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.
The names were as follow: Presidents , , , Bishop , Elders <February 19.> , , , myself and . These requested to meet one hour earlier on the following morning. I conversed with on the subject of religion at my house this afternoon. He listened with attention and appeared interested with my remarks, and I believe the Lord is striving with him, by his Holy Spirit and that he will eventually embrace the new and everlasting covenant, for he is a chosen vessel unto the Lord to do his people good, but I forbear lest I get to prophecying upon his head. [HC 2:397] This evening and myself called at lodgings and conversed with him upon the subject of the school. Had a pleasant interview.
<20> Saturday morning the 20th. at home attending to my domestic concerns, at 9 o clock attended the school and translated with the morning class. Spent the afternoon with my class in the , and the evening at home
<Sunday 21.> Sunday 21st. Spent the day at home in reading, meditation and prayer. I reviewed my lesson in Hebrew. Some three or four persons were baptized and the powers of darkness seem to be giving way on all sides. Many who have been enemies to the work of the Lord are beginning to enquire into the faith of the Latter Day Saints and are friendly.
<22> Monday 22d. Translated Hebrew with the first Class in the morning; returned home and made out my returns to the county clerk on eleven marriages which I have solemnized within three months, eight by licence from the clerk of the court of common Pleas in , Ohio, and three by publishment. Sent them to by Elijah Fuller. I baptized . Spent the P.M. translating with my Scribe, Elder , at his house. At 4. o’clock met and the school committed at the , to make some arrangements for the advancement of the several classes.
<Council of the Presidency, on Ordinations> “The Presidency of the church met, and took into consideration the resolutions presented to the Twelve apostles (Dated Feb 12th) the Presidents of the Seventies, The High councils of the church for Zion and , and after due deliberation it was unanimously agreed that the original resolutions be adopted without amendments. Clerk of Council.” [HC 2:398]
The lower room of the is now prepared for painting. <p 4 addenda note L> <Veil of the Temple made.> This afternoon the sisters met to make the veil of the . Presided over them and gave them much good instruction. [p. 706]