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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<December 24> is none good but one. The better a man is, the more his prayer will avail, like the—— Publican and the Pharisee; one was justified rather than the other, showing that both were justified in a degree. The prayer of a wicked man may do a righteous man good when it does the one who prays no good.

25 December 1842 • Sunday

<25> Sunday 25 I wrote to Orrin Wright Junr.

The () Conference met, numbering 1506 Members, including 33 Elders, 87 Priests, 53 Teachers, and 19 Deacons, under the presidency of Elder . [HC 5:208]

26 December 1842 • Monday

<26> Monday 26 In the morning held Court, and I was afterwards arrested by General , on the proclamation of , and Elders and went to to obtain a writ of to take me before the Court at . gave me in Custody of —— with whom I visited Sister Morey, who was severely afflicted, we prescribed Lobelia for her, among other things, which is excellent in its place. I have learned the value of it by my own experience, It is one of the works of God, but like the power of God, or any other good, it becomes an evil when improperly used. gave me a walking stick, the body of which was from the tooth of the sperm whale, and the top of whale ivory with an interstice of Mahogany. On my return home I found my Wife sick, she was delivered of a Son, which did not survive its birth—

The Herefordshire Conference () under the presidency of Elder William Kay met at Colwall numbering 844 members including 20 Elders, 53 Priests, 22 Teachers, and 10 Deacons.

27 December 1842 • Tuesday

<27> Tuesday 27. At 9 in the morning started in Custody of for , in company with [HC 5:209] , , , , Levi Moffit, and . On our way to we met and , who had obtained an order for a writ of from the Master in , as no writ could issue, the Clerk of Court having been elected to the Senate. There was considerable snow and the travelling heavy but we arrived at my brother ’s in Plymouth a little after Sunset and were soon joined by , , Dr. Tate, and. I supped with brother ’s family, who lived under the same roof, slept with on a Buffalo Skin spread upon the floor, and dreamed that I was by a beautiful stream of Water, and saw a noble fish which I threw out, soon after I saw a number more and threw them out. I afterwards saw a multitude of fish, and threw out a great—— abundance, and sent for salt and salted them.

28 December 1842 • Wednesday

<28> Wednesday 28 The morning was wet, we started about eight o’clock, and arrived at Mrs. Stevenson’s tavern, in at 3 in afternoon about 20 miles. ’s Wife who was sick went with us, accompanied by Sister Durphy who went with us from to take care of her. I spent a part of the evening with Mr. , and family and a part of my company. In conversation respecting the repeal of charters, I told them that to touch the Charter was no better than Highway Robbery, that since the creation there never had been a repeal of a perpetual charter by God, Angels or Men; and that I never would submit to lowering our Charter, but they might bring other Charters up to it. On my return to the tavern the brethren took my height which was six feet, and my brother the same.

29 December 1842 • Thursday

<29> Thursday 29. Started early, crossed the at 11. and arrived at Captain [p. 1430]

December 24 is none good but one. The better a man is, the more his prayer will avail, like the—— Publican and the Pharisee; one was justified rather than the other, showing that both were justified in a degree. The prayer of a wicked man may do a righteous man good when it does the one who prays no good.

25 December 1842 • Sunday

25 Sunday 25 I wrote to Orrin Wright Junr.

The () Conference met, numbering 1506 Members, including 33 Elders, 87 Priests, 53 Teachers, and 19 Deacons, under the presidency of Elder . [HC 5:208]

26 December 1842 • Monday

26 Monday 26 In the morning held Court, and I was afterwards arrested by General , on the proclamation of , and Elders and went to to obtain a writ of to take me before the Court at . gave me in Custody of —— with whom I visited Sister Morey, who was severely afflicted, we prescribed Lobelia for her, among other things, which is excellent in its place. I have learned the value of it by my own experience, It is one of the works of God, but like the power of God, or any other good, it becomes an evil when improperly used. gave me a walking stick, the body of which was from the tooth of the sperm whale, and the top of whale ivory with an interstice of Mahogany. On my return home I found my Wife sick, she was delivered of a Son, which did not survive its birth—

The Herefordshire Conference () under the presidency of Elder William Kay met at Colwall numbering 844 members including 20 Elders, 53 Priests, 22 Teachers, and 10 Deacons.

27 December 1842 • Tuesday

27 Tuesday 27. At 9 in the morning started in Custody of for , in company with [HC 5:209] , , , , Levi Moffit, and . On our way to we met and , who had obtained an order for a writ of from the Master in , as no writ could issue, the Clerk of Court having been elected to the Senate. There was considerable snow and the travelling heavy but we arrived at my brother ’s in Plymouth a little after Sunset and were soon joined by , , Dr. Tate, and. I supped with brother ’s family, who lived under the same roof, slept with on a Buffalo Skin spread upon the floor, and dreamed that I was by a beautiful stream of Water, and saw a noble fish which I threw out, soon after I saw a number more and threw them out. I afterwards saw a multitude of fish, and threw out a great—— abundance, and sent for salt and salted them.

28 December 1842 • Wednesday

28 Wednesday 28 The morning was wet, we started about eight o’clock, and arrived at Mrs. Stevenson’s tavern, in at 3 in afternoon about 20 miles. ’s Wife who was sick went with us, accompanied by Sister Durphy who went with us from to take care of her. I spent a part of the evening with Mr. , and family and a part of my company. In conversation respecting the repeal of charters, I told them that to touch the Charter was no better than Highway Robbery, that since the creation there never had been a repeal of a perpetual charter by God, Angels or Men; and that I never would submit to lowering our Charter, but they might bring other Charters up to it. On my return to the tavern the brethren took my height which was six feet, and my brother the same.

29 December 1842 • Thursday

29 Thursday 29. Started early, crossed the at 11. and arrived at Captain [p. 1430]

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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. 250
  See 25 Dec. 1842 entry in History Draft.
2. 251
  Richards, Journal, 25 Dec. 1842.
  
  Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
3. 252
  “Manchester Conference,” LDS Millennial Star, Feb. 1843, 3:174–175.
  
  Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.
4. 253
  See 26 Dec. 1842 entry in History Draft.
5. 254
  JS, Journal, 26 Dec. 1842.
6. 255
  “Manchester Conference,” LDS Millennial Star, Feb. 1843, 3:175.
  
  Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.
7. 256
  See 27 Dec. 1842 entry in History Draft.
8. 257
  JS, Journal, 27 Dec. 1842.
9. 258
  See 28 Dec. 1842 entry in History Draft.
10. 259
  JS, Journal, 28 Dec. 1842.
11. 260
  See 29 Dec. 1842 entry in History Draft.
12. 261
  JS, Journal, 29 Dec. 1842.

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

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