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 17> 10th. day of the first month, of the 11th. year of the rise of the Church: the meeting was opened by singing, and prayer by . then called upon the Elders to represent the different branches of the Church. Elder represented the Church in , consisting of about 300 Members, 7 elders, 8 priests, 6 teachers, and 2 deacons. Elder Peter Melling represented the Church in Penwortham, consisting of 73 members, 3 elders, 1 Priest, 2 teachers, 1 deacon, Elder represented the Church at Longton, consisting of 51 members, 2 elders, 4 priests, 2 teachers. Joseph Jackson represented the Church at Southport consisting of 20 members, 1 priest, 1 teacher, Elder John Moon represented the Church at Daubers Lane and neighborhood, members generally in good standing consisting of 54 members, 1 elder, 2 priests, 3 teachers. represented the Church at Hunter’s hill and neighborhood, consisting of 17 members, 1 elder, 1 priest, 1 teacher, Elder represented the Church at Heskin consisting of 3 members 1 Elder. Elder represented the Church at Bolton, consisting of 60 members, 1 elder, 2 priests, 2 teachers. Elder represented the Church at Ratcliff, consisting of 10 members. Elder Withnal represented the[HC 4:116] Church at Whittle consisting of 18 members. 1 elder, 4 priests. Elder Francis Clark represented the Church at Ribchester, consisting of 25 members, 2 elders, 1 priest. Elder Thomas Richardson represented the Church at Burnley, consisting of 24 members, generally in good standing, 1 priest, 1 teacher. Elder Francis Moon represented the Church at Blackburn, consisting of 15 members, 1 priest. Elder James Smithies represented the Church at Chaidgley and Thornley, consisting of 29 members, 2 elders, 1 priest, 1 teacher, 1 deacon. Priest John Ellison represented the Church at Waddington, consisting of 50 members 2 priests, 2 teachers, 1 deacon. Elder Thomas Smith represented the Church at Clithero, consisting of 27 members, 1 elder, 3 priests. Elder Thomas Smith represented the church at Chatburn, consisting of 84 members, 1 elder, 2 priests, 2 teachers, 1 deacon. Elder Thomas Smith represented the Church at Downham, consisting of 20 members 1 teacher 1 deacon. Elder Thomas Smith represented the Church at Grindleton consisting of 5 members. Elder represented the Church at consisting of 240 members, 3 Elders, 5 priests, 4 teachers, 1 deacon. Elder represented the Church at Stockport, consisting of 40 members, 1 priest, 2 teachers 1 deacon. Elder represented the Church at Peover and Macclesfield, consisting of 30 members, 3 priests. Elder represented the Church at Duckinfield, consisting of 30 members, 1 priest. Elder represented the Church at Altrineham, consisting of 8 members, 1 priest, 1 teacher. Elder represented the Church at Middlewich consisting of 6 members. Elder David Wilding represented the Church at Bury and Elton, consisting of 12 members— Elder represented the Church in the Potteries consisting of 101 members, 1 elder 2 priests, 4 teachers 1 deacon. Elder represented the Church at Herefordshireconsisting of 160 members, 1 elder, 2 priests; about 40 of them were Methodist— Preachers of the United Brethren. Elder represented the Church at consisting of 28 members. Elder represented the Church [p. 1050]