History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843]

Source Note

JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. D-1, created 4 July 1845–4 Feb. 1846 and 1 July 1854–2 May 1855; 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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, Robert L. Campbell, 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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; 275 pages, plus 6 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the fourth volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This fourth volume covers the period from 1 Aug. 1842 to 1 July 1843; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, C-1, E-1 and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction
History, 1838–1856, volume D-1, constitutes the fourth of six volumes documenting the life of Joseph Smith and the early years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The series is also known as the Manuscript History of the Church and was originally published serially from 1842 to 1846 and 1851 to 1858 as the “History of Joseph Smith” in the Times and Seasons and Deseret News. This volume contains JS’s history from 1 August 1842 to 1 July 1843, and it was compiled after JS’s death.

The material recorded in volume D-1 was initially compiled under the direction of church historian
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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, with the assistance 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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. After Richards’s death in 1854,
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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continued work on the volume as the new church historian with Bullock’s continued help. The process adopted by Richards and Bullock involved Richards creating a set of rough draft notes and Bullock transcribing the notes into the volume along with the text of designated documents (such as letters and meeting minutes). George A. Smith followed a similar pattern, though he dictated the draft notes to Bullock and other scribes.

According to the Church Historian’s Office journal,
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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finished the third volume of the series, volume C-1, on Thursday, 3 July 1845, in
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. He began work on the fourth volume, D-1, the next day, beginning on page 1362 with the entry for 1 August 1842.
1
Historian’s Office, Journal, 3 and 4 July 1845.
(The pages in volumes A-1–E-1 were numbered consecutively.) Bullock continued work on the record, drawing upon
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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’s draft notes, until 3 February 1846—the day before D-1 and the other volumes were packed up in preparation for the Latter-day Saints’ exodus from Nauvoo. At that point he had reached page 1485 with the entry for 28 February 1843. Subsequently, apparently after the collection had arrived in Utah, Bullock added a brief comment beneath that entry: “end of W. Richard’s compiling[.] the books packed Feby. 4— 1846 in Nauvoo[.] Miles Romney— present. The records carried by T Bullock from Winter Quarters to G S L [Great Salt Lake] City in 1848.”

A notation at the top of page 1486 reports that “the books were unpacked in G. S. L. City by
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
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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. June 7. 1853. J[onathan] Grimshaw & Miles Romney present.” Vertically, in the margin, is a poignant epitaph: “Decr. 1 1853 Dr. Willard Richards wrote one line of History—being sick at the time—and was never able to do any more.” With Richards’s death on 11 March 1854, JS’s cousin
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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was called to the office of church historian. The notation on the top of page 1486 acknowledges this change in officers, noting, “commencement of George A. Smith’s compiling as Historian. April 13. 1854[.] [C]ommenced copying July 1. 1854.” From mid-April to the end of June 1854, George A. Smith, in collaboration with Thomas Bullock, worked on the draft notes for the history before a new scribe,
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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, resumed writing in D-1 on 1 July 1854, beginning with the entry for 1 March 1843.
2
Historian’s Office, Journal, 1 July 1854.

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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continued transcribing intermittently into the late fall of 1854, when he was assigned other duties in the Historian’s Office. He had reached page 1546 with the entry for 5 May 1843. Work resumed in February 1855 in the hand of Robert L. Campbell, recently returned from a mission. He concluded volume D-1 on the morning of 2 May 1855 and began writing in E-1 that afternoon.
3
Historian’s Office, Journal, 2 May 1855.

The 274 pages of volume D-1 contain a record of much that is significant in the life of JS and the development of the church he founded. Among these events are

• JS’s 6 August 1842 prophecy that the Saints would become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains.

•JS’s 8 August 1842 arrest on a warrant for being “an accessory before the fact” to an attack on former
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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governor
Lilburn W. Boggs
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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.

•
Emma Smith
10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...
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’s 17 August 1842 letter to
Illinois
Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...
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governor
Thomas Carlin
18 July 1789–14 Feb. 1852. Ferry owner, farmer, sheriff, politician. Born in Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of Thomas Carlin and Elizabeth Evans. Baptist. Moved to what became Missouri, by 1803. Moved to Illinois Territory, by 1812. Served in War of 1812. Married...
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, pleading for the humane treatment of her husband and family.

•JS’s 1 and 6 September 1842 instructions regarding the proper procedures for performing baptisms for the dead.

• JS’s 15 November 1842 “Valedictory” as he stepped down as editor of the Times and Seasons.

