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.
<January 12> Book of Mormon, Translation of the Bible, Hymn Book, and Doctrine and Covenants for the press; all of which the brethren are anxious to see, in their most perfect form; consequently, they will be particular to bring their offerings on the day specified until further notice, but not relax their exertions to carry on the work. The Elders will please give the above notice in all public meetings, until the plan is understood. January 12. 1842. , Recorder for the Temple—
I rode South about seven miles to my accompanied by brother John Sanders and , [HC 4:493] and found a vein of Coal about Eighteen inches thick apparently of a superior quality for the Western Country.
<Elder was suspended by the quorum of the Twelve until he made satisfaction for disobedience to the First Presidency>
<13> My Clerk commenced boarding with me—
<The British forces having evacuated Cabul, they were attacked in the Pass, a few miles from the City, and after three days fighting, they were nearly all slaughtered>
<15> Saturday 15. I commenced reading the Book of Mormon at page 54 American Stereotype Edition (the previous pages having been corrected) for the purpose of correcting the <Stereotyped> Plates, of some errors which escaped notice in the first Edition.
<Attended City Council, and was appointed Committee on Ways and Means, and Municipal Laws.>
<16> Sunday 16. I preached at my own house morning and evening, illustrating the nature of Sin, and shewing that it is not right to sin that grace may abound.
<17> Monday 17. Transacted a variety of business in the , myself and dined with Sister . In the evening I attended a Council of the Twelve at my Office; present Elders , , , , , , and , appointed Elder a Mission to , according to the Revelation of 22nd. December, and Elder Henry Jacobs <to> accompany him. <The Council were unanimously opposed to Robert[HC 4:494]son’s publishing the Book of Mormon and other books>
<18> Tuesday 18.
“Special Notice, Know all men by these presents that Whereas I Joseph Smith of the County of and State of Illinois as Trustee in Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints— in and by my letter of Attorney, bearing date on or about the 15th. day of Feb. 1841, did constitute and appoint Dr. of Iowa Territory my Attorney to transact business in general for said Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as appears by said letter: and whereas I the said Joseph Smith, for myself, on or about the date above mentioned, in and by my letter of Attorney, did constitute and appoint the said my Attorney to transact certain business for myself individually, as appears by said letter— Now know ye, That I the said Joseph Smith, for myself, and also as Trustee in Trust, for said Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, have revoked, countermanded, annulled and made void, and by these presents do revoke, annul, countermand, and make void the said letters of Attorney, and all power and authority thereby given, or intended to be given, to the said Dr. ; and also, all other letters or instruments of writing, whatsoever, if any such there are, authorizing the said Dr. to act as agent, or transact any business for myself or said Church, are revoked, countermanded, annulled, and made void by these presents, and are of no power or virtue in law whatsoever, and will not be so acknowledged by me. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at the City of , County of Hancock, and State of Illinois. this 18th. day of Jany. A. D. 1842. Joseph Smith L.S. President, and Sole Trustee in Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints— Attest ” [p. 1269]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [1263]
JS, Journal, 12, 14, and 16 Jan. 1842.
- [1264]
“Notice,” Times and Seasons, 16 May 1842, 3:798.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
- [1265]
See 13 Jan. 1842 entry in History Draft.
- [1266]
Richards, Journal, 13 Jan. 1842.
Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
- [1267]
See 15 Jan. 1842 entry in History Draft.
- [1268]
JS, Journal, 15 Jan. 1842.
- [1269]
Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 15 Jan. 1842, 41.
Nauvoo City Council Minute Book / Nauvoo City Council. “A Record of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Nauvoo Handcock County, State of Illinois, Commencing A.D. 1841,” ca. 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3435.
- [1270]
See 16 Jan. 1842 entry in History Draft.
- [1271]
JS, Journal, 16 Jan. 1842.
- [1272]
See 17 Jan. 1842 entry in History Draft.
- [1273]
JS, Journal, 17 Jan. 1842; Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 17 Jan. 1842.
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.
- [1274]
See 18 Jan. 1842 entry in History Draft.
- [1275]
- [1276]
TEXT: “L.S.” is encircled.
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