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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that unruly children be reported to their parents, and, if they neglect to take <October 23> suitable notice of it, then the parents shall be reported to the authorities of the church and dealt with accordingly. voted that we discountenance the use of ardent Spirits,— in any way to sell, or to be brought into this place for sale or use.

Clk.—

29 October–2 November 1837 • Sunday–Thursday

<Sunday 29.> Sunday Oct 29th Nine more of the brethren and sisters were reported to the church as having been engaged in the recreations of the 19th inst,— and 11— of the 31 that had been reported made confession. Brothers Norris, Brewster and others <30> presented a plan for the better organization of the church in temporal affairs, to the High council, on the 30th Oct,—. that Moroni had appeared to Collins <Brewster> &c. The <November 1> council decided that it was a trick of the Devil. Most of those who were complained of, for their recreations of the 19th. and had not confessed, acknowledged their fault to the High council on the first of November, and the remainder <2> were required so to do or be cut off from the church. November 2d. the High council voted that loungers about the streets should be attended to forthwith and appointed a committee of three for that purpose.

5 November 1837 • Sunday

<5> The church in voted to sanction the appointments of Brother and Reuben Hadlock [Hedlock], by the presidency, to transact business for the church in procuring means to trans[HC 2:520]late and print those Records taken from the catacombs of Egypt, then in the .

6 November 1837 • Monday

<6 Joseph arrived at , Council.> Having arrived at some time in the latter part of October or first of Nov. a meeting of some of the church was called on the 6th to council on some affairs of the church which I attended, with and . There were present, Elders , . , (and from ,) the High Council of the Church, and some other elders. Prayer by . Several Topics were discussed when it was unanimously voted that it be recommended to the proprietors of the corporation, of , to petition the Trustees of said corporation to alter the streets or lessen them so as to make each block contain four acres of ground, and each block be divided into four lots; also voted unanimously that it is the opinion of this council. that there is sufficient room in this country. for the churches to continue gathering from abroad; Also that the building of the be pos[t]poned, till the Lord shall reveal it to be his will to be commenced. Adjourned until early candlelight,, and met accordingly, when remarks were made by m[an]y of the authorities present, upon the previous disposition of the town plot, the purchase of land, &c, &c, and all difficulties were satisfactorily settled except a matter between , and myself which was referred to us, with the agreement that our settlement of the affair should be sufficient for the Council, , was clerk, & Prest.

7 November 1837 • Tuesday

<7> The High council and of met in the , on Tuesday evening November 7th. to discuss the Question “Who Pre[HC 2:521]sides when the presidents are absent? but upon discussion were not able to come to any conclusion. was appointed High counsellor, in the place and absence of ; and clerk for the Time being. President proposed that Brother be ordained under the hands of Prest and , and he was accordingly ordained <Blessed> to <for> his mission

Clerk H.C.

Minutes of a conference at “, , November 7th 1837. [p. 775]

that unruly children be reported to their parents, and, if they neglect to take October 23 suitable notice of it, then the parents shall be reported to the authorities of the church and dealt with accordingly. voted that we discountenance the use of ardent Spirits,— in any way to sell, or to be brought into this place for sale or use.

Clk.—

29 October–2 November 1837 • Sunday–Thursday

Sunday 29. Sunday Oct 29th Nine more of the brethren and sisters were reported to the church as having been engaged in the recreations of the 19th inst,— and 11— of the 31 that had been reported made confession. Brothers Norris, Brewster and others 30 presented a plan for the better organization of the church in temporal affairs, to the High council, on the 30th Oct,—. that Moroni had appeared to Collins Brewster &c. The November 1 council decided that it was a trick of the Devil. Most of those who were complained of, for their recreations of the 19th. and had not confessed, acknowledged their fault to the High council on the first of November, and the remainder 2 were required so to do or be cut off from the church. November 2d. the High council voted that loungers about the streets should be attended to forthwith and appointed a committee of three for that purpose.

5 November 1837 • Sunday

5 The church in voted to sanction the appointment of Brother and Reuben Hadlock [Hedlock], by the presidency, to transact business for the church in procuring means to trans[HC 2:520]late and print those Records taken from the catacombs of Egypt, then in the .

6 November 1837 • Monday

6 Joseph arrived at , Council. Having arrived at some time in the latter part of October or first of Nov. a meeting of some of the church was called on the 6th to council on some affairs of the church which I attended, with and . There were present, Elders , . , (and from ,) the High Council of the Church, and some other elders. Prayer by . Several Topics were discussed when it was unanimously voted that it be recommended to the proprietors of the corporation, of , to petition the Trustees of said corporation to alter the streets or lessen them so as to make each block contain four acres of ground, and each block be divided into four lots; also voted unanimously that it is the opinion of this council. that there is sufficient room in this country. for the churches to continue gathering from abroad; Also that the building of the be postponed, till the Lord shall reveal it to be his will to be commenced. Adjourned until early candlelight,, and met accordingly, when remarks were made by many of the authorities present, upon the previous disposition of the town plot, the purchase of land, &c, &c, and all difficulties were satisfactorily settled except a matter between , and myself which was referred to us, with the agreement that our settlement of the affair should be sufficient for the Council, , was clerk, & Prest.

7 November 1837 • Tuesday

7 The High council and of met in the , on Tuesday evening November 7th. to discuss the Question “Who Pre[HC 2:521]sides when the presidents are absent? but upon discussion were not able to come to any conclusion. was appointed High counsellor, in the place and absence of ; and clerk for the Time being. President proposed that Brother be ordained under the hands of Prest and , and he was accordingly Blessed for his mission

Clerk H.C.

Minutes of a conference at “, , November 7th 1837. [p. 775]

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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. 391
  Minute Book 1, 29 Oct. 1837.
2. 392
  Minute Book 1, 30 Oct. 1837.
3. 393
  Minute Book 1, 1 Nov. 1837.
4. 394
  Minute Book 1, 2 Nov. 1837.
5. 395
  Minute Book 1, 5 Nov. 1837.
6. 396
  Minutes, 6 Nov. 1837 .
7. 397
  Minute Book 1, 7 Nov. 1837.

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

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