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 24.> or Saints who died, pay too much for that kingdom? They did not. It is necessary that men be put in possession of the knowledge and mysteries of the kingdom of God in order to sin as far as they wish— that they may go to the highest pitch. How often men lay down their lives for their country, and other purposes, how much better then to die for the cause of Zion. Good and righteous men will administer justice and rebuke evil. The Church should be cleansed from bad men; and the Lord will take his own way to cleanse the church. We should lift up our voice against wickedness of all kinds. But will the rulers of our land do it? No, they will not; they will be cowards until there is no man to fight, and then be brave; when Government will not do it. Some man should take the helm of Government that will do it. Will it be called treason, if the God of Heaven should set up a kingdom? May the Lord give you more and more of his Spirit, light, and intelligence, until you are cemented together in union and love, Amen.
Elder addressed the meeting.
Prest. Joseph Smith again arose and said: In relation to the power over the minds of mankind which I hold, I would say it is in consequence of the power of truth in the doctrines which I have been an instrument in the hands of God of presenting unto them, and not because of any compulsion on my part. I wish to ask if ever I got any of it unfairly? If I have not reproved you in the gate? I ask did I ever exercise any compulsion over any man? Did I not give him the liberty of disbelieving any doctrine I have preached if he saw fit? Why do not my enemies strike a blow at the doctrine? They cannot do it, it is truth and I defy all men to upset it. I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness ‘repent ye of your sins and prepare the way for the coming of the son of man, for the kingdom of God has come unto you [HC 6:273] and henceforth the axe is laid unto the root of the tree, and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit. God Almighty (and not Joe Smith) shall hew it down and cast it into the fire’.”
After meeting I rode out with . The trees begin to bud forth.
In <the> evening— held a conversation with a large company of friends at my door.
Elder R. H. Kinnamon writes, that during the last 22 months he has baptized over 100 persons while on a Mission in and N. Carolina— organized two branches in , and calls are continually made for preaching in every direction.
I copy a letter written by Dr. to Gen. .
“ March 24. 1844. Dear . I wrote you on the 4th. inst. in reply to yours of the 1st. Ultimo, also, to inform you of the decision of your friends in , in nominating you for the Vice Presidency of the .
Since that date it has occurred to me that you are not a native of the , consequently we might expect objections [p. 1938]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [902]
JS, Journal, 24 Mar. 1844; Bullock, Journal, 24 Mar. 1844.
Bullock, Thomas. Journal, Feb. 1844–Aug. 1845. In Historian’s Office, Journal, 1844–1997. CHL. CR 100 1, box 1, vol. 1.
- [903]
R. H. Kinnamon, Surrey Co., NC, 24 Mar. 1844, Letter to the Editor, Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1844, 5:507–508.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
- [904]
Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, to James Arlington Bennet, Arlington House, Long Island, NY, 24 Mar. 1844, Willard Richards, Papers, CHL.
Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490.
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