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 22> I flatly denied it, sayingthatnosucheverexisted, norwasthoughtofamongtheMormons, and I could bring all the Mormons both men, women and children besides myself that would swear before all the world, that no such thing ever existed <nor was thought of> among the Mormons. He then related some things which he said had told him at the Legislature, in ; which were to the effect, that the Mormons had burnt a number of Houses in , and that for himself, if he could not get to Heaven by being an honest man, he would never go there; then I, speaking of some of the dissenters, told him was anxious to get in the Church again; and that it was the fact in regard to damages having been done, after we had been driven from and , relating the scrape, and calling of the Militia, and the Mobs marching to , and saying they would drive the Mormons from there to , and then to hell; their burning our houses; that small parties on both sides were on the alert, and probably done some damages; though I was not personally knowing to, as I was not there. I told him Joseph Smith held no office in the Country, neither was he a military man, and did not take Gun in hand in the affair to my knowledge; I then stated that ’s Affidavit, which contained some important facts was before them, which facts I forgot to mention yesterday, importing that he () was convinced we would get no redress in (he being a member of the Legislature ought to know) I saw the Chairman of the Committee not long since, who informed me that the Committee had not come to a final conclusion on this matter as yet. I saw on the walk, who said the first thing the Com[HC 4:86]mittee would do, was to decide whether they would take it up and consider it or not, and if they do take it up according to — — — — — — request, the Senate will grant the Committee power to send for persons and papers. The Committee made some enquiries respecting our religion, and I answered them as a matter of course as well as I was able. They enquired very particularly concerning how much land we had entered there, and how much of it yet remained unsold, when Mr. Corwin observed that we had never entered much land there, but were squatters, I then described the size of and Counties, giving an explanation on these matters. I suppose perhaps on Monday or Tuesday we shall know something relative to this matter; whether power be given them to send for persons and papers, You may see where they depend to rally their forces viz. by endeavoring to make us treasonable characters, by the Constitution, said to govern us, and that every thing both civil and political, among us is done by revelation. These points I desire to blow to the four winds, and that you will select a number of firm brethren, possessing good understanding; who will tell the truth, and willingly send me their names when they know they are wanted, send plenty of them. They will get two dollars per day, and ten cents a mile to and from, expence money. Do not send [p. 1021]