History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]

Source Note

JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. E-1, created 20 Aug. 1855–5 Apr. 1856; handwriting of Robert L. Campbell,
Leo Hawkins
19 July 1834–28 May 1859. Clerk, reporter. Born in London. Son of Samuel Harris Hawkins and Charlotte Savage. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John Banks, 23 Oct. 1848. Immigrated to U.S. with his family; arrived in New Orleans...
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, 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

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
George A. Smith
26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...
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, who was JS’s cousin. Smith collaborated with
Thomas Bullock
23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...
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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
Smith
26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...
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’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
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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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
Hyrum Smith
9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...
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and
William Clayton
17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...
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.

• The 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment of
Sidney Rigdon
19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
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and revocation of his priesthood license.

• Dispatch of the first missionaries to the Pacific Islands on 20 September 1843, led by
Addison Pratt
21 Feb. 1802–14 Oct. 1872. Sailor, farmer, carpenter. Born in Winchester, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of Henry Pratt and Rebekah Jewell. Married Louisa Barnes, 3 Apr. 1831, in Dunham, Lower Canada. Settled on banks of Lake Erie, in New York, where he...
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.

• JS’s 1 October 1843 announcement of
George J. Adams
7 Nov. 1810–11 May 1880. Tailor, actor, clergyman. Born in Oxford, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Lived in Boston during 1820s and 1830s. Became Methodist lay preacher. Married Caroline. Moved to New York City, before 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...
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’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
Sidney Rigdon
19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
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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
Vermont
Area served as early thoroughfare for traveling Indian tribes. French explored area, 1609, and erected fort on island in Lake Champlain, 1666. First settled by Massachusetts emigrants, 1724. Claimed by British colonies of New York and New Hampshire, but during...
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, inserted under the date of 29 November 1843.

• A 20 January 1844 entry that includes a poem by
Eliza R. Snow
21 Jan. 1804–5 Dec. 1887. Poet, teacher, seamstress, milliner. Born in Becket, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Daughter of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Moved to Mantua, Trumbull Co., Ohio, ca. 1806. Member of Baptist church. Baptized into Church...
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commemorating the presentation of two copies of the Book of Mormon to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert by
Lorenzo Snow
3 Apr. 1814–10 Oct. 1901. Schoolteacher. Born in Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio. Son of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Attended Oberlin College. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John F. Boynton, 19 June 1836, in Kirtland...
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.

• JS’s nomination on 29 January 1844 as an independent candidate for the presidency of the
United States
North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...
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.

• An account of JS’s
King Follett
24/26 July 1788–9 Mar. 1844. Born at Winchester, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of John Follett and Hannah Oak (Oake) Alexander. Married Louisa Tanner, by 1815. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spring 1831. Member of Whitmer branch...
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sermon, 7 April 1844.

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<November 5> symptoms of being poisoned.

In the evening a prayer meeting in the Hall over the .

having kept a school in the Hall for some time, the noise proved a nuisance to the Clerks in the History office, and I gave orders to tell he must find some other room in which to teach School— as the room is needed for Councils.

Meeting at the preached—

Received a letter from dated October 16— he informs me there is a great call for [HC 6:65] preaching and many are wanted throughout the British Isles; much opposition: the Saints are anxious to have the Star continue its publication as 1600 copies are circulated.

Also received a letter from giving a partial account of the business affairs of the Emigration and publishing offices.

6 November 1843 • Monday

<6> Monday 6. Domestic affairs kept me busy in the morning, and in the afternoon listened to giving a relation of his visit to the , which amused me—

[five lines blank]

It has been very cool for some days past

arrived with a Company from .

7 November 1843 • Tuesday

<7> Tuesday 7. moved the tables back into the hall, when and called to report that the noise in the School disturbed them in the progress of writing the History. I gave orders that must look out for another place, as the History must continue, and not be disturbed, as there are but few subjects that I have felt a greater anxiety about than my History, which has been a very difficult task, on account of the death of my best clerks, and the apostacy of others, and the stealing of records by , and others.

The , viz. President , , , , , and assembled in the Mayor’s office, and voted to raise $500. to get paper &c. to print the Doctrine and covenants.

also voted that , and be a committee to borrow or get the money, and that go along with them.

8 November 1843 • Wednesday

<8> Wednesday 8. From 9 to 11 A.M. had an interview with and , read and heard read, part of my history— then attended to settling some accounts [HC 6:66] with several individuals. P.M. Examined a sample of fringe designed for the pulpits of the . from 2 to 3 conversing with , Lewis, and others.

The Neighbor has the following.

“We know that statements made by the mob in their [p. 1768]

November 5 symptoms of being poisoned.

In the evening a prayer meeting in the Hall over the .

Meeting at the preached—

Also received a letter from giving a partial account of the business affairs of the Emigration and publishing offices.

6 November 1843 • Monday

6 Monday 6. Domestic affairs kept me busy in the morning, and in the afternoon listened to giving a relation of his visit to the , which amused me—

[five lines blank]

It has been very cool for some days past

arrived with a Company from .

7 November 1843 • Tuesday

7 Tuesday 7. moved the tables back into the hall, when and called to report that the noise in the School disturbed them in the progress of writing the History. I gave orders that must look out for another place, as the History must continue, and not be disturbed, as there are but few subjects that I have felt a greater anxiety about than my History, which has been a very difficult task, on account of the death of my best clerks, and the apostacy of others, and the stealing of records by , and others.

The , viz. President , , , , , and assembled in the Mayor’s office, and voted to raise $500. to get paper &c. to print the Doctrine and covenants.

also voted that , and be a committee to borrow or get the money, and that go along with them.

8 November 1843 • Wednesday

8 Wednesday 8. From 9 to 11 A.M. had an interview with and , read and heard read, part of my history— then attended to settling some accounts [HC 6:66] with several individuals. P.M. Examined a sample of fringe designed for the pulpits of the . from 2 to 3 conversing with , Lewis, and others.

The Neighbor has the following.

“We know that statements made by the mob in their [p. 1768]

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Document Information
Editorial Title
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]
ID #
8112
Total Pages
448
Handwriting on This Page
- Robert L. Campbell
Footnotes
1. 409
  Woodruff, Journal, 5 Nov. 1843.
  
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
2. 410
  Reuben Hedlock, Liverpool, England, to Willard Richards et al., Nauvoo, IL, 16 Oct. 1843, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.
  
  Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.
3. 411
  Hiram Clark, Liverpool, England, to Quorum of the Twelve, Nauvoo, IL, 18 Oct. 1843, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.
  
  Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.
4. 412
  See 6 Nov. 1843 entry in History Draft.
5. 413
  JS, Journal, 6 Nov. 1843.
6. 414
  News Item, Times and Seasons, 1 Oct. 1843, 4:343.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
7. 415
  See 7 Nov. 1843 entry in History Draft.
8. 416
  JS, Journal, 7 Nov. 1843.
9. 417
  Quorum of Twelve Apostles Minutes, 7 Nov. 1843; Woodruff, Journal, 7 Nov. 1843.
  
  Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
10. 418
  See 8 Nov. 1843 entry in History Draft.
11. 419
  JS, Journal, 8 Nov. 1843.
12. 420
  Editorial and Statements, Nauvoo Neighbor, 8 Nov. 1843, [2]–[3]; see also Edward Southwick, Dixon, IL, to JS, Nauvoo, IL, 29 July 1843, JS Collection, CHL.
  
  Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
  Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.

History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]

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