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...
View Full Bio
,
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 ...
View Full Bio
, 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...
View Full Bio
; 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...
View Full Bio
’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...
More Info
, 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...
View Full Bio
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....
More Info
, 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...
View Full Bio
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...
View Full Bio
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...
View Full Bio
,
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...
View Full Bio
,
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,...
View Full Bio
, 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 ...
More Info
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...
More Info
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 ...
View Glossary
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 ...
More Info
; 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...
View Full Bio
; 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....
More Info
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...
More Info
; 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...
More Info
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, ...
View Full Bio
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.

Hide editing marks

<November 2> and otherwise, under their Commander , marched out of their town, through the space into our square, formed a hollow square, and grounded their arms. then rode forward and delivered up to me his sword and pistols, I then directed a company from the respective Brigades, to form a front, rear, right and left, plank guards, and to march the Prisoners back to , and protect and take charge of them until the next morning. I then detailed a Company from ’s command, to take charge of the arms. Then, in order to gratify the army and to let the Mormons see our forces, marched around the Town, and through the principal Streets, and back to head quarters. [HC 3:198] Considering the war at an end in this place, I issued orders for ’s Brigade, with the exception of one Company and Gen. Graham’s Brigade, to take up their line of March for their respective head Quarters, and dismiss their men— and directed to take charge of the prisoners (demanded for trial) and arms, and to march them to my Head Quarters at , to await further orders, and to dismiss all except a guard for the prisoners and arms. Nov.r 2nd. I relieved the guard placed over the Prisoners at by 4 Companies of Brigade, and placed them under the command of Col Thompson, 2 Brig, 3 Div. with instructions to report to . The balance of brigade with ’s Company, of ’s Brigade under the command of , I ordered to , a Mormon Town in Daviess County, with instructions to disarm the Mormon forces at that place, and to leave a guard of 50 men for the protection of prisoners, and to report to . In order to carry the treaty and stipulation, into effect, I have required your Aid de-camp, Col Williams, together with Col. Burch and , of , to attend to drawing up the papers legally, and directed Col. Thompson to wait on them with a portion of his command, and to cause all their orders and requirements, consistent with the stipulations to be carried into effect. This day about 12 o’clock there was a Battalion of 100 men from Platte arrived at , which I ordered back, having understood that would be on in a day or two, with sufficient force to operate in and , and for any service that may be required.” “— Major General— Commanding— ” [HC 3:199]

3 November 1838 • Saturday

<3. Joseph, hurried across the > Saturday 3. We continued our March and arrived at the which separated us from , where we hurried across the ferry when but few troops passed. The truth was had sent an express from to , to have the Prisoners sent to him, and thus prevent our going to , both armies being competitors for the honor of possessing the “Royal Prisoners”— wanted the privilege of putting us to death himself, and and his troops were desirous of exhibiting us in the Streets of —

4 November 1838 • Sunday

<4> Sunday 4. We were visited by some Ladies and Gentlemen— One of the Women came up and very candidly enquired of the troops, which of the prisoners was the Lord [HC 3:200] whom the Mormons worshipped? one of the guard pointed to me with a significant smile, and said “this is he.” The woman then turning to me, inquired whether I professed to be Lord and Savior? I replied, that I professed to be nothing but a Man, and a minister of Salvation sent by Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel. This answer so surprised the woman, that she began to inquire into our doctrine; and I preached a discourse both to her, and [p. 853]

November 2 and otherwise, under their Commander , marched out of their town, through the space into our square, formed a hollow square, and grounded their arms. then rode forward and delivered up to me his sword and pistols, I then directed a company from the respective Brigades, to form a front, rear, right and left, plank guards, and to march the Prisoners back to , and protect and take charge of them until the next morning. I then detailed a Company from ’s command, to take charge of the arms. Then, in order to gratify the army and to let the Mormons see our forces, marched around the Town, and through the principal Streets, and back to head quarters. [HC 3:198] Considering the war at an end in this place, I issued orders for ’s Brigade, with the exception of one Company and Gen. Graham’s Brigade, to take up their line of March for their respective head Quarters, and dismiss their men— and directed to take charge of the prisoners (demanded for trial) and arms, and to march them to my Head Quarters at , to await further orders, and to dismiss all except a guard for the prisoners and arms. Nov.r 2nd. I relieved the guard placed over the Prisoners at by 4 Companies of Brigade, and placed them under the command of Col Thompson, 2 Brig, 3 Div. with instructions to report to . The balance of brigade with ’s Company, of ’s Brigade under the command of , I ordered to , a Mormon Town in Daviess County, with instructions to disarm the Mormon forces at that place, and to leave a guard of 50 men for the protection of prisoners, and to report to . In order to carry the treaty and stipulation, into effect, I have required your Aid de-camp, Col Williams, together with Col. Burch and , of , to attend to drawing up the papers legally, and directed Col. Thompson to wait on them with a portion of his command, and to cause all their orders and requirements, consistent with the stipulations to be carried into effect. This day about 12 o’clock there was a Battalion of 100 men from Platte arrived at , which I ordered back, having understood that would be on in a day or two, with sufficient force to operate in and , and for any service that may be required.” “— Major General— Commanding— ” [HC 3:199]

3 November 1838 • Saturday

3. Joseph, hurried across the Saturday 3. We continued our March and arrived at the which separated us from , where we hurried across the ferry when but few troops passed. The truth was had sent an express from to , to have the Prisoners sent to him, and thus prevent our going to , both armies being competitors for the honor of possessing the “Royal Prisoners”— wanted the privilege of putting us to death himself, and and his troops were desirous of exhibiting us in the Streets of —

4 November 1838 • Sunday

4 Sunday 4. We were visited by some Ladies and Gentlemen— One of the Women came up and very candidly enquired of the troops, which of the prisoners was the Lord [HC 3:200] whom the Mormons worshipped? one of the guard pointed to me with a significant smile, and said “this is he.” The woman then turning to me, inquired whether I professed to be Lord and Savior? I replied, that I professed to be nothing but a Man, and a minister of Salvation sent by Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel. This answer so surprised the woman, that she began to inquire into our doctrine; and I preached a discourse both to her, and [p. 853]

View entire transcript |

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. 4
  See 3 Nov. 1838 entry in History Draft.
2. 5
  Pratt, History of the Late Persecution, 44–46; Pratt, Late Persecution of the Church, 88–92.
  
  Pratt, Parley P. History of the Late Persecution Inflicted by the State of Missouri Upon the Mormons, In Which Ten Thousand American Citizens were Robbed, Plundered, and Driven From the State, and Many Others Imprisoned, Martyred, &c. For Their Religion, and All This by Military Force, by Order of the Executive. By P. P. Pratt, Minister of the Gospel. Written During Eight Months Imprisonment in that State. Detroit: Dawson and Bates, 1839.
  Pratt, Parley P. Late Persecution of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter Day Saints. Ten Thousand American Citizens Robbed, Plundered, and Banished; Others Imprisoned, and Others Martyred for Their Religion. With a Sketch of Their Rise, Progress and Doctrine. By P. P. Pratt, Minister of the Gospel, Written in Prison. New York: J. W. Harrison, 1840.
3. 6
  See 4 Nov. 1838 entry in History Draft.