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 10 Apr. 1844 entry in History Draft.
<April 10> Wednesday 10. The Twelve were in Council arranging a plan of appointing conferences.
Extract of a letter from Elder ,
“The Marquis of Downshire, who oppressed the Saints at Hillsborough in Ireland, has had the pleasure of his son, Lord William, being killed by his horse at a hunt in a few weeks past, and Mr. Reilly, his Agent, who aided in their abuse, has received the third attack of some paralytic affliction, and obliged to resign his office, his son again, who headed a Mob to annoy the Saints and prevent preaching, has gone to Cork in bad health, and not expected to recover, so much for them.”
See 11 Apr. 1844 entry in History Draft.
<11> Thursday 11. In General Council, in the , morning and afternoon— had a very interesting time, the Spirit of the Lord was with us and we closed the Council with loud shouts of Hos-anna.
See 12 Apr. 1844 entry in History Draft.
<12> Friday 12. The Twelve met in Council.
Rode out with brothers and to look at some land.
A Conference was held at Cypry, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Elder Benjamin L. Clapp President, and John Brown Clerk— 7 branches were represented, consisting of 192 members, 12 Elders, 5 priests, 4 Teachers, and 2 Deacons— all in good standing.
See 13 Apr. 1844 entry in History Draft.
<13> Saturday 13. At 10 A. M. Met in city Council. was appointed attorney. I advised that the council take such a course as will protect the innocent,— that in many cases, the attorney would get his pay of the individual employing him, that the appointment would be a valuable consideration, and for 1 year a salary of $100; would be sufficient; perhaps $150 the next year, &c. increasing as the increases, and if $100 would not satisfy, we had better have no attorney; ‘I would [HC 6:331] rather give my services as counsellor &c. than levy a tax the people are not able to pay, and that every man ought to be willing to help prop the , by bearing a share of the burden till the is able to pay a higher salary. My opinion is that the officers of the <should> be satisfied with a very small compensation for their services. I have never received $25.00 for my services, but the peace I have enjoyed in the rights and liberties of the has been ample compensation.’ I suggested the propriety of inserting a clause in the ordinance relating to the attorney, to be made authorizing him to claim fees of parties in certain cases, and the small salary satisfy the attorney in cases where he can get no fees, from his client,— “I would rather be docked $100 in my salary than have the $200 given to the city attorney by the .”
I also proposed that the Council take into consideration the payment of the police— also proposed that a public meeting be called in each ward to see if the people will pay the police— and if they will not, the council will take the case into consideration.
At 1 p, m. The Municipal court sat in the assembly room; [p. 2009]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [975]
See 10 Apr. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [976]
JS, Journal, 10 Apr. 1844.
- [977]
James Sloan, Liverpool, England, to Charles Warner, Nauvoo, IL, 10 Apr. 1844, CHL.
Sloan, James. Letter, Liverpool, England, to Charles Warner, Nauvoo, IL, 10 Apr. 1844. CHL.
- [978]
See 11 Apr. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [979]
JS, Journal, 11 Apr. 1844; Council of Fifty, “Record,” 11 Apr. 1844; Clayton, Journal, 11 Apr. 1844.
Council of Fifty. “Record of the Council of Fifty or Kingdom of God,” Mar. 1844–Jan. 1846. CHL.
Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
- [980]
See 12 Apr. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [981]
Clayton, Journal, 12 Apr. 1844.
Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
- [982]
“Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 July 1844, 5:573.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
- [983]
See 13 Apr. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [984]
Nauvoo City Council Rough Minute Book, 13 Apr. 1844, 8–10; JS, Journal, 13 Apr. 1844.
Nauvoo City Council Rough Minute Books, 1841–1845. Nauvoo, IL. Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 16800, box 1, fds. 2-5.
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