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.
<January 21> this generation; it has been like splitting hemlock knots with a corn dodger for a wedge, and a pumpkin for a beetle. Even the Saints are slow to understand. [HC 6:184] I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the saints prepared to receive the things of God, but we frequently see some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God will fly to pieces like glass, as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions; they cannot stand the fire at all; how many will be able to abide a celestial law and go through, and receive their exaltation, I am unable to say; as many are called but few are chosen.”
Prayer meeting in <the> Assembly room
<22> Monday 22. Rainy; Wind easterly— mud very deep.
Rented the and Stables to , for one thousand dollars per annum, and board for myself and family, and horses, reserving to myself three rooms in the house.
Prayer meeting at ’s; ten present.
<23> Tuesday 23. took possession of the to continue it as a public house. . , and valued the and lot at $1500, Printing apparatus $950, Bindery $112, Foundry $270 Total $2832, I having sold the concern to , who in consideration was to assume the responsibility of the Lawrence estate.
There was a cotillion party in the evening at the ; The night was clear and cold.
The Ship “Fanny” Captn. Patterson, sailed from with 210 Saints on board.
<24> Wednesday 24. Called at my about one o’Clock;— I think the apprized valuation of the rather too low.
Weather very cold.
The mob party at , , and Green Plains continued their agitation.
<25> Thursday 25. At home. Prayer meeting at ’s; eight of the Twelve Apostles present. Weather extremely cold.
<I approved of the doings of a General Court Martial. held January 13th> [HC 6:185]
<26> Friday 26. I dictated to my Clerk an article on the situation of the nation referring to the President’s Message &c.. Prayer meeting at ’s; eight of the Twelve Apostles present. Elder went to to preach. Weather clear and cool.
<27.> Saturday 27. Weather extremely cold and clear. Prayer meeting in the Assembly room. High Council met, but having no business, adjourned.
<28> Sunday 28. I had some Company in the evening from ; I conversed with them on politics, religion &c. Prayer meeting in the Assembly room. Weather very cold.
I insert the following from the Millennial Star:—
“— The idea has frequently crossed my mind, that were the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ in this age, to keep a Journal of their travels and ministry, and record all the healings and miracles they had witnessed from time to time; that, should their separate Journals be afterwards collected together and published in a volume, [p. 1867]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [685]
JS, Journal, 21–23 Jan. 1844.
- [686]
See 22 Jan. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [687]
See 23 Jan. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [688]
Hiram Clark, Letter to the Editor, Times and Seasons, 1 June 1844, 5:558.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
- [689]
See 24 Jan. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [690]
JS, Journal, 24 Jan. 1844.
- [691]
“Carthage, Warsaw, and Green Plains,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 24 Jan. 1844, [2].
Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
- [692]
See 25 Jan. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [693]
JS, Journal, 25 Jan. 1844.
- [694]
Nauvoo Legion Minute Book, 13 Jan. 1844, 75.
Nauvoo Legion Minute Book, 1843–1844. Nauvoo Legion, Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430, fd. 1.
- [695]
See 26 Jan. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [696]
JS, Journal, 26 Jan. 1844.
- [697]
See 27 Jan. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [698]
JS, Journal, 27–28 Jan. 1844.
- [699]
See 28 Jan. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [700]
George Mitchelson, Liverpool, England, 28 Jan. 1844, Letter to the Editor, LDS Millennial Star, Feb. 1844, 4:159–160.
Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.
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