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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<October 7> “Monday 7. Conference met on Monday morning October 7th. pursuant to adjournment. The President spoke at some length to the Elders and explained [HC 4:13] many passages of Scripture. Elder spoke on the subject of the resurrection, and other important subjects; when he offered the following resolution which passed unanimously. Resolved that a new Edition of Hymn Books be printed immediately, and that the one published by be utterly discarded by the Church. Elder Ezra Hayes was then put upon trial for teaching doctrine injurious to the Church, and for falsehoods; which were proven against him, his license was taken from him and he required to give satisfaction to those whom he had offended. Charges having been preferred against , it was agreed that the case be handed over to the High council. Asahel Perry made application to be received into fellowship, and was voted into his former standing— After having referred the business not gone into to the High Council; the President then returned thanks to the Conference for their good attention and liberality and having blessed them in the name of the Lord the Conference was dismissed— The next Conference was appointed to be held on the sixth day of April next.”

8 October 1839 • Tuesday

<8> Tuesday 8. after Conference, this week I was mostly engaged in attending to the general affairs of the Church, and principally about home.

11 October 1839 • Friday

<11> Friday 11 This evening Elders , , , and , started — — — — — — — —, from , travelled eight miles on their journey, and staid with Father Draper—

12 October 1839 • Saturday

<12 died.> Saturday 12. They left Father Draper’s and pursued their journey towards — This day President ’s Father, died at Adams County Illinois. He was in his Seventy seventh year, and a Soldier of the Revolution. He was also a firm believer in the Everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ, and fell asleep under the influence of that faith that buoyed up his Soul, in the pangs of death, to a glorious hope of immortality: fully testifying to all, that the religion he enjoyed in life, was able to sup[HC 4:14]port him in death: he was driven from with the Saints in the latter part of last year. He died a Martyr to the religion of Jesus, for his death was caused by his sufferings in that cruel persecution—

13 October 1839 • Sunday

<13> Sunday 13. I attended meeting in the . The assembly was small on account of the Cold Weather

15 October 1839 • Tuesday

<15> Tuesday 15 in the P.M. I went to in company with Brother , , and — Quite a number of families moving into

17 October 1839 • Thursday

<17> Thursday 17. The Brethren arrived at <addenda page 14> was very sick. He stopped with at Dr. Modisetts, <addenda page 14> [HC 4:15]

18 October 1839 • Friday

<18> <Friday 18—> Brothers , , <and> , went on their journey

19 October 1839 • Saturday

<19.> Saturday 19. The <High> Council appointed for the Branch of the Church in , met at ’s and organized, , President, [p. 970]

7 October 1839 • Monday

October 7 “Monday 7. Conference met on Monday morning October 7th. pursuant to adjournment. The President spoke at some length to the Elders and explained [HC 4:13] many passages of Scripture. Elder spoke on the subject of the resurrection, and other important subjects; when he offered the following resolution which passed unanimously. Resolved that a new Edition of Hymn Books be printed immediately, and that the one published by be utterly discarded by the Church. Elder Ezra Hayes was then put upon trial for teaching doctrine injurious to the Church, and for falsehoods; which were proven against him, his license was taken from him and he required to give satisfaction to those whom he had offended. Charges having been preferred against , it was agreed that the case be handed over to the High council. Asahel Perry made application to be received into fellowship, and was voted into his former standing— After having referred the business not gone into to the High Council; the President then returned thanks to the Conference for their good attention and liberality and having blessed them in the name of the Lord the Conference was dismissed— The next Conference was appointed to be held on the sixth day of April next.”

8 October 1839 • Tuesday

8 Tuesday 8. after Conference, this week I was mostly engaged in attending to the general affairs of the Church, and principally about home.

11 October 1839 • Friday

11 Friday 11 This evening Elders , , , and , started — — — — — — — —, from , travelled eight miles on their journey, and staid with Father Draper—

12 October 1839 • Saturday

12 died. Saturday 12. They left Father Draper’s and pursued their journey towards — This day President ’s Father, died at Adams County Illinois. He was in his Seventy seventh year, and a Soldier of the Revolution. He was also a firm believer in the Everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ, and fell asleep under the influence of that faith that buoyed up his Soul, in the pangs of death, to a glorious hope of immortality: fully testifying to all, that the religion he enjoyed in life, was able to sup[HC 4:14]port him in death: he was driven from with the Saints in the latter part of last year. He died a Martyr to the religion of Jesus, for his death was caused by his sufferings in that cruel persecution—

13 October 1839 • Sunday

13 Sunday 13. I attended meeting in the . The assembly was small on account of the Cold Weather

15 October 1839 • Tuesday

15 Tuesday 15 in the P.M. I went to in company with Brother , , and — Quite a number of families moving into

17 October 1839 • Thursday

17 Thursday 17. The Brethren arrived at addenda page 14 was very sick. He stopped with at Dr. Modisetts, addenda page 14 [HC 4:15]

18 October 1839 • Friday

18 Friday 18— Brothers , , and , went on their journey

19 October 1839 • Saturday

19. Saturday 19. The High Council appointed for the Branch of the Church in , met at ’s and organized, , President, [p. 970]

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Cite this page

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. 395
  See 7 Oct. 1839 entry in History Draft.
2. 396
  See 8 Oct. 1839 entry in History Draft.
3. 397
  JS, Journal, 6–12 Oct. 1839.
4. 398
  See 11 Oct. 1839 entry in History Draft.
5. 399
  Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 11–12 Oct. 1839, p. 113.
  
  Kimball, Heber C. “The Journal and Record of Heber Chase Kimball an Apostle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” ca. 1842–1858. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 1.
6. 400
  See 12 Oct. 1839 entry in History Draft.
7. 401
  Obituary for John Young Sr., Times and Seasons, May 1840, 1:111.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
8. 402
  See 13 Oct. 1839 entry in History Draft.
9. 403
  JS, Journal, 13 Oct. 1839.
10. 404
  See 15 Oct. 1839 entry in History Draft.
11. 405
  JS, Journal, 15 Oct. 1839.
12. 406
  See 17 Oct. 1839 entry in History Draft.
13. 407
  Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 17–18 Oct. 1839, pp. 113–114.
  
  Kimball, Heber C. “The Journal and Record of Heber Chase Kimball an Apostle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” ca. 1842–1858. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 1.
14. 408
  See 17 Oct. 1839 entry in History Draft.
15. 409
  See 19 Oct. 1839 entry in History Draft.
16. 410
  Iowa Stake, Record, 19 Oct. 1839.
  
  Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.