JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, created 24 Feb. 1845–3 July 1845; handwriting of , , Jonathan Grimshaw, and ; 512 pages, plus 24 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the third volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This third volume covers the period from 2 Nov. 1838 to 31 July 1842; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, D-1, E-1 and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction
This document, “History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842],” is the third of six volumes of the “Manuscript History of the Church” (in The Joseph Smith Papers the “Manuscript History” bears the editorial title “History, 1838–1856”). The completed six-volume collection covers the period from 23 December 1805 to 8 August 1844. The narrative in this volume commences on 2 November 1838 with JS and other church leaders being held prisoner by the “’s forces” at , Missouri, and concludes with the death of Bishop at , Illinois, on 31 July 1842. For a more complete discussion of the entire six-volume work, see the general introduction to this history.
Volume C-1 was created beginning on or just after 24 February 1845 and its narrative was completed by 3 May 1845, although some additional work continued on the volume through 3 July of that year (Richards, Journal, 24 and 28 Feb. 1845; Historian’s Office, Journal, 3 May 1845; 3 and 4 July 1845). It is in the handwriting of and contains 512 pages of primary text, plus 24 pages of addenda. Additional addenda for this volume were created at a later date as a supplementary document and appear in this collection as “History, 1838-1856, volume C-1 Addenda.” Compilers and Thomas Bullock drew heavily from JS’s letters, discourses, and diary entries; meeting minutes; church and other periodicals and journals; and reminiscences, recollections, and letters of church members and other contacts. At JS’s behest, Richards maintained the first-person, chronological-narrative format established in previous volumes, as if JS were the author. , , , and others reviewed and modified the manuscript prior to its eventual publication in the Salt Lake City newspaper Deseret News.
The historical narrative recorded in volume C-1 continued the account of JS’s life as prophet and president of the church. Critical events occurring within the forty-five-month period covered by this text include the Mormon War; subsequent legal trials of church leaders; expulsion of the Saints from Missouri; missionary efforts in by the and others; attempts by JS to obtain federal redress for the Missouri depredations; publication of the LDS Millennial Star in England; the migration of English converts to ; missionary efforts in other nations; the death of church patriarch ; the establishment of the city charter; the commencement of construction of the Nauvoo ; the expedition that facilitated temple construction; the introduction of the doctrine of proxy baptism for deceased persons; the dedicatory prayer by on the Mount of Olives in Palestine; publication of the “Book of Abraham” in the Nauvoo Times and Seasons; publication of the JS history often referred to as the “Wentworth letter;” the organization of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo; and the inception of Nauvoo-era temple endowment ceremonies.
<May 4> Resolved 2nd. That be appointed, or received into the Church, in full Bishopric. Resolved 3rd. That this Conference do entirely sanction the purchase lately made for the Church in the and also the Agency thereof— Resolved 4th. That be appointed to go to , and take the charge and oversight of the . and preside over the general affairs of the Church in that place. Resolved 5th. That the advice of this Conference to the Brethren living in the Eastern States, is, for them to move to and the vicinity thereof, and again settle that place as a Stake of Zion; provided they feel so inclined in preference to their moving farther west— Resolved 6th., That <be acknowledged> — — — — — — — — — — — — — one of the Twelve <Apostles>. Resolved 7th. That this Conference are entirely satisfied with, and give their sanction to the proceedings of the conference of the twelve, and their friends held on the at Missouri, on Friday the 26th.of April last— Resolved 8th. That they also sanction the act of the Council, held the same date and same place, in cutting off from the communion of said Church, certain persons mentioned in the minutes thereof Resolved 9th. That Elders and be allowed the privilege of appearing personally before the next general Conference, of the Church, to give an account of their conduct; and that in the mean time, they be both suspended from exercising the functions of their office. Resolved 10th. That the Conference do sanction the mission intended for the twelve to Europe, and that they will do all in their power to enable them to go. [HC 3:345] Resolved 11th. That the subject of ’s going to be adjourned until tomorrow. Resolved 12th. That the next general conference, be held on the first Saturday in October next, at , at the house of . Resolved 13th. That we now adjourn until tomorrow at 10 o clock A.M. Joseph Smith Jr. President, Clerk.
“This is to Certify that at a general Conference, held at , Adams County Illinois, by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Saturday the 4th. day of May 1839. President Joseph Smith Jr. presiding— It was resolved that , , and be appointed a travelling Committee to gather up and obtain all the libelous reports and publications which have been circulated against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints— as well as other historical matter connected with said Church which they can possibly obtain— Joseph Smith Jr. Chairman — Clerk”
<5.> Sunday 5th. 10 a.m. Conference opened pursuant to adjournment— as usual by prayer and singing. when it was unanimously resolved— That this Conference send a Delegate to the City of , to lay our case before the General Government, and that be the delegate. Resolved 2nd. That be sent to . Illinois, clothed with [p. 934]