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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<March 17> Wednesday 17. Ship “Alesto” sailed from for with <54> Saints led by Elders Thomas Smith and William Moss. Elders , , and Father Melling went to ; — — — — Elders and to Harden; <and to Leek.>

18 March 1841 • Thursday

<18> <Elder attended a Coun[HC 4:310]cil of the Officers and Members of the Church at Leek, numbering 63 members, 1 Elder, 6 Priests, 2 Teachers & 2 Deacons. Stephen Nixon was ordained an Elder, and John Hudson, Jacob Gibson, Joseph Knight— Priests; and F. Rushton, Ed Rushton Teachers.>

20 March 1841 • Saturday

<20> Saturday 20

“City of March 20. 1841. Brother , Bishop of the Stake at Pleasant Vale, and also Brother President of the Stake at Freedom, desire President Joseph Smith to enquire of the Lord, his will concerning them”

I enquired of the Lord concerning the foregoing question, and received the following answer

“City of March 20. 1841 Let my Servants and have an agency for the selling of Stock for the , and assist my servants , , , and in building said , and let my Servants , and take stock in the , that the poor of my people may have employment, and that accommodations may be made for the Strangers who shall come to visit this place, and for this purpose let them devote all their properties, saith the Lord”—

About this time I received a Revelation given in the City of , in answer to the following Interrogatory—

“What is the Will of the Lord concerning the Saints in the Territory of ?” Verily thus saith the Lord, I say unto you, if those who call themselves by my name, and are essaying to be my Saints, if they will do my will and keep my commandments concerning them; let them gather themselves together unto the places, which I shall appoint unto them by my servant Joseph, and build up cities unto my name that they may be prepared for that which is in store for a time to come. Let them build up a City unto my name upon the Land opposite to the City of [HC 4:311] , and let the name of Zarahemla be named upon it. And let all those who come from the East, and the West, and the North, and the South, that have desires to dwell therein, take up their inheritances in the same, as well as in the City of , or in the City of , and in all the Stakes which I have appointed saith the Lord.”

21 March 1841 • Sunday

<21> <Sunday 21. Elder preached at Leek, and confirmed one.>

<See Addenda Book, page 25> [HC 4:312]

23–24 March 1841 • Tuesday–Wednesday

<23> Tuesday 23. returned to , and wrote the following history of the “Mission to England, or the first foreign Mission of the Latter Day Saints”—

“About the first of June 1837 Elder was called by the Spirit of Revelation, and set apart by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, then at . Ohio. North America, to preside over a Mission to England, accompanied by Elder , who was set apart for the same work at the same time. In a few days, Brother , Priest, was set apart; and on the eve of the 12th., Elder , (having been absent several months, on a long journey, and having returned the day previous) was called and set apart for the same Mission. The following morning Tuesday 13th. these brethren gave the parting hand, bid farewell to home, and without purse or scrip started for England. They were accompanied 12 miles to , on Lake Erie, by Elders , and Brother , and Sisters , [Rhoda Young] Greene, Fielding, (Brother and Wife accompanied the Mission to , and Brother Fitch Brigham to Utica,) and others, with whom they [p. 1173]

17 March 1841 • Wednesday

March 17 Wednesday 17. Ship “Alesto” sailed from for with 54 Saints led by Elders Thomas Smith and William Moss. Elders , , and Father Melling went to ; — — — — Elders and to Harden; and to Leek.

18 March 1841 • Thursday

18 Elder attended a Coun[HC 4:310]cil of the Officers and Members of the Church at Leek, numbering 63 members, 1 Elder, 6 Priests, 2 Teachers & 2 Deacons. Stephen Nixon was ordained an Elder, and John Hudson, Jacob Gibson, Joseph Knight— Priests; and F. Rushton, Ed Rushton Teachers.

20 March 1841 • Saturday

20 Saturday 20

I enquired of the Lord concerning the foregoing question, and received the following answer

About this time I received a Revelation given in the City of , in answer to the following Interrogatory—

21 March 1841 • Sunday

21 Sunday 21. Elder preached at Leek, and confirmed one.

See Addenda Book, page 25 [HC 4:312]

23–24 March 1841 • Tuesday–Wednesday

23 Tuesday 23. returned to , and wrote the following history of the “Mission to England, or the first foreign Mission of the Latter Day Saints”—

“About the first of June 1837 Elder was called by the Spirit of Revelation, and set apart by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, then at . Ohio. North America, to preside over a Mission to England, accompanied by Elder , who was set apart for the same work at the same time. In a few days, Brother , Priest, was set apart; and on the eve of the 12th., Elder , (having been absent several months, on a long journey, and having returned the day previous) was called and set apart for the same Mission. The following morning Tuesday 13th. these brethren gave the parting hand, bid farewell to home, and without purse or scrip started for England. They were accompanied 12 miles to , on Lake Erie, by Elders , and Brother , and Sisters , Rhoda Young Greene, Fielding, (Brother and Wife accompanied the Mission to , and Brother Fitch Brigham to Utica,) and others, with whom they [p. 1173]

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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. 944
  See 17 Mar. 1841 entry in History Draft.
2. 945
  Young, Journal, 17 Mar. 1841, p. [28].
  
  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.
3. 946
  George A. Smith, Autobiography, 217–219.
  
  Smith, George A. Autobiography, ca. 1860–1882. George Albert Smith, Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322, box 1, fd. 2.
4. 947
  See 20 Mar. 1841 entry in History Draft.
5. 948
  Revelation, 20 Mar. 1841.
6. 949
  Revelation, ca. Mar. 1841 [D&C 125].
7. 950
  George A. Smith, Autobiography, 221.
  
  Smith, George A. Autobiography, ca. 1860–1882. George Albert Smith, Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322, box 1, fd. 2.
8. 951
  See 23 Mar. 1841 entry in History Draft.
9. 952
  Young, Journal, 23 Mar. 1841, 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.
10. 953
  “Mission to England,” LDS Millennial Star, Apr. 1841, 1:289–296.
  
  Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.
11. 954
  Mercy Rachael Fielding Thompson.