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.
<December 5> of the Gentiles) That we do not intend he shall have our votes— We have spent the remainder of our time in hunting up the Representatives, in order to get our case brought before the house; in giving them letters of introduction &c and in getting acquainted, <A> meeting <of> the delegation of the State of — was appointed to day, to consult for bringing our case before Congress. The Gentlemen from , are worthy men, and have treated us with the greatest kindness, and are ready to do all that is in their power— but you are aware brethren that they with us have all the prejudices, superstition and bigotry of an ignorant generation to contend with, nevertheless we believe our case will be brought before the house, and we will leave the event with God— he is our Judge and the Avenger of our wrongs— For a General thing there is but little solidity and honorable deportment among those who are sent here to represent the people; but a great deal of pomposity and show— We left and others on the road and received a letter from them this day— They were at the date of the Letter on the 29th. November, near Washington, in expecting to stop a day or two at his brother’s, on account of his ill health— He has occasionally a chill yet, but is not dangerous— We expect him here soon [blank] — — — — — — — — We have already commenced forming some very honorable acquaintances— and have thus far been prospered as much as we had anticipated if not more— We have had a pleasing interview with , who [HC 4:40] proposed to furnish us with expence money We can draw on him for funds to publish our book, and we want you to raise some more money for us, and deposit it in the branch Bank in to be drawn to the order of , send us the amount of your deposit, taking a receipt of the same— You need not be afraid to do this, We think from the proceeds of the Sale of books— We can make it all straight, do therefore be punctual, as much depends upon it. We cannot accomplish the things for which we were sent without some funds— You very well know brethren we were contented to start, trusting in God, with little or nothing— We have met with but one accident since we started— The lock of our trunk was broken off, and— Brother ’s Petition is missing, but we trust there is a copy of it preserved, if there is, you will please forward it immediately, with the name and affidavit affixed to it. For God’s sake brethren be wide awake, and arm us with all the power possible, for now is the time or never— We want you should get all the influential men you can of that section of Country of and of every other quarter, to write letters to the Members of Congress, using their influence in our behalf, and to keep their minds constantly upon the subject— Please to forward this to our wives yours in the bonds of the Everlasting Covenant Joseph Smith Junr.— — P.S. Congress has been in Session four days, and the House of Representatives is not yet organized in consequence of some Seats [p. 989]