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 25— 1838> My brother , and returned, having travelled fifteen hundred miles, nine hundred on foot and the remainder by Steam Boat and otherwise. They visited several branches and would have accomplished the object of their mission, had it not been for the troubles at . When nearly home they were known and pursued by the mob, which compelled them to travel one hundred miles in two days and nights. The ground at the time was very slippery and a severe north west wind was blowing in their faces, they had but little to eat and narrowly escaped freezing both nights (see page 876)

Addenda • 28 November 1840

<November 28 1840 page 1123> Elders and , the Committee appointed at the October Conference, wrote a petition to Congress for the redress of the grievances of the Latter-Day-Saints in , setting forth their wrongs and sufferings, in substance the same as my petition of the 28th. November 1839 in connection with and . (page 1123)

Addenda • 28 September 1840

<September 28 1840> On the night of the 28th. Elder had the following dream, <as related by himself> “Having great anxiety for the welfare of the small <page 1102> branch which we had raised in , I retired to rest and had the following dream— I thought that we dug a well <(by )> on high ground in order to obtain Water, and after digging some considerable time, we came to an Excellent Spring, we then commenced to back it up, but before it was finished we had occasion to leave for a short time, and when we returned to complete <it> we found it <carefully><carefully> filled up, with sand, and all attempts to remove it, proving unavailing, we thought it better to choose another spot on lower ground, where we were successful. When we returned to , we experienced a perfect fulfillment of my Dream <having to open a new preaching place ><having to open a new preaching place — —> at Barrett’s academy, King Square, Goswell road— <our former place being closed against us> see page 1102

Addenda • 30 August 1840

<August 30 1840> Elders , & , after having spent ten days visiting the Clergymen and Preachers <and others> of the several denominations, asking the privilege of preaching in their Chapels, [blank] and being continually refused by them in a contemptuous manner, they determined to preach in the open air, Jonah like; and accordingly went to Smithfield market, (to the spot where John Rodgers was burnt at the Stake,) <(by > for the purpose of preaching at 10 a.m., where they were notified by the Police that the Lord Mayor had issued orders, prohibiting street preaching in the City. A Mr. Connor stept up and said, “I will shew you a place outside of his jurisdiction”; and guided them to Tabernacle square, where they found an assembly of about 400 people listening to a preacher <who was> standing on a Chair; when he got thro’, another preacher rose to speak. stated to the first clergyman, “there is a man present, from , who would like to preach”; which was granted; when Elder delivered a discourse of about 20 min: on the first principles of the gospel, taking for his text Mark 16 ch 16 v; after which asked the preacher to give out another appointment at the same place for the American Elders to preach; when he jumped up and said, “I have just learned that the Gentleman who has addressed you is a Latter Day Saint; I know them; they are a very bad people; they have split up many churches, and have done a great deal of hurt”; he spoke all manner of evil and gave the L.D.S. a very bad character, and commanded the people not to hear the Elders, “as we have got the gospel, and can save the people, without Infidelity, Socialism, or Latter Day Saints”. asked the privilege of standing on the chair to give out an appointment himself; the preacher said, “you shall not do it, you have no right to preach here”; jerked the chair away from him, and ran away with it; several of the crowd said, “you have as much right to preach here, as he has and give out your appointment”; whereupon gave out an appointment for 3 o’clock p.m. at which time a large congregation was gathered; after opening the meeting by singing and prayer, spoke about 30 min: from Gal: 1 ch 8. 9. v upon the first principles of the gospel. followed upon the same subjects; the people gave good attention, and seemed much interested in what they heard; the inhabitants who lived around the square opened their windows to four stories high; the most of them were crowded with anxious listeners, which is an uncommon occurrence; the meeting was dismissed in the midst of good feelings. Mr. Conner invited the Elders to his house; soon after they arrived there, felt impressed to return to the place of preaching; when he got there, he found [p. 19 [addenda]]

