History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]
Source Note
Source Note
JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. E-1, created 20 Aug. 1855–5 Apr. 1856; handwriting of Robert L. Campbell, , and Jonathan Grimshaw; 392 pages, plus 11 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the fifth volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This fifth volume covers the period from 1 July 1843 to 30 Apr. 1844; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, C-1, D-1, and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction
Historical Introduction
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1, constitutes the fifth 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 July 1843 to 30 April 1844, and it was compiled in Utah Territory in the mid-1850s.
The material recorded in volume E-1 was initially compiled under the direction of church historian , who was JS’s cousin. Smith collaborated with in collecting material for the history and creating a set of draft notes that Smith dictated to Bullock and other clerks.
Robert L. Campbell, a recently returned missionary and member of the Historian’s Office staff, transcribed ’s notes into the volume along with the text of designated documents (such as letters and meeting minutes). The Church Historian’s Office journal entry for 2 May 1855 pinpoints the beginning of his work: “R. L. C. on Book D forenoon, afternoon began book E.” Campbell’s work on the volume apparently concluded on 5 April 1856; entries in the Historian’s Office journal indicate that he then moved on to other assignments while another clerk, Jonathan Grimshaw, began work on volume F-1, the last manuscript in the series. (Historian’s Office, Journal, 2 May 1855; 5 and 9 Apr. 1856.)
Volume E-1 contains 391 pages of primary text and 11 pages of addenda. The initial entry on page 1637 is a continuation of the 1 July 1843 entry that closed volume D-1. The final entry in volume E-1 is for 30 April 1844.
The 391 pages of volume E-1 document a crucial period of JS’s life and the history of the church. Important events recorded here include
• An account of JS’s 2 July 1843 meeting with several Pottawatamie chiefs.
• JS’s 4 July 1843 address regarding his recent arrest, the Legion, and Mormon voting practices.
• JS’s 12 July 1843 dictation of a revelation regarding eternal marriage, including the plurality of wives, in the presence of and .
• The 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment of and revocation of his priesthood license.
• Dispatch of the first missionaries to the Pacific Islands on 20 September 1843, led by .
• JS’s 1 October 1843 announcement of ’s appointment to a mission to Russia.
• Minutes of a 6–9 October 1843 general conference inserted under the date of 9 October at which pled his case in regard to his 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment and was permitted to continue as counselor in the First Presidency.
• Text of JS’s appeal to the Green Mountain Boys of , inserted under the date of 29 November 1843.
• A 20 January 1844 entry that includes a poem by commemorating the presentation of two copies of the Book of Mormon to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert by .
• JS’s nomination on 29 January 1844 as an independent candidate for the presidency of the .
• An account of JS’s sermon, 7 April 1844.
<September 15> 75 horses at one time, and storing the requisite amount of forage, and is unsurpassed by any similar establishment in the .
There was an officer drill in . [HC 6:33]
Rhoda Ann, daughter of and , was born at 15 minutes to 3 p.m. in .
<16> Saturday 16. General parade of the Nauvoo Legion near my — went in Company with my staff to the muster, was met by an escort, and arrived before the Legion about noon. I was received and saluted with Military honors. The Legion was dismissed about one p.m., for two hours, and I rode home to dinner. I returned about twenty minutes after three, attended the review, and with my staff inspected the Legion; after which I took my post and gave orders. After the inspection I made a speech to the Legion;—— <on their increasing prosperity, and requested the officers to increase the Legion in numbers.——> —— I was highly gratified with the officers and soldiers, and I felt extremely well myself. About sun-down the Legion was dismissed. I rode home with my staff, highly delighted with the day’s performance, and well paid for my services.
<17> Sunday 17. I was at meeting, and while was preaching I took my post as Mayor outside the Assembly to keep order, and set an example to the other officers. After preaching I gave some instructions about order in the congregation, men among women, and women among men, horses in the Assembly, and men and boys on the stand who do not belong there &c.
P. M. Mr. Blodgett, a Unitarian Minister preached: I was gratified with his sermon in general, but differed in opinion on some points, on which I freely expressed myself to his great satisfaction, viz, on persecution making the work spread:— like rooting up a flower garden or kicking back the sun.
<18.> Monday 18. I received a letter from as follows:— [HC 6:34]
“ September 13. 1843. Dear Sir. In answer to your letter I have the honor to reply that I will consider it my duty to prevent the invasion of this , if in my power, by any persons elsewhere for any hostile purposes whatever.
From information in my possession I am of opinion that there is but little danger of any such invasion. It is altogether more likely that some other mode of annoyance will be adopted. My enemies here I think are endeavoring to put something of the kind on foot. I am most respectfully. your obedient Servant .”
I attended a Council at my .
A was held at Preston, Halifax County, Nova Scotia. 1— , 1 , 1 and 14 members were represented. Robert Dixon President. J. Jermen, Clerk.
was elected Probate Judge for the County of , by a majority of 598 votes. [p. 1735]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [268]
See 16 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [269]
JS, Journal, 16–17 Sept. 1843.
- [270]
See 17 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [271]
See 18 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [272]
Thomas Ford, Springfield, IL, to JS, [Nauvoo, IL], 13 Sept. 1843, JS Collection, CHL.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
- [273]
JS, Journal, 18 Sept. 1843.
- [274]
Minutes, Preston, Nova Scotia, Canada, 18 Sept. 1843, in Times and Seasons, 1 Oct. 1843; 4:342–343.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
- [275]
Election Returns, Nauvoo Neighbor, 20 Sept. 1843, [3].
Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
Go to page