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 16.—> and preached at the house of Father Hewitt, in ; afterwards went into Kentucky to attend an appointment at the Licking . Elders and afflicted with the influenza, politically called “the Tyler Gripe.”
See 17 July 1843 entry in History Draft.
<17.—> Mostly at home with my brother conversing on the ; <called at the once,> and in the evening visited the performance of Mr. Chapman in the court room. [HC 5:510]
and preached at Collins Pemberton’s, near Licking River, and blest eight children.
See 18 July 1843 entry in History Draft.
<18.—> I was making hay on my .
wrote the following to President :—
“By this time I suppose <you> would like to hear a word from the . I forgot to hand you your introduction to Gen Bennett, therefore I enclose it in this. Don’t forget to remember me to the Gen. and his delightful family most warmly<,> together with Mrs. Richards.— (Read, seal and deliver if it suits you.) As you passed our office on the 7th. I discharged my last charge of powder and ball over your heads; had no occasion to reload since; all is peace.
Saturday, 8.— Municipal court in Session to compare minutes of the trial and make ready for the press.
Sunday, 9.— and returned from . When , Mason, &c. started from for in the stage, they crowded out, so he borrowed a team, and when they arrived at had been there six hours, seen the friends and ,— &c. The had sent Mr Breman, a special agent to , to learn the facts, as reports said the “Mormons had rescued Jo,” &c.— petitioned for a posse to retake Jo; would not grant it, but wait the return of his Agent.— started for . At 10th. instant he published a garbled account in the “Old School Democrat.” was in and refreshed ’ memory by a reply on the 12 inst., same paper. manifested every feeling of friendship, wanted affidavits similar to those on trial and would quash the writ.— Joseph gave a sweet conciliatory discourse at the , expressive of good feeling to all men,— he differed but little from other men, a few points only— This eve started for with affidavits.
Mond. 10.— Preparing Minutes of trial for publication.
Tuesd. 11.— Platted my ground for a house.
Wed. 12.— Warsaw message published an Extra to circulate correct information concerning the Mormons, and they have given it correct. and Hollister returned from ; popular opinion is going in our favor. of was visiting his brother near , when news of the ’s [HC 5:511] inaction to arrived, and he started immediately for (report says). Also, that or some famous military chief from has been taking a survey of city. Do you believe it? Bah— it is more generally believed that will quash the Writ, issue no more, and will make no further attempts only by mobs. Distance is but few between this and Upper , Is it? Bah! [p. 1676]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [76]
Young, Journal, 16 July 1843; Woodruff, Journal, 16 July 1843.
Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
- [77]
See 17 July 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [78]
JS, Journal, 17 July 1843; Clayton, Journal, 17 July 1843.
Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
- [79]
Woodruff, Journal, 17 July 1843; Young, Journal, 17 July 1843.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.
- [80]
See 18 July 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [81]
JS, Journal, 18 July 1843.
- [82]
Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, to Brigham Young, New York City, 18 July 1843, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.
Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.
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