Addenda • 25 December 1838

December 25— 1838 My brother , and returned, having travelled fifteen hundred miles, nine hundred on foot and the remainder by Steam Boat and otherwise. They visited several branches and would have accomplished the object of their mission, had it not been for the troubles at . When nearly home they were known and pursued by the mob, which compelled them to travel one hundred miles in two days and nights. The ground at the time was very slippery and a severe north west wind was blowing in their faces, they had but little to eat and narrowly escaped freezing both nights (see page 876)

Addenda • 28 November 1840

November 28 1840 page 1123 Elders and , the Committee appointed at the October Conference, wrote a petition to Congress for the redress of the grievances of the Latter-Day-Saints in , setting forth their wrongs and sufferings, in substance the same as my petition of the 28th. November 1839 in connection with and . (page 1123)

Addenda • 28 September 1840

September 28 1840 On the night of the 28th. Elder had the following dream, as related by himself “Having great anxiety for the welfare of the small page 1102 branch which we had raised in , I retired to rest and had the following dream— I thought that we dug a well (by ) on high ground in order to obtain Water, and after digging some considerable time, we came to an Excellent Spring, we then commenced to back it up, but before it was finished we had occasion to leave for a short time, and when we returned to complete it we found it carefully filled up, with sand, and all attempts to remove it, proving unavailing, we thought it better to choose another spot on lower ground, where we were successful. When we returned to , we experienced a perfect fulfillment of my Dream having to open a new preaching place — — at Barrett’s academy, King Square, Goswell road— our former place being closed against us see page 1102

Addenda • 30 August 1840

August 30 1840 Elders , & , after having spent ten days visiting the Clergymen and Preachers and others of the several denominations, asking the privilege of preaching in their Chapels, [blank] and being continually refused by them in a contemptuous manner, they determined to preach in the open air, Jonah like; and accordingly went to Smithfield market, (to the spot where John Rodgers was burnt at the Stake,) (by for the purpose of preaching at 10 a.m., where they were notified by the Police that the Lord Mayor had issued orders, prohibiting street preaching in the City. A Mr. Connor stept up and said, “I will shew you a place outside of his jurisdiction”; and guided them to Tabernacle square, where they found an assembly of about 400 people listening to a preacher who was standing on a Chair; when he got thro’, another preacher rose to speak. stated to the first clergyman, “there is a man present, from , who would like to preach”; which was granted; when Elder delivered a discourse of about 20 min: on the first principles of the gospel, taking for his text Mark 16 ch 16 v; after which asked the preacher to give out another appointment at the same place for the American Elders to preach; when he jumped up and said, “I have just learned that the Gentleman who has addressed you is a Latter Day Saint; I know them; they are a very bad people; they have split up many churches, and have done a great deal of hurt”; he spoke all manner of evil and gave the L.D.S. a very bad character, and commanded the people not to hear the Elders, “as we have got the gospel, and can save the people, without Infidelity, Socialism, or Latter Day Saints”. asked the privilege of standing on the chair to give out an appointment himself; the preacher said, “you shall not do it, you have no right to preach here”; jerked the chair away from him, and ran away with it; several of the crowd said, “you have as much right to preach here, as he has and give out your appointment”; whereupon gave out an appointment for 3 o’clock p.m. at which time a large congregation was gathered; after opening the meeting by singing and prayer, spoke about 30 min: from Gal: 1 ch 8. 9. v upon the first principles of the gospel. followed upon the same subjects; the people gave good attention, and seemed much interested in what they heard; the inhabitants who lived around the square opened their windows to four stories high; the most of them were crowded with anxious listeners, which is an uncommon occurrence; the meeting was dismissed in the midst of good feelings. Mr. Conner invited the Elders to his house; soon after they arrived there, felt impressed to return to the place of preaching; when he got there, he found [p. 19 [addenda]]

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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. 1688
  George A. Smith, Autobiography, 116–121.
  
  Smith, George A. Autobiography, ca. 1860–1882. George Albert Smith, Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322, box 1, fd. 2.
2. 1689
  Woodruff, Journal, 30 Aug. 1842.
  
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.