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.
<October 5> John Daley, , and retain their station in the Church— Voted that Ephraim Owen’s Confession, for disobeying the word of Wisdom be accepted— Brothers Edward Johnston— Benjamin Johnston— — — Jabez Lake— Benjamin Jones— Henry Our Bough— Reddin Allred— — Jesse Mc. Intire— [HC 4:12] — — Artemus Johnson— Joseph G. Hovey— — Fields B. Jacamey— Zadock Bethers— William Allred— Wm. B. Simmons— William W. Edwards Senr.— William H. Edwards Junr. — — — Esaias Edwards— John Adams— Daniel <A> Miller— Simeon J. Comfort— — William Hyde— Andrew Henry— Redick N. Allred— Eli Lee— Hiram W. Maxwell— and Thomas S. Edwards were appointed Elders of the Church, who all accepted of their appointment with the exception of Thomas S. Edwards— was admitted into the Church upon his Confession— Abel Casto was confirmed by the laying on of hands. The meeting then adjourned until Sunday morning— after which, six were baptized by Joseph Smith Junr.—”
The assembly was very large— The friends and brethren conveyed the Elders to , where they were very kindly treated and nursed. for they were yet very feeble—
“The conference met on Sunday morning pursuant to adjournment at 8 o’clock A.M. when , Reuben Foot, Orlando D. Hovey, , Sheffield Daniels, Albert Miner, David B. Smith, Ebenezer Richardson, and were appointed Elders of the Church, and were ordained under the hands of , , and . After some remarks from the President respecting order and decorum during Conference, Elder spoke concerning the duties of Priests, Teachers &c President Joseph Smith Junr. then addressed the conference, in relation to appointing a Patriarch, and other matters connected with the well being of the Church. Having now got through the business matters, the President proceeded to give instruction to the Elders respecting preaching the Gospel; and pressed upon them the necessity of getting the Spirit, so that they might preach with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven, to be careful in speaking on those subjects which are not clearly pointed out in the word of God, which lead to Speculation and Strife— Those persons who had been baptized were then confirmed, and several children received blessings by Elders , and . Elder then addressed the meeting on the subject of raising funds by contribution, towards paying for the lands which had been contracted for, as a Settlement for the Church, after which, contributions were received for that purpose. was appointed to accompany Presidents Joseph Smith Jr. and to the City of — the meeting then adjourned until Monday morning.” [p. 969]