History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]

Source Note

JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, created 24 Feb. 1845–3 July 1845; handwriting of
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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,
Franklin D. Richards
2 Apr. 1821–9 Dec. 1899. Carpenter, businessman, newspaper editor. Born at Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Phinehas Richards and Wealthy Dewey. Raised Congregationalist. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Phinehas ...
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, Jonathan Grimshaw, and
Leo Hawkins
19 July 1834–28 May 1859. Clerk, reporter. Born in London. Son of Samuel Harris Hawkins and Charlotte Savage. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John Banks, 23 Oct. 1848. Immigrated to U.S. with his family; arrived in New Orleans...
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; 512 pages, plus 24 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the third volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This third volume covers the period from 2 Nov. 1838 to 31 July 1842; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, D-1, E-1 and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction

This document, “History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842],” is the third of six volumes of the “Manuscript History of the Church” (in The Joseph Smith Papers the “Manuscript History” bears the editorial title “History, 1838–1856”). The completed six-volume collection covers the period from 23 December 1805 to 8 August 1844. The narrative in this volume commences on 2 November 1838 with JS and other church leaders being held prisoner by the “
Governor
14 Dec. 1796–14 Mar. 1860. Bookkeeper, bank cashier, merchant, Indian agent and trader, lawyer, doctor, postmaster, politician. Born at Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of John M. Boggs and Martha Oliver. Served in War of 1812. Moved to St. Louis, ca...
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’s forces” 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, and concludes with the death of Bishop
Vinson Knight
14 Mar. 1804–31 July 1842. Farmer, druggist, school warden. Born at Norwich, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Rudolphus Knight and Rispah (Rizpah) Lee. Married Martha McBride, July 1826. Moved to Perrysburg, Cattaraugus Co., New York, by 1830. Owned farm...
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at
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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, Illinois, on 31 July 1842. For a more complete discussion of the entire six-volume work, see the general introduction to this history.

Volume C-1 was created beginning on or just after 24 February 1845 and its narrative was completed by 3 May 1845, although some additional work continued on the volume through 3 July of that year (Richards, Journal, 24 and 28 Feb. 1845; Historian’s Office, Journal, 3 May 1845; 3 and 4 July 1845). It is in the handwriting of
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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and contains 512 pages of primary text, plus 24 pages of addenda. Additional addenda for this volume were created at a later date as a supplementary document and appear in this collection as “History, 1838-1856, volume C-1 Addenda.” Compilers
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 drew heavily from JS’s letters, discourses, and diary entries; meeting minutes; church and other periodicals and journals; and reminiscences, recollections, and letters of church members and other contacts. At JS’s behest, Richards maintained the first-person, chronological-narrative format established in previous volumes, as if JS were the author.
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 reviewed and modified the manuscript prior to its eventual publication in the Salt Lake City newspaper Deseret News.

The historical narrative recorded in volume C-1 continued the account of JS’s life as prophet and president of the church. Critical events occurring within the forty-five-month period covered by this text include the
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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Mormon War; subsequent legal trials of church leaders; expulsion of the Saints from Missouri; missionary efforts in
England
Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...
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by the
Twelve
Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...
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and others; attempts by JS to obtain federal redress for the Missouri depredations; publication of the LDS Millennial Star in England; the migration of English converts to
America
North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...
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; missionary efforts in other nations; the death of church patriarch
Joseph Smith Sr.
12 July 1771–14 Sept. 1840. Cooper, farmer, teacher, merchant. Born at Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Nominal member of Congregationalist church at Topsfield. Married to Lucy Mack by Seth Austin, 24 Jan. 1796, at Tunbridge...
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; the establishment of the
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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city charter; the commencement of construction of the Nauvoo
temple
Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...
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; the
Wisconsin “pinery”
Also known as the “pinery.” Collective term for regions in Wisconsin where lumbering operations were located, especially along Black, Chippewa, St. Croix, Wisconsin, and Wolf rivers. Latter-day Saints established lumber camps and mills on Black River to provide...
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expedition that facilitated temple construction; the introduction of the doctrine of proxy baptism for deceased persons; the dedicatory prayer by
Orson Hyde
8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...
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on the Mount of Olives in Palestine; publication of the “Book of Abraham” in the Nauvoo Times and Seasons; publication of the JS history often referred to as the “Wentworth letter;” the organization of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo; and the inception of Nauvoo-era temple endowment ceremonies.

