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.
Licence, and said clerk of conference shall after the same has been <March 3— Resolutions continued> recorded, forward it to the proper person.
4th. That all official members, in good standing and fellowship in the various branches of this church, be requested to forward their present licences, accompanied by a certificate of their virtuous and faithful walk before the Lord, Signed by the chairman and clerk of a general Conference, or by the clerk of the branch of the church in which such official member resides, by the advice and direction of such Church, to the Clerk of Conference whose duty it shall be to fill a new licence, as directed in the 3d Article: and that all licencences [licenses], signed, recorded, and endorsed, as specified in the first article, shall be considered good and valid to all intents and purposes, in the business and spiritual affairs of this church, as a religious society; or before any court of record of this, or any other country wherein preachers of the gospel are entitled to special privileges, answering in all respects as an original Record; without the necessity of referring to any other document.
5th. that the recording clerk be required to publish quarterly, in a paper published by some member, or members of this church, a list of the names of the several persons, for whom he has recorded Licences within the Last quarter.
6th. that this quorum appoint 2 two persons to sign as Chairman and clerk of conference, pro tempore, licences for the Standing Chairman and clerk, who shall be appointed as named in the 2d Article, and also to act in their absence, in signing other licences, as specified in the foregoing article.”
Presidents Joseph Smith Jun was nominated as Chairman, and as clerk; &, as chairman, pro tempore, and as Clerk, pro tempore. Vote from the several quorums called in their order, and passed unanimously. President Joseph Smith Junior, made some remarks upon the resolution offered to the council on the 12th of February, followed by Pres[HC 2:404]t , who called a vote of his quorum to ascertain whether they would repeal their amendment of the 13th of February, and nine of the twelve voted in the affirmative & three, (viz; , and ,) in the negative, and the original Bill of the 12th of February was passed. dismissed by prayer ½ past 9 o clock. Clerk
<4.> Friday March 4th. attended school as usual. The sleighing is failing fast, the icy chains of winter seem to be giving way under the influence of the Returning sun. and spring will soon open to us with all its charms.
<5.> Saturday 5th. Attended school. P.M. the took fire and the lumber was principally consumed. This is the fifth or sixth time, it has burned this winter, to the best of my recollection.