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 .
There are three grand orders of priesthood referred to here.
1st. The King of Shiloam (Salem) had power and authority over [HC 5:554] that of Abraham, holding the key and the power of endless life:— Angels desire to look into it, but they have set up too many stakes. God cursed the children of Israel because they would not receive the last law from Moses.
The sacrifice required of Abraham in the offering up of Isaac, shows that if a man would attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life, he must sacrifice all things. When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to receive it, he will be damned. The Israelites prayed that God would speak to Moses, and not to them; in consequence of which he cursed them with a carnal law.
What was the power of Melchisedec? ’Twas not the priesthood of Aaron which administers in outward ordinances, and the offering of sacrifices. Those holding the fulness of the Melchisedic priesthood are kings and Priests to the most high God, holding the keys of power and blessings. In fact that Priesthood is a perfect law of Theocracy, and stands as God, to give laws to the people, administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam.
Kingly powers of anointing
Abram, says to Melchisedec, <I believe all that thou hast taught me concerning the Priesthood, and the coming of the Son of Man; so Melchisedeck ordained Abram and sent him> away. <Abram rejoiced saying now> I have a Priesthood.
Salvation could not come to the world, without the mediation of Jesus Christ.
How shall God come to the rescue of this generation? He shall <will> send Elijah <the Prophet.> The law revealed to Moses in Horeb never was revealed to the children of Israel <as a Nation.>
Elijah shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the Fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers.
The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected, and made sure.
‘Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the son of God; abideth a priest continually’. The Melchisedic priesthood holds the right from the Eternal God, and not by descent from father and mother; and that priesthood is eternal as God himself, having neither beginning of days nor end of life.
<The> 2nd. Priesthood, is patriarchal authority. <Go to and> Finish that <the> , and God will fill it with power, <and you will then receive more knowledge concerning this Priesthood.>
<The> 3rd.Priesthood <is what is called>, <the> Levitical <Priesthood,> consisting of Priests <to administer in outward ordinances,> made without an oath: but the Priesthood of Melchisedec is by an oath and covenant.
<The> Holy Ghost <is God’s Messenger to administer in all those Priesthoods.> [HC 5:555]
Jesus Christ <is the Heir of this Kingdom, the only begotten of the Father according to the Flesh, and holds the keys over all this world.>
Men have to suffer that they might <may> come up on Mount Zion, and be exalted above the heavens.
I know a man that has been caught up to the third heavens, and <we can say with Paul, that we have seen and heard things that are not lawful to utter.>”