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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freely, I leave all in the hands of God, who will direct all things <April 9.> for his glory and the accomplishment of his work. Praying that God may spare you to do much good in this life, I subscribe myself your brother in the Lord, Joseph Smith Junr. [HC 2:440]

April–May 1836

<x> The remainder of this month, and May, also, was devoted to the spiritual interests of the brethren, and particularly in devising ways and means to build up , and in fact the city began to spring into existence like the opening buds of the forest. <x here insert [6 words illegible]> <Note Q addenda page 5> [HC 2:441]

16 May 1836 • Monday

<May 16th. High Council on trial> President having preferred a charge of unchristian like conduct, to the high Council, against . The Council assembled in the , when it was proved that he had so conducted himself as to bring unnecessary persecution on myself; that he had neglected his family, leaving them without wood, without provisions, or telling them where he was going or when he should return; that he used strong drink, and <had> been intimate with other women. confessed his propensity for tale bearing and drinking strong liquor but denied the other charges; and the council decided that he could no longer be an elder or member in the church until there was a thorough reformation. Charges were also preferred against Sisters Hannah Brown and L. Elliot, of unchristian conduct. The<y> confessessed they had been guilty of telling falsehoods. The council reproved them and permitted them to retain their standing, in the church. The council then withdrew fellowship from Elder Charles Kellogg <Kelley>.

<notes R S, T, V, Addenda page 5> [HC 2:442]

23 May 1836 • Monday

<23. Council> The case of Elder Charles Kellogg Kelley was again [HC 2:443] brough[t] before the High Council then in session, and it was proved that he left his family in a destitute situation about the time of the solemn Assembly. and other unchristian like conduct <Charles Kellog, Asahel Perry & , cut off—.> for which the council decided that he be excluded from the church. Also Asahel Perry was cut off from the Church for unchristian like conduct. was excluded from the church, for treating the society with contempt

2 June 1836 • Thursday

<June 2.> <here insert the death of Miss see in the Messenger & Advocate page 336> June 2nd. wrote from , Mo. to President , from which are the following extracts.

< Letter.> “Since I returned home to , I have been out on two expeditions, examining the regions of the “Far West.” Soon after our return, and myself passed from to the North West corner of , and examined the mills, and streams, and country around Mr [Humphrey] Smiths, generally demomenated “yankee Smith” It is customary you know for the sake of provincialism, among nations, kindreds and people, to nick-name by their religion, or province, or ancestry; so that one can be distinguished, by being an Israelite, a Canaanite, a Christian, a Mormon, a Methodist, &c; or a corn cracker, or a Mighty Hunter, &c according to fancy, or favor. From Mr Smith’s we proceeded North easterly through some timber, and some Prairie to “Plattsburgh”, the county seat for Clinty <Clinton> County, “ a smart little town,” containing from [p. 733]

freely, I leave all in the hands of God, who will direct all things April 9. for his glory and the accomplishment of his work. Praying that God may spare you to do much good in this life, I subscribe myself your brother in the Lord, Joseph Smith Junr. [HC 2:440]

April–May 1836

x The remainder of this month, and May, also, was devoted to the spiritual interests of the brethren, and particularly in devising ways and means to build up , and in fact the city began to spring into existence like the opening buds of the forest. x here insert Note Q addenda page 5 [HC 2:441]

16 May 1836 • Monday

May 16th. High Council on trial President having preferred a charge of unchristian like conduct, to the high Council, against . The Council assembled in the , when it was proved that he had so conducted himself as to bring unnecessary persecution on myself; that he had neglected his family, leaving them without wood, without provisions, or telling them where he was going or when he should return; that he used strong drink, and had been intimate with other women. confessed his propensity for tale bearing and drinking strong liquor but denied the other charges; and the council decided that he could no longer be an elder or member in the church until there was a thorough reformation. Charges were also preferred against Sisters Hannah Brown and L. Elliot, of unchristian conduct. They confessessed they had been guilty of telling falsehoods. The council reproved them and permitted them to retain their standing, in the church. The council then withdrew fellowship from Elder Charles Kelley.

notes R Addenda page 5 [HC 2:442]

23 May 1836 • Monday

23. Council The case of Elder Charles Kelley was again [HC 2:443] brought before the High Council then in session, and it was proved that he left his family in a destitute situation about the time of the solemn Assembly. and other unchristian like conduct Charles Kellog, Asahel Perry & , cut off—. for which the council decided that he be excluded from the church. Also Asahel Perry was cut off from the Church for unchristian like conduct. was excluded from the church, for treating the society with contempt

2 June 1836 • Thursday

June 2. here insert the death of Miss see in the Messenger & Advocate page 336 June 2nd. wrote from , Mo. to President , from which are the following extracts.

Letter. “Since I returned home to , I have been out on two expeditions, examining the regions of the “Far West.” Soon after our return, and myself passed from to the North West corner of , and examined the mills, and streams, and country around Mr Humphrey Smiths, generally demomenated “yankee Smith” It is customary you know for the sake of provincialism, among nations, kindreds and people, to nick-name by their religion, or province, or ancestry; so that one can be distinguished, by being an Israelite, a Canaanite, a Christian, a Mormon, a Methodist, &c; or a corn cracker, or a Mighty Hunter, &c according to fancy, or favor. From Mr Smith’s we proceeded North easterly through some timber, and some Prairie to “Plattsburgh”, the county seat for Clinton County, “ a smart little town,” containing from [p. 733]

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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. 311
  Minute Book 1, 16 May 1836.
2. 312
  Minute Book 1, 23 May 1836, first of two entries.
3. 313
  Minute Book 1, 23 May 1836, second of two entries.
4. 314
  William W. Phelps, Liberty, MO, to the Brethren in Kirtland, OH, LDS Messenger and Advocate, July 1836, 2:340–341.
  
  Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

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

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