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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<December 21> Two letters came into the from the Sheriff of Clark County Missouri, <from them> it appears that that wishes to continue the old game of seizing witnesses and making prisoners of them, to cover up her mobocracy and kidnapping under legal form. The following answer was written

“City of , Ill. Dec 21, 1843 Sir: Two letters were put into my hands this morning relative to the Witnesses of ’s innocence as to being accessory to horse stealing some four years since: In the first place, was abducted from this , contrary to law; in the second place the principal for felony, by the Law of , should be indicted within three years &c.. Again, the Revised statutes of have a wise provision in such cases as ’s. If therefore will sue out a Commission, according to the law con[HC 6:132]cerning depositions (R.S. page 219 to 222) directed to Alderman , an acting Justice of the peace, for the city of , and County of , the necessary testimony to establish s innocence will be taken according to law and forwarded to the proper officer in due time.

Respectfully &c.

J. White Esq Dep. Sheriff Clark Co Waterloo Mo.

P.S. you will have the politeness to shew this to .”

In the evening I was visited by several strangers, and had considerable conversation with them.

22 December 1843 • Friday

<22> Friday 22. At home at 9 oclock a. m. reading a magazine to my children

A little after 12, went into the room occupied by and , and commenced a conversation with Dr. John F. Charles to convince him that mobocracy is not justifiable; and that I did not deal in Politics.

David Holman living about 2 miles from , went out in the evening with his family visiting— about 10 o’Clock he discovered his house on fire— the neighbors had inquired how long he would be gone— a man rode to — A company went up, secured the provisions to themselves, and fired the house.

Warm and pleasant weather.

23 December 1843 • Saturday

<23> Saturday 23. At home counselling the brethren who called on me; and attending to my domestic duties, making preparations for a christmas dinner party.

Prayer meeting in the Assembly room

24 December 1843 • Sunday

<24> Sunday 24 At home received a visit from , one of the men who assisted in kidnapping ; he manifested some repentance and sorrow for his part in that transaction, and promised to use what influence he had with the Missourians to have set at liberty. [HC 6:133]

25 December 1843 • Monday

<25> Monday 25. This morning about 1 o’Clock I was aroused by an English Sister, Lettice Rushton Widow, of Richard Rushton Senior, (who ten years ago lost her sight—) accompanied by three of her sons, with their wives, and her two daughters with their husbands, and several of her neighbors, singing “Mortals awake with Angels join” &c., which caused a thrill of pleasure to run thro’ my soul. All of my family and boarders arose to hear the serenade, and I felt to thank my Heavenly Father for their visit, and blessed them in the name of the Lord. They also visited my brother who was awakened from his sleep, he arose and went out of doors to them, he shook hands with and blessed each one of them in the name of [p. 1826]

December 21 Two letters came into the from the Sheriff of Clark County Missouri, from them it appears that that wishes to continue the old game of seizing witnesses and making prisoners of them, to cover up her mobocracy and kidnapping under legal form. The following answer was written

Respectfully &c.

J. White Esq Dep. Sheriff Clark Co Waterloo Mo.

P.S. you will have the politeness to shew this to .”

In the evening I was visited by several strangers, and had considerable conversation with them.

22 December 1843 • Friday

22 Friday 22. At home at 9 oclock a. m. reading a magazine to my children

A little after 12, went into the room occupied by and , and commenced a conversation with Dr. John F. Charles to convince him that mobocracy is not justifiable; and that I did not deal in Politics.

Warm and pleasant weather.

23 December 1843 • Saturday

23 Saturday 23. At home counselling the brethren who called on me; and attending to my domestic duties, making preparations for a christmas dinner party.

Prayer meeting in the Assembly room

24 December 1843 • Sunday

24 Sunday 24 At home received a visit from , one of the men who assisted in kidnapping ; he manifested some repentance and sorrow for his part in that transaction, and promised to use what influence he had with the Missourians to have set at liberty. [HC 6:133]

25 December 1843 • Monday

25 Monday 25. This morning about 1 o’Clock I was aroused by an English Sister, Lettice Rushton Widow, of Richard Rushton Senior, (who ten years ago lost her sight—) accompanied by three of her sons, with their wives, and her two daughters with their husbands, and several of her neighbors, singing “Mortals awake with Angels join” &c., which caused a thrill of pleasure to run thro’ my soul. All of my family and boarders arose to hear the serenade, and I felt to thank my Heavenly Father for their visit, and blessed them in the name of the Lord. They also visited my brother who was awakened from his sleep, he arose and went out of doors to them, he shook hands with and blessed each one of them in the name of [p. 1826]

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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. 574
  See J. White to Jesse Hunter, 10 Dec. 1843; second letter is not extant.
2. 575
  William W. Phelps to J. White, 21 Dec. 1843.
3. 576
  JS, Journal, 21–24 Dec. 1843.
4. 577
  See 22 Dec. 1843 entry in History Draft.
5. 578
  See 23 Dec. 1843 entry in History Draft.
6. 579
  See 24 Dec. 1843 entry in History Draft.
7. 580
  See 25 Dec. 1843 entry in History Draft.

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

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