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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<October 5th.—> removed to — Conference adjourned to the first Friday and Saturday in January next at ten A.M. , Clerk—

<[illegible] to be> <7> Sunday 7 preached at commonly called the Salt Sermon—

There were seven cut off from the Church in , England, this day.

wrote from

“Brigade Head Quarters, 5 miles from < Letter> Carroll County: “— Sir Immediately after my express to you, by Mr. Warder, was sent, I proceeded to this place, which I reached yesterday with two companies of mounted men from . I ordered Col. Jones to call out three companies from this County to hold themselves in readiness, to join me at Carrollton on the 5th. inst., which order has not been carried into effect. None of the Carroll Regiment is with me. [HC 3:155] On arriving in the vicinity of , I found a body of armed men, under the command of Dr. Austin, encamped near , besieging that place, to the number of two or three hundred, with a piece of Artillery, ready to attack the Town of . On the other side, has in that place three or four hundred Mormons to defend it, and says he will die before he is driven from thence. On the 4th. inst. they had a skirmish— fifteen or thirty guns fired on both sides— one man from Saline wounded in the hip. The Mormons are at this time too strong, and no attack is expected before Wednesday or Thursday next, at which time Dr. Austin hopes his forces will amount to five hundred men, when he will make a second attempt on the Town of , with small arms and cannon. In this posture of affairs, I can do nothing but negotiate between the parties, until further aid is sent me. I received your friendly letter of the 5th. inst. by Mr. Warder, authorizing me to call on , which call I have made on him for five companies from Platte, , and Clinton with two Companies I ordered from , of which I doubt whether these last will come, if they do, I think I will have a force sufficient to manage these beligerents. Should these troops arrive here in time, I hope to be able to prevent bloodshed. Nothing seems so much in demand here (to hear the Carroll County men talk) as Mormon scalps— as yet they are scarce— I believe , with his present force and position, will beat Austin with five hundred of his troops. The Mormons say they will die, before they will be driven out &c. As yet they have acted on the defensive as far as I can learn. It is my settled opinion, the Mormons will have no rest until they leave— whether they will, or not, time only can tell” ”

<Howard communication> Under the same date from the camp near eleven blood thirsty fellows viz. Congrave Jackson, Larkin K. Woods, Thomas Jackson, Rolla M. Daviess, James Jackson Jr. Johnson Jackson, John L. Tomlin, Sidney S. Woods, Geo. Crigler, Wm. L. Banks, and Whitfield Dicken wrote a most inflamatory, Lying, and Murderous communication to the Citizens of Howard County, calling upon them as friends and fellow citizens to come to their immediate rescue as the Mormons were then firing upon them and they would have to act on the defensive until they could procure more assistance— [HC 3:156] A. C. Woods a Citizen of Howard County made a Certificate to the same lies, which he gathered in the Mob Camp; he did not go into or take any trouble to learn the truth of what he certified— While the people will lie, and the authorities will uphold them what Justice can honest men expect?

9 October 1838 • Tuesday

<9.> Tuesday 9th. wrote the from Boonville that “the names subscribed to the enclosed paper (as before stated 7th. instant) are worthy prudent and patriotic citizens of Howard County” men who would leave their families and every thing dear, and go to a foreign County to seek the blood of innocent men, women, and children, If this constitute “worth, prudence, and patriotism” Let me be worthless, imprudent, and unpatriotic—

10 October 1838 • Wednesday

<News from 10> The Messenger Mr. Caldwell who had been despatched to the for assistance, returned, [p. 834]

October 5th.— removed to — Conference adjourned to the first Friday and Saturday in January next at ten A.M. , Clerk—

7 October 1838 • Sunday

There were seven cut off from the Church in , England, this day.

