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.
<June 21>
| William Evans | Priest | to have care of the Church at | Stokes Lane | |
| William Davis | ditto | Assistant — — — — | ditto — — | ditto |
| John Sanders | ditto | ditto — — — — — | ditto — — | ditto |
| Thomas Vernon | Teacher — — — — — | ditto — — | ditto | |
| John Fidoe — — | ditto | — — — — — — | ditto — — | Bishop Froome. |
Carried unanimously
Moved by , and seconded by , That Elder Thomas Clark have charge of the Churches at Dunsclose, Old Starridge, Ashfield, and Crowcutt; that Elder Samuel Jones have charge of the Churches at Keysend Street, Wind Point, Colwell, Pale House, and Malvern Hill; that Elder Philip Green have charge of the Churches at Shucknell Hill, Lugwardine, and Marden; that Elder John Cheese have charge of the Churches at Stokes Lane, Woferwood Common, and Bishop Froome; that Elder Charles Price have charge of the Churches at Ledbury, Moorend Cross, and Ridgway Cross; that Elder James Hill have charge of the churches at Hope Rough and Stanley Hill; that Elder have charge of the Church at Froome’s Hill. Carried unanimously. Moved by the , seconded by , that Elder be the Presiding Elder over — — — — — — — — this Conference. Carried unanimously <after remarks by the , the meeting> adjourned till two oclock P. M. During the recess ten persons were baptized. Assembled at two oclock according to adjournment, and administered the sacrament to several hundred Saints; after which twenty were confirmed, and twenty children blessed under the hands of Elders and , accompanied with instructions by the , explanatory of the ordinance. Moved by , seconded by the that represent this Conference to the General Conference at on the 6th. July. Carried. Moved and Carried that the of the Conference present to the presiding Elder , a copy of the Minutes of this Conference for safe keeping; also a copy, to present to the General Conference at . The minutes were then read, — — — — — — — and accepted. The followed by , then pro[HC 4:139]ceeded to give such instruction to the Saints concerning the order of the Church, and the several duties of the Members, as the Spirit directed; and bore testimony to the multitude of the truth of the work, followed by , when it was moved by , seconded by the , that this Conference adjourn to the 21st. September next, 10 0’clock A.M: at this place— Carried. After prayer and singing, the assembly dispersed, the Elders and Officers went into Council, when it was moved by , and seconded by , that we proceed to establish and organize monthly Councils of the Officers of the Froomes Hill Conference, to commence on Friday the 3rd. day of July next, at half past seven o’clock in the several divisions respectively assigned to the different Elders, viz:—
| Elder | Thomas Clark, | President and | James Meeks — — — — | Clerk, | Dunclose. | Elder | Charles Price | ditto | Thomas Jenkings | ditto | Moorend Cross. |
| ditto | Samuel Jones — | ditto — — | William Williams — | ditto — | Windpoint. | do. | James Hill | ditto | Joseph Pullen— | ditto | Stanley Hill |
| ditto | Philip Green — | ditto — — | Francis Burnett — — | ditto — — | Lugwardine. | do. | ditto | John Morgan | ditto | Fromme<s> Hill | |
| ditto | John Cheese — — | ditto — — | George Allen — — | ditto — | Stokes Lane. |
Carried.
Moved by and seconded by , that a monthly general Conference of the Officers of this Conference, be held at Stanley Hill, to commence on Friday, the 17th. of July next at half past 7 o’clock P.M. Elder President, and Elder — — — — — Clerk. Carried unanimously. The president then proceeded to explain the nature of the Priesthood, and the duties and privileges of the several officers— and gave such instruction as their situation required, followed by , who explained many important principles connected with the building up of the kingdom. The minutes of the Council were then read, — — — — — — — — and accepted, when the Council adjourned; and after singing “the Spirit of God.” &c. the brethren separated, with feelings of gratitude and thanksgiving that God had been with his people, and that the Spirit of Union and love had prevailed in all the deliberations of the day. . President. Clerk. Remarks— The different branches in this region are so scattered, that it has not been possible to ascertain the number of members connected with each individual Church, but — — — — — — — — — — — — — — connected with the Bran Green and Gadfield Elm, and the Froome Hill Conferences, together with a small branch at Little Garway of 12 members, 1 Priest, and 1 Teacher, are 33 Churches; 53[HC 4:140]4 Members; 75 Officers, viz= 10 Elders, 52 Priests, and 13 Teachers; and for the comforting of the Saints, and with heartfelt gratitude to our heavenly Father, we would say, that it is less than four months since the fulness of the gospel was first preached in this region, which is a proof that God is beginning to make a short work in these last days. — [p. 1065]
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