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 24> ended here— yesterday a resolution passed the Senate, that the Committee should be discharged; and that we might withdraw the accompanying papers, which I have [HC 4:98] done; I have also taken a copy of the Memorial, and want to be off for the West immediately— I have not gotten a letter from , although I have frequently written to him. I have received a letter from , stating that he was in the — and that he was calculating to have me come that way and go home with him, and also that he had business which he wanted me to attend to at the office here, When he last wrote, he stated that as yet he had no money to get home <with>, and I hardly know what course to take in regard to the matter. If I do not receive a letter in two or three days, I design leaving for or the West, There is one honest, quaker looking sort of a man, here by the name of William Green (instead of John Green as I stated in a letter to Brother Robinson) who has two Iron printing presses, with other things necessary, that would come to , provided you could find work for him, and inform him of the same, How much work there is to do I know not, therefore merely write that if such a man and establishment are wanted, you could easily obtain them, or would know where they could be obtained. He believes as much in our religion as any other, but not much in any— Yours in the Lord — P.S. I would just observe, that information has reached this place, through some of the Newspapers, that you have come out for Harrison; It is said that the Information came by some Gentlemen who obtained it from you, whilst in your company in passing through the State of Indiana. Another paper states that 1000 houses are to be built in this Season, which I hope is the truth. I would just observe (on the subject of our business) I am sorry had not insisted on the motion to print our papers, as it would have been opposed, then a speech from , and Mr. Preston would have been brought forth, as I have since learned; but I think it was a trick of the Senators to slide it along without making a noise, by its going to the Committee as it did, says he was anxious to have it brought before the Committee, but seemed disposed to let it slide along easily rather than run the risk of its being refused. If he had let those speeches been made, almost every one would have read them; which would have shamed (if there is any shame in her) and waked up the whole country, so that by another year Congress would do something for us— But there is no need of crying for spilt milk.
I have done all I could in this matter; depending on the good judgment of to legislate for us to the best advantage— I am inclined however to think if it was an error, it was one of the head, and not of the heart. [HC 4:99] <of Fairhaven, Connecticut> has addressed a letter to yourself, and myself which seems to be written with much good feeling — — — — — — — [p. 1039]