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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imprisoned, and came out about four months since. After some <November 9.> equivocating he confessed that he really was . After supper I proposed that he should deliver a lecture to us; he did so sitting in his chair. He commenced by saying God said let there be light and there was light, which he dwelt upon through his discourse. He made some very excellent remarks but his mind was evidently filled with darkness. after the congregation dispersed, he conversed freely upon the circumstances that transpired in . His name is . He says that Joshua is his priestly name, during all this time I did not contradict his sentiments, wishing to draw out all that I could concerning his faith. of came to ask advice of me [HC 2:306] whether he had better purchase lands in this vicinity, as he cannot arrange his business to go to next spring. I advised him to come here and settle until he could move to Zion.

10–11 November 1835 • Tuesday–Wednesday

<10. Conversation with .> Tuesday 10th I resumed conversation with , and desired him to enlighten my mind more on his views respecting the resurrection. He said that the he possesses the spirit of his fathers, that he is a literal descendant of Matthias the Apostle that was chosen in the place of Judas that fell, and that his spirit is resurrected in him, and that this is the way or scheme of Eternal life. This transmigration of soul or spirit from father to son.” I told him that his doctrine was of the Devil, that he was in reality in possession of a wicked and depraved spirit, although he professed to be the spirit of truth itself, and he said also that he possessed <11> the spirit of soul of Christ. He tarried until Wednesday, 11th. After Breakfast when I told him that my God told me. that his <Devil cast out.> God was the Devil, and I could not keep him any longer, and he must depart, and so I for once, cast out the Devil in bodily shape, and I beleive a murderer, . . . . . . . Attended school during school hours. spent the evening around my fireside, teaching my family the science of grammar. It commenced snowing this afternoon, wind very heavy.

12 November 1835 • Thursday

<12.> Thursday 12th. Attended school again, during school hours, rain and snow still falling, snow about one inch in depth. and wind very heavy, the weather extremely unpleasant. The laborers who commenced finishing the outside of the , were obliged to break off from their business at the commencement of this storm, on the 11th. instant. This evening, at 6 o’clock met with <Met with the Council of the Twelve, and addressed them.> The council of the twelve by their request. Nine of them were present. Council opened by singing and prayer, and I made some remarks, as follows; [HC 2:307] I am happy in the enjoyment of this opportunity of meeting with this council on this occasion. I am satisfied that the spirit of the Lord is here, and I am satisfied with all the brethren present, and I need not say that you have my utmost confidence, and that I intend to uphold you to the uttermost, for I am well aware that you have to sustain my character against the vile calumnies and reproaches of this ungodly generation, and that you delight in so doing. [p. 639]

imprisoned, and came out about four months since. After some November 9. equivocating he confessed that he really was . After supper I proposed that he should deliver a lecture to us; he did so sitting in his chair. He commenced by saying God said let there be light and there was light, which he dwelt upon through his discourse. He made some very excellent remarks but his mind was evidently filled with darkness. after the congregation dispersed, he conversed freely upon the circumstances that transpired in . His name is . He says that Joshua is his priestly name, during all this time I did not contradict his sentiments, wishing to draw out all that I could concerning his faith. of came to ask advice of me [HC 2:306] whether he had better purchase lands in this vicinity, as he cannot arrange his business to go to next spring. I advised him to come here and settle until he could move to Zion.

10–11 November 1835 • Tuesday–Wednesday

10. Conversation with . Tuesday 10th I resumed conversation with , and desired him to enlighten my mind more on his views respecting the resurrection. He said that he possesses the spirit of his fathers, that he is a literal descendant of Matthias the Apostle that was chosen in the place of Judas that fell, and that his spirit is resurrected in him, and that this is the way or scheme of Eternal life. This transmigration of soul or spirit from father to son.” I told him that his doctrine was of the Devil, that he was in reality in possession of a wicked and depraved spirit, although he professed to be the spirit of truth itself, and he said also that he possessed 11 the soul of Christ. He tarried until Wednesday, 11th. After Breakfast when I told him that my God told me. that his Devil cast out. God was the Devil, and I could not keep him any longer, and he must depart, and so I for once, cast out the Devil in bodily shape, and I beleive a murderer, . . . . . . . Attended school during school hours. spent the evening around my fireside, teaching my family the science of grammar. It commenced snowing this afternoon, wind very heavy.

12 November 1835 • Thursday

12. Thursday 12th. Attended school again, during school hours, rain and snow still falling, snow about one inch in depth. and wind very heavy, the weather extremely unpleasant. The laborers who commenced finishing the outside of the , were obliged to break off from their business at the commencement of this storm, on the 11th. instant. This evening, at 6 o’clock met with Met with the Council of the Twelve, and addressed them. The council of the twelve by their request. Nine of them were present. Council opened by singing and prayer, and I made some remarks, as follows; [HC 2:307] I am happy in the enjoyment of this opportunity of meeting with this council on this occasion. I am satisfied that the spirit of the Lord is here, and I am satisfied with all the brethren present, and I need not say that you have my utmost confidence, and that I intend to uphold you to the uttermost, for I am well aware that you have to sustain my character against the vile calumnies and reproaches of this ungodly generation, and that you delight in so doing. [p. 639]

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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. 130
  JS, Journal, 9–11 Nov. 1835.
2. 131
  JS, Journal, 12 Nov. 1835.
3. 132
  Discourse, 12 Nov. 1835.

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

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