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.
<June 4 Joseph’s Bill of damages> of their defenceless situation, being exposed to the weather, which was extremely cold, a large snow storm having just fallen. In this state of affairs— arrived at , and was at the house of , when the intelligence was brought that the Mob were burning houses &c and also Men Women and Children were flocking into the village for safety: who held a commission, in the 59th. Regiment under his command asked him what steps should be taken. He told him that he must immediately call out his men, and go and put them down: Immediately preparations were made to raise a force to quell the mob, on ascertaining which we were determined to bear such treatment no longer but to make a vigorous effort to subdue them, and likewise being informed of the orders of . broke up their encampment and fled, some of the Inhabitants in the immediate neighborhood, who seeing no prospect of driving us by force, resolved to stratagem, and actually set fire to their own houses <-[miserable log Houses]-> after having removed their property and effects, and then sent information to the stating that our Brethren were committing depredations and destroying their property, burning houses &c On the retreat of the Mob from I returned home to , on my arrival there I understood that a mob had commenced hostilities in the borders of— , had taken some of our people prisoners, burnt some houses, and had done some considerable damage, immediately was ordered out by to go against them and about day light next morning came up with them: upon the approach of our people, they fired upon them and after discharging their pieces, fled with great precipitation. In this affray fell a victim to that Spirit of Mobocracy which has prevailed to such an extent; along with 2 others, others were severely wounded: On the day after this affray [HC 3:370] sent for me to pray for him which request I complied with and then returned to my home. There continued to be great commotion in the caused by the conduct of the mob who were continually burning Houses, Driving off Horses, Cattle &c, and taking prisoners and threatening death to all the Mormons, amongst the cattle driven off were two Cows of mine— On the 28th. of October a large company of armed soldiers were seen approaching and encamped about one mile from the Town— The next day I was waited upon by who stated that the Officers of the Militia, requested an interview with us, in order to come to some amicable settlement of the difficulties which then existed, they the officers not wishing under the present circumstances to carry into effect the exterminating orders they had received. I immediately complied with the request, and in company with Messieurs , , , and proceeded to meet the Officers of the Militia. But instead of treating us with respect and as persons desirous to accommodate matters,— to our astonishment we were delivered up as prisoners of war, and taken into their camp as such— It would be in vain [p. 950]