History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]
History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]
Source Note
Source Note
JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, created 24 Feb. 1845–3 July 1845; handwriting of , , Jonathan Grimshaw, and ; 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
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 “’s forces” at , Missouri, and concludes with the death of Bishop at , 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 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 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. , , , 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 Mormon War; subsequent legal trials of church leaders; expulsion of the Saints from Missouri; missionary efforts in by the 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 ; missionary efforts in other nations; the death of church patriarch ; the establishment of the city charter; the commencement of construction of the Nauvoo ; the expedition that facilitated temple construction; the introduction of the doctrine of proxy baptism for deceased persons; the dedicatory prayer by 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.
<May 20> appointed with him on a Committee for the printing of the Hymn Book, and cause 3,000 copies to be issued without delay— also that the same Committee — — — — — — — — — cause 3000 copies of the Book of Mormon, to be printed and completed with as little delay as possible, with an index affixed to the same, and the form of the book to be at the disposal of the Committee, Their views were written and signed by Elders , and when left direct for ; saw at the Potteries who approved the Beacon Conference— [HC 4:131]
See 24 May 1840 entry in History Draft.
<24> Sunday 24 met with the Church and on Monday 25. visited the Printers to enquire their prices &c.
See 25 May 1840 entry in History Draft.
<25> “ May 25. 1840— To the Presidency, High Council, and Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at — We commend to your notice the Brethren and Sisters that have commendatory letters from us of this date, that you will do all that you consistently can for them— for I verily believe they have the utmost confidence in you, and will receive with gratitude your advice and instruction, and cheerfully submit to the rules and regulations of the Church. They have our blessings, and we trust their subsequent conduct will entitle them to your blessings also, and the Church generally. We rejoice that we can say, the work of God here is in a prosperous way, yea, we rejoice greatly at the aspect of the times, expecting the time to be not far distant, when the Standard of Truth will be conspicuously raised throughout this Land. We have witnessed the flowing of the Saints towards , the stream has begun, and we expect to see it continue running, till it shall have drained the Salt or the light from Babylon, when we hope to shout Hosanna home. Dear Brethren accept our love and present it to the Church of your Brethren in the new and everlasting Covenant— , , —
See 26 May 1840 entry in History Draft.
<26> Tuesday 26. Elder arrived at , and 27 arrived <at >, when the Committee on the Hymn Book commenced, and continued selecting <Hymns> until the 30th. when Elders , , and went to and preached on Sunday the 31st..
See 27 May 1840 entry in History Draft.
<27> Wednesday 27 Bishop died at aged 46 years— He lost his life in consequence of the Persecutions, and he is one of that number whose blood will be required at their hands. His daughter Harriet Pamela died on the 16th. of May, aged 19 years. [HC 4:132]
The first number of “The Latter Day Saints Millenial Star” was issued at , in pamphlet form of Twenty four pages. Edited by price Six pence— Office 149 Oldham Road—
See 1 June 1840 entry in History Draft.
<June 1> Monday June 1. 1840 The Saints have already erected about two hundred and fifty houses at — mostly block houses, a few framed, and a many more in lively operation. The Gospel is spreading through the — , England, Scotland and other places, with great rapidity. [HC 4:133]
Elders and were engaged in blessing the brethren who were about to sail for . [p. 1060]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [669]
See 24 May 1840 entry in History Draft.
- [670]
Young, Journal, 24–25 May 1840, p. [29].
Historian’s Office. “History of Brigham Young.” In Manuscript History of Brigham Young, ca. 1856–1860, vol. 1, pp. 1–104. CHL. CR 100 150, box 1, fd. 1.
- [671]
See 25 May 1840 entry in History Draft.
- [672]
- [673]
See 26 May 1840 entry in History Draft.
- [674]
Young, Journal, 26–31 May 1840, p. [29].
Historian’s Office. “History of Brigham Young.” In Manuscript History of Brigham Young, ca. 1856–1860, vol. 1, pp. 1–104. CHL. CR 100 150, box 1, fd. 1.
- [675]
See 27 May 1840 entry in History Draft.
- [676]
Obituary for Edward Partridge, Times and Seasons, June 1840, 1:127–128.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
- [677]
LDS Millennial Star, May 1840, 1:1.
Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.
- [678]
See 1 June 1840 entry in History Draft.
- [679]
“Immigration,” Times and Seasons, June 1840, 1:127.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
- [680]
Young, Journal, 1–3 June 1840, [29].
Historian’s Office. “History of Brigham Young.” In Manuscript History of Brigham Young, ca. 1856–1860, vol. 1, pp. 1–104. CHL. CR 100 150, box 1, fd. 1.
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