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.
<January 25> not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brother, Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor. 6: 1–11.
Who, observing these things, would go to law, distressing his brother; thereby giving rise to hardness, evil speaking, strifes and animosities amongst those who have covenanted to keep the commandments of God— who have taken upon them the name of Saints, and if Saints are to judge Angels, and also to judge the world— why then are they not competent to judge in temporal matters, especially in trivial cases, taking the Law of the Lord for their guide, brotherly kindness, charity &c as well as the law of the land. Brethren, these are evils which ought not to exist among us. We hope the time will speedily arrive when these things will be done away, and every one stand in the office of his calling, as a faithful servant of God— building each other up— bearing each other’s infirmities, and so fulfil the law of Christ— < President,> , , , , , , , , , , WM. Huntington Sr., Daniel Carrier, , — Counsellors— Attest — Clerk”—
“Nauvoo Legion. Head Quarters, Nauvoo Legion, City of , Ill, Jany. 25. 1842 General Orders. All the public arms will be required to be in the best possible condition at the general inspection, and parade on the 7th.. May proximo, and no deficiency whatever will be countenanced, overlooked or suffered to pass without fine on that occasion— all persons, therefore, holding said arms will take notice, and govern themselves accordingly: and in order that the general inspection may pass off in a truly military style, alike honorable to the legion, and creditable to the Citizen soldier, the brigadiers are required to attend the battalion parades within their respective commands and inspect said arms in propria persona, prior to the general parade— Persons disregarding these general orders whether Officers or privates, will find themselves in the vocative. The invincibles (’s Company of light infantry,) will be detailed for fatigue duty, on escorts and special service; and will take post by assignment, and receive their orders direct from the , through his Herald and Armor Bearer. His Excellency the of , the of this judicial Circuit, and the Members of the Bar; the Officers of ; Col. Williams, and Col. Deming, with their respective Field and staff officers, of the Militia; and , and Col. Fuller, with their respective Field and Staff Officers, and Captns. Davis and Avery’s Companies of Calvary of the Militia; are respectfully invited to attend, and participate in the General Parade on the 7th. of May <Joseph Smith, Lieutenant General.”>
<26> Wednesday 26. Rode out to borrow money, to refund for money borrowed of John Benbow, as outfit for in his Agency, transacted a variety of business, explained Scripture to Elder in my , read in Book of Mormon in the evening.. Wrote a long letter to West Nantmeal on Temporal business.
<The Church is in a prosperous condition. and the Saints are exerting themselves to build the . The health of the is good.>
<Upwards of 23 vessels wrecked on different parts of the British Coast.>
<27> Thursday 27 Attending to business in general, in the afternoon in Council with the , or giving some [HC 4:502] particular instruction concerning the order of the Kingdom, and the management of business, placed the Carpet given by , on the Floor in my , Cast Lots with the , and spent the evening in General Council in the Upper Room In the course of the day, , and returned and gave a favorable report from , with his Letter of Attorney, Letter and Papers which he had received of me and the Church—
<28> Friday 28. While I was at my , and came and spent an hour— I received the following Revelation to the Twelve concerning the Times and Seasons Given January 28. 1842
Verily thus saith the [p. 1272]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [1299]
TEXT: This date corrected to 28th. See previous footnote.
- [1300]
TEXT: “William Marks President” originally written after Daniel Carrier; caret and line indicate this name should be moved to the front of the list of names.
- [1301]
- [1302]
See 26 Jan. 1842 entry in History Draft.
- [1303]
JS, Journal, 26 Jan. 1842.
- [1304]
- [1305]
See 27 Jan. 1842 entry in History Draft.
- [1306]
JS, Journal, 27 Jan. 1842.
- [1307]
See second 28 Jan. 1842 entry in History Draft.
- [1308]
JS, Journal, 28 Jan. 1842.
- [1309]
Go to page