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 28> my red children and will most cheerfully do them all the good in my power as to do good is what I always delight in. Should the appoint me as your Agent to transact your business for you I shall cheerfully comply; and will always do the best I can for you but you know I cannot do any thing in this matter except it be appointed me by the authorities of our land. The bearer will bring you a map shewing the boundaries of your land which I hope you will be able to <understand; he will also be able to> tell you more about this business. The Mormons are your friends and they are the friends of all men, and I have the very best of feelings to all men and especially towards you my children. I wish you well, and hope the great God will bless you and abundantly supply you with every good thing, and that peace and prosperity may for ever attend you and your children. And now my children be friendly to each other and be at peace with each other and with all men, for peace is what I seek for all my friends; and may the great Spirit bless you all my children is the sincere wish of your father. Your father.”
This letter was put into the hands of the principal Indian, a young man of good stature and they took their departure.
<29> Tuesday paid a visit to , , Long Island, and and him next day.
I held Mayors court, and tried several cases. was bound over to keep the peace for six months. Previous to the close of the trial he gave up his as an Elder, to the .
<30> Wednesday The Neighbor publishes the following article:
“The following is extracted from the ‘ Bee’ and reflects great credit upon the writer. Whoever ‘Viator’ is he has proven himself to be a man of sound sense and discernment, and of no ordinary legal talents. The sentiments advocated are those that we have always contended for: it is the only common sense view of the subject that can be taken; and we think that on a ‘sober second thought’ when the film of superstition and prejudice is removed, it is the only light that it will be seen in by all intelligent men.
“Vested rights of .
Mr. Editor:— After an abrupt leave, I am in again, and having been for many years what is called a constitutional man, and feeling a deep interest in the common welfare of all, so far as the rights of ‘Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness’ are concerned, you will pardon me as a legal advocate of vested rights, (not your religious tenets, or any other’s, for I consider them as a matter connected with the soul) for once more offering you a little ‘Bee Bread’.
I am much pleased with the liberal powers of the charter of the goodly city of . The vested rights in that public document, are sufficient for all necessary purposes of a people whose greatest object appears to be to benefit mankind in this world, and happify them in the next. It is evident on the face of the instrument in question, that the Legislature of , or more properly the people of through their representatives, have vested in the corporate body of , over a certain district of territory which may be increased in size at pleasure, all the rights, privileges and powers, which the said State possessed [p. 1710]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [217]
See 29 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [218]
Young, Journal, 29–30 Aug. 1843.
Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.
- [219]
JS, Journal, 29 Aug. 1843.
- [220]
See 30 Aug. 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [221]
Editorial and “Vested Rights of Nauvoo,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 30 Aug. 1843, [2]–[3].
Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
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