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 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> 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> 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> 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> 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]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [574]
See J. White to Jesse Hunter, 10 Dec. 1843; second letter is not extant.
- [575]
- [576]
JS, Journal, 21–24 Dec. 1843.
- [577]
See 22 Dec. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [578]
See 23 Dec. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [579]
See 24 Dec. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [580]
See 25 Dec. 1843 entry in History Draft.
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