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.
instructed Elder to go and engage a passage for himself and Elders , Knowlton F. Hanks and , as missionaries to the Pacific Islands, [HC 6:36] although they had not one tenth of the means on hand to pay <their passage>.
<In the evening Elders , , , , and visited Mr. O. S. Fowler the Phrenologist, who examined their heads, and gave their Phrenological Charts.>
<21> Thursday 21 Made affidavit with and to auditor of vs .
About 11 A. M. called with my brother , to see about getting a copy of his blessing, and wished much joy in his new daughter. About noon went on board the “Maid of Iowa” with , Clerk of the boat. 1 p. m, the thermometer stood at 100º in the shade.
<22> Friday 22 The visited the Navy Yard and Harbor of , the Mississippi steam ship, the Rope walk, the Bunker hill Monument, the State House, and the States prison. In the evening they addressed the Saints in Boylston Hall.
accompanied by Elder , engaged a passage to the at $100 each for himself, , Knowlton F. Hanks and .
<23> Saturday 23 returned from ; the trial of and being postponed ‘till May next.
returned from the . He reports the water in so low that they could not get their raft into the .
I had an interview with Elder , from whom I borrowed $75 for the
<24> Sunday 24 I preached on the about one hour on the 2nd. ch. Acts; designing to shew the folly of common stock. In every [HC 6:37] one is Steward over his own. After preaching, I called upon the brethren to draw stone for the , and gave notice for a special for 6th. Octr. next. Adjourned the meeting about one p. m., on account of the prospect of rain. Judge McBride, and a lawyer from were present at the meeting.
<25> Monday 25 Wet day. At home— held a conversation with the Lawyer.
<26> Tuesday 26 Held Mayor’s court, and tried case “Dana vs Leeches.” No cause of action. Called at the about 6 p.m. and directed the Clerk to issue papers on the case “Medagh vs Hovey.”
<27> Wednesday 27 The “Neighbor” of this date has the following editorial:—
“We find that the “ Whig” has some very righteous remarks to make concerning the Mormons, emanating from the purest principles of patriotism(?) The Editor has had some “private conversation” with some individual, or individuals about certain charges brought against the Mormons, particularly that of screening horse thieves.
We think that the Whig has not done itself much credit in advocating the principles contained in those resolutions— we leave that however for [p. 1737]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [282]
JS, Nauvoo, IL, to Thomas Ford, [Springfield, IL], 20 Sept. 1843, JS Collection, CHL; see also JS, Journal, 19 Sept. 1843.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
- [283]
Pratt, Journal, 20 Sept. 1843.
Pratt, Addison. Journals, 1843–1852. Addison Pratt, Autobiography and Journals, 1843–1852. CHL. MS 8226, fds. 4–11.Pratt, Addison. Autobiography and Journals, 1843–1852. CHL.
- [284]
Woodruff, Journal, 20 Sept. 1843.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
- [285]
See 21 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [286]
JS, Journal, 21 Sept. 1843.
- [287]
See 22 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [288]
Woodruff, Journal, 22 Sept. 1843.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
- [289]
Pratt, Journal, 22 Sept. 1843.
Pratt, Addison. Journals, 1843–1852. Addison Pratt, Autobiography and Journals, 1843–1852. CHL. MS 8226, fds. 4–11.Pratt, Addison. Autobiography and Journals, 1843–1852. CHL.
- [290]
See 23 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [291]
JS, Journal, 23 Sept. 1843.
- [292]
Clayton, Journal, 23 Sept. 1843.
Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
- [293]
See 24 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [294]
JS Journal, 24–26 Sept. 1843.
- [295]
See 25 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [296]
See 26 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [297]
See 27 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [298]
Editorial, Nauvoo Neighbor, 27 Sept. 1843, [2].
Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
Go to page