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<April 12> the pelting storm, I am Gentlemen very respectfully your obt. servt. — Executive Office , March 1839. Dear Sir— On my return to this , after a few weeks absence in the interior of the , I received your letter of the 25th. ult in which you give a short account of the sufferings of the people called Mormons and ask “whether they could be permitted to purchase lands [HC 3:317] and settle upon them in the , and there worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, secure from oppression” &c— In answer to your enquiry, I would say that I know of no authority that can constitutionally deprive them of this right. They are Citizens of the , and are entitled to all the rights and privileges of other Citizens. The 2nd. section of the 4th. article of the Constitution of the (which all are solemnly bound to support) declares that “the Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of Citizens in the several States,” this privilege extends in full force to the Territories of the . The first amendment to the Constitution of the declares that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The ordinance of Congress of the 13th. July 1787 for the government of the Territory northwest of the River Ohio, secures to the Citizens of said Territory, and the Citizens of the States thereafter to be founed therein, certain privileges which were, by the late Act of Congress organizing the , extended to the Citizens of this . The first fundamental article in that Ordinance, which is declared to be for ever unalterable, except by common consent, reads as follows, to wit: “No person demeaning himself in a peaceable and orderly manner, shall ever be molested on account of his mode of worship of religious sentiments in said .” These principles I trust will ever be adhered to in the . They make no distinction between Religious Sects. They extend equal privileges and protection to all; each must rest upon its own merit and will prosper in proportion to the purity of its principles, and the fruit of holiness and piety produced thereby. With regard to the peculiar people mentioned in your letter, I know but little. They had a community in the Northern part of for several years, and I have no recollection of ever having heard in that State of any complaint against them for violating the laws of the Country. Their religious opinions I conceive has nothing to do with our political transactions. They are Citizens of the , and are entitled to the same political rights and legal protection that other Citizens are entitled to— The foregoing are briefly my views on the subject of your enquiries— With sincere respect, I am your obedient servant— — (To) Esqre. Illinois” [HC 3:318]

13 April 1839 • Saturday

<13> Saturday 13. went to to close the business of the Church in that Region.

14 April 1839 • Sunday

<14> Sunday 14. The Committee in Council resolved to send Sisters Fosdick and Meeks and Brother William Monjar and another family, with Brother Jones, Burton’s and Barlow’s teams, which had recently arrived from . [p. 920]

April 12 the pelting storm, I am Gentlemen very respectfully your obt. servt. — Executive Office , March 1839. Dear Sir— On my return to this , after a few weeks absence in the interior of the , I received your letter of the 25th. ult in which you give a short account of the sufferings of the people called Mormons and ask “whether they could be permitted to purchase lands [HC 3:317] and settle upon them in the , and there worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, secure from oppression” &c— In answer to your enquiry, I would say that I know of no authority that can constitutionally deprive them of this right. They are Citizens of the , and are entitled to all the rights and privileges of other Citizens. The 2nd. section of the 4th. article of the Constitution of the (which all are solemnly bound to support) declares that “the Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of Citizens in the several States,” this privilege extends in full force to the Territories of the . The first amendment to the Constitution of the declares that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The ordinance of Congress of the 13th. July 1787 for the government of the Territory northwest of the River Ohio, secures to the Citizens of said Territory, and the Citizens of the States thereafter to be founed therein, certain privileges which were, by the late Act of Congress organizing the , extended to the Citizens of this . The first fundamental article in that Ordinance, which is declared to be for ever unalterable, except by common consent, reads as follows, to wit: “No person demeaning himself in a peaceable and orderly manner, shall ever be molested on account of his mode of worship of religious sentiments in said .” These principles I trust will ever be adhered to in the . They make no distinction between Religious Sects. They extend equal privileges and protection to all; each must rest upon its own merit and will prosper in proportion to the purity of its principles, and the fruit of holiness and piety produced thereby. With regard to the peculiar people mentioned in your letter, I know but little. They had a community in the Northern part of for several years, and I have no recollection of ever having heard in that State of any complaint against them for violating the laws of the Country. Their religious opinions I conceive has nothing to do with our political transactions. They are Citizens of the , and are entitled to the same political rights and legal protection that other Citizens are entitled to— The foregoing are briefly my views on the subject of your enquiries— With sincere respect, I am your obedient servant— — (To) Esqre. Illinois” [HC 3:318]

13 April 1839 • Saturday

13 Saturday 13. went to to close the business of the Church in that Region.

14 April 1839 • Sunday

14 Sunday 14. The Committee in Council resolved to send Sisters Fosdick and Meeks and Brother William Monjar and another family, with Brother Jones, Burton’s and Barlow’s teams, which had recently arrived from . [p. 920]

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Document Information
Editorial Title
History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]
ID #
7513
Total Pages
562
Handwriting on This Page
- Thomas Bullock
Footnotes
1. 169
  See 13 Apr. 1839 entry in History Draft.
2. 170
  See 14 Apr. 1839 entry in History Draft.
3. 171
  Far West Committee, Minutes, 14 Apr. 1839.
  
  Far West Committee. Minutes, Jan.–Apr. 1839. CHL. MS 2564.