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 26> and I can prove it, and the oath is out against you.”
See 27 Apr. 1844 entry in History Draft.
<27> Saturday 27. A large Company of Gentlemen from , and other places on the , called at the Mansion, after spending some time, they returned to the boat, but it was gone; when they again returned to the mansion.
At 9 a. m. the case of came up for trial before the Municipal Court, I had a conversation with , in which he charged me with many crimes and said that Daniteism was in . and he used a great variety of vile and false epithets and charges.
The Court adjourned to Monday the 29th. at 9 a. m.
agreed to meet me on the second Monday in May, at the , and have a settlement, and he would publish the result of it in the papers: I told him if he did not agree to be quiet, and not attempt to raise a Mob, I would not meet him; if he would agree to be quiet, I would be willing to publish the settlement in the neighbor: but would not agree to be quiet. I then told him I had done my duty, the skirts of my garments were free from his (’s) blood, I had made the last overtures of peace to him, and then delivered him into the hands of God and shook my garments against him as a testimony thereof.
I continued in some time afterwards in conversation, and then went into the Big room and read in the Signal a vile article against the Saints. [HC 6:345]
Elder arrived from accompanied by 150 immigrating Saints.
There was a meeting at the at one o’Clock to give instructions to the Elders going out Electionering. who <They> were addressed by and .
prosecuted for slander &c.
See 28 Apr. 1844 entry in History Draft.
<28> Sunday 28. At home, a beautiful clear day.
My brother preached at the in the morning, and among other things said the time will shortly come, that when one man makes another an offender for a word, he shall be cut off from the church of Jesus Christ. There were prophets before Adam, and Joseph has the spirit and power of all the Prophets.
Prest. also spoke very pointedly and truly about and others. was cursed and the people cried Amen.
Several persons were baptized in the , at the foot of Main Street.
There was a meeting of the Twelve apostles, Seventies and others, in the Seventies hall in the afternoon.
Prayer meeting in the evening, the brethren prayed for the sick; a deliverance from our enemies; a favorable termination to law suits; &c. &c. I had been suddenly taken sick and was therefore unable to attend.
A conference of Elders assembled at , or [p. 2025]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [1026]
See 27 Apr. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [1027]
JS, Journal, 27 Apr. 1844.
- [1028]
Richards, Journal, 27 Apr. 1844.
Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
- [1029]
See 28 Apr. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [1030]
Bullock, Journal, 28 Apr. 1844; JS, Journal, 28 Apr. 1844.
Bullock, Thomas. Journal, Feb. 1844–Aug. 1845. In Historian’s Office, Journal, 1844–1997. CHL. CR 100 1, box 1, vol. 1.
- [1031]
Richards, Journal, 28 Apr. 1844; Woodruff, Journal, 28 Apr. 1844.
Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
- [1032]
Richards, Journal, 28 Apr. 1844; Clayton, Journal, 28 Apr. 1844.
Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
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