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.
<February 20> inoffensive and innocent of crime; had the Times and Seasons, from which I read ’s letter to ; I also referred to ’s letter from Pike County; the Clerks and others, respecting our character in their section of Country. I gave them some hints of the Massacre, and the murder of the two little boys, but referred them more particularly to the documents for information concerning those things, and furthermore that I had not come here to instruct them in what they were to do in this case; but to present them with the facts. having all confidence in this honorable body (the Congress) believing them to be honorable men. [HC 4:81] I demanded from them a restitution of all our rights and privileges as Citizens of the , and damages for all the losses we had sustained in consequence of our persecutions, and expulsion from the . And told them we could have recourse no where else on Earth, that I knew of— that we could not sue an army of Soldiers, neither could we go into the to sue any one else. I told them that I knew not how far Congress had jurisdiction in this case, or how far they had not, but as far as they had, we claimed the exercise of it for our relief; for we were an injured people. These and some others were the principle subjects of my speech— after which said he was once in the Mormon’s favor; but afterwards learned that it was impossible to live among them, for they stole their Neighbor’s hogs— and there being so much testimony he believed it &c. &c. I replied something like this— making statements was one thing, and proving them was another— then said he wished me to answer one thing. Viz. If the Legislature of did not refuse to investigate the subject of our difficulties, solely on account of the trials then pending— In reply, I assured him that I knew they had refused us an investigation; but as to that being the cause I did not know, but told him they might have done it, when those trials were discharged— He seemed to think it injustice for Congress to take it up before the Legislature had acted on it— I occupied all but a few minutes of the time, when the Senate were to go into Session, so they adjourned until the morrow at ten o’clock; when the Missourians are to reply— observed, that there was a Gentleman whom he would have before the Committee on the morrow; who lived in the Upper part of , that knew every thing relative to the affair,— I presume he is to put in his gab. I suppose I must attend the Committee as I am solicited by the Chairman— but I would rather take a flogging; because I must sit still, and hear a volubility of lies concerning myself and brethren— Lies I say, for they have nothing but lies to tell, that will in the least<degree> justify their conduct in . said he had written to to get all the evidence taken before . so that if the thing must come up he would be prepared to have a full investigation [p. 1017]