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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<August 3.—> Elder [Charles] Beck of , <having> paid $48. for the passage of six of the to Baltimore, [blank] they started this morning and rode all day and night over the Alleghany Mountains in the stage.

I continued unwell. I received $800. in specie and a $200. note from Benjamin Meginness for 100 acres of land.

4 August 1843 • Friday

<4.—> My health improving, I rode out to the . In the evening went with to <visit> , where I met my brother and his .

5 August 1843 • Saturday

<5.—> , , , , and arrived in at 4 a.m. having travelled 430 miles in 48 hours by stage, railroad and steamboat. A very severe storm of wind and rain raged in in the evening, doing immense damage.

6 August 1843 • Sunday

<6.—> Sunday— Meeting at the . preached on testimony. When he closed I told the people I would preach my sermon next Sunday, as I was not able to day; but I would now speak on another subject, viz, the election. [HC 5:525]

“I am above the kingdoms of the World for I have no laws. I am not come to tell you to vote this way, that way, or the other. In relation to national matters I want it to go abroad unto the whole world, that every man should stand on his own merits. The Lord has not given me a revelation concerning politics— I have not asked him for one— I am a third party, and stand independent and alone. I desire to see all parties protected in their rights. As for he is a Whig Candidate— a high-minded man; he has not hung on to my coat tail to gain his election, as some have said. I am going to give a testimony, but not for electioneering purposes: before came to rumor came up that he might become a Candidate; said I, he is an old friend and I’ll vote for him. When he came to my house I voluntarily told him I should vote for him. When I made him acquainted with the ordinances of in relation to writs of he acted in accordance therewith on my testimony. The rascals ( and ) took ’s and ’s security when I was arrested; made come to me and beg— <my> pardon for the abuse he gave me; and through his means and influence the pistols were taken from the rascals. He withdrew all claim to your vote and influence if it would be detrimental to your interest as a people.

tells me this morning that he has had a testimony to the effect it would be better for the people to vote for [Joseph] Hoge, and I never knew say he ever had a revelation and it failed. Let God speak, and all men hold their peace. I never authorized to tell my private feelings, and I utterly forbid these political demagogues from using my name henceforth and for ever. It is my settled feeling, that if erred in granting a writ against me, it is an error of the head and not of the heart; and I authorize all men to say I am a personal friend of .

The cap to ’s sermon is this; every word that proceedeth from the mouth of Jehovah has such an influence over the human mind— the logical mind— that it is convincing without other testimony. Faith cometh by hearing. If ten thousand men testify to a truth you know, would it add [p. 1687]

3 August 1843 • Thursday

August 3.— Elder Charles Beck of , having paid $48. for the passage of six of the to Baltimore, [blank] they started this morning and rode all day and night over the Alleghany Mountains in the stage.

I continued unwell. I received $800. in specie and a $200. note from Benjamin Meginness for 100 acres of land.

4 August 1843 • Friday

4.— My health improving, I rode out to the . In the evening went with to visit , where I met my brother and his .

5 August 1843 • Saturday

5.— , , , , and arrived in at 4 a.m. having travelled 430 miles in 48 hours by stage, railroad and steamboat. A very severe storm of wind and rain raged in in the evening, doing immense damage.

6 August 1843 • Sunday

6.— Sunday— Meeting at the . preached on testimony. When he closed I told the people I would preach my sermon next Sunday, as I was not able to day; but I would now speak on another subject, viz, the election. [HC 5:525]

“I am above the kingdoms of the World for I have no laws. I am not come to tell you to vote this way, that way, or the other. In relation to national matters I want it to go abroad unto the whole world, that every man should stand on his own merits. The Lord has not given me a revelation concerning politics— I have not asked him for one— I am a third party, and stand independent and alone. I desire to see all parties protected in their rights. As for he is a Whig Candidate— a high-minded man; he has not hung on to my coat tail to gain his election, as some have said. I am going to give a testimony, but not for electioneering purposes: before came to rumor came up that he might become a Candidate; said I, he is an old friend and I’ll vote for him. When he came to my house I voluntarily told him I should vote for him. When I made him acquainted with the ordinances of in relation to writs of he acted in accordance therewith on my testimony. The rascals ( and ) took ’s and ’s security when I was arrested; made come to me and beg— my pardon for the abuse he gave me; and through his means and influence the pistols were taken from the rascals. He withdrew all claim to your vote and influence if it would be detrimental to your interest as a people.

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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. 145
  See 3 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
2. 146
  Woodruff, Journal, 2–3 Aug. 1843.
  
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
3. 147
  TEXT: Blank space left by illegible erasure.
4. 148
  Clayton, Journal, 3 Aug. 1843.
  
  Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
5. 149
  See 4 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
6. 150
  JS, Journal, 4 Aug. 1843; Clayton, Journal, 4 Aug. 1843.
  
  Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
7. 151
  See 5 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
8. 152
  Woodruff, Journal, 5 Aug. 1843; “Tremendous Storm,” and “Further Particulars,” Times and Seasons, 15 Aug. 1843, 4:290–292.
  
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
9. 153
  See 6 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
10. 154
  JS, Journal, 6 Aug. 1843; Clayton, Journal, 6 Aug. 1843.
  
  Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

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

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