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 27> Started this morning to go to with brother — rode as far as the , <and> found it so muddy that we turned back.
Issued a warrant on the complaint of against for stealing 2 stone cutters tools.
<I wrote> My Clerk made two copies of the following Memorial:— [HC 6:274]
“To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the , in Congress assembled.
Your Memorialist, a free born citizen of these , respectfully sheweth, that from his infancy his soul has been filled with the most intense and philanthropic interest for the welfare of his native country; and being fired with an ardor, which floods cannot quench, crowns cannot conquer, nor diplomatic intrigue corrupt, to see those principles which emanated from the bosoms of the fathers of seventy six, and which cost the noblest talents and richest blood of the nation, maintained inviolate and perpetuated to future generations; and the proud eagle of American freedom soar triumphant over every party prejudice, and local sinistry; and spread her golden pinions over every member of the human family, who shall stretch forth their hands for succor from the Lion’s paw, or the oppressor’s grasp; and firmly trusting in the God of Liberty, that he has designed universal peace and good will, union and brotherly love to all the great family of man, your Memorialist asks your honorable body to pass the following ordinance.
An ordinance for the protection of the citizens of the emigrating to the adjoining territories, and for the extension of the principles of universal Liberty.
Preamble
Whereas many of the citizens of these have migrated, and are migrating to , , and other lands contiguous to this nation; And Whereas has declared herself free and independent, without the necessary power to protect her rights and liberties; And Whereas is without any organized government, and those who emigrate thither are exposed to foreign invasion, and domestic feuds: And Whereas the by geographical location and discovery more rightfully belongs to these , than to any other general Government; And Whereas it is necessary that the emigrants of that newly settling territory should receive protection; And Whereas the Texian Government has petitioned the to be received into our Union, but yet retains her national existence; And Whereas the remember with gratitude, the seasonable support they received, in a like situation from a La Fayette: And Whereas the desire to see the principles of her free institutions extended to all men; espe[HC 6:275]cially where it can be done without the loss of blood and treasure to the nation: [p. 1940]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [911]
See 27 Mar. 1844 entry in History Draft.
- [912]
JS, Journal, 27 Mar. 1844.
- [913]
JS, Memorial to U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 26 Mar. 1844, copy, JS Collection, CHL; Council of Fifty Minutes, “Record,” 26 Mar. 1844.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
Council of Fifty. “Record of the Council of Fifty or Kingdom of God,” Mar. 1844–Jan. 1846. CHL.
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