History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]
History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]
Source Note
Source Note
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
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.
<August 7> A Conference of the Church was held at , <Prest. was unanimously acknowledged as the Prest. of the Stake in , , , Counsellors. was sustained as Bishop, also & Joseph Mecham his Counsellors.> and the branches in so far as represented consisted of 750 members
<8> <Shocks of an Earthquake felt, at several places in Spain.>
<A Water spout destroyed 20 houses at Portpatrick, Scotland.>
See 9 Aug. 1841 entry in History Draft.
<9> Monday 9 The Steam Boat Erie was burned on Lake Erie, 30 miles from , and 8 from the American shore, 200 persons on board, <of whom> 175 — — — — — — perished.
The funeral of was attended — — — — by a vast concourse of friends and relatives. He was buried with Military honors [HC 4:399] time of his death the office of Brigadier General of the second Cohort, Nauvoo Legion. He was also President of the High Priests Quorum, and Editor and Publisher of the Times and Seasons, and was universally beloved by his numerous acquaintance. His attachment to the cause of truth was immoveable.
The Conference <appointed , Church Recorder,> and was addressed by Elders and <on building the , and <on> Temperance.>
See 10 Aug. 1841 entry in History Draft.
<10> Tuesday 10 <I spent the day in Council with , , , , and and appointed a special conference for the 16th. inst. and directed them to send Missionaries to , Charleston, S. C. Salem, Mass: , Maryland; and and also requested the Twelve to take the burden of the business of the Church in , and especially as pertaining to the selling of Church Lands.>
The department of English Literature and Mathematics <of the university of the City of Nauvoo> is in operation under the Tuition of Professor —
“General Orders, Head Quarters, Nauvoo Legion, City of , Aug. 10. 1841 It becomes our painful duty to officially notify the troops of our command of the untimely decease of that noble chief, Brigadier General, — he fell, but not in battle— he perished, but not by the weapons of war— at his burial, you paid him honor, but he is gathered to his fathers to receive greater honor. In consequence of this afflictive dispensation of Divine Providence the Commissioned Officers of the Staff and line will wear crape on the left arm for thirty days. The commissioned Officers of the 2nd. Cohort will convene at General Smith’s office, on Saturday the 4th. day of September, — — — — — — at 10 o’clock A.M. for the purpose of electing a Brigadier General; at which time and place the Court of Appeals will sit. The Legion will assemble at the usual place of rendezvouz, in the City of , on Saturday the 11th. day of September, — — — — — — at 10 o’clock A.M. for the purpose of general parade— the militia Officers of the County of [HC 4:400] , Illinois; and the County of Lee, Iowa; are respectfully invited to attend. The Adjutants of Regiments will form their respective Regiments at 9 o’clock, and at 10 o’clock the Adjutant of the Legion will form the line by Regiments, and not by companies as heretofore. A Special Court Martial will convene at the usual place, on Saturday the 28th. day of August at 10 o’clock A.M. for the transaction of business. Joseph Smith, Lieutenant General;<”>
<A Shower of Meteoric Stones fell at Iwan in Hungary.>
Letters from various parts of England and Scotland show that numbers are daily added to the Church; while Shipwrecks, Floods, houses and workshops falling, great and destructive fires, sudden deaths, Banks breaking, men’s hearts failing them for fear, because no man buyeth their merchandize, shopkeepers and manufacturers. failing, & many accidents on the Railways. betoken the coming of the Son of Man.
<12><— see Addenda book page 10.> [HC 4:401]
<14> <Sir J. M. Brunel the Engineer, with 50 ladies and gentleman, made the first passage under the river Thames, England.>
See 15 Aug. 1841 entry in History Draft.
<15> Sunday 15 My infant Son died aged 14 months 2 days.
<Conference met in , and were addressed by Elder and , on building the in .>
See 16 Aug. 1841 entry in History Draft.
<16> Monday 16 Elder arrived at this morning— [p. 1220]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [1084]
See 9 Aug. 1841 entry in History Draft.
- [1085]
“Death of General Don Carlos Smith,” Times and Seasons, 16 Aug. 1841, 2:503.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
- [1086]
See 10 Aug. 1841 entry in History Draft.
- [1087]
- [1088]
“Communication from William Miller,” Times and Seasons, 15 Nov. 1841, 3:598.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
- [1089]
See 15 Aug. 1841 entry in History Draft.
- [1090]
Obituary for Don Carlos Smith, Times and Seasons, 1 Sept. 1841, 2:533.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
- [1091]
See 16 Aug. 1841 entry in History Draft.
- [1092]
Richards, Journal, 16 Aug. 1841.
Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
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