• The 26 December 1842 arrest of JS on a “proclamation” by former
Illinois
Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...
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governor
Thomas Carlin
18 July 1789–14 Feb. 1852. Ferry owner, farmer, sheriff, politician. Born in Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of Thomas Carlin and Elizabeth Evans. Baptist. Moved to what became Missouri, by 1803. Moved to Illinois Territory, by 1812. Served in War of 1812. Married...
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, and subsequent hearing in
Springfield
Settled by 1819. Incorporated as town, 1832. Became capital of Illinois, 1837. Incorporated as city, 1840. Sangamon Co. seat. Population in 1840 about 2,600. Stake of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized in Springfield, Nov. 1840; discontinued...
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, Illinois.

• The 7 February 1843 recovery of a volume of patriarchal blessings given by
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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, which had been stolen in
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.

• JS’s 21 February 1843 remarks regarding the
Nauvoo House
Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...
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and
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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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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.

• JS’s 2 April 1843 instruction at
Ramus
Area settled, 1826. Founded by Latter-day Saints, 1839–1840, following exodus from Missouri. Town platted, Aug. 1840. Post office established, Sept. 1840. Incorporated as Macedonia, Mar. 1843. Renamed Webster, 23 July 1847. Population in 1845 about 380. Crooked...
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, Illinois, on the nature of God and other subjects.

• JS’s 16 May 1843 remarks at
Ramus
Area settled, 1826. Founded by Latter-day Saints, 1839–1840, following exodus from Missouri. Town platted, Aug. 1840. Post office established, Sept. 1840. Incorporated as Macedonia, Mar. 1843. Renamed Webster, 23 July 1847. Population in 1845 about 380. Crooked...
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, Illinois, on the everlasting covenant and eternal marriage.

• The account of JS’s 23 June 1843 arrest and his
habeas corpus
“Have the body”; a written order from a court of competent jurisdiction commanding anyone having a person in custody to produce such person at a certain time and place and to state the reasons why he or she is being held in custody. The court will determine...
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hearing the following week 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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.

Footnotes
1. 1
  Historian’s Office, Journal, 3 and 4 July 1845.
2. 2
  Historian’s Office, Journal, 1 July 1854.
3. 3
  Historian’s Office, Journal, 2 May 1855.

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<February 25> sound currency for the having previously arisen. I addressed the Council at [HC 5:288] considerable length, giving amongst others, the following hints.

Situated as we are, with a flood of—— emigration constantly pouring in upon us, I consider that it is not only prudential but absolutely necessary, to protect the inhabitants of this , from being imposed upon by a spurious currency. Many of our Eastern and old Country friends are altogether unacquainted with the situation of the banks in this region of country, and as they generally bring specie with them, they are in danger of being gulled perpetually by speculators. Besides there is so much uncertainty in the solvency of the best of banks, that I think it much safer to go upon the hard money system altogether. I have examined the Constitution upon this subject, and find my doubts removed. The Constitution is not a law, but it empowers the people to make Laws; for instance the Constitution governs the land of but it is not a law for the people. The Constitution tells us what shall not be lawful tender, the 10 Section declares that nothing else except Gold and Silver shall be lawful tender, this is not saying that Gold and Silver shall be lawful tender; it only provides that the States may make a law to make Gold and Silver lawful tender. I know of no State in the Union that has passed such a law, and I am sure that has not. The Legislature has ceded up to us the privilege of enacting such laws as are not inconsistent with the Constitution of the and the State of ; and we stand in the same relation to the State, as the State does to the Union. The clause referred to in the Constitution is for the Legislature, it is not a law for the People. The different States and even Congress itself have passed many laws diametrically contrary to the Constitution of the . The State of has passed a stay law making property a lawful tender for the payment of debts, and if we have no law on the subject, we must be governed by them. Shall we be such fools as to be governed by their laws which are Unconstitutional? No! we will make a law for Gold and Silver, and then their law ceases and we can collect our debts. Powers not delegated to the States or reserved from the States are Constitutional. The Constitution acknowledges that the People have all power not—— reserved to itself. I am a Lawyer, I <am> a big Lawyer, and comprehend Heaven, Earth, and Hell, to bring forth knowledge that shall cover up all Lawyers, Doctors, and other big bodies. This is the doctrine of the Constitution, So help me God. The Constitution is not law to us, but it makes provision for us whereby we can make laws. Where it provides that no one shall be hindered from worshipping God according [HC 5:289] to his own conscience is a Law. No Legislature can enact a Law to prohibit it. The Constitution provides to regulate bodies of men and not Individuals.

and objected to the Ordinance regulating the Currency from taking immediate effect. and spoke in favor of the Bill— I invited and , who were present, to give their opinion on the Bill. they both spoke in favor of a Gold and Silver Currency, and that it take immediate effect in the . <The Bill was postponed until next Council.>

26 February 1843 • Sunday

<26.> Sunday 26. At home all day, my was sick with an Inflamation of the Lungs and I nursed her with my own hands.

