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.
<April 6.> man is a government of himself, and infringe upon no government. A man is not an honorable man if he is not above all law, and above government. I see in our town we have need of government, some study law only for the purpose of seeing how many feuds, how many broils they can kick up, how much they can disturb the peace of the public, without breaking the law, and then say: ‘I know my rights and will have them;’ ‘I did not know it was the Marshal or I would not have done it.’ He is no gentleman, gentlemen would not insult a poor man in the street, but would bow to him, as much as those who appear more respectable. No marshal, or any one else should pull me up; we ought to live a great way within the circle of the laws of the land, I would live far above all law. The law of God is far more righteous than the laws of the land; the laws of God are far above the laws of the land. The kingdom of God does not interfere with the laws of the land, but keeps itself by its own laws.” -[reported by Elder . -[See Addenda, page 1]- [HC 6:292] [HC 6:293] [HC 6:294] [HC 6:295] [HC 6:296]
A little before 5 o’Clock, the assembly were dismissed without ceremony until next morning; on the appearance of a shower. The people had scarce time to retire before a heavy shower of rain, wind, thunder and lightning followed, a splendid double rainbow seen in the heavens.
<7.> Sunday 7. Very pleasant morning. The President arrived at 10 o’Clock; the largest congregation of people ever seen in having assembled. The choir sung the Hymn “ye slumbering nations that have slept a long night.”
offered an affectionate appeal for the prayers of the Saints on behalf of the sick, and then prayer by Elder
Choir sung the hymn “The Spirit of God like a fire is burning” &c.
The mayor requested the people to keep good order, and observe to mind the police who are round the outskirts of the congregation to keep order. “Policemen, I want you to exercise your authority, and dont say “you can’t do any thing” for us, for the Constitutional power calls you to keep good order, and God Almighty calls you, and we command you to do it.”
Elder arose and continued his subject of yesterday.
Choir sung the benediction [HC 6:297]
During intermission 35 were baptized in the for the remission of their sins.
At two o’Clock, p. m. Patriarch arrived at the and said he wanted to speak something about the .
“We want 200,000 shingles, as we shall resume the work on the immediately; all who have not paid their tithing, come on and do it. We want provisions, money, boards, planks, and any thing that is good; we don’t want any more old guns or watches. I thought some time ago [p. 1955]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [953]
Bullock, Journal, 6 Apr. 1844; JS, Journal, 6 Apr. 1844.
Bullock, Thomas. Journal, Feb. 1844–Aug. 1845. In Historian’s Office, Journal, 1844–1997. CHL. CR 100 1, box 1, vol. 1.
- [954]
See 7 Apr. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [955]
JS, Journal, 7 Apr. 1844; Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 7 Apr. 1844; “Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1844, 5:596–598.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
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