History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]

Source Note

JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. E-1, created 20 Aug. 1855–5 Apr. 1856; handwriting of Robert L. Campbell,
Leo Hawkins
19 July 1834–28 May 1859. Clerk, reporter. Born in London. Son of Samuel Harris Hawkins and Charlotte Savage. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John Banks, 23 Oct. 1848. Immigrated to U.S. with his family; arrived in New Orleans...
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, 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

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
George A. Smith
26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...
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, who was JS’s cousin. Smith collaborated with
Thomas Bullock
23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...
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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
Smith
26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...
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’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
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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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
Hyrum Smith
9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...
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and
William Clayton
17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...
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.

• The 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment of
Sidney Rigdon
19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
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and revocation of his priesthood license.

• Dispatch of the first missionaries to the Pacific Islands on 20 September 1843, led by
Addison Pratt
21 Feb. 1802–14 Oct. 1872. Sailor, farmer, carpenter. Born in Winchester, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of Henry Pratt and Rebekah Jewell. Married Louisa Barnes, 3 Apr. 1831, in Dunham, Lower Canada. Settled on banks of Lake Erie, in New York, where he...
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.

• JS’s 1 October 1843 announcement of
George J. Adams
7 Nov. 1810–11 May 1880. Tailor, actor, clergyman. Born in Oxford, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Lived in Boston during 1820s and 1830s. Became Methodist lay preacher. Married Caroline. Moved to New York City, before 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...
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’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
Sidney Rigdon
19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
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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
Vermont
Area served as early thoroughfare for traveling Indian tribes. French explored area, 1609, and erected fort on island in Lake Champlain, 1666. First settled by Massachusetts emigrants, 1724. Claimed by British colonies of New York and New Hampshire, but during...
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, inserted under the date of 29 November 1843.

• A 20 January 1844 entry that includes a poem by
Eliza R. Snow
21 Jan. 1804–5 Dec. 1887. Poet, teacher, seamstress, milliner. Born in Becket, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Daughter of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Moved to Mantua, Trumbull Co., Ohio, ca. 1806. Member of Baptist church. Baptized into Church...
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commemorating the presentation of two copies of the Book of Mormon to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert by
Lorenzo Snow
3 Apr. 1814–10 Oct. 1901. Schoolteacher. Born in Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio. Son of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Attended Oberlin College. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John F. Boynton, 19 June 1836, in Kirtland...
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.

• JS’s nomination on 29 January 1844 as an independent candidate for the presidency of the
United States
North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...
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.

• An account of JS’s
King Follett
24/26 July 1788–9 Mar. 1844. Born at Winchester, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of John Follett and Hannah Oak (Oake) Alexander. Married Louisa Tanner, by 1815. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spring 1831. Member of Whitmer branch...
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sermon, 7 April 1844.

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<July 19> by ; that the circuit courts of that set three times a year; that Smith was permanently settled at , no person dreaming that he would leave there for years to come; that they might have waited in , for a regular term of the court, if the design was simply to revive a charge of treason against Smith, with a perfect assurance that he would always be found at home and be as subject to arrest at one time as another. But this delay did not suit the conspirators, as it would put off an attempt to arrest Smith until after the August election.

Let it be borne in mind also that the agent of , after he had obtained the custody of Smith at , refused to employ a democratic lawyer, and insisted upon having a whig lawyer of inferior [HC 5:514] abilities, simply upon the ground, as he stated, that the democrats were against him.

Let it also be borne in mind that , the whig candidate for Congress, miraculously happened to be within six miles of when Smith was arrested, ready and convenient to be employed by Smith to get him delivered from custody and that he was actually employed and actually did get Smith enlarged from custody; and withal

Let it be remembered that is the pliant tool and pander of the Junto at ; and that he was the instigator of an unnecessary special term in on the 5th day of June last for the purpose of getting Smith indicted. ¶ We say let all these facts be borne in mind and they produce a strong suspicion, if not conviction, that the whole affair is a Whig conspiracy to compel a democratic to issue a writ against Smith pending the congressional elections, so as to incense the Mormons; create a necessity for ’s, and perhaps Browning’s, professional services in favor of Smith, to get him delivered out of the net of their own weaving, and thereby get the everlasting gratitude of the Mormons and their support for the Whig cause.

