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.
<March 12.> gentlemen generally of the .
In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and affixed the seal of said Corporation at the time and place aforesaid.
Corporation Seal
Joseph Smith Mayor
Recorder.” [HC 6:262]
A dull cloudy day.
A meeting of the inhabitants of the tenth ward was held this evening at the school house on the hill, in Parley Street, to take into consideration the propriety of establishing a store on the principle of co-operation or reciprocity. The subject was fully investigated, and the benefits of such an institution clearly pointed out.
The plan proposed for carrying out the object of the meeting was by shares of five Dollars each.
The leading features of the institution was to give employment to our own mechanics, by supplying the raw material, and manufacturing all sorts of domestics, and furnishing the necessaries and comforts of life on the lowest possible terms.
A Committee was appointed to draft a plan for the government of said institute, to be submitted for adoption or amendment at their next meeting, after which an adjournment took place till next Tuesday evening, at half past six o’Clock, at the same place.
<13.> Wednesday 13. In special Council from 9 to 12. a m. . — and were present, in addition to those of the preceding day. was appointed Historian and Clerk of the Council.
It was decided that should return to when I and my brother gave him the following letter of attorney—
“This is to certify that the bearer hereof our worthy brother Elder hath been appointed by the First Presidency of the church of Jesus christ of Latter day Saints our Agent to transact such business as may be deemed necessary for the benefit of said church, and such as he shall see proper throughout the Island of Great Britain. He is hereby authorized to receive monies for the in , [HC 6:263] the poor or for the Church, and the brethren will be safe should they deposit money in his hands for any purpose pertaining to the church business in this place.
In Witness Whereof we have hereunto set our hands and placed the Corporation seal of the city of this 13th. day of March A. D. 1844.
Seal of corporation
Joseph Smith
Presiding Elders of the whole church of J. C. of L. D. S.
<14.> Thursday 14. In special Council over the from 9 till 1. [p. 1929]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [855]
TEXT: “Corporation Seal” enclosed in a hand-drawn representation of a seal, spanning three lines.
- [856]
Bullock, Journal, 12 Mar. 1844.
Bullock, Thomas. Journal, Feb. 1844–Aug. 1845. In Historian’s Office, Journal, 1844–1997. CHL. CR 100 1, box 1, vol. 1.
- [857]
“Public Meeting,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 13 Mar. 1844, [2].
Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
- [858]
See 13 Mar. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [859]
JS, Journal, 13 Mar. 1844; Council of Fifty, “Record,” 13 Mar. 1844.
Council of Fifty. “Record of the Council of Fifty or Kingdom of God,” Mar. 1844–Jan. 1846. CHL.
- [860]
JS, Certificate, Nauvoo, IL, for Amos Fielding, 13 Mar. 1844, JS Collection, CHL.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
- [861]
TEXT: “Seal of corporation” enclosed in a hand-drawn representation of a seal, spanning three lines.
- [862]
See 14 Mar. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [863]
JS, Journal, 14 Mar. 1844; Council of Fifty Minutes, “Record,” 14 Mar. 1844.
Council of Fifty. “Record of the Council of Fifty or Kingdom of God,” Mar. 1844–Jan. 1846. CHL.
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