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.
<October 9> one of the Spirits of the just men made perfect; and if revealed now must be revealed in fire; and the glory could not be endured. Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, and they thought it was his spirit; and they were afraid to approach his spirit; Angels have advanced higher in knowledge and power than spirits.
Concerning brother , it should appear strange that so good and so great a man was hated. The deceased ought never to have had an enemy. But so it was; wherever light shone, it stirred up darkness. Truth and error, good and evil, cannot be reconciled. had some enemies, but such a man ought not to have had one. I saw him first at , when on my way from to ; he sought me out when a stranger, took me to his home, encouraged and cheered me, and gave me money. He has been a most intimate friend. I anointed him to the Patriarchal power— to receive [HC 6:51] the keys of knowledge and power, by revelation to himself. He has had revelations concerning his departure, and has gone to a more important work. When men are prepared, they are better off to go hence. has gone to open up a more effectual door for the dead. The Spirits of the just are exalted to a greater and more glorious work— hence they are blessed in their departure to the world of Spirits. Enveloped in flaming fire, they are not far from us, and know and understand our thoughts, feelings, and motions, and are often pained therewith.
Flesh and blood cannot go there, but flesh and bones, quickened by the spirit of God, can.
If we would be sober, and watch in fasting and prayer, God would turn away sickness from our midst.
Hasten the work of the — renew your exertions to forward all the work of the last days, and walk before the Lord in soberness and righteousness. Let the elders and Saints do away with light-mindedness, and be sober.”
Such is a faint outline of the discourse of President Joseph Smith, which was delivered with his usual feeling and pathos; and was listened to with the most profound and eager attention by the multitude, who hung upon his instructions, anxious to learn and pursue the path of eternal life.
After singing by the choir, and prayer by the President, conference adjourned sine die, with the benediction of the President.
Joseph Smith President.
, Clerk.”
The Missionaries to the went on board the ship “Timoleon”, Captain Plasket, at New Bedford, and got under weigh. donated $300.00 towards their passage and fit out.—— —— Elder Knowlton F Hanks’ health was very poor. [HC 6:52]
<10> Tuesday 10 My brother was appointed, by the voice of the Spirit, one of the , in place of Judge , deceased.
I spent the day in Council with J. & , and the Rhodes’s, about the Sale of land, and appointed to buy the property. [p. 1751]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [337]
JS, Journal, 9 Oct. 1843; Noah Rogers, Nauvoo, IL, 5 Jan. 1846, Letter to the Editor, Times and Seasons, 1 Jan. 1846, 6:1085–1087.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
- [338]
See 10 Oct. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [339]
JS, Journal, 10 Oct. 1843; Clayton, Journal, 10 Oct. 1843.
Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
Go to page