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 8> and leave the virtue of Zion to linger for want of bread?
Beside which, if virtue is justified rather than vanity; the best of every thing, calculated to happify man, and dignify Society, will, yea, must be in : and as the new commandment, given anciently was to love one another; even so, the works of the Saints, at home and abroad, will bear its own testimony; whether they love the brethren.
In all the world, the Times and Seasons is the only paper that virtually sustains, according to the forms of Scripture and prophecy, ‘apostles, prophets, evangelists’ and revelations— and what shall be said of him, that, like the ‘Levite’, passes on the other side of the way. When we behold men who ‘have borne the heat and the burden of the day;’ struggled against the popular opinions of a vain world, the burlesque of a giddy throng; the vulgarity of a self wise multitude, and the falsehoods of what may justly be termed the ‘civilized meanness of the [HC 6:69] age’, and not lend a helping hand? The 25th. Chapter of Matthew contains the simple answer.
Now let me say once for all, like the psalmist of old; ‘How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.’
‘As the precious ointment upon the head that run down upon Aaron’s beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments, as the dew of Hermon, that descended upon the mountains of Zion, is such unity— for there the Lord commanded the blessing, <even> life for ever more!’ Unity is power, and when the brethren as one man, sustain the Times and Seasons,’ they sustain me, by giving a spread to the revelations, faith, works, history, and progress of the church.— The Brethren who conduct the paper have been appointed to that important station because they are worthy, and well qualified, and what a blessed sign of a faithful friend to God and man is it, to see the charity of a brother support his brethren as an evidence that he means to pass from death into life?
Many of the articles which appear in the Times and Seasons, are extracts of revelations, translations, or are the united voice of conferences, which like ‘apples of gold in baskets of silver,’ are treasures more than meat for the called, chosen and faithful among the Saints; and should be more than drink to those that hunger and thirst after righteousness. As is rising in glory and greatness, so shall I expect to see the Times and Seasons increase in circulation by the vigilance of the Elders and Saints— so as to be a herald of truth, and a standard of pure and undefiled religion. Finally, men and brethren, when you support my friends, you support me. In the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant. I am your humble servant.
Joseph Smith.” [HC 6:70]
<9> Thursday At the dictating letters, and signing deeds.
The Missionaries to the Pacific Islands touched at Cape <de> Verde Islands, and laid in a supply of fruits of various kinds. [p. 1772]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [423]
See 9 Nov. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [424]
JS, Journal, 9 Nov. 1843.
- [425]
Rogers, Journal, 9 Nov. 1843; Addison Pratt, Ship Timoleon, North Atlantic Ocean, 4–10 Nov. 1843, Letter to the Editor, Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1844, 5:604–605.
Rogers, Noah. Journal, 1843–1845. CHL. MS 1389.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
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