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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<Sat August 5th.> The elders at Bedford, continued to Lecture in the basement of Mr [Timothy R.] Matthews chapel from evening to evening until this evening with the most flattering prospects, until this evening, when Elder [John] Goodson, contrary to the most positive instructions of . and without advising with any one, read publicly the vision from the Doctrine and Covenants, which turned the current of feeling generally. and nearly closed the door in all that region.— Mr Matthews wished the meetings to be removed from his house, but continued to attend the meetings occasionally and investigated the subject to considerable extent. In the August number of the Messenger and Advocate was published a prospectus for a new paper to <Elder’s Journal> be published at , Ohio, called the “Elder’s Journal,” of the church of Latter Day Saints, to commence in October. Edited by Joseph Smith Jun; [HC 2:505] Elders and and having continued their labors in , <Sunday 6> preached to a great multitude in the market place, Sunday the 6th. of August. opposed by one Reverend (sectarian Priest) gentleman, who was quickly confounded by the Spirit of truth; and in the evening they met at the house of Sister Ann Dawson, and confirmed between forty and fifty who had been baptized, most of whom had been members of Mr James Fieldings church; So mighty grew the word this being only the third Sabbath in , Mr Fielding persecuted and called the elders thieves, sheep-stealers &c; acknowledging them good judges. having stolen all the best of his flock. Sister Dawson, (a widow) kindly received the elders into her house and lodged them, which was a great blessing to the brethren, as they were quite destitute, most of the people extremely poor, & lodgings scarce: while they went from house to house as invited, to procure their daily meals.—

12–13 August 1837 • Saturday–Sunday

<Saturday 12.> having received a letter from Mr [John] Richards, inviting him to preach <Sunday 13> in his chapel, repaired to Walkerfold, where he was most hospitably received, and the day following, preached three times in Mr Richards pulpit.

<10> Elders [John] Goodson and baptized five at Bedford among whom, and the first, was Mrs Ann Broddock,— a widow, who was obliged to support her family by her industry, yet she received the elders and lodged them.

14–17 August 1837 • Monday–Thursday

<Tuesday, 15.> <The Quorum of High Priests organized at Missouri this day.> Richard <Thimothy> R. Matthews, having investigated the work, acknowledged the truth, and having previously borne testimony of the same to his church in public, and urged them to go forward, agreed with [John] Goodson and to meet them on the bank of the River Ouse, one hour before sunset and be baptized, The hour and the elders arrived, but Mr Matthews was not there, he had gone and out in the country to preach. [HC 2:506] preached on monday and Wednesday evening and in Mr [John] Richards chapel <at Walkerfold> <17> and on thursday baptized six individuals. Mr Matthews baptized <T. R. Matthews Baptized himself> himself in the river and then went to baptizing his people, denouncing the elders as false teachers, and the doctrine of the latter day saints as having come from hell, while he went to preaching the same doctrine. baptizing all, even infants, and laid on hands for confirmation.

20 August 1837 • Sunday

<Sunday 20> was ordained President of the high-priesthood <high-priests quorum> in , and Harv[e]y Green President of the Elders in August 20th. <Fox Island mission.> Also the same day Elders and landed at Vinalhaven, on North Fox Island, and commenced preaching, the Gospel.

August 1837

In the August number of the Advocate, I published the following

<Caution> CAUTION. To the brethren and friends of the church of Latter Day saints [p. 769]

5–6 August 1837 • Saturday–Sunday

Sat August 5th. The elders at Bedford, continued to Lecture in the basement of Mr Timothy R. Matthews chapel from evening to evening with the most flattering prospects, until this evening, when Elder John Goodson, contrary to the most positive instructions of . and without advising with any one, read publicly the vision from the Doctrine and Covenants, which turned the current of feeling generally. and nearly closed the door in all that region.— Mr Matthews wished the meetings to be removed from his house, but continued to attend the meetings occasionally and investigated the subject to considerable extent. In the August number of the Messenger and Advocate was published a prospectus for a new paper to Elder’s Journal be published at , Ohio, called the “Elder’s Journal,” of the church of Latter Day Saints, to commence in October. Edited by Joseph Smith Jun; [HC 2:505] Elders and and having continued their labors in , Sunday 6 preached to a great multitude in the market place, Sunday the 6th. of August. opposed by one Reverend (sectarian Priest) gentleman, who was quickly confounded by the Spirit of truth; and in the evening they met at the house of Sister Ann Dawson, and confirmed between forty and fifty who had been baptized, most of whom had been members of Mr James Fieldings church; So mighty grew the word this being only the third Sabbath in , Mr Fielding persecuted and called the elders thieves, sheep-stealers &c; acknowledging them good judges. having stolen all the best of his flock. Sister Dawson, (a widow) kindly received the elders into her house and lodged them, which was a great blessing to the brethren, as they were quite destitute, most of the people extremely poor, & lodgings scarce: while they went from house to house as invited, to procure their daily meals.—

12–13 August 1837 • Saturday–Sunday

Saturday 12. having received a letter from Mr John Richards, inviting him to preach Sunday 13 in his chapel, repaired to Walkerfold, where he was most hospitably received, and the day following, preached three times in Mr Richards pulpit.

10 Elders John Goodson and baptized five at Bedford among whom, and the first, was Mrs Ann Broddock,— a widow, who was obliged to support her family by her industry, yet she received the elders and lodged them.

14–17 August 1837 • Monday–Thursday

Tuesday, 15. The Quorum of High Priests organized at Missouri this day. Thimothy R. Matthews, having investigated the work, acknowledged the truth, and having previously borne testimony of the same to his church in public, and urged them to go forward, agreed with John Goodson and to meet them on the bank of the River Ouse, one hour before sunset and be baptized, The hour and the elders arrived, but Mr Matthews was not there, he had gone out in the country to preach. [HC 2:506] preached on monday and Wednesday evening in Mr John Richards chapel at Walkerfold 17 and on thursday baptized six individuals. Mr Matthews baptized T. R. Matthews Baptized himself himself in the river and then went to baptizing his people, denouncing the elders as false teachers, and the doctrine of the latter day saints as having come from hell, while he went to preaching the same doctrine. baptizing all, even infants, and laid on hands for confirmation.

20 August 1837 • Sunday

Sunday 20 was ordained President of the high-priests quorum in , and Harvey Green President of the Elders in August 20th. Fox Island mission. Also the same day Elders and landed at Vinalhaven, on North Fox Island, and commenced preaching, the Gospel.

August 1837

In the August number of the Advocate, I published the following

Caution CAUTION. To the brethren and friends of the church of Latter Day saints [p. 769]

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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. 369
  Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 114.
  
  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. 370
  “Prospectus,”LDS Messenger and Advocate, Aug. 1837, 3:545.
  
  Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.
3. 371
  Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 107–114; Richards, Journal, 31 July 1837.
  
  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.
  Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
4. 372
  Minute Book 2, 20 Aug. 1837.
5. 373
  Woodruff, Journal, 19–20 Aug. 1837.
  
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
6. 374
  Notice, Aug. 1837.

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

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