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.
<February 12.>
“You must go in for it. Go to and ask him to call the delegation from separate from the delegation, and demand the same— Go to and other prominent men. Call public meetings in the city of , take the Saloon, publish the admittance, so much per ticket, invite the members of both houses to come and hear you, and roar upon them; you may take all my writings you think anything of and read to them &c and you shall prosper in the name of God. Amen.”
The presented the report of the attendance of the city Council, from which it appears that I have sat with them, 11 Sessions, from the 14. October /43 to the 16 January /44 inclusive.
Councillor nominated as Counsellor during his absence, which was confirmed by the Council.
I burned $81. of city Scrip according to ordinance.
Thawing— Streets very dirty.
<13.> Tuesday 13. I was at home— settled with and gave him the deed of a lot.
Having received an invitation from brother to visit , I wrote him in reply [HC 6:212]
“ February 13th. 1844. Dear . I sit down at this time to acknowledge the receipt of, and reciprocate the friendly feelings manifest in yours of the 7th. inst. and although surrounded by a press of business shall take pleasure in spending a few moments to reply.
I would take the greatest pleasure imaginable in coming down to on a visit to see you and all my friends in your , would business and circumstances permit, but it would be a matter of impossibility almost for me to leave home at the present time in consequence of a multitude of business which I have daily to attend to. Moreover wisdom and prudence seem to forbid my coming on account of the bitter feeling which manifests itself in various places between this and , not that I have any apprehensions for my personal safety, for the same kind hand which hath hitherto been my shield and support would save me from the power of my wicked persecutors, but something might grow out of it which would prompt my adversaries to get out another illegal writ and would eventually probably cost me some three or four thousand dollars as in other cases and under which I have still to labor to disadvantage. Under these considerations therefore, I am compelled to decline paying you a visit for the present, at the same time in connection with I tender my warmest acknowledgements for the invitation.
I am pleased to hear of the prosperity of your branch, and hope it will continue; for although I never feel to force my doctrines upon any person I rejoice to see prejudice give way to truth, and the traditions of men dispersed by the pure principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I should be pleased to have the privilege of forming an acquaintance with your partner Mr. [Oliver] Kimball and his Lady, and should [p. 1888]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [745]
See 13 Feb. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [746]
JS, Journal, 13 Feb. 1844; Clayton, Journal, 13 Feb. 1844.
Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
- [747]
JS, Nauvoo, IL, to Joseph L. Heywood, Quincy, IL, 13 Feb. 1844, JS Collection, CHL.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
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