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.
house in I was satisfied that the girl was in the fault <October 29.> and that the neighbors were trying to create a difficulty. Returned to our writing room; went to after my large journal, made some observations to my scribe concerning the plan of the city which is to be built up hereafter on this ground consecrated for a stake of Zion. While at the s, Bishop came in, in company with : I was much rejoiced to see him. we examined the mummies; returned home and my commenced writing in my Journal a history of my life, concluding ’s second letter to , which had begun. [HC 2:293] and , with his father and mother called to visit us; his parents having lately arrived here from the east, called to make enquiry concerning the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. and some others came in. I then set down and related to them the history of the coming forth of the Book, the administration of the angel to me, the rudiments of the gospel of christ, &c. They appeared well <To the council.> satisfied. <and I expect to baptize them in a few days,— though they have made no request of their kind.> Went to the council. The Presidency arose and adjourned. On my return, observed that long debates were bad. I replied that it was generally the case that too much altercation was indulged in, on both sides, and their debates protracted to an unprofitable length. We were called to supper. While seated at table, we indulged in a free interchange of thought, <Supper Conversation.> and observed to that the thought had just occurred to his mind, that perhaps in about one year from this time, they might be seated together around a table on the land of Zion. observed that she hoped it might be the case, that not only they. but the rest of the company present might be seated around her table, on that land of promise. The same sentiment was reciprocated from the company around the table, and my heart responded, Amen: God grant it, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. After supper I went to the high council in company with , and some others that belonged to my house-hold. I was solicited to take a seat with the Presidency, and <Presiding in council> preside on a trial of <> Sister Elliot. I did so. was called as testimony and began to relate circumstances that had been brought before the church and settled. I objected [HC 2:294] against such testimony. The Complainant, Brother , arose < accusing> and accused me of invalidating or doubting my mother’s testimony, which I had not done, nor did I desire to do. I told him he was out of place, and asked him to sit down. He refused. I repeated my request. He became enraged. I finally ordered him to set down. He said he would not unless I knocked him down. I was agitated in my feelings on account of his stubbornness, and was about to leave the house. but requested me not to do so. I complied, and the house was brought to order after much debate on the subject and we proceeded to business. The decision of the council in case of brother [p. 631]