History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 Addenda
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Source Note
JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, addenda, created 18 Oct.–ca. 20 Nov. 1854; 75 pages in volume bearing three labels reading “Historical Notation,” “From 1841 to 1851,” and “Addenda to C1;” handwriting of , Jonathan Grimshaw, Robert Campbell, and John L. Smith; CHL.
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Historical Introduction
On 11 June 1839, while residing at , Illinois, JS began dictating what his journal simply referred to as his “history.” (An earlier draft was begun by JS and in April 1838, but that draft is no longer extant; see JS, Journal, 27 Apr. 1838.) However, substantial progress on the history was not made until assumed responsibility for the project and was appointed as JS’s “private se[c]retary & historian” in December 1842 (JS, Journal, 11 June 1839; 21 Dec. 1842). Work on this endeavor came to span eighteen years and included frequent stops and starts. The longest lull, of over seven years, was occasioned by the Saints’ exodus from followed by the challenges of settling the Salt Lake Valley. After the death of Willard Richards in 1854, the project was brought to a conclusion in Utah by and in 1856. By that time the history had swelled to six volumes and over 2,400 pages. It subsequently came to be known as the “Manuscript History of the Church” (in The Joseph Smith Papers it bears the editorial title “History, 1838–1856”).As part of that enterprise, “History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]” was begun on or just after 24 February 1845 and its basic narrative was completed by 3 May of that year, although work continued on the volume through that July (Richards, Journal, 24 and 28 Feb. 1845; Historian’s Office, Journal, 3 May 1845; 3 and 4 July 1845). was the scribe for the volume, which contains 512 pages of primary text, plus 24 pages of addenda, and covers the period 2 November 1838 through 31 July 1842.On 10 April 1854, less than five weeks after the death of , assumed the role of church historian and with it responsibility for the completion of JS’s history. He subsequently observed in a letter to :I commenced to perform the duties of Historian by taking up the History of Joseph Smith where Dr. had left it when driven from on the 4th day of February 1846. I had to revise and compare two years of back history which he had compiled, filling up numerous spaces which had been marked as omissions on memoranda by Dr. Richards.I commenced compiling the history of Joseph Smith from April 1st 1840 to his death on June 27th 1844. I have filled up all the reports of sermons by President Joseph Smith and others from minutes or sketches taken at the time in long hand by Dr. , , , , Miss &c. which was an immense labor, requiring the deepest thought and the closest application, as there were mostly only two or three words (about half written) to a sentence.” (George A. Smith, Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, to Wilford Woodruff, 21 Apr. 1856, in Historian’s Office, Historical Record Book, 218.)In October 1854 and his clerks began compiling a separate, extensive list of addenda to volume C-1. The Church Historian’s office journal entry for 13 October 1854 noted, “ engaged on history papers all da[y] found many that will have to be inserted in 40 & 41” (Historian’s Office, Journal, 13 Oct. 1854). Apparently these addenda represented some of the revising and comparing of “two years of back history” with the “filling up numerous spaces” Smith had mentioned in his 1856 letter to . In support of that effort, the 19 October 1854 issue of the Deseret News carried the following item that also explained why the serialization of the History of Joseph Smith was being temporarily interrupted:The History of Joseph Smith is necessarily omitted in this number; and from one to two columns a number will probably be all that can be furnished for some time, as the Historian has come to a period which requires hunting up many facts, and preparing them for embodying, which the hurry of the times obliged to pass over by simply writing on the margin, “note to be supplied” (”History and Sermons,” Deseret News [Salt Lake City], 19 Oct. 1854, [2]).At that time, Joseph Smith’s history had been reported through October 1840 in the Deseret News.The addenda to volume C-1 presented here are labeled “Addenda to Book C1. By . Octr. 18th. 1854.” They are in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw, , Robert L. Campbell, and John L. Smith, all of whom worked under the direction of . These addenda provide supplemental material for the period from 19 October 1840 to 15 July 1842 and consist of seventy-five pages copied into a separate ledger that also contains a chronological inventory of material employed in compiling the manuscript history. Many entries from George A. Smith’s “Addenda” were incorporated under their respective dates into the text of the version of Joseph Smith’s history published in the Deseret News, a fair copy identified as C-2, and the later account edited by B. H. Roberts as History of the Church.Among the significant items included in the addenda to volume C-1 are sermons, editorials, and records of events. Of particular note are entries regarding the October 1840 creation of stakes at , , and , Illinois; the January 1841 acknowledgement of the mission of the Twelve to ; the 7 August 1841 death of JS’s brother ; JS’s 12 August 1841 meeting with Sac and Fox Indians from ; a November 1841 description of the construction of a temporary wooden font for the performance of baptisms for the dead within the rising Nauvoo ; the February 1842 appointment of as superintendent of the church printing office, and of as head of the Times and Seasons editorial department; and four accounts of JS’s instructions to the Female Relief Society.
Document Transcript
Footnotes
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Jonathan Grimshaw handwriting begins.
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1
“News from the Elders,” LDS Millennial Star, Jan. 1841, 1:239.
Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.
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2
“Methodism In Trouble,” LDS Millennial Star, May 1841, 2:6–7; “Friendly Caution–Mormonism!–From the Manx Liberal,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1841, 2:331–332.
Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
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3
Woodruff, Journal, 12 Nov. 1840.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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4
Young, Journal, 3–4 Dec. 1840; Woodruff, Journal, 3–4 Dec. 1840.
Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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5
Young, Journal, 7 Dec. 1840; Woodruff, Journal, 7 Dec. 1840.
Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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TEXT: Cancellation is in pencil.
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Young, Journal, 6, 9, and 25 Dec. 1840.
Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.
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8
Young, Journal, 1 Jan. 1841.
Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.
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9
Woodruff, Journal, 1 Jan. 1840.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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10
Lorenzo Snow, London, England, to Parley P. Pratt, Manchester, England, 25 May 1841, in “Communications,” LDS Millennial Star, June 1841, 2:31–32.
Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.
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13
“History of George Albert Smith,” 228–229, George Albert Smith, Papers, CHL.
“History of George Albert Smith,” ca. 1857–1858. George Albert Smith, Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322, box 1, fd. 1.
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15
Obituary Notices of Distinguished Persons, 8–11.
Historian’s Office. Obituary Notices of Distinguished Persons, 1854–1872. CHL. MS 3449.
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16
Woodruff, Journal, 26 Jan. 1841.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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17
Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1845, 318–326; “History of George Albert Smith,” 113–121, George Albert Smith, Papers, CHL.
Smith, Lucy Mack. History, 1845. CHL. MS 2049. Also available at josephsmithpapers.org.
“History of George Albert Smith,” ca. 1857–1858. George Albert Smith, Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322, box 1, fd. 1.
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TEXT: Insertions are in pencil.
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Jonathan Grimshaw handwriting ends; Leo Hawkins begins.
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19
William W. Phelps, “Falsehoods Refuted,” Times and Seasons, 1 Oct. 1841, 2:562–563.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
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21
Woodruff, Journal, 31 Oct. 1841.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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22
Woodruff, Journal, 7 Nov. 1841.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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23
“Difference Between the Baptists & Latter-Day Saints,” LDS Millennial Star, Apr. 1841, 1:296–299.
Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.
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24
Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 29 Mar. 1841, pp. 15–18.
Nauvoo City Council Minute Book / Nauvoo City Council. “A Record of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Nauvoo Handcock County, State of Illinois, Commencing A.D. 1841,” ca. 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3435.
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Leo Hawkins handwriting ends; Jonathan Grimshaw begins.
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25
Lesser Priesthood Organization, 21 Mar. 1841, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, CHL.
Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.
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Jonathan Grimshaw handwriting ends; John L. Smith begins.
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TEXT: Insertion in pencil.
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John L. Smith handwriting ends; Robert Campbell begins.
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27
Brigham Young et al., “An Epistle of the Twelve, to the Saints Scattered Abroad Among the Nations, Greeting!,” Times and Seasons, 1 Sept. 1841, 2:521–522.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
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Insertion in handwriting of Leo Hawkins.
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28
Robert B. Thompson, Biography by Mercy R. Thompson, Nov. 1854, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1880, CHL.
Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.
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29
Woodruff, Journal, 25 Sept. 1841.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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30
JS, “The Government of God,” Times and Seasons, 15 July 1842, 3:855–858.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
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31
Woodruff, Journal, 28 Apr. 1842.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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Woodruff, Journal, 9 Apr. 1842.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 20 Nov. 1841.
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.
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Robert Campbell handwriting ends; Leo Hawkins begins.
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34
Woodruff, Journal, 21 Nov. 1841.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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35
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 30 Nov. 1841.
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.
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36
Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 18 Dec. 1841, pp. [49]–[50].
Nauvoo City Council Minute Book / Nauvoo City Council. “A Record of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Nauvoo Handcock County, State of Illinois, Commencing A.D. 1841,” ca. 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3435.
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37
Woodruff, Journal, 19 Dec. 1841.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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JS, Journal, 24 Dec. 1841.
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Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 13 Nov. 1841, pp. 39–40.
Nauvoo City Council Minute Book / Nauvoo City Council. “A Record of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Nauvoo Handcock County, State of Illinois, Commencing A.D. 1841,” ca. 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3435.
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43
Obituary Notices of Distinguished Persons, 2.
Historian’s Office. Obituary Notices of Distinguished Persons, 1854–1872. CHL. MS 3449.
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George Walker, Manchester, England, to Brigham Young et al., 29 Jan. 1842, Times and Seasons, 16 May 1842, 3:787–790.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
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45
Parley P. Pratt, “Emigration,” LDS Millennial Star, Feb. 1842, 2:153–155.
Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.
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46
Woodruff, Journal, 3 Feb. 1842.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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Alfred Cordon, Hanly, England, to JS, [Nauvoo, IL], 17 Feb. 1842, “Communications,” Times and Seasons, 2 May 1842, 3:778–779.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
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48
Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 4 Mar. 1842, 60.
Nauvoo City Council Minute Book / Nauvoo City Council. “A Record of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Nauvoo Handcock County, State of Illinois, Commencing A.D. 1841,” ca. 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3435.
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50
Woodruff, Journal, 27 Mar. 1842.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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51
Relief Society Minute Book, 31 Mar. 1842.
Relief Society Minute Book / “A Book of Records Containing the Proceedings of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo,” Mar. 1842–Mar. 1844. CHL. Also available at josephsmithpapers.org.
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52
Woodruff, Journal, 10 Apr. 1842.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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53
Hosea Stout, History of the Nauvoo Legion, Draft 2, p. [4], 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].
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54
JS, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1842, 3:823–826.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
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Horace Hotchkiss, Fair Haven, CT, to JS, Nauvoo, IL, 27 May 1842, JS Collection, CHL.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
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56
Woodruff, Journal, 18 June 1842.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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Relief Society Minute Book, 26 May 1842.
Relief Society Minute Book / “A Book of Records Containing the Proceedings of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo,” Mar. 1842–Mar. 1844. CHL. Also available at josephsmithpapers.org.
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Relief Society Minute Book, 9 June 1842.
Relief Society Minute Book / “A Book of Records Containing the Proceedings of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo,” Mar. 1842–Mar. 1844. CHL. Also available at josephsmithpapers.org.