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.
<March 1.> on whom much patient exertion in the labors of love have by us been bestowed, to reclaim them from the error and evil of their doings. We regret to have it to say, that in some instances our efforts have been fruitless, for after we have found in them an obstinate and unyielding spirit to the principles of right, we have (reluctantly) been compelled to sever them from the church as withered branches. Such persons not unfrequently manifest their wickedness by their trifling with, and bidding defiance to all, and every good rule, regulation and law, set forth for the guidance of all Saints. One singular trait of their depravity is frequently manifested by their going to some ignorant elder and getting re-baptized into the church, [HC 6:228] not having first made the least satisfaction, (as was required) to such as they have injured. We have to say that baptism in such cases is not valid, and cannot profit; we here continue to say let such expelled persons first be reconciled to his injured brother, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, or in case of dissatisfaction with our decision, take an appeal and reverse it, if found wrong.
Expelled persons, not complying with these rules (which are in accordance with the order of heaven) whom we have been once necessitated to withdraw fellowship from, cannot be restored in any illegal way, and we would say that all such clandestine creeping in to the church, is climbing up some other way and that such persons can only be considered as thieves and robbers, we would also remind the Elders that it is improper for them to re-baptize any such expelled persons, while they remain thus obstinate, and that it will subject them to censure, and bring them to trial before a proper tribunal of the church
We therefore, hope for the future, that certain officious, forward feeling Elders will be more prudent in such cases hereafter.
We remain yours in the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant
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, Clerk.”
The Times and Seasons of March 1st. presents my name to the public as Candidate for President of the .
filed his bonds with the , and <took> the oath of office as Wharfmaster of the city of .
Elder very sick; the 37th. anniversary of his birth day.
See 2 Mar. 1844 entry in History Draft.
<2.> Saturday 2. 10 A. M, held Mayor’s court. Reproved Elder , for giving appearance of evil, in attempting to be bail for ; [p. 1901]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
“For President, Gen. Joseph Smith,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1844, 5:455.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 1 Mar. 1844.
Nauvoo City Council Minute Book / Nauvoo City Council. “A Record of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Nauvoo Handcock County, State of Illinois, Commencing A.D. 1841,” ca. 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3435.
Woodruff, Journal, 1 Mar. 1844.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
See 2 Mar. 1844 entry in History Draft.
JS, Journal, 2 Mar. 1844; Young, Journal, 2 Mar. 1844.
Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.
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