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.
<4> by an Elder whose name I do not know, which was followed by rich strains of vocal and instrumental music; then followed the oration, which was an elegant, eloquent and pathetic one, as much so ever I heard on a similar occasion. We started home about six o’Clock all evidently much pleased [HC 5:491] with and gratified by the kind reception of her citizens.
A citizen of .”
<5> I called in the and heard the testimony of my brother before the Municipal court read. and returned from , found but little excitement there, wrote a piece for the paper in my defence, and the justice of the decision of the Municipal court. <The> Remainder of the day I was at home.
<6> I remained at home all day. wrote the following letter
“Executive Department July 6th. 1843. Esqr.. Sir, I have received your Petition for a detachment of Illinois Militia to assist you in retaking, Joseph Smith Jr representing him to have escaped from your custody after having been arrested on a warrant granted for his apprehension. I have also received a , and some affidavits adverse to the prayer of your Petition. I have also to inform you that I had heard before your arrival in this city of the escape of Smith, and rumors that he had been rescued by a military force. Deeming these rumors of sufficient importance to justify me in so doing, I did, on the 4th. day of this present month, dispatch a trusty and competent person, as my Agent to collect information of the various matters contained in your Petition; and you will I hope at once see the propriety of all action being suspended on my part, until I can receive the most authentic and unquestionable information, as to the movements complained of.
I am most Respectfully, your obedient Servant
.”
and endorsed on the back of it
“. The annexed letter to , is all the answer which I can at present make to either of the parties touch[HC 5:492]ing his application for a detachment of Militia to assist him in retaking Joseph Smith said to be a fugitive from justice. I have the honor to be very Respectfully your obedient Servant.
.”
<7> Friday 7 Mr. Braman a Messenger from the arrived in requesting a copy of all the testimony that was given before the Municipal court, and other affidavits concerning the expulsion of the Mormons from .
I therefore employed , , and in addition to my other Clerks who sat up all night to copy the testimony.
In addition to the above, I made the following affidavit.
| “State of Illinois) | ss |
| ) |
Personally appeared before me , a Notary Public within and for said , Joseph Smith Senr. who being duly sworn, says that in the year 1838 he removed with his family to the State of — that he purchased land and became a resident of , that he was an Elder and teacher of the church of Latter day Saints, that the religious Society of which he was an Elder, numbered several thousand people, who were remarkably industrious in their habits , quiet in their manners and conscientious observors of the laws, that they had been for some years prior to his removal thither purchasing and improving lands, and were possessed of a vast amount of property, probably to the value of $3–500,000 of real and personal estate— that prejudices had for a long time existed in the minds of the rough and uncultivated people, by whom his people were surrounded on account of their [p. 1662]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [31]
See 5 July 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [32]
JS, Journal, 5 July 1843; “Statement,” Warsaw (IL) Message, 12 July 1843, [1].
Warsaw Message. Warsaw, IL. 1843–1844.
- [33]
See 6 July 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [34]
- [35]
See 7 July 1843 entry in History Draft.
- [36]
JS, Journal, 7 July 1843.
- [37]
JS, Affidavit, Hancock Co., IL, 7 July 1843, JS Collection, CHL.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
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