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.
<January 6> and went some 35 or 40 miles, to a large branch of the church in N. J. which numbers 90 members; there I left him on New Years day, and came to where I am at present. Elder Winchester had when I left , baptized 45 in that City, and several more had given in their names for baptism, and scores believing. I preached in Pa. about two weeks, and I think I may safely say there are hundreds believing. The work is prospering throughout all this region. Elders , , and sailed for , Decr. 18th. while I was in none of the rest of the Twelve have yet arrived— has another book printed, larger than the voice of warning, entitled the Millenium, and other poems, and a piece on the eternal duration of matter—” [HC 4:54]
“ Jan 6th. 1840— Gentlemen— Your letter of the 19th. ult came to hand ten days after date, immediately after which, I called on many of the prominent members of the Democratic party, with a view to unite them and their influence in your behalf; all of whom expressed a willingness to aid in bringing about justice. But I regret to inform you that but few have exhibited that energy in the matter which might reasonably be expected from all lovers of liberty and advocates of equal rights. Your energetic friends were first of the opinion that an effort ought to be made by our Legislature to memorialize our Representatives in Con[HC 4:55]gress to use all honorable means to accomplish your desires; but after holding a consultation, it was believed that such a course would create a party strife here, and consequently operate against you in Congress; Therefore it was agreed that as many as had friends in Congress should write to them immediately, desiring their aid in your behalf. If convenient you will please write again, any information respecting your mission will be thankfully received, and made known to your people here. Very respectfully yours— .” To Revd. Jos. Smith and his Associate—
“I hereby Certify that General and his aide at their arrival at in Caldwell County Missouri, came to my Tavern stand, and without my leave pitched their Marquees in my Yard, and did take my wood and hay to furnish the same, and did bring their horses in also, and without my leave take hay for them, and did take possession of my house, and use it for a Council house; and did place a strong guard around it, so as to hinder any person from going in or out; and I myself was not permitted to go in and out, for all this I have received no remuneration, and was not even permitted to pass out of town— to water Travellers horses without a permit; the above took place in the first part of November 1838. I also Certify that , , , Joseph Smith Junr. and in Missouri did apply for a Writ of and did not get it— .” Sworn before J.P.”
“I certify that I saw General and his aide on their arrival at [p. 1009]