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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<December 20> alike to us; but we shall go for our friends, our tried friends, and the cause of human liberty which is the cause of God. We are aware that “divide and conquer” is the watchword with many, but with us it cannot be done— we love liberty too well— we have suffered too much to be easily duped— we have no cat’s paws amongst us. We voted for General Harrison because we loved him— he was a gallant officer and a tried statesman; but this is no reason why we should always be governed by his friends— he is now dead, and all his friends are not ours. We claim the privileges of freemen, and shall act accordingly. is a Master Spirit, and his friends are our friends— we are willing to cast our banners in the air, and fight by his side in the cause of humanity, and equal rights— the cause of liberty and the law. Snyder and Moore are his friends— they are ours. These men are free from the prejudices and superstitions of the age, and such men we love, and such men will ever receive our support, be their political predilections what they may. Snyder and Moore, are known to be our friends; their friendship is vouched for by those whom we have tried. We will never be justly charged with the sin of ingratitude— they have served us, and we will serve them. Joseph Smith— Lieutenant General of the Nauvoo Legion”— [HC 4:480]

21 December 1841 • Tuesday

<21> Tuesday 21. <I received from> <a letter on business; to which I wrote the following reply.> <See addenda Book page 47>. [HC 4:481] [HC 4:482]

22 December 1841 • Wednesday

<22> <Wednesday 22 (see addenda page 1. note a.)> [HC 4:483]

24 December 1841 • Friday

<24> Friday 24 This evening I had a consultation with and about establishing an Agency in England for the Cheap and expeditious Conveyance of the Saints to , and for our convenience in Merchandize <See addenda book page 46>

25 December 1841 • Saturday

<25> Saturday 25 being Christmas, [blank] , , , , , and their Wives, and spent the evening at s, and after supper gave each of the twelve <apostles> a fractional lot of Land lying on the West side of his second addition to —

<25th. At a Conference held in Batavia, Gennessee County, N.Y. 11 Branches comprising 15 Elders, 7 Priests, 7 Teachers, 4 Deacons, and 207 Members were represented.>

26 December 1841 • Sunday

<26> Sunday 26 The public Meeting of the Saints was at my — — — — — — — — — house <this> — — — — evening — — — — — and after Patriarch and Elder had spoken on the principles of faith and the Gifts of the Spirit, <I> — — — — — — — read the 13th. chapter of 1st. Corinthians <Also> a part of the 14th. chapter, and remarked that the gift of tongues was necessary in the Church; but that if Satan could not speak in tongues he could not tempt a Dutchman, or any other nation, but the English, for he can tempt the Englishman, for he has tempted me and I am an Englishman; but the Gift of Tongues by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the Church, is for the benefit of the Servants of God to preach to unbelievers, as on the days of Pentecost, when devout men from every nation [HC 4:485] shall assemble to hear the things of God, let the Elders preach to them in their own mother tongue, whether it is German, French, Spanish, or Irish, or any other, and let those interpret who understand the Language spoken, in their Mother Tongue, and this is what the Apostle meant in 1st. Corinthians 14. 27. [p. 1266]

December 20 alike to us; but we shall go for our friends, our tried friends, and the cause of human liberty which is the cause of God. We are aware that “divide and conquer” is the watchword with many, but with us it cannot be done— we love liberty too well— we have suffered too much to be easily duped— we have no cat’s paws amongst us. We voted for General Harrison because we loved him— he was a gallant officer and a tried statesman; but this is no reason why we should always be governed by his friends— he is now dead, and all his friends are not ours. We claim the privileges of freemen, and shall act accordingly. is a Master Spirit, and his friends are our friends— we are willing to cast our banners in the air, and fight by his side in the cause of humanity, and equal rights— the cause of liberty and the law. Snyder and Moore are his friends— they are ours. These men are free from the prejudices and superstitions of the age, and such men we love, and such men will ever receive our support, be their political predilections what they may. Snyder and Moore, are known to be our friends; their friendship is vouched for by those whom we have tried. We will never be justly charged with the sin of ingratitude— they have served us, and we will serve them. Joseph Smith— Lieutenant General of the Nauvoo Legion”— [HC 4:480]

21 December 1841 • Tuesday

21 Tuesday 21. I received from a letter on business; to which I wrote the following reply. See addenda Book page 47. [HC 4:481] [HC 4:482]

22 December 1841 • Wednesday

22 Wednesday 22 (see addenda page 1. note a.) [HC 4:483]

24 December 1841 • Friday

24 Friday 24 This evening I had a consultation with and about establishing an Agency in England for the Cheap and expeditious Conveyance of the Saints to , and for our convenience in Merchandize See addenda book page 46

25 December 1841 • Saturday

25 Saturday 25 being Christmas, [blank] , , , , , and their Wives, and spent the evening at s, and after supper gave each of the twelve apostles a fractional lot of Land lying on the West side of his second addition to —

See margin

25th. At a Conference held in Batavia, Gennessee County, N.Y. 11 Branches comprising 15 Elders, 7 Priests, 7 Teachers, 4 Deacons, and 207 Members were represented.

A Conference met in the Universalist Church, in Hope, Waldo [HC 4:484] Co., Maine, when Fox Islands 5 Elders, 1 Priest, 2 Teachers, 1 Deacon, & 100 members. also the Main Land with 6 Elders, 2 Priests, 3 Teachers, 1 Deacon & 68 members were represented, Otis Shaw Prest. and Calvin C. Pendleton— Clerk— (See Alpheus Gifford’s history pasted on next paage)

26 December 1841 • Sunday

26 Sunday 26 The public Meeting of the Saints was at my — — — — — — — — — house this — — — — evening — — — — — and after Patriarch and Elder had spoken on the principles of faith and the Gifts of the Spirit, I — — — — — — — read the 13th. chapter of 1st. Corinthians Also a part of the 14th. chapter, and remarked that the gift of tongues was necessary in the Church; but that if Satan could not speak in tongues he could not tempt a Dutchman, or any other nation, but the English, for he can tempt the Englishman, for he has tempted me and I am an Englishman; but the Gift of Tongues by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the Church, is for the benefit of the Servants of God to preach to unbelievers, as on the days of Pentecost, when devout men from every nation [HC 4:485] shall assemble to hear the things of God, let the Elders preach to them in their own mother tongue, whether it is German, French, Spanish, or Irish, or any other, and let those interpret who understand the Language spoken, in their Mother Tongue, and this is what the Apostle meant in 1st. Corinthians 14. 27. [p. 1266]

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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. 1233
  See 21 Dec. 1841 entry in History Draft.
2. 1234
  Letter to Edward Hunter, 21 Dec. 1841.
3. 1235
  See 24 Dec. 1841 entry in History Draft.
4. 1236
  JS, Journal, 24 Dec. 1841.
5. 1237
  See 25 Dec. 1841 entry in History Draft.
6. 1238
  TEXT: Insertion written sideways in left margin.
7. 1239
  See 26 Dec. 1841 entry in History Draft.
8. 1240
  JS, Journal, 26 Dec. 1841.