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 21> they were guilty in part, of the charge preferred against them— said he presumed I was not present, when said men were tried, I replied in the negative; that I was not there, neither any body else that could be a witness in their favor. The Lawyers advised them to keep away if they desired the salvation of their lives. I observed that I had read the proceedings of the Legislature but did not now recollect them; but since yesterday I have been reflecting on the subject, and recollect a conversation I had with Mr. who was the bearer of the petition to , and he informed me, <that> the reason why they refused an investigation, was on account of the Upper Members being so violently opposed to it, that they used their utmost exertions, and finally succeeded in getting a majority against it; and the reason of their taking this course was, in consequence of one of their Members being in the Massacre at , viz Mr. Ashley. And was a leader of the first mob in , which the Militia were called out to suppress. said if it must come out in Congress, it should be fully investigated, and they the Committee, should have power to send for persons and papers,— For if <we> had a right to claim damages of the , so had they, if all were true concerning the acts alleged against the Mormons; that they had a right to ask the Government, to pay the War against the Mormons— But finally seemed to disapprove of the exterminating order, which was admitted to have existed by , or was issued by their Legislature, but that no one ever thought of carrying it into effect. He said that merely advised the Mormons to leave the : To which I replied ’s speech was before them; that I had stated some of its Contents yesterday; and if it were necessary, I could prove it by four or five hundred affidavits. Then stated something about the prisoners making their escape, and that he had no doubt but that they could have a fair trial in , for the Legislature to his certain knowledge, passed a law whereby they had a right to choose any County in the , to be tried in; to which I replied, that I understood such a law was passed; but notwithstanding they could not get their trials in the County wherein they desired; for they were forced to go to , whereas they desired to have their trials at Palmira; where they could get their Witnesses, as that was only sixteen miles from the , and the other was a great distance— He said certainly would not go contrary to law— I told him there were some affidavits in those documents that would tell him some things very strange concerning [HC 4:84] — then wished to know if the affidavits were from any body else save Mormons;— I replied that there were some others; but how many I knew not— He then wanted to know how they were certified— Whether any Clerk’s name was attached in the business— I told him they were well authenticated by the Courts of Record; [p. 1019]