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 23> that goes to be a king and a priest; when he gets on the mountains he [1 line blank] may want to talk with his God; when with the savage nations have power [1 line blank] to govern &c.— If we don’t get volunteers, wait till after the election.
| said | ‘Gentlemen, I shall go.’ |
| volunteered | |
| do. | |
| do. | |
| do. | |
| do. | |
| do. | |
| do. | |
| Samuel W. Richards | do. |
<24.> Saturday 24. At home— had an interview with at 9 o’Clock.
Seth Palmer, , and volunteered to go to and .
1500 copies of my ‘views’ out of press.
Very pleasant the past two weeks; the pleasantest February I ever saw. [HC 6:224]
went to Knowlton’s settlement on Bear Creek and preached.
<25.> Sunday 25. I preached at the . also preached.
Evening I attended prayer meeting in the Assembly room. We prayed that “Gen. Smith’s views of the powers and policy of the ” might be spread far and wide, and be the means of opening the hearts of the people. I gave some important instructions and prophesied that within five years we should be out of the power of our old enemies, whether they were apostates or of the world, and told the Brethren to record it, that when it comes to pass they need not say they had forgotten the saying.
Some rain in the evening, cloudy and foggy.
<26.> Monday 26. At home, a cold Wind from the North, rainy, dull day.
In the afternoon held court at the Mansion, City of vs on complaint of for slanderous language concerning him and certain females of . was fined $50.00 and costs. his attorney gave notice he should appeal to the Municipal Court and then to the Circuit Court. I told what I thought of him for trying to carry such a suit to ; it was to stir up the mob, and bring them upon us.
Prayer meeting in the Assembly room in the afternoon. My Uncle and lady were present, were anointed and received blessings, and in the evening was also blessed.
Ira S. Miles volunte[e]red to join the Mountain exploring expedition.
<27> Tuesday 27. At home. Cool and clear— river clear of ice. [p. 1898]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [779]
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 23–24 Feb. 1844.
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.
- [780]
See 24 Feb. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [781]
JS, Journal, 24 Feb. 1844.
- [782]
Young, Journal, 24 Feb. 1844.
Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.
- [783]
See 25 Feb. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [784]
JS, Journal, 25 Feb. 1844; Woodruff, Journal, 25 Feb. 1844.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
- [785]
See 26 Feb. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [786]
JS, Journal, 26 Feb. 1844; Woodruff, Journal, 25 Feb. 1844.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
- [787]
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 23 Feb. 1844.
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.
- [788]
See 27 Feb. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [789]
JS, Journal, 27 Feb. 1844.
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