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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<February 1.> Thursday 1. At home, weather cold. published a thrilling appeal to the inhabitants of his native State of , to consider the wrongs sustained in the loss of lives and property, and other damages [HC 6:193] done to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints of which he is a member.

Elder wrote to Prest. , giving the names of those who had emigrated at the expense of the office, amounting to $1378. which is due from the emigrants.

2 February 1844 • Friday

<2.> Friday 2. Dr. called and read ’ appeal to the inhabitants of , for redress of difficulties.

Prayer meeting at Elder ’s. Weather cold.

I went into the Assembly room where I found Elders , and , to whom I related the following dream <which Elder reported>;

“I was standing on a peninsula, in the midst of a vast body of water, where there appeared to be a large harbor or pier built out for boats to come into, I was surrounded by my friends, and while looking at this harbor I saw a steamboat approaching the harbor, there were bridges on the pier for persons to cross; and there came up a wind and drove the steamboat under one of the bridges and upset it. I ran up to the boat, expecting the persons would all drown, and wishing to do something to assist them, I put my hand against the side of the boat, and with one surge I shoved it under the bridge, and righted it up, and then told them to take care of themselves, but it was not long before I saw them starting out into the channel or main body of the water again. The storms were raging, and the waters rough. I said to my friends, that if they did not understand the signs of the times and the spirit of prophecy they would be apt to be lost. It was but a few moments after when we saw the waves break over the boat, and she soon foundered, and went down with all on board. The storm and waters were still very rough yet I told my friends around me that I believed I could stem those waves and storm, and swim in the waters better than the steam boat did, at any rate I was determined to try it, but my friends laughed at me and told me I could not stand at all, but would be drowned. [HC 6:194] The waters looked clear and beautiful though exceedingly rough, and I said I believed I could swim and I would try it anyhow: they said I would drown; I said I would have a frolic in the water first if I did, and I dove off into the raging waves; I had swam but a short distance, when a towering wave overwhelmed <me> for a time, but I soon found myself on the top of it, and soon I met the second wave in the same way, and for a while I struggled hard to live in the midst of the storm, and waves, <and> soon found I gained upon every wave and skimmed the torrent better and better, and I soon had power to swim with my head out of water, so the waves did not break over me at all, and I found that I had swam a great distance, and in looking about me I saw my brother by my side. I asked him how he liked it, he said first rate, and I thought so too, I was soon enabled to swim with my head and shoulders out of water, and I could swim as fast as any steamboat. In a little time it became calm, and I could rush through the water and only go into my loins, and soon I [p. 1874]

1 February 1844 • Thursday

February 1. Thursday 1. At home, weather cold. published a thrilling appeal to the inhabitants of his native State of , to consider the wrongs sustained in the loss of lives and property, and other damages [HC 6:193] done to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints of which he is a member.

Elder wrote to Prest. , giving the names of those who had emigrated at the expense of the office, amounting to $1378. which is due from the emigrants.

2 February 1844 • Friday

2. Friday 2. Dr. called and read ’ appeal to the inhabitants of , for redress of difficulties.

Prayer meeting at Elder ’s. Weather cold.

I went into the Assembly room where I found Elders , and , to whom I related the following dream which Elder reported;

“I was standing on a peninsula, in the midst of a vast body of water, where there appeared to be a large harbor or pier built out for boats to come into, I was surrounded by my friends, and while looking at this harbor I saw a steamboat approaching the harbor, there were bridges on the pier for persons to cross; and there came up a wind and drove the steamboat under one of the bridges and upset it. I ran up to the boat, expecting the persons would all drown, and wishing to do something to assist them, I put my hand against the side of the boat, and with one surge I shoved it under the bridge, and righted it up, and then told them to take care of themselves, but it was not long before I saw them starting out into the channel or main body of the water again. The storms were raging, and the waters rough. I said to my friends, that if they did not understand the signs of the times and the spirit of prophecy they would be apt to be lost. It was but a few moments after when we saw the waves break over the boat, and she soon foundered, and went down with all on board. The storm and waters were still very rough yet I told my friends around me that I believed I could stem those waves and storm, and swim in the waters better than the steam boat did, at any rate I was determined to try it, but my friends laughed at me and told me I could not stand at all, but would be drowned. [HC 6:194] The waters looked clear and beautiful though exceedingly rough, and I said I believed I could swim and I would try it anyhow: they said I would drown; I said I would have a frolic in the water first if I did, and I dove off into the raging waves; I had swam but a short distance, when a towering wave overwhelmed me for a time, but I soon found myself on the top of it, and soon I met the second wave in the same way, and for a while I struggled hard to live in the midst of the storm, and waves, and soon found I gained upon every wave and skimmed the torrent better and better, and I soon had power to swim with my head out of water, so the waves did not break over me at all, and I found that I had swam a great distance, and in looking about me I saw my brother by my side. I asked him how he liked it, he said first rate, and I thought so too, I was soon enabled to swim with my head and shoulders out of water, and I could swim as fast as any steamboat. In a little time it became calm, and I could rush through the water and only go into my loins, and soon I [p. 1874]

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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. 712
  See 1 Feb. 1844 entry in History Draft.
2. 713
  JS, Journal, 1 Feb. 1844.
3. 714
  Phineas Richards, “An Appeal to the Inhabitants of Massachusetts,” 1 Feb. 1844, CHL; Phineas Richards, “An Appeal to the Inhabitants of Massachusetts,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 7 Feb. 1844, [2].
  
  Richards, Phineas. “An Appeal to the Inhabitants of Massachusetts,” 1 Feb. 1844. CHL. MS 15539.
  Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
4. 715
  Reuben Hedlock, Liverpool, England, to Brigham Young and Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, 1 Feb. 1844, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.
  
  Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.
5. 716
  See 2 Feb. 1844 entry in History Draft.
6. 717
  JS, Journal, 2 Feb. 1844.
7. 718
  Woodruff, Journal, 3 Jan. 1844; Historian’s Office, Sermon Book, 23–24.
  
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
  Historian’s Office. Sermon Book / Historian’s Office. “Sermons by Joseph Smit[h] and Others,” ca. 1854–ca. 1856. Verso of Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, CHL.

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

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