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.
<February 8.> vote was taken to maintain my political views.
<-[Let this be the last paragraph of the 7th]-> A piece of doggerel appears in the “Warsaw Message” of this date entitled “Buckeye’s lamentations for the want of more wives.” evidently the production of , and breathing a very foul and malicious spirit.
<9.> Friday 9. Held Mayor’s court in my dining room, on the case “ vs ” for assault. Case withdrawn on my recommendation.
This evening a public meeting was held; I Extract from the Neighbor:—
“Public meeting. On Friday the 9th. inst a public meeting was held in the Assembly room <at> which a public address of General. Joseph Smith’s to the citizens of the was read by . The address is certainly an able document, big with meaning and interest, clearly pointing out the way for the temporal salvation of this union, shewing what would be our best policy, pointing out the rocks and quick sand where our political bark is in danger of being wrecked, and the way to escape it, and evincing a knowledge and foresight of our political economy, worthy of the writer.
Appropriate remarks were made by several gentlemen after the reading of the address.”
<10.> Saturday 10. came and delivered to my clerks, one barrel of flour worth $4-50 of which he had donated $2-50 himself, $1-00 and Henry Dame $1-00. Edwin Whiting sent two or three gallons of soap. The brethren at also sent a small hone, four brooms, and a pound or two of butter. This was done at the request of the Twelve Apostles, so that the clerks might continue to write.
I instructed the to inform , who kept a select school in the Assembly room, that I must for the future have that Room for my own use.
Prayer meeting in the Assembly room— prayed for and others who were sick.
A conference was held at Tuscaloosa Co, Alabama. Elder John Brown President, and George W. Stewart Clerk. Three branches were represented containing 9 Elders, 2 Priests, 3 Teachers, 3 Deacons, and 123 members.
<11.> Sunday 11. Snow on the ground— thaw commenced in the afternoon. I was at home. [HC 6:211]
<12.> Monday 12. I sat in the city Council, and recommended the repeal of the ordinances entitled “An Extra Ordinance for the extra case of Joseph Smith”, “An ordinance to prevent unlawful search or seizure of person or property, by foreign process in the City of ,” and “An Ordinance regulating the currency;” and they were repealed accordingly. The Memorial to Congress, passed Decr. 21st. 1843 was again read, and signed by the Counselors, Aldermen, Mayor, and .
I—— instructed Councillor to call all the representatives together, and tell them our sufferings have been such that we must have that Document passed, and we will have it. [p. 1887]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [734]
“Buckey’s Lamentation for Want of More Wives,” Warsaw (IL) Message, 7 Feb. 1844, [1].
Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.
- [735]
See 9 Feb. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [736]
JS, Journal, 9 Feb. 1844.
- [737]
“Public Meeting,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 14 Feb. 1844, [2].
Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
- [738]
See 10 Feb. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [739]
JS, Journal, 10 Feb. 1844.
- [740]
Minutes, Tuscaloosa Co., AL, 10 Feb. 1844, in Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1844, 5:462.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
- [741]
See 11 Feb. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [742]
JS, Journal, 11 Feb. 1844; Bullock, Journal, 11 Feb. 1844.
Bullock, Thomas. Journal, Feb. 1844–Aug. 1845. In Historian’s Office, Journal, 1844–1997. CHL. CR 100 1, box 1, vol. 1.
- [743]
See 12 Feb. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [744]
JS, Journal, 12 Feb. 1844; Nauvoo City Council Rough Minute Book, 12 Feb. 1844, 1–3; Bullock, Journal, 12 Feb. 1844.
Nauvoo City Council Rough Minute Books, 1841–1845. Nauvoo, IL. Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 16800, box 1, fds. 2-5.
Bullock, Thomas. Journal, Feb. 1844–Aug. 1845. In Historian’s Office, Journal, 1844–1997. CHL. CR 100 1, box 1, vol. 1.
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