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.
<November 22> [3 lines blank]
See 24 Nov. 1841 entry in History Draft.
<24> Wednesday 24. Elder who sailed from , on the Tyrean, with 204 Saints, arrived at with his Company, and Elders and went to meet them and give such Counsel as their Situation required.
See 26 Nov. 1841 entry in History Draft.
<26.> Friday 26 Affidavit of
“Whereas it hath been intimated to me by persons of credibility that there are persons in the surrounding country, who profess to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who have been using their influence and endeavors to instil unto the minds of good and worthy citizens in the State of , and the adjoining States, that the First Presidency, and others in authority and high standing in said Church, do sanction and approbate the members of said Church in stealing property from those persons who do not belong to said Church, and thereby to induce persons to aid and abet them in the act of stealing, and other evil practices. I therefore, hereby disavow any sanction or approbation by me, of the crime of theft— or any other evil practice, in any person or persons whatever, whereby either the lives or property of our fellow men may be unlawfully taken or molested: neither are such things sanctioned or approbated by the First Presidency, or any other person in authority or good standing in said Church, but such acts are altogether in violation of the rules order and regulations of the Church, contrary to the teachings given in said Church, and the laws of both God and Man. I caution the unwary, who belong to the aforesaid Church, and all other persons, against being duped, or led into any act or scheme which may endanger their character, lives or property, or bring reproach upon the Church; and I certify that I hold my person [HC 4:460] and property ready to support the laws of the Land, in the detection of any person or persons who may commit any breach of the same. To which I subscribe my name and testify, this 26th. day of November 1841. . Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th. day of November 1841. J.P.”
<27> <I attended City Council and presented a bill for an Ordinance in relation to Hawkers, Pedlars, Public shows, and exhibitions in order to prevent any immoral or obscene exhibition, which passed the Council by unanimous vote.>
See 28 Nov. 1841 entry in History Draft.
<28> Sunday 28. I spent the day in Council with the Twelve <Apostles> at the house of <conversing with them upon a variety of subjects. Bro was present, having been absent 4 years on a mission to England. I told the brethren that the book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the key stone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.>
See 29 Nov. 1841 entry in History Draft.
<29> Monday 29 I gave the following Affidavit and published it in the Times and Seasons
“City of , Illinois, November 29. A.D. 1841. To the Public. The transpiration of recent events makes it criminal for me to remain longer silent. The tongue of the vile yet speaks, and sends forth the poison of asps— the ears of the spoiler yet hear, and he puts forth his hands to iniquity. It has been proclaimed upon the house top and in the secret chamber, in the public walks and private circle, throughout the length and breadth of this vast continent, that stealing by the Latter Day Saints has received my approval; nay, that I have taught the doctrine, encouraged them in [p. 1255]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [1186]
See 24 Nov. 1841 entry in History Draft.
- [1187]
Richards, Journal, 24 Nov. 1841.
Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
- [1188]
See 26 Nov. 1841 entry in History Draft.
- [1189]
“Hyrum Smith’s Affidavit,” Times and Seasons, 1 Dec. 1841, 3:615–616.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
- [1190]
Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 27 Nov. 1841, 33–35.
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.
- [1191]
See 28 Nov. 1841 entry in History Draft.
- [1192]
Woodruff, Journal, 28 Nov. 1841.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
- [1193]
See 29 Nov. 1841 entry in History Draft.
- [1194]
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