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 27.> In the afternoon visited the .
Mailed my views of the powers and policy &c. to the [HC 6:225] and Cabinet, Supreme Judges, Senators, Representatives, principal newspapers in the , (all the German), and many postmasters and individuals.
and volunteered to go on the Western exploring expedition.
<28> Wednesday 28. At home, Rainy day.
At 4 p. m. Steamboat Gen. Brooke passed up the , first boat this season. No ice in sight.
In the evening I sent to to call the brethren and pray for ’s sick child as he thought it could not live till morning. Elder and others, prayed for him.
Dr. published an appeal to his native State of Tennessee giving a history of our troubles, and asking the influence of that State to obtain redress.
The Neighbor of to day publishes the following.
“For President, Joseph Smith.
Having now raised the name of our General and Prophet to the head of our columns, it becomes us, as Latter Day Saints, to be wise, prudent and energetic, in the cause that we pursue; and not to let any secondary influences control our minds, or govern our proceedings. The step that we have taken is a bold one, and requires our united efforts, perseverance, and diligence: but important as it may be, it is no greater than others have taken, and they have conceived that they had a right, without molestation to pursue that course, and to vote for that man whose election, they in their wisdom, thought would be most conducive to the public weal. As American citizens, then, we presume that all will concede to us this right: and whatever may be their views respecting the policy of such a step, they will acknowledge that we act legally, justly, and constitutionally in pursuing our present course. Some have nominated , some Col. [Richard M.] Johnson, others , others , and others . Those several committees unquestionably thought that they had each of them made the wisest selection, in naming the man of their choice: they selected their several candidates, because they thought that they were the wisest, the greatest statesmen, and the most competent to [HC 6:226] fill the Presidential Chair, whilst they severally thought that the other candidates were incompetent.— We have been governed by the same principles; and if others think they have made the wisest selection: so do we; if others think they have nominated the greatest statesmen, so do we; and while those several committees think that none of the nominations made are so good as their own: we think that the man of our choice is the most able, the most competent, the best qualified, and would fill the Presidential Chair with greater dignity to the nation and that his election would be conducive— of more happiness and prosperity at home and abroad, than that of any other man in these .
This is a thing that we, as Latter Day Saints know, and it now devolves upon us, as an imperative duty, to make others acquainted with the same things; and to use all our influence at home, and abroad, for the accomplishment of [p. 1899]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [790]
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 23 Feb. 1844.
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.
- [791]
See 28 Feb. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [792]
JS, Journal, 28 Feb. 1844.
- [793]
“An Appeal to the State of Tennessee,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 28 Feb. 1844, [1].
Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
- [794]
“For President, Joseph Smith,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 28 Feb. 1844, [2].
Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
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