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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instances that I have suddenly been brought from a state of health, to the <June.> borders of the grave, and as suddenly restored, for which my heart swells with gratitude, to my heavenly Father, and I feel renewedly to dedicate myself and all my powers to his service. While I was thus afflicted the enemy of all Righteousness was suggesting, Apostates reporting and the doubtful believing that my afflictions were sent upon me because I was in transgression, and had taught the church things contrary to godliness; but of this the Lord judge betwixt me and them, while I pray my Father to forgive them this wrong.

14 June–1 July 1837 • Wednesday–Saturday

The brethren engaged in the mission to England landed at , and <English Mission.> went down the Canal, <near Lyonstown> while walking on its bank found an iron ring about [HC 2:493] one and one fourth inch diameter which he presented to , saying, I will make you a present of this, keep it in remembrance of me, for our friendship shall be as endless as this ring. The brethren having been disappointed in not receving funds from , while at ,—

, left the company at Albany, and in company with visited his friends in , Mass, where they obtained means sufficient <22 Arrival in .> to continue their journey, and arrived in on the eve of the 22d June where they found , & , also three Brethren from <23.> viz. John Goodson one of the seventies, and elders Isaac Russel[l], and , <a Priest> who had gone forward to join the Mission, and on the 23d. they engaged passage to in the second Cabin of the Merchant Ship Garrick. The brethren found but one member of the church in the , viz. Elder , who was very attentive and rendered them assistance ac[HC 2:494]cording to his means, but they being short of funds to pay their passage &c. removed from their lodgings at Mrs. Fordham’s, (’s sister-in-law) <24 Lodgings on the floor.> on the 24th., and hiring a room in an unfinished store house, of ’s father, took lodgings on the floor and ate their bread and <25> drank their water, until they went on ship board. Sunday 25th. the brethren kept in fasting, prayer and council, for the success of the mission, and had a joyful time. In the afternoon two sectarian priests came in to talk, & find <28> fault,— but they were soon confounded. On the 28th the brethren deposited one of ’s Timely Warnings, in the , Post Office, for each of the sectarian <29.> priests in the city, amounting to some hundreds. Went on board the Garrick <30> on the 29 and left the dock; on the 30th lay at anchor in the North <East> River, <July 1 Mission Sailed> and at 7½ A.M. of the first of July were towed out of harbor by a steamer Hoisted sail and were out of sight of land at 4½ P.M.— [HC 2:495]

7 July 1837 • Friday

<+ 7 Letter> The following is an extract of a letter to the brethren in written at

“, Mo. July, 7th 1837. Monday the 3d. of July was a great and glorious day in ; more than fifteen hundred saints assembled in this place, and, at half past eight in the morning, after a prayer, singing, and an address, proceeded to break the ground for the ; the day was beautiful, the Spirit of the Lord was with us, a cellar for this great edifice, 110 long by 80 feet broad, was nearly finished; On Tuesday the fourth we had a large meeting and several of the Missourians were baptized: our meetings, held in the open prairie, were larger than they were in when I was there. We have more or less to bless, confirm, and baptize every sabbath. This same day our school section was Sold at Auction, and although entirely a prairie, it brought, [p. 763]

instances that I have suddenly been brought from a state of health, to the June. borders of the grave, and as suddenly restored, for which my heart swells with gratitude, to my heavenly Father, and I feel renewedly to dedicate myself and all my powers to his service. While I was thus afflicted the enemy of all Righteousness was suggesting, Apostates reporting and the doubtful believing that my afflictions were sent upon me because I was in transgression, and had taught the church things contrary to godliness; but of this the Lord judge betwixt me and them, while I pray my Father to forgive them this wrong.

14 June–1 July 1837 • Wednesday–Saturday

The brethren engaged in the mission to England landed at , and English Mission. went down the Canal, near Lyonstown while walking on its bank found an iron ring about [HC 2:493] one and one fourth inch diameter which he presented to , saying, I will make you a present of this, keep it in remembrance of me, for our friendship shall be as endless as this ring. The brethren having been disappointed in not receving funds from , while at ,—

, left the company at Albany, and in company with visited his friends in , Mass, where they obtained means sufficient 22 Arrival in . to continue their journey, and arrived in on the eve of the 22d June where they found , & , also three Brethren from 23. viz. John Goodson one of the seventies, and elder Isaac Russell, and , a Priest who had gone forward to join the Mission, and on the 23d. they engaged passage to in the second Cabin of the Merchant Ship Garrick. The brethren found but one member of the church in the , viz. Elder , who was very attentive and rendered them assistance ac[HC 2:494]cording to his means, but they being short of funds to pay their passage &c. removed from their lodgings at Mrs. Fordham’s, (’s sister-in-law) 24 Lodgings on the floor. on the 24th., and hiring a room in an unfinished store house, of ’s father, took lodgings on the floor and ate their bread and 25 drank their water, until they went on ship board. Sunday 25th. the brethren kept in fasting, prayer and council, for the success of the mission, and had a joyful time. In the afternoon two sectarian priests came in to talk, & find 28 fault,— but they were soon confounded. On the 28th the brethren deposited one of ’s Timely Warnings, in the , Post Office, for each of the sectarian 29. priests in the city, amounting to some hundreds. Went on board the Garrick 30 on the 29 and left the dock; on the 30th lay at anchor in the North East River, July 1 Mission Sailed and at 7½ A.M. of the first of July were towed out of harbor by a steamer Hoisted sail and were out of sight of land at 4½ P.M.— [HC 2:495]

7 July 1837 • Friday

+ 7 Letter The following is an extract of a letter to the brethren in written at

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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. 355
  Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 92–94.
  
  Kimball, Heber C. “The Journal and Record of Heber Chase Kimball an Apostle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” ca. 1842–1858. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 1.
2. 356
  Letter from William W. Phelps, 7 July 1837.

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

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