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...
View Full Bio
,
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 ...
View Full Bio
, 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...
View Full Bio
; 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...
View Full Bio
’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...
More Info
, 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...
View Full Bio
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....
More Info
, 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...
View Full Bio
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...
View Full Bio
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...
View Full Bio
,
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...
View Full Bio
,
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,...
View Full Bio
, 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 ...
More Info
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...
More Info
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 ...
View Glossary
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 ...
More Info
; 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...
View Full Bio
; 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....
More Info
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...
More Info
; 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...
More Info
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, ...
View Full Bio
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.

Hide editing marks

<April 15> were baptized of course, not for themselves, but for their dead, Chrysostum says that the Marchionites practiced baptism for the<ir> dead, “after a catechumen was dead they had a living man under the bed of the deceased; then coming to the dead man they asked him whether he would receive baptism; and he making no answer, the other answered for him, and said that he would be baptized in his stead; and so they baptized the living for the dead.” The Church of course at that time was degenerate, and the particular form might be incorrect, but the thing is sufficiently plain in the scriptures, hence Paul, in speaking of the doctrine says, “Else what shall they do, who are baptized for the dead? If the dead rise not all, why are they then baptized for the dead? 1 Cor: 15 ch. 29 verse. Hence it was that so great a responsibility rested upon the generation in which our Savior lived; for says he “That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the Earth from the blood of righteous Abel, unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you all these things shall come upon this generation,” Matthew 23 ch. 35. 36 v. Hence as they possessed greater privileges than any other generation, not only pertaining to themselves, but to their dead, their sin was greater; as they not only neglected their own salvation but that of their progenitors, and hence their blood was required at their hands. And now as the great purposes of God are hastening to their accomplishment and the things spoken of in the prophets are fulfilling, as the kingdom of God is established on the earth, and the ancient order of things restored, the Lord has manifested to us this duty and privilege, and we are commanded to be baptized for our dead, thus fulfilling the words of Obadiah when speaking of the glory of the Latter Day. “And Saviors shall come up upon Mount Zion to judge the remnant of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” A view of these things reconciles the scriptures of truth, justifies the ways of God to man; places the human family upon an equal footing, and harmonizes with every principle of righteousness, justice, and truth. We will conclude with the words of Peter: “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles,”... “For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit.”

16 April 1842 • Saturday

I continued busily engaged in making out a list of [HC 4:599] debtors and an invoice of my property to be passed into the hands of the Assignee until Saturday <16> evening the 16th. on which day the first number of “The Wasp” a Miscellaneous weekly newspaper was first published at my , , Editor, devoted to the Arts, Sciences, Literature, Agriculture, Manufacture, Trade, Commerce and the General news of the day on a small sheet at $1.50 per annum.

17 April 1842 • Sunday

<17> Sunday 17. Spent the day with my family at home.

18 April 1842 • Monday

<18> Monday 18. <In consequence of the utter annihilation of our property by mob violence in the State of , and the immense expences which we were compelled to incur to defend ourselves from the cruel persecutions of that , we were reduced to the necessity of availing ourselves of the privileges of the General Bankrupt Law. therefore> I went to in company with my brothers and , and severally testified to our lists of Insolvency before the Clerk of the County Commissioners Court. and many more brethren were at the same day on business— My Clerk went with us.

About this time a disturbance broke out in Rhode Island, by a part of the Inhabitants wishing to change their Constitution, and make it like other States in the Union, which created much confusion and angry feeling in that State, and excitement in other States.

19 April 1842 • Tuesday

<19.> Tuesday 19. Rode out and examined some land near the northern limits of the — &c [p. 1324]

April 15 were baptized of course, not for themselves, but for their dead, Chrysostum says that the Marchionites practiced baptism for their dead, “after a catechumen was dead they had a living man under the bed of the deceased; then coming to the dead man they asked him whether he would receive baptism; and he making no answer, the other answered for him, and said that he would be baptized in his stead; and so they baptized the living for the dead.” The Church of course at that time was degenerate, and the particular form might be incorrect, but the thing is sufficiently plain in the scriptures, hence Paul, in speaking of the doctrine says, “Else what shall they do, who are baptized for the dead? If the dead rise not all, why are they then baptized for the dead? 1 Cor: 15 ch. 29 verse. Hence it was that so great a responsibility rested upon the generation in which our Savior lived; for says he “That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the Earth from the blood of righteous Abel, unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you all these things shall come upon this generation,” Matthew 23 ch. 35. 36 v. Hence as they possessed greater privileges than any other generation, not only pertaining to themselves, but to their dead, their sin was greater; as they not only neglected their own salvation but that of their progenitors, and hence their blood was required at their hands. And now as the great purposes of God are hastening to their accomplishment and the things spoken of in the prophets are fulfilling, as the kingdom of God is established on the earth, and the ancient order of things restored, the Lord has manifested to us this duty and privilege, and we are commanded to be baptized for our dead, thus fulfilling the words of Obadiah when speaking of the glory of the Latter Day. “And Saviors shall come up upon Mount Zion to judge the remnant of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” A view of these things reconciles the scriptures of truth, justifies the ways of God to man; places the human family upon an equal footing, and harmonizes with every principle of righteousness, justice, and truth. We will conclude with the words of Peter: “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles,”... “For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit.”

16 April 1842 • Saturday

I continued busily engaged in making out a list of [HC 4:599] debtors and an invoice of my property to be passed into the hands of the Assignee until Saturday 16 evening the 16th. on which day the first number of “The Wasp” a Miscellaneous weekly newspaper was first published at my , , Editor, devoted to the Arts, Sciences, Literature, Agriculture, Manufacture, Trade, Commerce and the General news of the day on a small sheet at $1.50 per annum.

17 April 1842 • Sunday

17 Sunday 17. Spent the day with my family at home.

18 April 1842 • Monday

18 Monday 18. In consequence of the utter annihilation of our property by mob violence in the State of , and the immense expences which we were compelled to incur to defend ourselves from the cruel persecutions of that , we were reduced to the necessity of availing ourselves of the privileges of the General Bankrupt Law. therefore I went to in company with my brothers and , and severally testified to our lists of Insolvency before the Clerk of the County Commissioners Court. and many more brethren were at the same day on business— My Clerk went with us.

19 April 1842 • Tuesday

19. Tuesday 19. Rode out and examined some land near the northern limits of the — &c [p. 1324]

View entire transcript |

Cite this page

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. 1459
  See 16 Apr. 1842 entry in History Draft.
2. 1460
  JS, Journal, 15–16 Apr. 1842; “Proposals for Publishing the Wasp,” The Wasp, 16 Apr. 1842, pp. [1], [4].
  
  The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.
3. 1461
  See 17 Apr. 1842 entry in History Draft.
4. 1462
  JS, Journal, 17 Apr. 1842.
5. 1463
  See 18 Apr. 1842 entry in History Draft.
6. 1464
  JS, Journal, 18 Apr. 1842; “An Ordinance concerning Brothels and Disorderly Characters,” The Wasp, 14 May 1842, [3].
  
  The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.
7. 1465
  “Important Documents,” The Wasp, 14 May 1842, p. [1].
  
  The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.
8. 1466
  See 19 Apr. 1842 entry in History Draft.
9. 1467
  JS, Journal, 19 Apr. 1842.