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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<November 2> and confirm lease and release any part or all of my real Estate in and about or elsewhere within the State of , giving and granting unto my said attorney by these presents full power and authority in and about the premises, to have use and take all lawful means, in my name, for the purposes aforesaid, and upon the receipt of any such debts, dues, or sums of money (as the case may be) acquittances or other sufficient discharges, for me, and in my name to make and give. And generally to do all other acts and things in the law whatsoever, needful and necessary to be done in and about the premises for me and in my name, to do, execute and perform, as fully, and to all intents and purposes as I might or could— do if personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all and whatsoever my said Attorney shall lawfully do in and about the premises by virtue hereof. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this second day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one— Joseph Smith L.S. In presence of — .”

6 November 1841 • Saturday

<6> < took the Oath as a counsellor in the City Council.>

7 November 1841 • Sunday

<7> Sunday 7. <see Addenda book page 19.> [HC 4:445] I preached on the principles of Superstitution of which the whole world is so full, that but little room is left in the minds of Men for truth to operate. In the P.M. I attended a Council of the Elders at my Council room, relative to some affairs in which my brother was interested.

8 November 1841 • Monday

<8.> <At five o’clock P.M. I attended the dedication of the Baptismal Font in the . President was Spokesman.>

<see addenda book page 44> [HC 4:446]

9 November 1841 • Tuesday

<9> <I received a letter from , stating that he had purchased 5,000 $ worth of goods for me, and that he should visit , before his return home.>

10 November 1841 • Wednesday

<10> Up to this period a series of Storms and Earthquakes have desolated parts of the two Sicilies and Calabria.

A second English Edition of the Saints Hymn Book [blank] issued by Elder —

13 November 1841 • Saturday

<13.> Saturday 13. I attended the City Council and moved that the Mayor and Recorder of the City receive each one hundred dollars per annum for their services, which became a law. I also presented a bill for “an Ordinance concerning Vagrants and Disorderly persons” which passed into an Ordinance as <follows (see Addenda Book page 48) I also presented a bill for an Ordinance> <in relation to appeals, which passed unanimously.> I also argued before the Council the right of Taxation, but [HC 4:447] that the expences of the did not require it at present

14 November 1841 • Sunday

<14> <I preached to a large congregation at the . Nine of the Twelve Apostles met in Council, to prepare an Epistle to the Saints in Europe.>

15 November 1841 • Monday

<15> Monday 15.

“An Epistle of the Twelve <Apostles>. To the Saints scattered abroad in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man, and the Eastern Continent. Greeting: Beloved brethren:— We rejoice and thank our Heavenly Father daily in your behalf, that we hear of your faithfulness and diligence in the great work unto which you have been called, by the Holy Spirit, through the voice of the servants of the Most High, who have been and are now amongst you, for the purpose of instructing you in those principles, which are calculated to prepare the children of men for the renovation of the Earth and the restitution of all things spoken by the Prophets. Several months have passed away, since we bid adieu to our brethren and Sisters on the Islands of the Sea, and passed over the great deep to our homes, our kindred, the bosom of the Church, and the States of ; but neither time nor distance can efface from our [p. 1244]

November 2 and confirm lease and release any part or all of my real Estate in and about or elsewhere within the State of , giving and granting unto my said attorney by these presents full power and authority in and about the premises, to have use and take all lawful means, in my name, for the purposes aforesaid, and upon the receipt of any such debts, dues, or sums of money (as the case may be) acquittances or other sufficient discharges, for me, and in my name to make and give. And generally to do all other acts and things in the law whatsoever, needful and necessary to be done in and about the premises for me and in my name, to do, execute and perform, as fully, and to all intents and purposes as I might or could— do if personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all and whatsoever my said Attorney shall lawfully do in and about the premises by virtue hereof. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this second day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one— Joseph Smith L.S. In presence of — .”

6 November 1841 • Saturday

6 took the Oath as a counsellor in the City Council.

7 November 1841 • Sunday

7 Sunday 7. see Addenda book page 19. [HC 4:445] In the P.M. I attended a Council of the Elders at my Council room, relative to some affairs in which my brother was interested.

8 November 1841 • Monday

8. At five o’clock P.M. I attended the dedication of the Baptismal Font in the . President was Spokesman.

see addenda book page 44 [HC 4:446]

9 November 1841 • Tuesday

9 I received a letter from , stating that he had purchased 5,000 $ worth of goods for me, and that he should visit , before his return home.

10 November 1841 • Wednesday

10 Up to this period a series of Storms and Earthquakes have desolated parts of the two Sicilies and Calabria.

A second English Edition of the Saints Hymn Book [blank] issued by Elder —

a great part of Vicksburgh, Miss: consumed by fire—

13 November 1841 • Saturday

13. Saturday 13. I attended the City Council and moved that the Mayor and Recorder of the City receive each one hundred dollars per annum for their services, which became a law. I also presented a bill for “an Ordinance concerning Vagrants and Disorderly persons” which passed into an Ordinance as follows (see Addenda Book page 48) I also presented a bill for an Ordinance in relation to appeals, which passed unanimously. I also argued before the Council the right of Taxation, but [HC 4:447] that the expences of the did not require it at present

14 November 1841 • Sunday

14 I preached to a large congregation at the . Nine of the Twelve Apostles met in Council, to prepare an Epistle to the Saints in Europe.

15 November 1841 • Monday

15 Monday 15.

“An Epistle of the Twelve Apostles. To the Saints scattered abroad in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man, and the Eastern Continent. Greeting: Beloved brethren:— We rejoice and thank our Heavenly Father daily in your behalf, that we hear of your faithfulness and diligence in the great work unto which you have been called, by the Holy Spirit, through the voice of the servants of the Most High, who have been and are now amongst you, for the purpose of instructing you in those principles, which are calculated to prepare the children of men for the renovation of the Earth and the restitution of all things spoken by the Prophets. Several months have passed away, since we bid adieu to our brethren and Sisters on the Islands of the Sea, and passed over the great deep to our homes, our kindred, the bosom of the Church, and the States of ; but neither time nor distance can efface from our [p. 1244]

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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. 1165
  TEXT: “L.S.” in a circle.
2. 1166
  Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 6 Nov. 1841, 28.
  
  Nauvoo City Council Minute Book / Nauvoo City Council. “A Record of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Nauvoo Handcock County, State of Illinois, Commencing A.D. 1841,” ca. 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3435.
3. 1167
  See 7 Nov. 1841 entry in History Draft.
4. 1168
  Letter from Newel K. Whitney, 29 Oct. 1841.
5. 1169
  See 10 Nov. 1841 entry in History Draft.
6. 1170
  “Hymn Books,” Times and Seasons, Nov. 1841, 2:112.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
7. 1171
  “Sketch of the Travels and Ministry,” LDS Millennial Star, Oct. 1841, 2:89–90.
  
  Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.
8. 1172
  See 13 Nov. 1841 entry in History Draft.
9. 1173
  Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 13 Nov. 1841, 29–32.
  
  Nauvoo City Council Minute Book / Nauvoo City Council. “A Record of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Nauvoo Handcock County, State of Illinois, Commencing A.D. 1841,” ca. 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3435.
10. 1174
  Woodruff, Journal, 14 Nov. 1841.
  
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
11. 1175
  See 15 Nov. 1841 entry in History Draft.
12. 1176
  “An Epistle of the Twelve,” Times and Seasons, 15 Nov. 1841, 3:600–602.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
13. 1177
  TEXT: Originally written “Scotland, England” but marked to transpose the two words.
14. 1178
  TEXT: Originally written “now are” but marked to transpose the two words.