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.
<April 3> from , to what amount I cannot say, but he will be able to tell you when he gets home— The continues his friendship, and is ready to accommodate with money, whenever called for— Surely he is a friend in deed, and ought never to be forgotten. I am up to this time without means to get home; but I have no uneasiness about it, I shall doubtless get means as soon as my health will admit of my going— My health is slowly improving, and I think if I have no relapse, I will be able to leave for home some time in the <Vol 4 No 22> month of May—” &c— “—”
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<to come in below *> At the time of sailing & ’s health was very poor. had the ague for six days in succession, when the Ship left her moorings the shore resounded with the songs of the Saints, who had come down to Bid Them farewell; they unitedly sung “the gallant ship is under way,” until [HC 4:103] out of hearing. The brethren occupied three berths in the forecastle taking what was called a steerage passage; with the exception of , not one of them had ever been to sea, and the Sailors called them “land lubbers”. The Ship being loaded with flour & cotton, they were packed in a small compartment with about 100 or 120 passengers being a motley mixture of English, Welsh, Irish and Scotch, who were returning home from America to visit their friends, or had got sick of yankeedom and were leaving for “Sweet Home”. They had scarcely been at sea twelve hours before the whole of them were prostrated by sea sickness vomited up his ague, and has never had it since.
Brother altho’ confined to his berth by sea sickness during the entire journey, was unable to vomit. On coming into the Mersey, the Ship cast anchor in order to wait for the tide; when a small boat put off from the shore, brothers , , and went in it to the landing, on reaching the quay shouted Hosanna three times, which he had promised to do whenever he should land on the shores of Old England. The brethren then went to No. 8 Union Street , where they procured bread and wine in order to partake of the Sacrament. Elders , , and staid on board to look after the baggage.— About [HC 4:104] 3 p m sent a small boat for them, and the boatman piloted them to the same place, where they all met together, partook of the sacrament, and returned thanks for their safe deliverance.
When they landed they were almost penniless. Two or three of them had sufficient to buy hats for these who needed them the worst. <* see below.>
<6> Monday 6 Elders , , , and landed in , on the first day of the Eleventh year of the Church, after a tedious passage of twenty eight days, Sixteen of which they encountered head winds, and one severe storm of three or four days, and a great portion of the time the decks were covered [HC 4:102] with Water, all of which tended to create sea sickness and suffering— <see above>
<* to come in from above>
“Minutes of a Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints held in , Hancock County, Illinois, on the 6th. of April A.D. 1840. At a general Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints held in Hancock County, Illinois on the sixth day of April A.D. 1840 agreeable to previous appointment— Joseph Smith Jr. was called upon to preside over the meeting, and was chosen Clerk— The Conference was then opened by prayer by Elder . The President rose and [p. 1042]