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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<July 31> Wed Tuesday 31st. Attended the circuit court awhile, and received a visit from . (See Letter A. this page, 30th line.)

1–3 August 1838 • Wednesday–Friday

<August 1> <B.> Wednesday August 1st. I tarried at home with my family also the 2d <2> and 3d, to refresh myself, after my many late fatigues, and arduous duties <3> which I had been called to perform.—

3–4 August 1838 • Friday–Saturday

<Camp> During this period the camp had stopped to rest their teams, and the brethren were engaged in making ½ a mile of Turnpike, and other like jobs to procure means to prosecute their journey <4> and on the evening of the fourth the names were called and those who could not give a reasonable excuse for absenting themselves from labor, were reprimanded by the counsel, who directed they should receive no rations; according, to the scripture. “The Idler shall not receive Eat the bread of the laborer.” Three brethren were appointed assistant counsel; and judges to settle minor difficulties in the camp.

5 August 1838 • Sunday

<Sunday 5 Meeting, > Sunday the 5th. I attended meeting. Elder , Preached, after which I addressed the congregation, and particularly the Elders on the principle of wisdom, &c. preached in the P.M. and several were confirmed, among whom was who had < re-baptized> recently been rebaptized.

6 August 1838 • Monday

<6 Prests. Council.> Monday 6th. This morning my counsel met me at my house to consider the conduct of certain brethren who had settled on the , contrary to counsel. On investigation it was resolved that they must return to , according to counsel, or they would not be considered one with us.

This day The citizens of assembled at and organized by calling to the Chair, and appointing Secretary. [HC 3:55] having resigned the office of Post Master, it was voted unanimously that <. P.M.> be recommended to the Post Master Gen, as the person of our choice to fill the place of . <as post master> in this City.

(See C. page 812,— 2d Line)

July 1838

<July> <A> Some time in July we succeded in publishing the third [HC 3:48] number of the “Elders Journal,” Joseph Smith Jun. Editor, , Printer & Publisher: I<n> this number of the Journal was bublished the following Epistle of , one of the twelve Apostles, of the Last days;

< Epistle.> “To the saints scattered abroad; Dear Brethren: Whereas many have taken in hand to set forth the kingdom of God on earth, and have testified of the grace of God, as given unto them, to publish unto you: I also feel it my duty to write unto you, touching the grace of God given unto me, to you-ward. concerning the dispensation we have received; which is the greatest of all dispensations; and has been spoken of by the mouth of all the holy Prophets since the world began. In this my communication to you, I design to notice some of these prophecies.

Now the Apostle Paul says on this wise, “For I would not brethren that you should be ignorant of this mystery, (lest you should be wise in your own conceit,) that blindness in part has happened unto Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in; And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Zion a Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob”

What is this that he Says, “For I would not have you ignorant,” [p. 807]

31 July 1838 • Tuesday

July 31 Tuesday 31st. Attended the circuit court awhile, and received a visit from . (See Letter A. this page, 30th line.)

1–3 August 1838 • Wednesday–Friday

August 1 B. Wednesday August 1st. I tarried at home with my family also the 2d 2 and 3d, to refresh myself, after my many late fatigues, and arduous duties 3 which I had been called to perform.—

3–4 August 1838 • Friday–Saturday

Camp During this period the camp had stopped to rest their teams, and the brethren were engaged in making ½ a mile of Turnpike, and other like jobs to procure means to prosecute their journey 4 and on the evening of the fourth the names were called and those who could not give a reasonable excuse for absenting themselves from labor, were reprimanded by the counsel, who directed they should receive no rations; according, to the scripture. “The Idler shall not Eat the bread of the laborer.” Three brethren were appointed assistant counsel; and judges to settle minor difficulties in the camp.

5 August 1838 • Sunday

Sunday 5 Meeting, Sunday the 5th. I attended meeting. Elder , Preached, after which I addressed the congregation, and particularly the Elders on the principle of wisdom, &c. preached in the P.M. and several were confirmed, among whom was who had re-baptized recently been rebaptized.

6 August 1838 • Monday

6 Prests. Council. Monday 6th. This morning my counsel met me at my house to consider the conduct of certain brethren who had settled on the , contrary to counsel. On investigation it was resolved that they must return to , according to counsel, or they would not be considered one with us.

This day The citizens of assembled at and organized by calling to the Chair, and appointing Secretary. [HC 3:55] having resigned the office of Post Master, it was voted unanimously that . P.M. be recommended to the Post Master Gen, as the person of our choice to fill the place of . as post master in this City.

(See C. page 812,— 2d Line)

July 1838

July A Some time in July we succeded in publishing the third [HC 3:48] number of the “Elders Journal,” Joseph Smith Jun. Editor, , Printer & Publisher: In this number of the Journal was bublished the following Epistle of , one of the twelve Apostles, of the Last days;

Epistle. “To the saints scattered abroad; Dear Brethren: Whereas many have taken in hand to set forth the kingdom of God on earth, and have testified of the grace of God, as given unto them, to publish unto you: I also feel it my duty to write unto you, touching the grace of God given unto me, to you-ward. concerning the dispensation we have received; which is the greatest of all dispensations; and has been spoken of by the mouth of all the holy Prophets since the world began. In this my communication to you, I design to notice some of these prophecies.

What is that he Says, “For I would not have you ignorant,” [p. 807]

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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. 467
  JS, Journal, 31 July 1838.
2. 468
  JS, Journal, 1–3 Aug. 1838.
3. 469
  Kirtland Camp, Journal, 30 July–3 Aug. 1838; Tyler, “Daily Journal,” 30 July–3 Aug. 1838.
  
  Kirtland Camp. Journal, Mar.–Oct. 1838. CHL. MS 4952.
  Tyler, Samuel D. Journal, July–Oct. 1838. CHL. MS 1761.
4. 470
  JS, Journal, 5 Aug. 1838.
5. 471
  Minutes, in JS, Journal, 6 Aug. 1838.
6. 472
  “To the Saints Scattered Abroad,” Elders’ Journal, July 1838, 39–42.

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

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