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.
<December 11> on the 2d. day of this present Dec., 1843, at the house of Schrench Freeman about four miles and a half South of , in said , your said affiant heard a man by the name of say that he was going a shooting turkies, when askedwhat he was going to shoot them with, he shewed a brace of pistols and a large hickory cane; your affiant observed that he thought he could not kill turkies with such weapons, and the said said there was a certain cock he meant to take before night and they would do for that. He the said went off, and your affiant did not see him till Sunday evening the third, when your affiant asked the said if he had caught his turkey, and he replied yes, the one he was after, a Mormon Elder; your affiant then asked him who he was, and he said ; your affiant then asked the said what had been done with said ? and he said we put him on to a horse, tied his legs and guarded him to the , from whence about ten o’clock at night, we took him into Clark County, Missouri, for stealing a horse <four> years ago, where they would try him, and if found guilty, they would then take him into another county where there was a jail, Since <as> there was none in Clark County. On the 4th. day of December I asked him if they had writs or authority to take , he replied, we all had writs. On the 5th. said said he expected to get into difficulty on account of this scrape, but if any Mormon makes any business with me, I will shoot him, and further your affiant says not.
.
Subscribed and sworn to this 11th. day of December 1843 before me
, J.P.
which I sent to the with this letter
“ Dec. 11. 1843 Sir:— I herewith forward your another affidavit on the subject of the late kidnapping, and shall continue the same as they [HC 6:109] come to hand expecting your cordial co-operation in the premises, that the laws may be magnified and made honorable and our lives held precious, our friends saved from jeopardy, and the “captives freed”. Respectfully I have the honor to be your obedt. Servt. Joseph Smith.”
At a meeting of the citizens of the 3rd. Ward according to previous notice at the corner of Parley and Warsaw Streets, the object of the meeting was briefly stated by Colonel Wherefore was called to the chair and was appointed Secty., when after the subject of the situation of the was taken into consideration relative to the threatening, and hostile attitude of and Mobocratic disposition of some of the citizens of this aiding and abetting the Missourians in their diabolical practices of kidnapping peaceable citizens of this &c.. And the necessary operation of a more sure and certain order of protecting the peace and safety of the citizens of .
Resolved— that it be the sense of this meeting that the city Council take such measures as the case may require, and cause a company to be raised of 40 men rank and file, who shall act as a police, and be continually in service, according to the direction of the Mayor. And said Company to be governed by ordinance of the city Council.
Resolved that Coll. be appointed to present the proceedings of this meeting to the city Council on Tuesday the 12 inst.
city 11th. Decr. 1843. adjourned sine die. , Secretary. [p. 1800]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [519]
JS, Journal, 11 Dec. 1843.
- [520]
JS, Nauvoo, IL, to Thomas Ford, Springfield, IL, 11 Dec. 1843, JS Collection, CHL.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
- [521]
“Resolutions passed by the Inhabitants of the third Ward,” 11 Dec. 1843, Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL.
Nauvoo, IL. Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 16800.
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