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.
<March 4> and re-establish their settlement, not without heavy pecuniary losses and other inconveniences; that the Citizens of never paid them for their lands, except for a small part. They remained in from 1836 until the fall of 1838, and during that time had acquired, by purchase from the Government, the settlers, and pre-emptioners, almost all the lands in the County of , and a portion of the lands in and Carroll Counties— the former county being almost entirely settled by the Saints, and they were rapidly filling up the two latter Counties. Those counties, when the Saints first commenced their Settlement, were for the most part wild and uncultivated, and they had converted them into large and well improved farms, well stocked. Land had risen in value to ten and even twenty five dollars per acre, and these Counties were rapidly advancing in cultivation and wealth. That in August 1838, a riot commenced, growing out of an attempt of a saint to vote, which resulted in creating great excitement and the [HC 4:90] perpetration of many scenes of lawless outrage, which are set forth in the petition. That they were finally compelled to fly from those Counties, and on the 11th. October 1838, they sought safety by that means, with their families, leaving many of their effects behind. That they had previously applied to the Constituted authorities of for protection, but in vain. They allege that they were pursued by the mob; that conflicts ensued; deaths occurred on each side; and finally a force was organized under the authority of the of the State of , with orders to drive the Saints from the , or exterminate them. The Saints thereupon determined to make no further resistance, but to submit themselves to the authorities of the . Several of the Saints were arrested and imprisoned on a charge of treason against the , and the rest amounting to about 15,000 Souls fled into other States, principally, in where they now reside. The petition is drawn up at great length, and sets forth, with feeling and eloquence, the wrongs of which they complain; justifies their own conduct, and aggravates that of those whom they call their persecutors; and concludes by saying that they see no redress, unless it be obtained of the Congress of the , to whom they make their solemn, last appeal, as American Citizens, as Christians, and as men— to which decision they say they will submit— The committee have examined the case presented by the Petition, and heard the views urged by their Agent, with care and attention; and, after full examination and consideration, unanimously concur in the opinion, that the case presented for their investigation is not such a one as will justify or authorize any interposition by this government. The wrongs complained of are not alleged to be committed by any of the Officers of the , or under the authority of its government, in any manner whatever. The allegations in the Petition relate to the acts of the Citizens, and inhabitants and authorities of the State of , of which the petitioners were, at the time citizens or inhabitants. The grievances complained of in the petition are alleged to have been done within the Territory of the State of . The committee, under these circumstances, have not considered themselves [p. 1024]