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
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 .
<August 13> of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels, to the general Assembly and church of the first born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the Spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant. Hebrews, 12 ch. 22-23-24 v. What could it profit us to come unto the Spirits of the just men, but to learn, and come up to the standard of their knowledge?
Where has gone?
Who is there that would not give all his goods to feed the poor, and pour out his gold and silver to the four winds to go where has gone?
That which hath been hid from before the foundation of the world is revealed to babes and sucklings in the last days.
The World is reserved unto burning in the last days. He shall send Elijah the prophet and he shall reveal the covenants of the fathers in relation to the children, and the covenants of the children in relation to the fathers.
Four destroying angels holding power over the four quarters of the earth, until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads which signifies sealing the blessing upon their heads meaning the everlasting covenant, thereby making their calling and election sure. When a seal is put upon the father and mother it secures their posterity so that they cannot be lost but will be saved by virtue of the covenant of their father and mother.
What is the full extend of that seal? Shall I tell you? No.Doctrine <of> Election— Sealing of the servants of our God on the top of their heads— ’tis not the cross, as the Catholics would have it. Doctrine of Election to Abraham was in the relation to the seed. A man wishes to be embraced in the covenant of Abraham. A man
in world of spirits
is sealed unto the throne, and doctrine of election
sealing the fathers and children together.
To the mourners <I would say> do as the husband and the father would instruct you, and you shall be reunited. <*>
<* The speaker continued to teach the doctrine of election and the sealing powers and principles; and spoke of the doctrine of election with [HC 5:530] the seed of Abraham and the sealing of blessings upon his posterity, and the sealing of the fathers and children according to the declarations of the prophets: he then spoke of in the world of spirits and the blessings, which he would obtain and of the kind spirit and Disposition of while living, none of which was reported.>
I have been acquainted with a long time, and I never knew a more tender-hearted man.
Remarks by President Joseph Smith, on Sunday afternoon August 13th. 1843:— Reported by Dr. .
President Joseph <Smith> complained of the citizens of . He reproved some young men for crowding on to the ladies seats on the meeting ground, and laughing and mocking during meeting; and as Mayor he instructed the to keep that portion of the grove clear of young men. “The is enlarging very fast; we have many professedly learned men in this , and the height of their knowledge is not to know enough to keep in their place.
He then complained of the treatment he had received from “Walter Bagby, the county Assessor and collector, who has exercised more despotic power over the [p. 1690]