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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<March 28.. Seven presidents of the Seventies.> 43. And it is according to the vision, showing the order of the Seventy, that they should have Seven presidents to preside over them, chosen out of the number of the seventy, and the seventh president of these presidents is to preside over the six; and these seven presidents are to choose other Seventy besides the first seventy, to whom they belong, and are to preside over them; and also other seventy until seven times seventy, if the labor in the vineyard of necessity requires it. And these seventy are to be travelling <Duty of the Seventies> ministers unto the Gentiles, first, and also unto the Jews, whereas other offices of the Church, who belong not unto the church twelve neither to the seventy, are not under the responsibility to travel among all nations, but are to travel as their circumstances shall allow. notwithstanding they may hold as high and responsible offices in the church.

<Duty of every man.> 44 Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shews himself not approved, shall not be counted worthy to stand; even so. Amen. [HC 2:217]

<School closed> The school closed the last weed [week] in March, to give the elders an opportunity to go forth and proclaim the gospel preparatory to the endowment.

29 March 1835 • Sunday

<29. Preached at Huntsburgh.> Sunday March 29th. I preached about three hours, at Huntsburgh, where Where , had been debating holding a public discussion on a challenge from Mr J. M. Tracy, a campbellite preacher, the two days previous on the divinity of the book of Mormon, at the close of which two were baptized, and on monday four more came forward for baptism.

3–4 April 1835 • Friday–Saturday

<April 3 & 4. Conference at .> April 3rd and 4th a conference of the saints was held at Ohio <New York> presiding, Fifteen branches of the church were represented: five of which had never not been previously represented at any conference, numbering about fifty members.— Elder Chester //L. Heath of , was expelled from the church for breach of covenant. <Mess & Ad p 316> and not observing the word of wisdom. Oliver , clerk.

26 April 1835 • Sunday

<26. Minutes of the Twelve> <See D addenda page 1—> On the 26th of April the twelve Apostles, and the seventy who had been chosen, assembled in the Temple (although unfinished) with a a numerous concourse of people, to receive our their charge and instructions from President Joseph Smith, Junr., <x> relative to our their mission and duties. The congregation being <arrival of and .> assembled, Elder arrived [HC 2:218] from the south part of the state, making our number complete, Elder , having arrived the day previous.”

28 April 1835 • Tuesday

<28th> 28.th.. “The Twelve met this afternoon, at the school room for the purpose of prayer and consultation. Elder opened the meeting by prayer. Motioned and carried, that when any member of the council [p. 588]

March 28.. Seven presidents of the Seventies. 43. And it is according to the vision, showing the order of the Seventy, that they should have Seven presidents to preside over them, chosen out of the number of the seventy, and the seventh president of these presidents is to preside over the six; and these seven presidents are to choose other Seventy besides the first seventy, to whom they belong, and are to preside over them; and also other seventy until seven times seventy, if the labor in the vineyard of necessity requires it. And these seventy are to be travelling Duty of the Seventies ministers unto the Gentiles, first, and also unto the Jews, whereas other offices of the Church, who belong not unto the twelve neither to the seventy, are not under the responsibility to travel among all nations, but are to travel as their circumstances shall allow. notwithstanding they may hold as high and responsible offices in the church.

Duty of every man. 44 Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shews himself not approved, shall not be counted worthy to stand; even so. Amen. [HC 2:217]

School closed The school closed the last weed [week] in March, to give the elders an opportunity to go forth and proclaim the gospel preparatory to the endowment.

29 March 1835 • Sunday

29. Preached at Huntsburgh. Sunday March 29th. I preached about three hours, at Huntsburgh, where , had been holding a public discussion on a challenge from Mr J. M. Tracy, a campbellite preacher, the two days previous on the divinity of the book of Mormon, at the close of which two were baptized, and on monday four more came forward for baptism.

3–4 April 1835 • Friday–Saturday

April 3 & 4. Conference at . April 3rd and 4th a conference of the saints was held at New York presiding, Fifteen branches of the church were represented: five of which had not been previously represented at any conference, numbering about fifty members.— Elder Chester //L. Heath of , was expelled from the church for breach of covenant. Mess & Ad p 316 and not observing the word of wisdom. , clerk.

26 April 1835 • Sunday

26. Minutes of the Twelve See D addenda page 1— On the 26th of April the twelve Apostles, and the seventy who had been chosen, assembled in the Temple (although unfinished) with a numerous concourse of people, to receive their charge and instructions from President Joseph Smith, Junr., x relative to their mission and duties. The congregation being arrival of and . assembled, Elder arrived [HC 2:218] from the south part of the state, making our number complete, Elder , having arrived the day previous.”

28 April 1835 • Tuesday

28th 28.th.. “The Twelve met this afternoon, at the school room for the purpose of prayer and consultation. Elder opened the meeting by prayer. Motioned and carried, that when any member of the council [p. 588]

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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. 32
  Minutes, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Apr. 1835, 1:101–102.
  
  Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.
2. 33
  Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Record, 26 Apr. 1835.
3. 34
  Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Record, 28 Apr. 1835.

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

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