History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]
History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]
Source Note
Source Note
JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, created 24 Feb. 1845–3 July 1845; handwriting of , , Jonathan Grimshaw, and ; 512 pages, plus 24 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the third volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This third volume covers the period from 2 Nov. 1838 to 31 July 1842; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, D-1, E-1 and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction
Historical Introduction
This document, “History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842],” is the third of six volumes of the “Manuscript History of the Church” (in The Joseph Smith Papers the “Manuscript History” bears the editorial title “History, 1838–1856”). The completed six-volume collection covers the period from 23 December 1805 to 8 August 1844. The narrative in this volume commences on 2 November 1838 with JS and other church leaders being held prisoner by the “’s forces” at , Missouri, and concludes with the death of Bishop at , Illinois, on 31 July 1842. For a more complete discussion of the entire six-volume work, see the general introduction to this history.
Volume C-1 was created beginning on or just after 24 February 1845 and its narrative was completed by 3 May 1845, although some additional work continued on the volume through 3 July of that year (Richards, Journal, 24 and 28 Feb. 1845; Historian’s Office, Journal, 3 May 1845; 3 and 4 July 1845). It is in the handwriting of and contains 512 pages of primary text, plus 24 pages of addenda. Additional addenda for this volume were created at a later date as a supplementary document and appear in this collection as “History, 1838-1856, volume C-1 Addenda.” Compilers and Thomas Bullock drew heavily from JS’s letters, discourses, and diary entries; meeting minutes; church and other periodicals and journals; and reminiscences, recollections, and letters of church members and other contacts. At JS’s behest, Richards maintained the first-person, chronological-narrative format established in previous volumes, as if JS were the author. , , , and others reviewed and modified the manuscript prior to its eventual publication in the Salt Lake City newspaper Deseret News.
The historical narrative recorded in volume C-1 continued the account of JS’s life as prophet and president of the church. Critical events occurring within the forty-five-month period covered by this text include the Mormon War; subsequent legal trials of church leaders; expulsion of the Saints from Missouri; missionary efforts in by the and others; attempts by JS to obtain federal redress for the Missouri depredations; publication of the LDS Millennial Star in England; the migration of English converts to ; missionary efforts in other nations; the death of church patriarch ; the establishment of the city charter; the commencement of construction of the Nauvoo ; the expedition that facilitated temple construction; the introduction of the doctrine of proxy baptism for deceased persons; the dedicatory prayer by on the Mount of Olives in Palestine; publication of the “Book of Abraham” in the Nauvoo Times and Seasons; publication of the JS history often referred to as the “Wentworth letter;” the organization of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo; and the inception of Nauvoo-era temple endowment ceremonies.
<September 11> is fallen, is fallen.” There has quite a number of families gathered up here already, and we anticipate a continuance, especially as upon enquiry we have found that we have not had more than a ratio of sickness here, notwithstanding the trials we have had, and the hardships to which we have been exposed. Calculating as we do, upon the mercy and power of God in our behalf we hope to persevere on in every good and useful work even unto the end, that when we come to be tried in the balance, we may not be found wanting. With all good wishes and prayers for the temporal, and eternal salvation of yourself and your family, as well as of all the honest in heart over the face of the Earth— We remain Sir, with sincerity your friends and brethren— Joseph Smith Junr.” addressed to “ Esqre. , Geauga Co., Ohio.”
<13> Friday 13th. I left home for Brother s place—
<14 starts for England> Saturday 14. President started from his house at , for England <his health was very poor, he was unable to go thirty rods to the without assistance, after he had crossed the Ferry, he got Brother to carry> him on his horse Behind him to s <where he remained sick> until the 18th. he left his wife with a babe only ten days old and all his children sick unable to wait upon each other.
I returned home this evening.
<15> Sunday 15. I was visiting the sick.
<16> Monday and Tuesday 16. and 17 was engaged in arranging the Town lots
<18> Wednesday 18 Went to Iowa Territory. <Elders and left and all her children sick except little Heber, went 13 miles on their journey towards England, and were left at bro. Duel’s, who [HC 4:9] lived in a small Cabin near the Railway Between & they were so feeble as to be unable to carry their trunks into the house without the assistance of Sister Duel who received them kindly, prepared a bed for them to lie on and made them a cup of tea.>
<19> Thursday 19 I returned this evening from — <Brother Duel carried Elders and in his waggon to , 16 miles, where another brother received them, and carried them to Father mikesell’s near about 20 miles, the fatigue of this day was too much for their feeble health, they were prostrated and obliged to tarry a few days to recruit.>
<20> Friday and Saturday 20 and 21 at home, attending to domestic and Church business
<21 starts for England> Elder , , and started for England and upset their Waggon on the bank of the , before they got out of sight of — and were so weak they could not get up— and had to lift them in again— soon after some Gentlemen met them and asked, who had been robbing the burying Ground— so miserable was their appearance through sickness.
<22> Sunday 22 I presided at the meeting, and spake concerning the other Comforter &c— <as I had previously taught the Twelve> [HC 4:10] This week I spent in transacting various business at home except when visiting the sick, who are in general recovering, though some of them but slowly.
<25> Wednesday 25 went to ’s— 26th. to Brother Wilber’s— 27th. Brother Wilber carried Elders and to Pittsfield
<29> Sunday 29— Held meeting at my own house, after others had spoken, I spoke and explained concerning uselessness of preaching to the world about great judgments, but rather to preach the simple gospel— Explained Concerning the coming of the Son of Man &c— that all will be raised to meet him, but the righteous will remain with him in the cloud, whilst all the proud and all that do wickedly will have to return to the Earth, and suffer his vengeance, which he will take upon them, this is the second death &c— Also that it is a false idea that the Saints will escape all [p. 967]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [362]
See 13 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
- [363]
JS, Journal, 8–14 Sept. 1839.
- [364]
See 14 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
- [365]
Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 14 Sept. 1839, p. 111.
Kimball, Heber C. “The Journal and Record of Heber Chase Kimball an Apostle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” ca. 1842–1858. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 1.
- [366]
See 15 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
- [367]
JS, Journal, 15 Sept. 1839.
- [368]
See 16–17 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
- [369]
JS, Journal, 16–21 Sept. 1839.
- [370]
See 18 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
- [371]
Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 18 Sept. 1839, pp. 111–112.
Kimball, Heber C. “The Journal and Record of Heber Chase Kimball an Apostle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” ca. 1842–1858. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 1.
- [372]
See 19 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
- [373]
JS, Journal, 16–21 Sept. 1839.
- [374]
Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 19 Sept. 1839, pp. 111–112.
Kimball, Heber C. “The Journal and Record of Heber Chase Kimball an Apostle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” ca. 1842–1858. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 1.
- [375]
See 20–21 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
- [376]
JS, Journal, 16–21 Sept. 1839.
- [377]
See 21 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
- [378]
- [379]
See 22 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
- [380]
JS, Journal, 22–28 Sept. 1839.
- [381]
See 25–27 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
- [382]
Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 25–27 Sept. 1839, p. 112.
Kimball, Heber C. “The Journal and Record of Heber Chase Kimball an Apostle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” ca. 1842–1858. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 1.
- [383]
See 29 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
- [384]
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