wrote from

“Brigade Head Quarters, 5 miles from Letter Carroll County: “— Sir Immediately after my express to you, by Mr. Warder, was sent, I proceeded to this place, which I reached yesterday with two companies of mounted men from . I ordered Col. Jones to call out three companies from this County to hold themselves in readiness, to join me at Carrollton on the 5th. inst., which order has not been carried into effect. None of the Carroll Regiment is with me. [HC 3:155] On arriving in the vicinity of , I found a body of armed men, under the command of Dr. Austin, encamped near , besieging that place, to the number of two or three hundred, with a piece of Artillery, ready to attack the Town of . On the other side, has in that place three or four hundred Mormons to defend it, and says he will die before he is driven from thence. On the 4th. inst. they had a skirmish— fifteen or thirty guns fired on both sides— one man from Saline wounded in the hip. The Mormons are at this time too strong, and no attack is expected before Wednesday or Thursday next, at which time Dr. Austin hopes his forces will amount to five hundred men, when he will make a second attempt on the Town of , with small arms and cannon. In this posture of affairs, I can do nothing but negotiate between the parties, until further aid is sent me. I received your friendly letter of the 5th. inst. by Mr. Warder, authorizing me to call on , which call I have made on him for five companies from Platte, , and Clinton with two Companies I ordered from , of which I doubt whether these last will come, if they do, I think I will have a force sufficient to manage these beligerents. Should these troops arrive here in time, I hope to be able to prevent bloodshed. Nothing seems so much in demand here (to hear the Carroll County men talk) as Mormon scalps— as yet they are scarce— I believe , with his present force and position, will beat Austin with five hundred of his troops. The Mormons say they will die, before they will be driven out &c. As yet they have acted on the defensive as far as I can learn. It is my settled opinion, the Mormons will have no rest until they leave— whether they will, or not, time only can tell” ”

Howard communication Under the same date from the camp near eleven blood thirsty fellows viz. Congrave Jackson, Larkin K. Woods, Thomas Jackson, Rolla M. Daviess, James Jackson Jr. Johnson Jackson, John L. Tomlin, Sidney S. Woods, Geo. Crigler, Wm. L. Banks, and Whitfield Dicken wrote a most inflamatory, Lying, and Murderous communication to the Citizens of Howard County, calling upon them as friends and fellow citizens to come to their immediate rescue as the Mormons were then firing upon them and they would have to act on the defensive until they could procure more assistance— [HC 3:156] A. C. Woods a Citizen of Howard County made a Certificate to the same lies, which he gathered in the Mob Camp; he did not go into or take any trouble to learn the truth of what he certified— While the people will lie, and the authorities will uphold them what Justice can honest men expect?

9 October 1838 • Tuesday

9. Tuesday 9th. wrote the from Boonville that “the names subscribed to the enclosed paper (as before stated 7th. instant) are worthy prudent and patriotic citizens of Howard County” men who would leave their families and every thing dear, and go to a foreign County to seek the blood of innocent men, women, and children, If this constitute “worth, prudence, and patriotism” Let me be worthless, imprudent, and unpatriotic—

10 October 1838 • Wednesday

News from 10 The Messenger Mr. Caldwell who had been despatched to the for assistance, returned, [p. 834]

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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
- Thomas Bullock
Footnotes
1. 642
  See 7 Oct. 1838 entry in History Draft.
2. 643
  Richards, Journal, 7 Oct. 1831.
  
  Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
3. 644
  Hiram Parks to David R. Atchison, 7 Oct. 1838, in Document Containing the Correspondence,37–38.
  
  Document Containing the Correspondence, Orders, &c., in Relation to the Disturbances with the Mormons; and the Evidence Given before the Hon. Austin A. King, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of Missouri, at the Court-House in Richmond, in a Criminal Court of Inquiry, Begun November 12, 1838, on the Trial of Joseph Smith, Jr., and Others, for High Treason and Other Crimes against the State. Fayette, MO: Boon’s Lick Democrat, 1841.
4. 645
  Congrave Jackson et al., “near De Witt,” MO, to “the Citizens of Howard County,” 7 Oct. 1838; Adam C. Woods, Statement, 7 Oct. 1838, in Document Containing the Correspondence,40–41.
  
  Document Containing the Correspondence, Orders, &c., in Relation to the Disturbances with the Mormons; and the Evidence Given before the Hon. Austin A. King, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of Missouri, at the Court-House in Richmond, in a Criminal Court of Inquiry, Begun November 12, 1838, on the Trial of Joseph Smith, Jr., and Others, for High Treason and Other Crimes against the State. Fayette, MO: Boon’s Lick Democrat, 1841.
5. 646
  See 9 Oct. 1838 entry in History Draft.
6. 647
  John B. Clark, Boonville, MO, to Lilburn W. Boggs, 9 Oct. 1838, in Document Containing the Correspondence,39.
  
  Document Containing the Correspondence, Orders, &c., in Relation to the Disturbances with the Mormons; and the Evidence Given before the Hon. Austin A. King, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of Missouri, at the Court-House in Richmond, in a Criminal Court of Inquiry, Begun November 12, 1838, on the Trial of Joseph Smith, Jr., and Others, for High Treason and Other Crimes against the State. Fayette, MO: Boon’s Lick Democrat, 1841.
7. 648
  See 10 Oct. 1838 entry in History Draft.
8. 649
  [Rigdon], Appeal to the American People, 28–31; Bill of Damages, 4 June 1839.

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

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