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.
<November> Elder Hanks is the first Elder who has died at sea, while on a foreign mission, he was a faithful Elder, cut off by consumption in the flower of his days.
[ten lines blank]
<4> Saturday 4. and were with me at the , assisting writing letters.
Wrote to as follows—
“Hon. ,— Dear Sir,— As we understand you are a candidate for the Presidency at the next election; and as the latter day Saints (sometimes called Mormons, who now constitute a numerous class in the school politic of this vast republic,) have been robbed of an immense amount of property, and endured nameless sufferings by the state of , and from her borders have been driven by force of arms, contrary to our national covenants; and as in vain we have sought redress by all constitutional, legal and honorable means, in her courts, her executive [HC 6:64] councils, and her legislative halls; and as we have petitioned Congress to take cognizance of our sufferings without effect; we have judged it wisdom to address you this communication, and solicit an immediate, specific, and candid reply to, “What will be your rule of action relative to us as a people”, should fortune favor your ascension to the chief magistracy?
Most respectfully, Sir. your friend,
And the friend of peace, good order
And constitutional rights
Joseph Smith”
In behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Like <Similar> letters were written to Gen. — Hon. Richard M. Johnson, Hon. . and President — to ’s letter I added the following,
“Also whether your views or feelings have changed, since the subject matter of this communication was presented you in your then official capacity at , in the year 1841— and by you treated with a coldness, indifference, and neglect, bordering on contempt.”
Elder arrived in with paper for the use of the .
<5> Sunday 5. Rode out with , and others, for her health—
At dinner I was taken suddenly sick— went to the door and vomited all my dinner— dislocated my jaws, and raised fresh blood, and had many [p. 1767]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [401]
See 4 Nov. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [402]
JS, Journal, 4 Nov. 1843; Richards, Journal, 4 Nov. 1843.
Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
- [403]
JS, Nauvoo, IL, to John C. Calhoun, Fort Hill, SC, 4 Nov. 1843, copy, JS Collection, CHL; JS, Nauvoo, IL, to John C. Calhoun, Fort Hill, SC, 4 Nov. 1843, in Times and Seasons, 1 Jan. 1844, 5:393–394; JS, Nauvoo, IL, to John C. Calhoun, Fort Hill, SC, 4 Nov. 1843, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 10 Jan. 1844, [2].
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
- [404]
JS, Journal, 4 Nov. 1843.
- [405]
JS, Nauvoo, IL, to Henry Clay, 4 Nov. 1843, draft, JS Collection, CHL.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
- [406]
Woodruff, Journal, 4 Nov. 1843.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
- [407]
See 5 Nov. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [408]
JS, Journal, 5 Nov. 1843.
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