JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, created 24 Feb. 1845–3 July 1845; handwriting of , , Jonathan Grimshaw, and ; 512 pages, plus 24 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the third volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This third volume covers the period from 2 Nov. 1838 to 31 July 1842; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, D-1, E-1 and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction
This document, “History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842],” is the third of six volumes of the “Manuscript History of the Church” (in The Joseph Smith Papers the “Manuscript History” bears the editorial title “History, 1838–1856”). The completed six-volume collection covers the period from 23 December 1805 to 8 August 1844. The narrative in this volume commences on 2 November 1838 with JS and other church leaders being held prisoner by the “’s forces” at , Missouri, and concludes with the death of Bishop at , Illinois, on 31 July 1842. For a more complete discussion of the entire six-volume work, see the general introduction to this history.
Volume C-1 was created beginning on or just after 24 February 1845 and its narrative was completed by 3 May 1845, although some additional work continued on the volume through 3 July of that year (Richards, Journal, 24 and 28 Feb. 1845; Historian’s Office, Journal, 3 May 1845; 3 and 4 July 1845). It is in the handwriting of and contains 512 pages of primary text, plus 24 pages of addenda. Additional addenda for this volume were created at a later date as a supplementary document and appear in this collection as “History, 1838-1856, volume C-1 Addenda.” Compilers and Thomas Bullock drew heavily from JS’s letters, discourses, and diary entries; meeting minutes; church and other periodicals and journals; and reminiscences, recollections, and letters of church members and other contacts. At JS’s behest, Richards maintained the first-person, chronological-narrative format established in previous volumes, as if JS were the author. , , , and others reviewed and modified the manuscript prior to its eventual publication in the Salt Lake City newspaper Deseret News.
The historical narrative recorded in volume C-1 continued the account of JS’s life as prophet and president of the church. Critical events occurring within the forty-five-month period covered by this text include the Mormon War; subsequent legal trials of church leaders; expulsion of the Saints from Missouri; missionary efforts in by the and others; attempts by JS to obtain federal redress for the Missouri depredations; publication of the LDS Millennial Star in England; the migration of English converts to ; missionary efforts in other nations; the death of church patriarch ; the establishment of the city charter; the commencement of construction of the Nauvoo ; the expedition that facilitated temple construction; the introduction of the doctrine of proxy baptism for deceased persons; the dedicatory prayer by on the Mount of Olives in Palestine; publication of the “Book of Abraham” in the Nauvoo Times and Seasons; publication of the JS history often referred to as the “Wentworth letter;” the organization of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo; and the inception of Nauvoo-era temple endowment ceremonies.
<October 19> false friends as well as open enemies— All these circumstances have more or less engaged our attention from time to time.— We likewise must complain of the brethren who are in office and authority in the Stake of , for not writing us, and making known their difficulties and their affairs from time to time, so that they might be advised in matters of importance to the well being of said Stake; but above all for not sending one word of consolation to us while we were in the hands of our enemies— and thrust into dungeons. Some of our friends from various sections sent us letters which breathed a kind and sympathetic spirit, and which made our afflictions and sufferings <en>durable. All was silent as the grave, no feelings of sorrow, sympathy or affection to cheer the heart under the gloomy shades of affliction and trouble through which we had to pass— Dear Brethren could you realize that your brethren were thus circumstanced and were to bear up under the weight of affliction and woe which was heaped upon them by their enemies and you stand unmoved and unconcerned!!! Where were the bowels of compassion, Where was the love which ought to characterize the Saints of the most High, did those high born and noble feelings lie dormant, or were you insensible of the treatment we received? However we are disposed to leave these things to God, and to futurity, and feel disposed to forget this coldness on the part of <the> Saints in , and to look to the future with more pleasure than while we contemplated the past; and shall by <the> assistance of our Heavenly Father, take such steps as we think best [HC 4:225] calculated to promote the interests of the Saints, and for the promotion of truth and righteousness, and the building up of the Kingdom in these last days.
The situation of was brought before the General Conference held at this place on the 3rd. instant, when it was resolved that Elder should be appointed to preside over the Stake of and that he be privileged to choose his own Counsellors; We therefore hope that the Saints will hold up the hands of our beloved Brother, and unite with him in endeavoring to promote the interests of the Kingdom. It has been deemed prudent to advise the Eastern Brethren who desire to locate in , to do so, consequently you may expect an increase of members in your stake, who probably will be but young in the faith, and who will require kind treatment; We therefore hope that the brethren will feel interested in the welfare of the Saints, and will use all their endeavors to promote the welfare of the brethren who may think proper to take up their residence in that place— If you should put away from your midst all evil speaking, backbiting and ungenerous thoughts and feelings; humble yourselves and cultivate every principle of virtue and love, then will the blessings of Jehovah rest upon you and you will yet see good and glorious days, peace will be within your gates, and prosperity in your borders, which may our Heavenly Father grant— in the name of Jesus Christ is the prayer of yours in the bonds of the Covenant. Joseph Smith, —” [p. 1114]