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 28.> this object. Mr. Smith is not so generally known personally as are several of the above named candidates, and although he has been much spoken of as a man he has been a great deal calumniated and misrepresented, and his true character is very little known. It is for us to take away this false coloring, and by lecturing, by publishing, and circulating his works: his political views; his honor, integrity, and virtue: stop the foul mouth of slander, and present him before the public in his own colors, that he may be known, respected, and supported.”
Thomas S. Edwards volunteered to join the exploring expedition to the Rocky Mountains.
See 29 Feb. 1844 entry in History Draft.
<29.> Thursday 29. Called at my , and gave the “Zanesville Gazette” of Jan 31 containing the speech of Cassius M. Clay, delivered in Scott County Kentucky December 30. 1843 on annexing to the , and instructed him to reply to the same and gave him the subject matter and directed the manner I wished it done and then rode out with [3 words illegible]
[1 line illegible]
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The “Ohio” Steamer went up the .
Moses Smith and volunteered to join the exploring expedition.
See 1 Mar. 1844 entry in History Draft.
<March 1.> Friday 1. Very frosty night, showery day. West wind.
Spent the day in counciling <counseling>. [HC 6:227]
Letters from the Elders show a rapid progress of the work of the Lord in different parts of the Union. Elder has gone to , for the purpose of proclaiming to the rulers of our nation the principles of eternal truth. By a letter received from him we learn, he has been preaching and baptizing in and vicinity.
“The High Council of the church of Jesus christ of Latter Day Saints at , to the Saints of this Stake . . . . . Greeting.
Beloved Brethren:— Realizing as we do, the importance of the work in which we are engaged, we deem it expedient to lay before you such matters from time to time, as in our opinion will be beneficial to the Saints, and the spirit in us may seem to require. We would remind our Brethren, the Elders, who have at sundry times been sent forth as flaming heralds; messengers of the everlasting Gospel, who proclaim a message of salvation to their fellow men, thereby gathering and bringing up to Zion the scattered elect of God, to be taught more perfectly the principles of salvation: that whilst their message is abroad, we have had our mission to remain at , and to participate with the Saints in the blessings of poverty, if such it may be called, amid sickness and distress, in the vexations and turmoils of the unruly and ungodly, for which no man has paid us, for days, weeks, months and years; that our time has been spent in endeavoring to settle difficulties, set in order the things needful to salvation; in trying to reconcile and cement the feelings of our brethren to each other in the spirit of the gospel, whilst at times, circumstances of a more painful nature have been presented. Individuals have been brought before us, charged with high crimes in the violation of the laws of heaven, [p. 1900]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 23 Feb. 1844.
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.
See 29 Feb. 1844 entry in History Draft.
JS, Journal, 29 Feb. 1844.
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 23 Feb. 1844.
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.
See 1 Mar. 1844 entry in History Draft.
Bullock, Journal, 1 Mar. 1844.
Bullock, Thomas. Journal, Feb. 1844–Aug. 1845. In Historian’s Office, Journal, 1844–1997. CHL. CR 100 1, box 1, vol. 1.
JS, Journal, 1 Mar. 1844.
“Varieties,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1844, 5:457–458.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
Nauvoo Stake High Council, Nauvoo, IL, to “the Saints of this Stake,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1844, 5:458–459.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
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