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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voted unanimously in the affirmative. President Smith then introduced , <September 3. Minutes of conference continued.> , and for assistant counselors, These last four, together with the first three, are to be considered the heads of the church. Carried unanimously. Voted that hold his office as Bishop, < continued.> and continue to act as such in , and that and continue to act as counsellors to the . The Twelve Apostles were then presented one by one, when , , , , , , , and , and , were recieved unanimously in their Apostleship. , and were rejected and < & rejected> cut off, Though priviledged with confessing and Making satisfaction. (who was the only one present at the time) arose and endeavored to confess, justifying himself in his former conduct by reason of the failure of the Bank, &c. His conduct was strongly protested by Elder , in a plain and energetic manner, stating various reasons, why he could not receive him into fellowship until a hearty repentance and confession was manifested. was followed by who acquiesced in testimony and resolutions. then addressed the assembly shewing the cause of the difficulty with and , in leaving their calling to attend to other occupations. again arose and still attributed his difficulty difficulties to the failure of the Bank, stating that he had understood the Bank was instituted by [HC 2:509] the will of God, and he had been told that it should never fail let men do what they would. President Smith then arose and stated that if this had been declared, no one had authority from him for so doing, for he had always said that unless the institution was conducted on righteous principles, it would not stand. A vote was then taken to know if the congregation was satisfied with s confession, Carried in the negative. Conference adjourned for one hour.

Conference assembled at 2. o.clock P.M. Opened by reading, singing, and Prayer. The President then arose and said he would call upon the chu[r]ch to know if they <High counsellors rejected.> were satisfied with their High Council, and should proceed to name them individually. , , , and were objected to. Also , but his case was put over until he should be present. , , were voted to retain their office. , , , , , , , and were chosen to fill the place of those objected to. (and having moved West.) chosen one of the presidents of the church, and having been excluded from the church, (all having belonged to the High Council.) The President then called upon the Congregation to know if the recently appointed presidents of the Seventies, should stand in their calling. Voted <Presidents of the Seventies, confirmed> that , , , , , , & should retain their office as Presidents of the Seventies. was objected. The President then arose and made some remarks concerning the former Presidents of the Seventies, the callings and authorities authority of their priesthood, &c, &c, Voted that the old Presidents of the Seventies be referred to the Quorum of High Priests, and also, that if any members of the quorum of the Seventies, should be [p. 771]

voted unanimously in the affirmative. President Smith then introduced , September 3. Minutes of conference continued. , and for assistant counselors, These last four, together with the first three, are to be considered the heads of the church. Carried unanimously. Voted that hold his office as Bishop, continued. and continue to act as such in , and that and continue to act as counsellors to the . The Twelve Apostles were then presented one by one, when , , , , , , , , and , were recieved unanimously in their Apostleship. , and were rejected and & rejected cut off, Though priviledged with confessing and Making satisfaction. (who was the only one present at the time) arose and endeavored to confess, justifying himself in his former conduct by reason of the failure of the Bank, &c. His conduct was strongly protested by Elder , in a plain and energetic manner, stating various reasons, why he could not receive him into fellowship until a hearty repentance and confession was manifested. was followed by who acquiesced in testimony and resolutions. then addressed the assembly shewing the cause of the difficulty with and , in leaving their calling to attend to other occupations. again arose and still attributed his difficulties to the failure of the Bank, stating that he had understood the Bank was instituted by [HC 2:509] the will of God, and he had been told that it should never fail let men do what they would. President Smith then arose and stated that if this had been declared, no one had authority from him for so doing, for he had always said that unless the institution was conducted on righteous principles, it would not stand. A vote was then taken to know if the congregation was satisfied with s confession, Carried in the negative. Conference adjourned for one hour.

Conference assembled at 2. o.clock P.M. Opened by reading, singing, and Prayer. The President then arose and said he would call upon the church to know if they High counsellors rejected. were satisfied with their High Council, and should proceed to name them individually. , , , and were objected to. Also , but his case was put over until he should be present. , , were voted to retain their office. , , , , , , , and were chosen to fill the place of those objected to. (and having moved West.) chosen one of the presidents of the church, and having been excluded from the church, (all having belonged to the High Council.) The President then called upon the Congregation to know if the recently appointed presidents of the Seventies, should stand in their calling. Voted Presidents of the Seventies, confirmed that , , , , , , & should retain their office as Presidents of the Seventies. was objected. The President then arose and made some remarks concerning the former Presidents of the Seventies, the callings and authority of their priesthood, &c, &c, Voted that the old Presidents of the Seventies be referred to the Quorum of High Priests, and also, that if any members of the quorum of the Seventies, should be [p. 771]

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

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