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.
<July 7> to be revoked, and this deponent released from further proceedings in the place <premises>.
Joseph Smith.
Seal Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th. day of July AD 1843— Given under my hand and Notorial seal the day and year last written.
, Notary Public Co Ill.”
Also and , joined with me in the following
| “State of ) | ss |
| ) |
Personally come before <me,> a Notary Public in and for said , who being sworn says that after the arrest of himself and others as mentioned in the foregoing affidavit, he went to Judge and asked to grant him a fair trial at law saying that with the result of such a trial he would be satisfied— but answered that “there was no law for the Mormons”— that “they must be exterminated”— that the prisoners, this and others must die, but that some people as women and children would have the privilege of leaving the , but there was no hope for them—
He told that his family composed of helpless females had been plundered and driven out into the prairie and asked what he should do. to which answered that if he would renounce his religion and forsake Smith he would be released and protected— that the same offer was made to the other prisoners all of whom however refused to do so and were in reply told that they would be put to death— being in like manner sworn says that the same offer was made to him by the prosecuting Attorney that if he would forsake the Mormons he should be released and restored to his home and suffered to remain, to which he returned an answer similar to that of — Joseph Smith being in like manner sworn says, that he and were chained together at the time of the conversation above recited by ; which conversation he heard, and which is cor[HC 5:495]rectly stated above, but that no such offer was made to him it being understood as certain that he was to be shot. Joseph Smith, , .
LS Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th. day of July AD 1843.
Given under my hand and Notarial Seal the day and year last written
Notary Public Ill.
Afterwards , , , , , , and joined in making the following affidavit.
| State of ) | ss |
| ) |
Personally appeared before a notary Public within and for said the undersigned citizens of said who being first severally duly sworn according to the law upon said oath depose and say that the said affiants were citizens and residents of and the adjoining Counties in the state of during the years AD 1837. 1838. and a part of AD. 1839. that said affiants were personally conversant with and sufferers in the scenes and troubles usually denominated the Mormon war in — That the acting executive officer of said , together with and and [p. 1664]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [38]
TEXT: “Seal” enclosed in a hand-drawn representation of a seal, spanning two lines.
- [39]
JS et al., Affidavit, Hancock Co., IL, 7 July 1843, JS Collection, CHL.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
- [40]
TEXT: “LS” enclosed in a hand-drawn representation of a seal, spanning three lines.
- [41]
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