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
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.
<November 28 Petition to Congress> called upon the leading Mormons of the place, they announced that the , the , and the Shops must be closed, and that forthwith every Mormon must leave the . The message was so terrible, so unexpected, the Mormons asked time for deliberation, and consultation— Which being refused, the brethren were severally asked, are you willing to abandon your home? the reply was, we will not go, which determination being reported to the Committee of the Mob, One of them replied that he was sorry, for said he, the work of destruction must now begin. No sooner said, than it was done, The , a two story brick building was assailed by the Mob and tore down, and with its valuable appurtenances destroyed, They next proceeded to the with a like purpose. Its owner in part, agreed to close it, and they delayed their purpose. They then proceeded to the dwelling of , the beloved Bishop of the Church there, dragged him and his family to the Public Square, where, surrounded by hundreds they partially stripped him of his clothing, and tarred and feathered him from head to foot. A man by the name of was at the same time treated in a similar manner. The mob then dispersed with an agreement to meet again on the next Tuesday, the above outrages having been committed on Saturday. Tuesday came, and with it came the Mob, bearing a red flag in token of blood. They proceeded to the houses of and others, of the leading Men, and seized them, telling them to bid their families farewell, that they would never see them again. They were then driven at the point of the bayonet to the Jail, and there amid the jeers and [HC 4:25] insults of the Crowd, they were thrust in Prison to be kept as hostages, in case any of the Mob should be killed, they were to die to pay for it. Here some two or three of the Mormons offered to surrender up their lives, if that would satisfy the fury of the Mob, and purchase peace and security for their unoffending brethren, their helpless wives and children. The reply of the Mob was, that the Mormons must leave the “en masse”, or, that every man should be put to death. The Mormons terrified and defenceless then entered into an agreement to leave the , one half by the first of January the other half by the first of April next ensuing. This treaty being made and ratified, the Mob dispersed— Again for a time the persecuted Mormons enjoyed a respite from their persecutions, but not long was the repose permitted them. Some time in the Month of October a meeting was held at , at which it was determined to remove the Mormons or die. Inflamatory speeches were made, and one of the Speakers swore he would remove the Mormons from the , if he had to wade up to his neck in blood. Be it remarked that up to this time the Mormons had faithfully observed the treaty, and were guilty of no offence against the laws of the Land, or of Society, but were peaceably following the routine of their daily duties, shortly after the meeting above referred to, another persecution commenced, some of the Mormons were shot at, others were whipped, their houses were assailed with brick bats, broken open, and thrown down, their women and children were insulted, and thus for many weeks without offence, without resistance, by night and by day, were they harassed insulted and oppressed. There is a point [p. 976]