27 February 1843 • Monday

<27> Monday 27. I nursed my most of the day, who continued very sick. Issued a search warrant for brother Dixon to search Fidler’s and ’s houses for a box of stolen shoes.

28 February 1843 • Tuesday

<28> Tuesday 28. Mostly with my and Family. Mr. with whom I became acquainted in , called on me and spent the day and night— in the afternoon was [p. 1484]

February 25 sound currency for the having previously arisen. I addressed the Council at [HC 5:288] considerable length, giving amongst others, the following hints.

Situated as we are, with a flood of—— emigration constantly pouring in upon us, I consider that it is not only prudential but absolutely necessary, to protect the inhabitants of this , from being imposed upon by a spurious currency. Many of our Eastern and old Country friends are altogether unacquainted with the situation of the banks in this region of country, and as they generally bring specie with them, they are in danger of being gulled perpetually by speculators. Besides there is so much uncertainty in the solvency of the best of banks, that I think it much safer to go upon the hard money system altogether. I have examined the Constitution upon this subject, and find my doubts removed. The Constitution is not a law, but it empowers the people to make Laws; for instance the Constitution governs the land of but it is not a law for the people. The Constitution tells us what shall not be lawful tender, the 10 Section declares that nothing else except Gold and Silver shall be lawful tender, this is not saying that Gold and Silver shall be lawful tender; it only provides that the States may make a law to make Gold and Silver lawful tender. I know of no State in the Union that has passed such a law, and I am sure that has not. The Legislature has ceded up to us the privilege of enacting such laws as are not inconsistent with the Constitution of the and the State of ; and we stand in the same relation to the State, as the State does to the Union. The clause referred to in the Constitution is for the Legislature, it is not a law for the People. The different States and even Congress itself have passed many laws diametrically contrary to the Constitution of the . The State of has passed a stay law making property a lawful tender for the payment of debts, and if we have no law on the subject, we must be governed by them. Shall we be such fools as to be governed by their laws which are Unconstitutional? No! we will make a law for Gold and Silver, and then their law ceases and we can collect our debts. Powers not delegated to the States or reserved from the States are Constitutional. The Constitution acknowledges that the People have all power not—— reserved to itself. I am a Lawyer, I am a big Lawyer, and comprehend Heaven, Earth, and Hell, to bring forth knowledge that shall cover up all Lawyers, Doctors, and other big bodies. This is the doctrine of the Constitution, So help me God. The Constitution is not law to us, but it makes provision for us whereby we can make laws. Where it provides that no one shall be hindered from worshipping God according [HC 5:289] to his own conscience is a Law. No Legislature can enact a Law to prohibit it. The Constitution provides to regulate bodies of men and not Individuals.

26 February 1843 • Sunday

26. Sunday 26. At home all day, my was sick with an Inflamation of the Lungs and I nursed her with my own hands.

27 February 1843 • Monday

27 Monday 27. I nursed my most of the day, who continued very sick. Issued a search warrant for brother Dixon to search Fidler’s and ’s houses for a box of stolen shoes.

28 February 1843 • Tuesday

28 Tuesday 28. Mostly with my and Family. Mr. with whom I became acquainted in , called on me and spent the day and night— in the afternoon was [p. 1484]

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Document Information
Editorial Title
History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843]
ID #
7624
Total Pages
298
Handwriting on This Page
- Leo Hawkins
Footnotes
1. 417
  See 26 Feb. 1843 entry in History Draft.
2. 418
  JS, Journal, 26 Feb. 1843.
3. 419
  See 27 Feb. 1843 entry in History Draft.
4. 420
  JS, Journal, 27 Feb. 1843.
5. 421
  Possibly George or Henry Fidler. (See JS, Journal 27 Feb. 1843.)
6. 422
  See 28 Feb. 1843 entry in History Draft.
7. 423
  JS, Journal, 28 Feb. 1843.

History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843]

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