JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. B-1, created 1 Oct. 1843–24 Feb. 1845; handwriting of and ; 297 pages, plus 10 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the second volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This second volume covers the period from 1 Sept. 1834 to 2 Nov. 1838; the subsequent four volumes, labeled C-1 through F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction
This document, volume B-1, is the second of the six volumes of the “Manuscript History of the Church.” The collection was compiled over the span of seventeen years, 1838 to 1856. The narrative in volume B-1 begins with the entry for 1 September 1834, just after the conclusion of the Camp of Israel (later called Zion’s Camp), and continues to 2 November 1838, when JS was interned as a prisoner of war at , Missouri. For a fuller discussion of the entire six-volume work, see the general introduction to the history.
, serving as JS’s “private secretary and historian,” completed the account of JS’s history contained in volume A-1 in August 1843. It covered the period from JS’s birth in 1805 through the aftermath of the Camp of Israel in August 1834. When work resumed on the history on 1 October 1843, Richards started a new volume, eventually designated B-1.
At the time of JS’s death in June 1844, the account had been advanced to 5 August 1838, on page 812 of volume B-1. ’s poor health led to the curtailment of work on B-1 for several months, until 11 December 1844. On that date, Richards and , assisted by , resumed gathering the records and reports needed to draft the history. Richards then composed and drafted roughed-out notes while Thomas Bullock compiled the text of the history and inscribed it in B-1. They completed their work on the volume on or about 24 February 1845. Richards, , and Jonathan Grimshaw later added ten pages of “Addenda,” which provided notes, extensive revisions, or additional text to be inserted in the original manuscript where indicated.
Though JS did not dictate or revise any of the text recorded in B-1, and chose to maintain the first-person, chronological narrative format established in A-1 as if JS were the author. They drew from a variety of primary and secondary sources including JS’s diaries and letters, minutes of meetings, the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, church and other periodicals, reports of JS’s discourses, and the reminiscences and recollections of church members. As was the case with A-1, after JS’s death, , , , and others modified and corrected the manuscript as they reviewed material before its eventual publication.
Beginning in March 1842 the church’s Nauvoo periodical, the Times and Seasons, began publishing the narrative as the “History of Joseph Smith.” It was also published in England in the church periodical the Millennial Star beginning in June 1842. Once a press was established in Utah and the Deseret News began publication, the “History of Joseph Smith” once more appeared in print in serialized form. Beginning with the November 1851 issue, the narrative picked up where the Times and Seasons had left off over five years earlier.
The narrative recorded in B-1 continued the story of JS’s life as the prophet and president of the church he labored to establish. The account encompasses significant developments in the church’s two centers at that time—, Ohio, and northwest —during a four-year-span. Critical events included the organization of the Quorums of the Twelve Apostles and the Seventy, the dedication of the House of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio, the establishment of the Kirtland Safety Society, dissension and apostasy in Kirtland and Missouri, the first mission to England, JS’s flight from Kirtland to Missouri in the winter of 1838, the Saints’ exodus from Kirtland later that year, the disciplining of the Missouri presidency, and the outbreak of the Missouri War and arrest of JS. Thus, B-1 provides substantial detail regarding a significant period of church expansion and transition as well as travail.
and thereby promote our own happiness, and the happiness of the <January 1.> family, and, in short, the happiness and well being of all. and , and were then called in, and we repeated the covenant to them [HC 2:353] that we had entered into, and while gratitude swelled our bosoms, tears flowed from our eyes. I was then requested to close our interview which I did with prayer, and it was truly a Jubilee, and time of rejoicing.
<2> <note I> Saturday Morning 2d. according to previous arrangements, <> I went to the council at 9 o’clock. This council was called to sit in judgment on a complaint preferred against , by on the 29th December. The council organizd and proceeded to business, but before entering on the trial arose. and humbly confessed the charges preferred against him, and asked the forgiveness of the council and the whole congregation. A vote was then called to know whether his confession was satisfactory, and whether the brethren would extend the hand of fellowship again, with cheerfulness the whole congregation raised their hands to receive him
<.> Elder also confessed the charges which I preferred against him, in a previous council; and was received into fellowship. Council voted that and should be ordained, elders: and some other business was transacted in union and fellowship, and the best of feelings seemed to prevail among the brethren, and our hearts were made glad on the occasion, and there was joy in heaven, and my soul doth magnify the Lord, for his goodness, and mercy endureth forever. , , and John Herrot were also appointed by counsel to be ordained Elders under my hands. [HC 2:354]
<Sunday. 3.> Sunday morning 3d. went to meeting at the usual hour. delivered a fine Lecture upon the subject of revelation. In the afternoon I confirmed ten or twelve persons, who had been baptized, among whom was , who was baptized during intermission to day. Bro made his confession to the church to their satisfaction, and was cordially received into fellowship again. The Lord’s Supper was administered, and gave out an appointment to preach in the evening at early candlelight, and preached a fine discourse and this day has been a day of rejoicing to me. The cloud that has been hanging over us, has burst with blessings on our heads, and satan has been foiled in his attempts to destroy me and the church by causing jealousies to arise in the hearts of some of the brethren. And I thank my heavenly Father for the union and Harmony which now prevails in the church.