thompson. On the 11th. wrote from , clay county, To J. T. V. Thompson— , (in reply to his letter of the 25th. November,) expressive of thankfulness to his for introducing the suffering of the Saints in his Message; also asking counsel, “whether it would avail any thing for the Society to petition his honorable body, (the Legislature) for an act to re-instate them in their rights” &c. and requesting him to confer with his friends and his excellency on the subject, and give an early answer.

About the middle of the month the message of of , to the legislature, -[see p. 559.]- arrived at , was read with great interest, and revived the hopes of the church for the scattered brethren of .

18 December 1834 • Thursday

18. Letter to Thompson wrote again to esquire Thompson, on the 18th. as follows,

“Dear Sir, By this mail I have forwarded to of the lower house, a petition and documents, on the subject of our rights in . He will hand them to you for the Senate, when through in the House, I shall be greatly obliged if you lay them before your honorable body; and any information [HC 2:177] you may require, or even personal attendance, write, and you shall have it if in my power. As a people, all we ask is our rights, with esteem &c. .—

20 December 1834 • Saturday

20 Thompson & ’s Letter to . On the 20th. Messrs Thompson and , wrote from the “Senate “Chamber,” acknowledging the receipt of his letter, stating that the committee on the Message had not reported, and recommending the saints to get up a petition to the Legislature with as many signers as possible, promising their assistance and influence to obtain redress of grievance.

A petition was accordingly forwarded, but the year closed without bringing any thing to pass for the relief of the saints in . [HC 2:178]

1835.

January 1835

January Lectures on Theology. During the month of January I was engaged in the school of the elders, and in preparing the Lectures on Theology for publication in the Book of Doctrine and covenants, which the committee appointed last September, were now compililing. Certain brethren from Bolton, New York, came for council, relative to their proceeding to the west, and Council 18. the High council assembled on the 18th.. After a long investigation, I decided that assist with his might to build up the cause by tarrying in , which decision received the unanimous vote of the council.

February 1835

February. The school still continued, and arrangements were also made, according to the Revelation of June 1829, for choosing “the twelve” [p. 563]

View entire transcript |

Cite this page

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. 16
  William W. Phelps, Liberty, MO, to J. T. V. Thompson, Jefferson City, MO, 11 Dec. 1834, William W. Phelps, Collection of Missouri Documents, CHL.
  
  Phelps, William W. Collection of Missouri Documents, 1833–1837. CHL. MS 657.
2. 17
  William W. Phelps, Liberty, MO, to J. T. V. Thompson, Jefferson City, MO, 18 Nov. 1834, William W. Phelps, Collection of Missouri Documents, CHL.
  
  Phelps, William W. Collection of Missouri Documents, 1833–1837. CHL. MS 657.
3. 18
  J. T. V. Thompson, Jefferson City, MO, to William W. Phelps, Liberty, MO, 20 Dec. 1834, in William W. Phelps, Collection of Missouri Documents, CHL.
  
  Phelps, William W. Collection of Missouri Documents, 1833–1837. CHL. MS 657.
4. 19
  Minute Book 1, 18 Jan. 1835.

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

Cite this page

Request for Documents