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.
See 30 Mar. 1844 entry in History Draft.
<March 30> Saturday 30. This morning I heard there was some disturbance on the hill, rode up and found it reported that a robbery had been committed at the key Stone Store, kept by of some $4 or 500 and some goods, and they were suspicious of a certain black man. I issued a search warrant and returned to my where I found the black man [blank] Chism, with his back lacerated from his shoulders to his hips, with 20 or more lashes. My Clerk kept him secreted and called a Justice of the Peace, who issued a warrant for [blank] a Missourian, who had boarded at my house a few days, and on testimony fined him $5.00 and cost for whipping [blank] Chism. one Easton a witness, said he could not testify without implicating himself— and he was apprehended and held in custody. Esq. refused to testify because he was counsel.
I got prepared a Memorial to his Excellency [HC 6:281] the President of the , embodying in it the same sentiments, as are in my Petition to the Senate and House of Representatives of the dated 26 March 1844. asking the privilege of raising 100,000 men to extend protection to persons wishing to settle and other <portions of the> Territory of the and extend protection to the people in .
See 31 Mar. 1844 entry in History Draft.
<31.> Sabbath 31. Cold fine day.
At home this morning until 9, when I went over to my reading room, again heard read, and signed my memorial to Congress for the privilege of raising 100,000 volunteers to protect , , &c. dated 26th. inst:, and also a Memorial to the for the same purpose, if the other fail.
Also signed an introductory letter to Elder who is going to carry the Memorials to — as follows:— [HC 6:282]
“City of . Ill. March 30. 1844. To whom it may concern, We, the Mayor, and of said , do certify that Esq. the bearer, a Councillor in the city council of said , is sent as our Agent by the authorities of said , [blank], to transact such business as he may deem expedient and beneficial for the party whom he represents; And as such Agent, and gentleman of principle and character, he by us, is recommended to the due consideration of all the Executive officers of the Government, both houses of Congress, and gentlemen generally of the .
Corporation Seal.
In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and affixed the seal of said Corporation at the time and place aforesaid.
Joseph Smith Mayor.
Recorder.”
Gen. buried his wife
About this time Bro: one of the Police, informed me that drew a pistol on him the night before and threatened to shoot him I instructed him to make complaint [p. 1947]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [924]
See 30 Mar. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [925]
JS, Journal, 30 Mar. 1844.
- [926]
JS, Memorial to John Tyler, 30 Mar. 1844, copy JS Collection, CHL.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
- [927]
See 31 Mar. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [928]
Bullock, Journal, 31 Mar. 1844.
Bullock, Thomas. Journal, Feb. 1844–Aug. 1845. In Historian’s Office, Journal, 1844–1997. CHL. CR 100 1, box 1, vol. 1.
- [929]
JS, Journal, 31 Mar. 1844.
- [930]
Letter of Recommendation for Orson Hyde, 30 Mar. 1844, draft, in Letter of Recommendation for Orson Pratt, 12 Mar. 1844, draft, JS Collection, CHL.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
- [931]
TEXT: “Corporation Seal” enclosed in a hand-drawn representation of a seal.
- [932]
JS, Journal, 31 Mar. 1844.
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