20 July 1843 • Thursday

<20.—> I furnished with $290.00 for the Expedition to the .

21 July 1843 • Friday

<21.—> Rode to the with my daughter .

The “Maid of Iowa” sailed for the in with , , and a large Company, with their families.

<Lieutt. Col. was elected Col. 1st. Regt. 2nd Cohort to fill the vacancy of Col , resigned.>

22 July 1843 • Saturday

<22.—> I rode out in my buggy in the evening.

Sister Mary Ann Holmes was brought to my house sick; she has been confined to her bed for upwards of two years.

, , and left at 11 a.m. on board the “Adelaide” for . <While on board, Elder dreamed that he was at work in a Pottery where there was a large amount of Clay drawn together; he examined it and found it to be yellow rotten stuff of no account, and he thought it was easier to go to [HC 5:515] the Clay Bank and get new clay which would make better vessels, but after a while he concluded to work up this Clay into vessels which when made, proved to be rotten, which is a representation of the people of .>

23 July 1843 • Sunday

<Sunday 23.—> Meeting at the . I preached. I insert a brief synopsis <of the discourse.> reported by :—

“I commence my remarks by reading this text; Luke, 16 chap. 16 v. “The Law and the prophets were until John; since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.” I do not know that I shall be able to preach much, but with the faith of the Saints may say something instructive. It has gone abroad that I proclaimed myself no longer a prophet; I said it last Sabbath ironically; I supposed you would all understand. It was not that I would [p. 1679]

July 19 by ; that the circuit courts of that set three times a year; that Smith was permanently settled at , no person dreaming that he would leave there for years to come; that they might have waited in , for a regular term of the court, if the design was simply to revive a charge of treason against Smith, with a perfect assurance that he would always be found at home and be as subject to arrest at one time as another. But this delay did not suit the conspirators, as it would put off an attempt to arrest Smith until after the August election.

20 July 1843 • Thursday

20.— I furnished with $290.00 for the Expedition to the .

21 July 1843 • Friday

21.— Rode to the with my daughter .

The “Maid of Iowa” sailed for the in with , , and a large Company, with their families.

Lieutt. Col. was elected Col. 1st. Regt. 2nd Cohort to fill the vacancy of Col , resigned.

22 July 1843 • Saturday

22.— I rode out in my buggy in the evening.

Sister Mary Ann Holmes was brought to my house sick; she has been confined to her bed for upwards of two years.

, , and left at 11 a.m. on board the “Adelaide” for . While on board, Elder dreamed that he was at work in a Pottery where there was a large amount of Clay drawn together; he examined it and found it to be yellow rotten stuff of no account, and he thought it was easier to go to [HC 5:515] the Clay Bank and get new clay which would make better vessels, but after a while he concluded to work up this Clay into vessels which when made, proved to be rotten, which is a representation of the people of .

23 July 1843 • Sunday

Sunday 23.— Meeting at the . I preached. I insert a brief synopsis of the discourse. reported by :—

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Document Information
Editorial Title
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]
ID #
8112
Total Pages
448
Handwriting on This Page
- Robert L. Campbell
Footnotes
1. 86
  See 20 July 1843 entry in History Draft.
2. 87
  JS, Journal, 20 July 1843.
3. 88
  See 21 July 1843 entry in History Draft.
4. 89
  JS, Journal, 21 July 1843.
5. 90
  Hosea Stout, History of the Nauvoo Legion, Draft 2, p. [6], Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL.
  
  Stout, Hosea. History of the Nauvoo Legion, Draft 2, ca. 1844–1845. Nauvoo Legion Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430, fd. 10. One of three drafts of the history; includes material dated 4 February 1841 through September 1843. Pages are out of order; in the current order, this draft includes pp. [1]–[4], [13]–[14].
6. 91
  See 22 July 1843 entry in History Draft.
7. 92
  JS, Journal, 22 July 1843.
8. 93
  Richards, Journal, 22 July 1843.
  
  Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
9. 94
  Woodruff, Journal, 22 July 1843; Young, Journal, 22 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.
10. 95
  See 23 July 1843 entry in History Draft.
11. 96
  JS, Journal, 23 July 1843; “Discourse by President Joseph Smith, Sunday July 23rd. 1843,” JS Collection, CHL.
  
  Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.

History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]

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