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.
<August 14> that means compelled to take his prisoner there, yet was he taken by lawful process; by an authorized officer who acted, so far as I have any evidence, freely and voluntarily in so doing. In no one aspect of the case can I consider the present an extreme emergency, warranting a call for the militia according to the provisions of law in this .
Thus, . I have stated to you the principal reasons which have influenced me in refusing to order a call of the Militia. To my mind they are entirely satisfactory; and I hope they will meet with the approval of your and the citizens of .
I have the honor to be your ’s most obedient servant,
.”
<15> Tuesday. Went in the evening to see Mr. [A.] La Forest exhibit feats of strength. [HC 5:536]
<16> Wednesday. At 10 A M attended the funeral of Genl. , who was buried with Masonic honors.
I sent ’s affidavit to .
<17> Thursday. I held Mayors Court through the day, and tried several suits.
and started from for , via .
Elder wrote me a letter, reporting the in to be in a prosperous condition.
<18> Friday. Conversed with Mr Swartout [George Swarthout] of , and bought from him thirteen quarter sections of land. Visited the lumber yard.
and visited Mount Holly. New Jersey.
<19> Saturday. Two hundred men assembled in to consult about the Mormons; they concluded that the Mormons must be driven from the , and a committee was appointed to draft resolutions accordingly. <(See Addenda page 3)> [HC 5:537]
<20> Sunday. I was at home all day. My brother preached at the , and read a copy of a letter to shew the people that he was not guilty of treachery.
<21> Monday. I received a letter from covering one from Mr. J. Hall of Missouri, breathing hard things against us as a people. I gave instructions to have them copied with some additional remarks, and sent to . The following is a copy of the letter with the comments of the Neighbor thereon:—
“, Mo., July 23. ‘43. <¶> My dear old Friend: Your letter dated on the 12th., and mailed on the 14th. inst, is just at hand, and not being able to answer your questions correctly, or advise you judicially, in relation to the case, until after I see him and some <others> of my friends I will postpone that part of this letter until to-morrow, and in the meantime will say such things as I can write about without much reflection.
upon his return, gave me his compliments from you, and for the first time I learned that you resided in . He also gave a narrative of his adventures in your , which was any thing but favorable, either to the reputation of your people, or yourself, as a law abiding people, or a profound or honest lawyer. Certainly there can be but little virtue in the community, and little [p. 1695]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [176]
See 15 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [177]
JS, Journal, 15 Aug. 1843.
- [178]
- [179]
See 16 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [180]
JS, Journal, 16–17 Aug. 1843.
- [181]
See 17 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [182]
Jedediah M. Grant, Philadelphia, PA, to JS, Nauvoo, IL, 17 Aug. 1843, JS Collection, CHL.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
- [183]
See 18 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [184]
JS, Journal, 18 Aug. 1843; Clayton, Journal, 18 Aug. 1843.
Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
- [185]
Young, Journal, 18 Aug. 1843.
Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.
- [186]
See 19 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [187]
See 20 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [188]
JS, Journal, 20 Aug. 1843; Clayton, Journal, 20 Aug. 1843.
Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
- [189]
See 21 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [190]
JS, Journal, 21 Aug. 1843.
- [191]
J. Hall, Independence, MO, to “My Dear Old Friend,” 23 July 1843, and Editorial, Nauvoo Neighbor, 23 Aug. 1843, [2].
Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
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