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 2.> afterwards explained to my satisfaction. [HC 6:229] President visited Macedonia accompanied by his brother and preached there on the Sabbath.
<3.> Sunday 3. Ground covered with Snow. Attended prayer meeting in the evening.
<4.> Monday 4. I suggested the name of of as a candidate for Vice President.
At early candle light the first Presidency; Twelve Apostles, Temple Committee and others, met in Council. I insert the Minutes
“George Coray came in, and said he was sent by , to get Sheep &c. to carry to the , to receipt for it, or agree to pay lumber. President Joseph suggested that it was best to let the remain as it is, until the is completed, as we need the more than anything else. said there was some dissatisfaction about being sent from the without accounts &c. and could not have credit on tithing, and one month at the is only called fifteen days here. <Prest. Joseph> told them they should have their number of days in full, ‘we will let the stand until the is done, and we will put all our forces on the — turn all our lumber towards the and cover it up this fall, and sell the remainder to get blasting powder, fuse, rope, steel &c. And when the is completed, no man shall pass the threshold, till he has paid five Dollars, and every stranger shall pay five dollars towards liquidating the cash debts on the and I will not have the dirtied.
Let go to the , take the things wanted, and bring back the lumber, and his wages go on as usual; Let a special conference be called on the sixth of April, and all the Elders called home who can come; let the people of this come together on Thursday at 9 o’Clock in the morning. After two or three lectures, we will call on the people to fill up the box, with liberal contributions to procure cash materials for the .’”
I instructed a letter to be written to [HC 6:230] to consult him on the subject of nominating him for Vice President. I here insert the letter:—
“ March 4th. 1844
“Dear ,
Yours of the 1st. of Feb. was duly received, and produced the most pleasing sensations among your friends here and especially with the prophet; who said ‘tell I am perfectly satisfied with his explanation, and as to “temper” I had not even thought of it.’
“You suggest that ‘Brother Joseph’s correspondence with would appear in some degree to contradict the noble sentiments expressed in that able document’ to yourself; But if you will notice that his communication to you was written as an individual and that to as the voice of the people he represents, I think you will discover no discrepancy; But if so, tell me particulars without delay and you shall have an explanation. [p. 1902]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [809]
See 3 Mar. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [810]
JS, Journal, 3 Mar. 1844; Bullock, Journal, 3 Mar. 1844.
Bullock, Thomas. Journal, Feb. 1844–Aug. 1845. In Historian’s Office, Journal, 1844–1997. CHL. CR 100 1, box 1, vol. 1.
- [811]
See 4 Mar. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [812]
JS, Journal, 4 Mar. 1844.
- [813]
Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, to James Arlington Bennet, 4 Mar. 1844, Willard Richards, Papers, CHL.
Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490.
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