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.
<January 29.> I have no power to do these things. The absurd and preposterous nature of these requests give some color to the charge that they are made for political effect only. I hope that this charge is untrue: for in all candor, it would be more credible <creditable> to those concerned to have their errors attributed to ignorance, than to a disposition to embroil the country in the horrors of war for the advancement of party ends. But if there should be any truth in the charge, (which God forbid) I affectionately entreat all the good citizens engaged in it, to lay aside their designs, and yield up their ears to the voice of justice, reason, and humanity. All that I can do at present, is to admonish both parties to beware of carrying matters to extremity. Let it come to this: let a state of war ensue, and I will be compelled to interfere with executive power. In that case also, I wish in a friendly, affectionate, and candid manner, to tell the citizens of , Mormons and all, that my interference will be against those who shall be the first transgressors. I am bound by the laws and the constitution to regard you all as citizens of the , possessed of equal rights and privileges; and to cherish the rights of one as dearly as the rights of another. I can know no distinction among you except that of assailant and assailed.
I hope Dear Sir, you will do me the favor to publish this letter in the papers of your , for the satisfaction of all persons concerned.
I am, with the highest respect, your obt. Servt.
.
<January 30.> Tuesday 30. At 11 A. M. I went to the with .
1 P. M. held Mayor’s court at my on the case “City vs Thomas Coates”. Fined the defendant $25 and costs, for beating .
A Millerite preached again in the Assembly room, and replied to him; there was a full house.
Prayer meeting at Elder ’s.
<31> Wednesday 31. 11 A.M. I called at the , and told to go to , and preach the first principles of the Gospel, get some Lexicons, and return home. [HC 6:190] Prayer meeting at Elder ’s in the evening. There seems to be quite a revival throughout , and an inquiry after the things of God, by all the quorums and <the> church in general.
published a lengthy appeal to the Legislature of the State of setting forth in pathetic style the grievances he had suffered through the persecution against the church, by the State of ; which concludes as follows:—
“In confidence of the purity and patriotism of the representatives of the people of his native , your memorialist comes to your honorable body, through this his winged messenger, to tell you that the altar which was erected by the blood of your ancestors, to civil and religious liberty from whence ascended up the holy incense of pure patriotism and universal good will to man, into the presence of Jehovah, a savor of life, is thrown down; and the worshippers thereat, have been driven away, or else they are laying slain at the place of the altar.— He comes to kill your honorable body, that the temple your fathers erected to freedom, whither their Sons assembled to hear her precepts and [p. 1871]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [706]
See 30 Jan. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [707]
JS, Journal, 30 Jan. 1844.
- [708]
See 31 Jan. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [709]
JS, Journal, 31 Jan. 1844; Woodruff, Journal, 31 Jan. 1844.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
- [710]
Sidney Rigdon, “To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of Pennsylvania,” Times and Seasons, 1 Feb. 1844, 5:418–423.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
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