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> from Fair haven Connecticut) he desires to know concerning our business here, inviting us to make his house our home should we travel in that region He writes that his health is very bad— I have been talking with Mr. Steward concerning a memorial— requesting him to bring it before the house; who has promised so to do if he can; he says he will talk with some of the members respecting it— I have answered letter this day, and sent him the report of the Committee. ”
At this time the work of the Lord is spreading rapidly in the and England— Elders are travelling in almost every direction, and multitudes are being baptized.
“Fair Haven 1st. April 1840 Revd. Joseph Smith Junr.— My Dear Sir— After writing you at, and then going to , and not finding you, I addressed a letter to , and received a reply from , by which I first learnt of your return to — and at the same time I got the Committees report, upon your application to Congress for redress of the outrages perpetrated upon your people by the Missourians. I am not, I must confess much disappointed, in the result; as I know the vaccilating fawning character of many in both Houses of Congress; and these are not their worst traits either, for they not only lack the moral courage to do right, but will do what they — — — — — — — — — — know to be — — — — — positively wrong, if they can make political capital by it, and will abandon you, me, or any one else, with perfect indifference, and heartless treachery, if by doing it, they can obtain governmental favor, or political preferment— If we should not put our faith in Princes, it appears most emphatically true, that we should repose no confidence in politicians— The idea conveyed in the report, that exact justice will be meted to you by the judicial tribunals of , is too preposterous to require comment— It is indeed a new doctrine, that we should apply to robbers, or their supporters to condemn themselves to restore the valuables they have stolen, and to betray each other for the murders they have committed. I do not believe (though I am sorry to say it) that you will ever receive a just or honorable remuneration for your losses of property; or [HC 4:100] any reparation for the personal indignities, privations and sufferings, which your people have sustained in . The greatest reliance you have for regaining your wealth is in the honorable conduct of your people— their pure morals— their correct habits— their indefatigable industry their untiring perserverance— and their well directed enterprise— These constitute a Capital which can never be shaken by man, and form the basis of all that is great in commercial influence, or in the attainment of pecuniary power. informs me that is probably in , it would have afforded me much pleasure, to have seen you all at my house, and it was my intention to spend some time at while you were there; but my health has been so very infirm, that it has prevented [p. 1040]