History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]
Source Note
Source Note
JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. E-1, created 20 Aug. 1855–5 Apr. 1856; handwriting of Robert L. Campbell, , and Jonathan Grimshaw; 392 pages, plus 11 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the fifth volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This fifth volume covers the period from 1 July 1843 to 30 Apr. 1844; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, C-1, D-1, and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction
Historical Introduction
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1, constitutes the fifth of six volumes documenting the life of Joseph Smith and the early years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The series is also known as the Manuscript History of the Church and was originally published serially from 1842 to 1846 and 1851 to 1858 as the “History of Joseph Smith” in the Times and Seasons and Deseret News. This volume contains JS’s history from 1 July 1843 to 30 April 1844, and it was compiled in Utah Territory in the mid-1850s.
The material recorded in volume E-1 was initially compiled under the direction of church historian , who was JS’s cousin. Smith collaborated with in collecting material for the history and creating a set of draft notes that Smith dictated to Bullock and other clerks.
Robert L. Campbell, a recently returned missionary and member of the Historian’s Office staff, transcribed ’s notes into the volume along with the text of designated documents (such as letters and meeting minutes). The Church Historian’s Office journal entry for 2 May 1855 pinpoints the beginning of his work: “R. L. C. on Book D forenoon, afternoon began book E.” Campbell’s work on the volume apparently concluded on 5 April 1856; entries in the Historian’s Office journal indicate that he then moved on to other assignments while another clerk, Jonathan Grimshaw, began work on volume F-1, the last manuscript in the series. (Historian’s Office, Journal, 2 May 1855; 5 and 9 Apr. 1856.)
Volume E-1 contains 391 pages of primary text and 11 pages of addenda. The initial entry on page 1637 is a continuation of the 1 July 1843 entry that closed volume D-1. The final entry in volume E-1 is for 30 April 1844.
The 391 pages of volume E-1 document a crucial period of JS’s life and the history of the church. Important events recorded here include
• An account of JS’s 2 July 1843 meeting with several Pottawatamie chiefs.
• JS’s 4 July 1843 address regarding his recent arrest, the Legion, and Mormon voting practices.
• JS’s 12 July 1843 dictation of a revelation regarding eternal marriage, including the plurality of wives, in the presence of and .
• The 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment of and revocation of his priesthood license.
• Dispatch of the first missionaries to the Pacific Islands on 20 September 1843, led by .
• JS’s 1 October 1843 announcement of ’s appointment to a mission to Russia.
• Minutes of a 6–9 October 1843 general conference inserted under the date of 9 October at which pled his case in regard to his 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment and was permitted to continue as counselor in the First Presidency.
• Text of JS’s appeal to the Green Mountain Boys of , inserted under the date of 29 November 1843.
• A 20 January 1844 entry that includes a poem by commemorating the presentation of two copies of the Book of Mormon to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert by .
• JS’s nomination on 29 January 1844 as an independent candidate for the presidency of the .
• An account of JS’s sermon, 7 April 1844.
<December 8> citizens of this held sacred, and the ordinances of said duly carried into full force and effect: To which end should you judge that the peace and safety of the required it, you are further notified to call for a suitable portion of the Legion to be in complete readiness to compel obedience to the ordinances of said .
Given under my hand and seal this 8th. day of December 1843
Clerk. <M. C.> Joseph Smith, Mayor (L.S.)”
In consequence thereof I received from the
“City of December 8th. 1843, Sir: your order to have the ordinances of this fully carried into effect will be duly attended to, but in order so to do, it will be necessary for you as Mayor of the to issue orders to Major General , for a suitable portion of the Legion to be in readiness to compel obedience to said ordinances if necessary. Respectfully &c.
, city Marshall.”
To Joseph Smith Mayor
and I issued
“Head Quarters Legion City of December 8, 1843. Sir, The of this having made a demand of me, for a suitable portion of the Legion to protect the rights of the citizens, and carry the ordinances of said into full effect, you are hereby directed and required, to hold in readiness such portions of the said Legion, which you have the honor to command, as may be necessary to compel obedience to the ordinances of said , and secure the peace of the citizens, and call them out, if occasion require, without further notice.
With due regard, I have the honor to be your obt Servt.
Joseph Smith Lieut Gl. N. L.”
Major Genl.
Commanding Legion [HC 6:104]
4 p.m. Attended city Council which passed “An Extra ordinance for the extra case of Joseph Smith and others.”
“Whereas Joseph Smith has been three times <arrested and three times> acquitted upon Writs founded upon supposed crimes or charges preferred by the State of ; which acquittals were made from investigations upon Writs of ; namely, one in the court for the District of ; one in the Circuit Court of the State—— of ; and one in the Municipal court of ; <¶> and Whereas a nolle proseque has once been entered in the courts of upon all the cases of against Joseph Smith and others. And Whereas there appears to be a determined resolution by the State of , to continue these unjust, illegal, and murderous demands for the body of General Joseph Smith, <¶> And Whereas it has become intolerable to be thus continually harrassed and robbed of our money to defray the expenses of these prosecutions. <¶> And Whereas according to the Constitution of “all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeazible rights; among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, and of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness.” <¶> And Whereas it is our bounden duty by all common means if possible to put a stop to such vexations law suits and save expense; Therefore— [p. 1796]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [501]
- [502]
JS, Order, Nauvoo, IL, to Wilson Law, 8 Dec. 1843, JS Collection, CHL; JS, Order, Nauvoo, IL, to Wilson Law, 8 Dec. 1843, photocopy, CHL.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
- [503]
JS, Journal, 8 Dec. 1843.
- [504]
“An Extra Ordinance For the Extra Case of Joseph Smith and Others,” 8 Dec. 1843, JS Collection, CHL; “Public Meeting,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 13 Dec. 1843, [1].
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
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