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> revealed himself— he remarked, that he defied the devil to collect such an assembly none but Jesus would or could accomplish such things as we behold; the devil will not build up, but tear down and destroy; the work of Jesus is like himself in all ages— that as light shines from the east and spreads itself to the west, so is the progress of spiritual light and truth— that Jesus is a God of order, regularity and uniformity— that he works now by revelation and by messengers as anciently— shows himself— lifts the veil &c that such things are marvellous, but nevertheless true— that the order of laying the corner stones was expressive of the order of the kingdom— that the minutiae were subject matter of revelation, and all the scenery, acts of obedience, and understood by the saints— that the ancient Prophets beheld and rejoiced at this scene and are near to witness the fulfillment of their predictions— that we are highly favored of God, and brought near to the spirits of just men made perfect— he then closed by exhortation, first to the multitude, and lastly to the Church— The speaker then gave out a hymn page 205 and closed by prayer— The Architects, then, by the direction of the First Presidency, lowered the first (S. E. corner) stone to its place, and President Joseph Smith pronounced the benediction as follows, “This Principal Corner Stone in representation of the First Presidency, is now duly laid in honor of the great God; and may it there remain until the whole fabric is completed; and may the same be accomplished speedily; that the Saints may have a place to worship God, and the son of Man have where to lay his head.” President then pronounced the following, “May the persons employed in the erection of this be preserved from all harm while engaged in its construction, till the whole is completed; in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, even so— Amen—[”] Adjourned for one hour— [HC 4:329]
Assembled according to adjournment and proceeded to lay the remaining Corner Stones, according to previous order— The Second (S. W. corner) stone by the direction of the President of the High Priesthood, with his Council and , was lowered to its place, when the President of the High Priesthood pronounced the following: The second corner Stone, of the now building by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in honor to the great God, is duly laid, and may the same unanimity, that has been manifested on this occasion, continue till the whole is completed; that peace may rest upon it to the laying of the top stone thereof, and the turning of the key thereof; that the saints may participate in the blessings of Israel’s God within its walls, and the Glory of God rest upon the same Amen— The third (N. W. Corner) stone superintended by the High Council— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — was then lowered to its place, with the benediction of as follows: “The third Corner stone, — — — — — — — — — is now duly laid; — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — may this stone be a firm support to the <> that the whole may be completed as before purposed,[”] — — — — — — — — — — — — — — [p. 1185]