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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<January. Doings in the , each week> During the winter, the at was was filled to overflowing with attentive hearers, mostly communicants, and in the evening of the same the singers met under the direction of Elders L. <Luman> Carter and who gave instructions in the principles of vocal music. On Monday evenings the quorum of High Priests meets in the west room of the attic story where they transact the business of their particular quorum. On tuesday evenings the Seventies occupy the same room. On Wednesday evening the rooms are occupied by the Quorum of Elders, and on thursday P.M. a prayer meeting is held in the lower part of the house, free for all, though generally conducted by Patriarch . The Twelve, the High Council, and other quorums generally meet each week, to transact business. And during the week this the “ High school” is taught in the Attic Story, by H. M. Hawes Esqr., professor of the Greek and Latin Languages. The school numbers from 135 to 140 students, divided into three departments, the classics where the languages only are taught; the english department, where mathematics, common Arithmetic, Geography, English Grammar, writing and reading are taught; and the Juvi[HC 2:474]nile department, the last two having each an assistant instructor. The school commenced in November, and on the first wednesday in January, the several classes passed a public examination in presence of the Trustees of the school parents an[d] guardians, and their progress, in study was found of the highest order.

Owing to the multiplicity of Letters with which I was crowded from almost every quarter, I was compelled to decline all not post paid and gave notice of the same in the Messenger.

The Brethren in were very busy in gathering into Far entering Land, building houses, and preparing to put in crops in the spring.

1 February 1837 • Wednesday

<February.> On the First of February 1837, The firm of O. Cowdery and Co. was dissolved by mutual consent, and the entire establishment was transferred to Joseph Smith Jun. and ; and acted as their agent in the , and book bindery, and Editor of the Messenger & Advocate.

3 March 1837 • Friday

<March 3.> During the quarter ending March 3d. 32 Elders: 7 Priests; 3 Teachers, and 2 Deacon’s Licences were Recorded in the Licence Records in by .

3–6 April 1837 • Monday–Thursday

<April 3 6.> A short notice only was given that a solemn Assembly would be called of the official members of the church on the 6th of April, for the purpose of washing, anointing, washing of feet, receiving instruction and the further organization of the ministry. Meetings were held by the different quorums on Monday the 3d. Tuesday the 4th. and Wednesday the 5th. to anoint such of their respective members as had not been washed and anointed, that all might be prepared for the Meeting on the Sixth.

At an early hour on thursday the Sixth, the official members assembled in the , [HC 2:475] where the time for the first two or three hours was spent by the different quorums in washing of feet, singing, praying, and preparing to receive instruction from the Presidency.

The Presidents, together with the Seventies and their Presidents, repaired to the west room in the Attic story, where for want of time the preceding evening, it became necessary to seal the anointing of those who had recently been anointed and not sealed. Another subject of vital importance [p. 755]

January 1837

January. Doings in the , each week During the winter, the at was filled to overflowing with attentive hearers, mostly communicants, and in the evening of the same the singers met under the direction of Elders Luman Carter and who gave instructions in the principles of vocal music. On Monday evenings the quorum of High Priests meets in the west room of the attic story where they transact the business of their particular quorum. On tuesday evenings the Seventies occupy the same room. On Wednesday evening the rooms are occupied by the Quorum of Elders, and on thursday P.M. a prayer meeting is held in the lower part of the house, free for all, though generally conducted by Patriarch . The Twelve, the High Council, and other quorums generally meet each week, to transact business. And during the week the “ High school” is taught in the Attic Story, by H. M. Hawes Esqr., professor of the Greek and Latin Languages. The school numbers from 135 to 140 students, divided into three departments, the classics where the languages only are taught; the english department, where mathematics, common Arithmetic, Geography, English Grammar, writing and reading are taught; and the Juvi[HC 2:474]nile department, the last two having each an assistant instructor. The school commenced in November, and on the first wednesday in January, the several classes passed a public examination in presence of the Trustees of the school parents and guardians, and their progress, in study was found of the highest order.

Owing to the multiplicity of Letters with which I was crowded from almost every quarter, I was compelled to decline all not post paid and gave notice of the same in the Messenger.

The Brethren in were very busy in gathering into entering Land, building houses, and preparing to put in crops in the spring.

1 February 1837 • Wednesday

February. On the First of February 1837, The firm of O. Cowdery and Co. was dissolved by mutual consent, and the entire establishment was transferred to Joseph Smith Jun. and ; and acted as their agent in the , and book bindery, and Editor of the Messenger & Advocate.

3 March 1837 • Friday

March 3. During the quarter ending March 3d. 32 Elders: 7 Priests; 3 Teachers, and 2 Deacon’s Licences were Recorded in the Licence Records in by .

3–6 April 1837 • Monday–Thursday

April 6. A short notice only was given that a solemn Assembly would be called of the official members of the church on the 6th of April, for the purpose of washing, anointing, washing of feet, receiving instruction and the further organization of the ministry. Meetings were held by the different quorums on Monday the 3d. Tuesday the 4th. and Wednesday the 5th. to anoint such of their respective members as had not been washed and anointed, that all might be prepared for the Meeting on the Sixth.

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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. 335
  “Our Village,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Jan. 1837, 3:444.
  
  Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.
2. 336
  Notice, 24 Jan. 1837.
3. 337
  “Notice,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Feb. 1837, 3:458–459.
  
  Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.
4. 338
  [List of Ministers], LDS Messenger and Advocate, Mar. 1837, 3:472.
  
  Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.
5. 339
  “Anniversary of the Church of Latter Day Saints,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Apr. 1837, 3:486–489.
  
  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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