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.
<July 22> in righteousness it is all important that the most perfect harmony, kind feeling, good understanding and confidence should exist in the hearts of all the brethren, and that true Charity love one towards another, should characterize all their proceedings, If there are any uncharitable feelings, any lack of confidence, then pride, arrogancy and envy will soon be manifested, confusion must inevitably prevail and the authorities of the Church set at nought; and under such circumstances cannot rise and free herself from the captivity in which she is held and become a place of safety for the Saints, nor can the blessings of Jehovah rest upon her. If the Saints in deem me unworthy of their prayers when they assemble together, and neglect to bear me up at the throne of heavenly grace, it is a strong and convincing proof to me that they have not the Spirit of God. If the Revelations we have received are true, who is to lead the people? If the keys of the Kingdom have been committed to my hands who shall open out the mysteries thereof. As long as my brethren stand by me and encourage me I can combat the prejudices of the world and can bear the contumely and abuse with joy. but when my brethren stand aloof, when they begin to faint and endeavor to retard my progress and enterprize then I feel to mourn, but am no less determined to prosecute my task, being confident that atho’ my earthly friends may fail and even turn against me, yet my heavenly Father will bear me off triumphant. However I hope that even in there are some who “do not make a man an offender for a word” but are disposed to stand forth in defence of righteousness and truth, and attend to every duty en[HC 4:165]joined upon them, and who will have wisdom to direct them against any movement or influence calculated to bring confusion and discord into the Camp of Israel, and to discern between the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of error. It would be gratifying to my mind to see the Saints in flourish, but think the time has not yet come, and I assure you it never will until a different order of things be established and a different Spirit manifested. When confidence is restored, when pride shall fall and every aspiring mind be clothed with humility as with a garment and selfishness give place to benevolence and charity, and a united determination to live by every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord is observable, then and not till then can peace, order, and love prevail. It is in consequence of aspiring men that has been forsaken. how frequently has your humble servant been envied in his office by such characters, who endeavored to raise themselves to power at my expence, and seeing it impossible to do so, resorted to foul slander and abuse, and other means to effect my overthrow; such characters have ever been the first to cry out against the Presidency, and publish their faults and foibles to the four winds of heaven. I cannot forget the treatment I received in the house of my friends, these things continually roll across my mind and cause me much sorrow of heart, and when I think that others who have lately come into the Church should be led to instead of to this place by and having their confidence in the authorities lessened by such observations as he () has thought proper to make, as well as hearing all the false reports and exaggerated accounts of our enemies, I must say that I feel grieved in Spirit, and cannot tolerate such proceedings, neither will I, but will endeavor to disabuse the minds of the Saints, and break down all such unhallowed proceedings. It was something new to me when I heard there had been secret meetings held in the Lord’s house, and that some of my friends, faithful brethren, men enjoying the confidence of the Church should be locked out. Such — — proceedings are not calculated to promote union or peace, but to engender strife and will be a curse instead of a blessing. To those who are young in the work, I know they are calculated to <be,> and must be injurious to them. Those who have had experience, and who should know better, than to reflect on their brethren, there is no excuse for them. If and the other brethren wish to reform the Church, and come out and make a stand against Sin and Speculation &c they must use other weapons than lies, or their object can never be effected, [HC 4:166] and their labors will be given to the house of the Stranger rather than to the house of the Lord. The proceedings of were taken into consideration at a meeting of the Church at this place, when it was unanimously resolved that fellowship should be withdrawn from him, until he make satisfaction for the conduct he has pursued, of which circumstance I wish you to apprize him, without delay and demand his license. Dear Sir, I wish you to stand in your lot and keep the station which was given you by revelation and the authorities of the Church; attend to the affairs of the Church with diligence, and then rest assured of the blessings of heaven; It is binding on you to act as President of the Church in until you are removed by the same authority which put you in, and I do hope, there will be no cause for opposition, but that good feeling will be manifested in future by all the brethren. ’s letter to was duly received for which he has our best thanks, It was indeed an admirable letter and worthy of its author, the sentiments expressed were in accordance with the Spirit of the Gospel and the principles correct. I am glad that Brother Richards has continued with you and hope he has been of some service to you, give my love to him. Our prospects in this place continue good, considerable numbers have come in this Spring. There were some bickerings respecting your conduct soon after your departure, but they have all blown over, and I hope there will never be any occasion for any more, but that you will commend yourself to God, and to the Saints by a virtuous walk and holy conversation. I had a letter from a few days ago informing me of his desire to come back to the Church, if we would accept of him, he appears very humble and is willing to make every satisfaction that Saints or God may require. We expect to have an Edition of the Book of Mormon printed by the first of September, it is now being Stereotyped in . I am &c &c Joseph Smith Junr.” [p. 1084]