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.
he was capable of magnifying his office if he would. <September 28.> concurred in the above also that said after he saw his case was hopeless, that the council had turned him wrong-side out. Elder concurred in full; and in addition to the above that he was so indolent, that he would not help himself to a drink of water After the pleas of the counsillors, and the case was submitted for decision < acknowledged.> arose and made a humble confession for his transgression, and asked forgiveness of the High council, and all a the church. That he intended to learn wisdom from the revelations that God has given, and submitted himself to the decision of the court, being perfectly satisfied with the whole course of the trial. [HC 2:284] After <Decision.> much instruction, The President did that decided that the council of the twelve on this case, was in righteousness. Also that his confession be published in the “Messenger and Advocate,” and he be received in full fellowship, and receive his ordination and licence as before, which the council concurred in. and was ordained, by the Court, an elder.
<Afternon, on trial for an illicit intercourse> In the afterno[o]n, a charge of Adultery was preferred against , on general report <circulating> among the brethren, to which he plead not guilty. and the charge was changed to “an illicit intercourse with a female.” confessed that he had disgraced the girl, himself, and the church, but was not guilty of the charge. After hearing the testimony of witnesses, , , and , < confessed> and the pleadings; confessed that he had done wickedly and had made all the reparation he could, in his confession in the early part of this litigation, and required his name to be taken off from the church records, or dispose of him according to the mind of the Spirit, and submitted to the decision of the Court. <Decision> The council decided that Brother be cut off from the Church being satisfied that the charge preferred is substantiated by evidence, and the Spirit of the Lord; but if he repent and humble himself to the satisfaction of the Church, he shall be received into it again, and receive his licence, and the council adjourned till morning. [HC 2:285]
<29. High council tried.> The High council met, on the 29.— and heard a charge against Elder on an appeal case from an elders court in Zion, who took away his licence for rebelling against their decision. frankly confessed and readily complied with the requisitions of the council; and the President decided that he be restored to <charge against > fellowship, and receive his licence. Elder was accused of unchristian like conduct by . stated that when he left for the east, on his mission, he had three books of Mormon, sold one to brother babbit, and disposed of one more; obtained two more of Mr Harris, left one with Mrs Ruth Judd, of Madison, not sold: obtained one of Mr Childs, and told him if he returned that way he would leave it, if not, he would give him another when he visited his friends in . That he afterward obtained the one he left with Mrs Judd with her consent, and on his return, returned Mr Child his book and took his [p. 621]