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

<June 11.> were desi[r]ous, or were about to establish themselves in as grocers. retailers of Spiritous Liquors and so forth, in , whereupon it was Resolved that we will not uphold any man, or men to take a partner out of the church to trade or traffic in this line of business, nor sell for any man or men out of the church, in his name, or on commission. requested that the church pay his debts. and take him for security, that he might go forth and preach the Gospel: Resolved that ’s request be granted, and that , and receive each a Lot in the Town of , free of charge, and that the , if he approve, give a title.”

Clerk

The same evening while I was engaged [HC 2:491] in giving some special instructions to Elders and , & Priest, , concerning their mission to England, President came into my house, where we were sitting, accompanied by Doct. , who had just returned from a special Business Mission to , and other eastern cities, on which he started with , the 14th of March,— Doct <> having been ordained an elder on the 6th of March, and having returned from the Mission a few days previous,— my instructions to the brethren were, when they arrived in England, to adhere closely to the first principles of the Gospel, and remain silent concerning the gathering. the vision, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, until such time as the work was fully established, and it should be clearly made manifest by the Spirit. &c.

12 June 1837 • Monday

<Monday 12.> Monday the 12th. of June. I was taken sick, and kept my room unable to attend to business. Elder having reported his mission. requestd the privilege of fulfilling a among Covenant, which he made with in January, which was that he should, agreeable to his desire accompanying the Twelve on their first foreign Mission. Presidents and granted his petition, laid their hands upon his head and set him apart for the English Mission.

13 June 1837 • Tuesday

<Tuesday 13th.> Tuesday the 13th. My afflictions continued to increase, and were very severe, insomuch I was unable to raise my head from my pillow, when the <First Mission to England.> brethren called to bid me farewell, and at nine o’clock A.M. Elders , , [HC 2:492] and , a priest, a native of Honeydon, England, left in company with several of the Brethren and Sisters who continued with them as far as , on Lake Erie, where the Mission took a Steamer for , directing their course for .

14 June 1837 • Wednesday

<Wednesday 14th Joseph Sick.> Wednesday the 14th I had continued to grow worse until my sufferings were excrutiating, and although in the midst of it all I felt to rejoice, in the salvations of Israel’s God, yet I found it expedient to call to my assistance those means which a kind Providence had provided for the restoration of the sick in connection with the ordinances, and Doct , at my request, administered to me herbs and mild food, and nursed me with all tenderness and attention,— and my heavenly Father blessed his administration to the ease and comforting of my system, for I began to amend in a short time, and in a few days I was able to resume my usual labors. This is one of the many [p. 762]

June 11. were desirous, or were about to establish themselves as grocers. retailers of Spiritous Liquors and so forth, in , whereupon it was Resolved that we will not uphold any man, or men to take a partner out of the church to trade or traffic in this line of business, nor sell for any man or men out of the church, in his name, or on commission. requested that the church pay his debts. and take him for security, that he might go forth and preach the Gospel: Resolved that ’s request be granted, and that , and receive each a Lot in the Town of , free of charge, and that the , if he approve, give a title.”

Clerk

The same evening while I was engaged [HC 2:491] in giving some special instructions to Elders and , & Priest, , concerning their mission to England, President came into my house, where we were sitting, accompanied by Doct. , who had just returned from a special Business Mission to , and other eastern cities, on which he started with , the 14th of March,— Doct having been ordained an elder on the 6th of March, and having returned from the Mission a few days previous,— my instructions to the brethren were, when they arrived in England, to adhere closely to the first principles of the Gospel, and remain silent concerning the gathering. the vision, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, until such time as the work was fully established, and it should be clearly made manifest by the Spirit. &c.

12 June 1837 • Monday

Monday 12. Monday the 12th. of June. I was taken sick, and kept my room unable to attend to business. Elder having reported his mission. requestd the privilege of fulfilling a Covenant, which he made with in January, which was that he should, agreeable to his desire accompanying the Twelve on their first foreign Mission. Presidents and granted his petition, laid their hands upon his head and set him apart for the English Mission.

13 June 1837 • Tuesday

Tuesday 13th. Tuesday the 13th. My afflictions continued to increase, and were very severe, insomuch I was unable to raise my head from my pillow, when the First Mission to England. brethren called to bid me farewell, and at nine o’clock A.M. Elders , , [HC 2:492] and , a priest, a native of Honeydon, England, left in company with several of the Brethren and Sisters who continued with them as far as , on Lake Erie, where the Mission took a Steamer for , directing their course for .

14 June 1837 • Wednesday

Wednesday 14th Joseph Sick. Wednesday the 14th I had continued to grow worse until my sufferings were excrutiating, and although in the midst of it all I felt to rejoice, in the salvations of Israel’s God, yet I found it expedient to call to my assistance those means which a kind Providence had provided for the restoration of the sick in connection with the ordinances, and Doct , at my request, administered to me herbs and mild food, and nursed me with all tenderness and attention,— and my heavenly Father blessed his administration to the ease and comforting of my system, for I began to amend in a short time, and in a few days I was able to resume my usual labors. This is one of the many [p. 762]

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. 352
  Richards, Journal, 11 June 1837.
  
  Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
2. 353
  Richards, Journal, 12 June 1837.
  
  Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
3. 354
  Richards, Journal, 13 June 1837.
  
  Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

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

Cite this page

Request for Documents