See also source note for JS History, circa 1841, draft.
Historical Introduction
was a recent convert to Mormonism when he visited in 1840. There he was immediately engaged by JS as a clerk at his office. Coray later reminisced in his autobiography that after he completed his initial assignment, JS requested that he “undertake, in connection with , the compilation of the Church History.”
At the time received his charge, JS’s and the church’s “history” had been an ongoing project for a decade. Several early attempts had apparently fallen short and been abandoned. However, JS and ’s 1838 effort initiated with , and JS’s ensuing collaboration with , had begun to bear fruit. Unfortunately, Mulholland had died 3 November 1839 after inscribing fifty-nine pages of text in a large record book subsequently designated as volume “A-1” of the manuscript history of the church. was appointed “general church clerk” in October 1840 and succeeded Mulholland as scribe for A-1.
Meanwhile, JS assigned and to draft additional historical material, using sources JS provided. Woolley eventually withdrew from the project and was replaced by a “Dr. Miller,” who remains unidentified. Their work evidently resulted in two different kinds of drafts. According to Coray’s later reminiscences, the first grew out of instructions “not only to combine, and arrange in cronological order, but to spread out or amplify not a little, in as good historical style as may be.” No manuscript matching this description has survived, but their work may have provided the basis for material subsequently copied into the history by other scribes.
did, however, produce an edited version of the narrative inscribed in the large history volume (A-1). According to Coray’s later account, JS was directly involved in this reworking of the history, reading aloud and dictating revisions from the large volume. Two drafts of this work have survived. However, the main history endeavor continued in the large history volume, and there is no indication that either draft was used in subsequent compiling or in publication of the history. Though a short-lived effort, Coray’s manuscript represents the intention to revise the history, suggesting that JS had not yet settled on a final historical product even after he had directed scribes to begin inscribing the history in the large, more permanent volume in 1839.
’s history draft includes departures from the material recorded in A-1 which, though minor, show an intention to refine the story. Coray deleted passages that seemed to be defensive, to plead the cause of the Saints, or to play on the reader’s sympathies—a list of grievances, for example, or complaints against individuals. The draft often softened wording about the persecution of JS and employed more moderate language in describing opposition, avoiding the word “mob” and glossing over accounts of violence.
’s work on JS’s history was not located until 2005, when two manuscripts in Coray’s hand were identified among documents in the possession of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These two manuscripts consisted of a lightly edited draft of the material and had written in the large history volume, and a fair or clean copy of that material that incorporated the revisions Coray made in his earlier draft. The first draft was published in volume 1 of the Histories series of the The Joseph Smith Papers. (See History Drafts, 1838—ca. 1841.) The second or “fair copy” of the two drafts is the document herein featured. An inscription in Coray’s handwriting at the bottom of the first page of this document identifies it as the second copy. In 1869 Coray signed a statement that was later attached to the paper wrapper that enclosed the two drafts: “These hundred pages of History were written by me, under Joseph the Prophet’s dictation. Dr Miller helped me a little in writing the same.”
that thou mayest found out mysteries that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge of the truth yea convince them of the errors of their ways. Make not thy gift known unto any save it be those who are of thy faith Trifle not with sacred things if thou wil wilt do good yea and hold out faithful to the end thou shalt be saved in the Kingdom of God which is the greatest of all the gifts of God for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation
Verily Verily I say unto thee blessed art thou for what thou hast done for thou hast inquired of me and behold as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my spirit if it had not been so thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time. Behold thou knowest thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the spirit of truth Yea I tell thee that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and intents of thy heart. I tell thee these things as a witness unto thee that the words or the works which thou hast been writing is true therefore be diligent stand by my servant Joseph faithfully in whatsoever difficult circumstances he may be for the words sake admonish him in his faults and also recieve admonition of him. Be patient be sober and be temperate. Have patience faith hope and charity. Behold thou art and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires therefore treasure up these words in thy heart be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love. behold I am Jesus Christ the Son of God I am the same that came unto my own [p. 28]