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.
< April 6> made some observations on the business of the Conference— exhorted the brethren who had charges to make against individuals, and made some very appropriate remarks respecting “pulling the beam out of their own eye, that they might see more clearly the mote which was in their brother’s eye. A letter was read from the Presidents of the Seventies, wishing for an explanation of the steps which the High Council had taken, in removing Elder , from the Quorum of the Seventies to that of the High Priest’s without any other ordination, than he had when in the Quorum of the Seventies, and wished to know whether, those ordained into the Seventies at the time was, had a right to the High Priesthood or not, Several persons spoke on the subject, after which the President gave a statement of the authority of the Seventies, and said they were Elders, and not High Priests, and consequently had no claim to the High Priesthood— On motion— resolved that Elder be placed back into the Quorum of the Seventies. On motion resolved that the Conference adjourn until two o’clock.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment— Prayer by Elder — Elder presented charges against brother for compiling a Hymn Book, and selling it as the one compiled and published by Sister — Secondly for writing a private letter to casting reflections on the character of Elder , and thirdly for administering Medicine unskilfully which had a bad effect. [HC 4:105] On motion resolved that as is not present, that his case be laid over until tomorrow. Elder then came forward and stated, that in consequence of some difficulty existing in the branch of the Church where he resided, respecting the word of wisdom, fellowship had been withdrawn from him, and also from brother Thomas S. Edwards. After hearing the particulars. on motion resolved that and Thomas S. Edwards be restored to fellowship. Elder addressed the Conference at some length, and stated that it had been prophesied, some years ago, that he had a great work to perform among the Jews; and that he had recently been moved upon by the Spirit of the Lord to visit that people, and gather up all the information he could, respecting their movements, expectations &c, and communicate the same to this Church, and to the nation at large, stating that he intended to visit the Jews in , , and Amsterdam and then visit Constantinople and the Holy Land. On motion, resolved that Elder proceed on his mission to the Jews, and that letters of recommendation be given him signed by the President and of the Conference. Elder then rose, and spoke with much force on the subject of ’s mission, the gathering of the Jews, and restoration of the house of Israel, proving in a short but convincing manner from the Bible, Book of Mormon and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants that these things must take place and that the time had nearly arrived for their accomplishment. Adjourned until tomorrow morning 9 o’clock [p. 1043]