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 27> a discerning public to judge.
Concerning the horse thieves however, the informant of the “Whig” would have shown himself a better friend to Society to have given information to the proper authorities and had these pests of Society brought to condign punishment, And the editor of that paper would have proven himself more patriotic by telling us who these people are that are screened in our midst— than dealing thus in generals, and stabbing in the dark. Come, Mr. Whig, out with it, and let us know who it is that is found transgressing; who knows but that far fallen as we are, there yet may be virtue enough left to prosecute a horse thief. We have tried this more than once and prosecuted them as far as ; but no sooner do they arrive in the jail there than we loose all track of them. The lock of the door is so slippery that it lets them all out. We presume however that it is on account of the honesty of the people(!?). We are pleased to find that the Whig is in the secret.
Mr. Ivins, of this , had a horse stolen last week, and we frequently have occurrences of the kind. Will the Editor of that paper be [HC 6:38] so kind as to ask his informant who the thieves are, and where they live, and give us the desired information and we shall esteem it a peculiar favor.”
I was at home all day and gave the privilege of occupying the small house near the .
See 28 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
<28> Thursday 28 At 11.30, a.m. a Council conversed over the consisting of myself, my brother , Uncle , , , , , , , and ; and at 7 in the evening we met in the front upper room of the , with and . By the common consent and unanimous voice of the Council, Baurak Ale <I> was chosen President of , and and to the highet and holiest order of the d. (with his companion).
The President led in prayer that his days might be prolonged until his mission on the Earth is accomplished,— have dominion over his enemies,— all their households be blessed,— and all the and world.
See 29 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
<29> Friday 29 started from for . The were now scattered among the in the Eastern States.
See 30 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
<30> Saturday 30 Rainy and strong west wind.
< and staid at ’s, in .>
See 1 Oct. 1843 entry in History Draft.
<October 1> Sunday 1 I copy the following from the Times and Seasons of this date:—
“Who shall be our next President?— This question we frequently hear asked, and it is a question of no small importance to the Latter day Saints.
We as a people have labored, and are still laboring under great injustice from the hands of a neighboring state. The Latter Day Saints have had their property destroyed and their houses made desolate by the hands of the Missourians; murders have been committed with impunity, and many in consequence of oppression, barbarism and cruelty, have slept the sleep of death. They have been obliged to flee from their possessions into a distant land, in the chilling frosts of December <Winter>; robbed, spoiled, desolate; houseless, and homeless; without any just pre[HC 6:39]text or shadow [p. 1738]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
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Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [299]
JS, Journal, 27 Sept. 1843.
- [300]
See 28 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [301]
JS, Journal, 28 Sept. 1843.
- [302]
See 29 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [303]
Young, Journal, 29 Sept. 1843.
Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.
- [304]
See 30 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [305]
JS, Journal, 30 Sept. 1843.
- [306]
Woodruff, Journal, 30 Sept. 1843.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
- [307]
See 1 Oct. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [308]
“Who Shall Be Our Next President?” Times and Seasons, 1 Oct. 1843; 4:343–344.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
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