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.
<April 6. Conference Minutes> “, April 6, 1838. Agreeably do to a Resolution passed, <by> the High council of Zion, March 3d. 1838, the Saints in assembled at this place, to celebrate the anniversary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and to transact church business, Joseph Smith <Jun> and Presiding. The meeting was opened by singing, and prayer by , after which Prest. Joseph Smith Junr Read the order of the day as follows.— Doors will be open at 9 o clock AM. And the meeting will commence by singing and prayer. A sexton will then be appointed for a door keeper, and other services in the House of the Lord. Two historians will then be appointed to write and keep the church history: Also a general Recorder to keep the Records of the whole Church, and to be the Clerk of the first Presidency. And a clerk will be appointed for the High council and to keep the church records of this stake. Three Presidents will be appointed to preside over this stake <church> of Zion. After which an address will be delivered by the presidency. Then an intermission of one hour, when the meeting will again convene and open by singing and prayer. The Sacrament will then be administered, and the blessing of infants attended to; The meeting then proceeded to business. was appointed Sexton, and assistant; and , Historians: , general church Recorder and [HC 3:13] clerk to the first Presidency: , church Clerk and Recorder for , and Clerk to the High Council: President Pro Tempore of the church in Zion, and and his assistant Presidents. After one hours adjournment, and meeting again opened by the bread and wine were administered, and ninety five infants were blessed. Clerk.
<7 Quarterly Conference, Zion Minutes.> “Agreeable to a resolution of the High Council, March 3d 1838, the general authorities of the church met, to hold the first quarterlyconference of the church of Latter Day Saints, at , on the 7th of April 1838. Presidents Joseph Smith Jun. , , and , took the stand; after which the several quorums; the High council, the High Priests, the Seventies, the elders, the , the Priests, teachers and deacons were organized by theeir Presidents.
President Joseph Smith Jun. made some remarks, also gave some instruction respecting the order of the day. After singing, prayer by , and Singing again President Smith addressed the congregation at considerable length, followed by . Adjournd 20 minutes. Opened as usual by , who also made some remarks respecting the Twelve Apostles. He spoke of , , . , , &, as being men of God whom he could recommend with cheerfulness, and confidence. He spoke somewhat doubtful of from something he had heard respecting his faith in the work. He also spoke of , , , and as being men whom he could not recommend to the conference.
President represented the High council. The report was favorable. The seats of , , and were vacant in consequence of their having moved so far away they could not attend the Council. [p. 787]