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.
We wish you to understand, that your duty requires you to seek first <August 4> the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness, that is, attend to the first things first, and then all things will be added, and that complaint about your families will be less frequent. Dont preach yourselves crucified for your wives sake, but remember that Christ was crucified, and you are sent out to be special witnesses of this thing. Men do not wish to hear these little things, for there is no salvation in them, but there is in the other. [HC 2:240]
<The ten.> Let the hands of the ten be strengthened, and let them go forth in the name of the Lord, in the power of their mission, giving diligent heed to the direction of the Holy Spirit. We say be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, for great things await you, and great blessings are in store for you.
<Power of the two upon the Seventy.> Let the power of the two be upon the seventy, until the two make full satisfaction; for the seventy shall be blessed, and are blessed. That man who presumes to speak evil of the dignities which God has set in his church, to his family, or to any body else, shall be cursed in his generation. Remember the 109th. Psalm. His Bishoprick shall be taken from him unless he speedily repents. Be it known that God is God, and when he speaks, let all the congregation say, Amen. We have evil insinuations enough in to grapple with, that are suggested by the father of lies, without having them from those who are sent out to put down insinuations. May God bless you to be more wise in future, Amen.” , Clerk.”
<7. Conference of the Twelve. Mass. Conference Elder Chase’s License taken. Elder Holmes Licence taken.> “Bradford, Massachusetts, August 7th. nine of the travelling high council, met and decided that the limits of the conference embrace the state to be called the Conference. Elder Chase had his licence and membership taken from him because of gambling for money, and then breaking bread to the saints before he confessed his sins. Elder Holmes licence was taken from him in consequence of a disagreement between him and his wife which was of long standing; it was therefore considered that if a man cannot preserve peace in his own family he is not qualified to rule the church of God. A Letter of complaint was written to , by elder Gibson Smith, of <Elder > Norfolk, Connecticut, again[s]t elder , upon which he was suspended and referred to the conference at Bradford for trial. No one appeared to substantiate the complaint, he was therefore acquitted on that point: but upon further enquiry it was proved that he had erred in spirit and in doctrine, and was considerably inclined to enthusiasm, and much lifted up; The council therefore took his licence from him, until he become more instructed, and also get his spirits and <Elder J. Patton excommunicated.> feelings more amalgamated with his brethren. Elder James Patton of North Providence, R<hode> I.s<land>, was excommunicated for improper conduct, and, refusing to give up his licence, he was ordered to be published in the “Messenger and Advocate.” [HC 2:241] The people in this region were [p. 599]