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 .
<September 9> Egyptians— Joseph at this day holds the keys of Salvation not only to the Gentiles but also the house of Israel. I do not know but some may have reflections different from my own; I will however shew how the Lord deals with mankind. Some may say, “who can believe that God who dwells in Heaven will condescend to speak to the people about building his Him a house in this day of religion and science?” This may be considered simple in the eyes of many; but the day was when the salvation or damnation of the whole world hung upon as small a circumstance. “Noah by faith being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Had the Editors of this day lived then, I think they would have said and written more against it, than they have against Joseph Smith, and the revelations he has received and published. We find God was in the habit of telling men to do many simple things, even to the giving of a law concerning the protection of birds’ nexts nests. You talk about God condescending to speak of small things in the last days, but it is only as it was in the days of Moses; for we read in the Bible how God commanded the children of Israel when they found a bird’s nest (Deut 22 ch 6 v) Not to take the dam with the young; “but thou shalt in any wise let the dam go free, and take the young to thee;” (Why?) 7 v “That it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.” We see from this, that however small and simple the commandments of God appear to be, they are great in their results. Connecting this with the law of God to Israel concerning the eating of locusts, beetles, and grasshoppers (Leviticus 11 ch 22 v) “Even these of them ye may [HC 6:17] eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the Grasshopper after his kind” Is this as small business for the Lord to talk about as it is for Him to command the Saints to build a Tavern or for visitors who constantly go to , which when done will do much good for the spreading of the work to all nations; what good could arise from a law of God permitting the eating of beetles and grasshoppers, I cannot say.
All the prophecies have aimed at the gathering of the people, and saving them in the last days. But it is better never to have known the Master’s will, than to know it and not perform it; and my advice is, if you cannot take hold of the work, and go through the whole course, to stop, and go no further; if you have not courage to go on at the expense of all things, it is better to turn back. We do not want to deceive you. Our traditions have taught us to be very religious, to wear long faces, never to tell an amusing story, nor to laugh &c.; this was the case with the long faced Christians in , and they were the first to strike a dagger to our hearts. It is better for a man to act what he is than to be a hypocrite. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this” says James, “to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” I do not like that religion which lies in a man’s long face, or his coat or hat. If I wear a strange hat it is not because of my religion; for where the religion of a man is in the shape of his hat or coat, it is not very extensive any where else. [p. 1722]