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.
<July <August> 1> placed a Sepher Torah in the Medrash, which we consecrated by the name of “MenahomZion,” for the Lord has vouchsafed to comfort his people. But although we have thus, under the blessing of Providence, retrieved from devastation a part of the possessions bequeathed unto us by our pious ancestors, yet our hearts are afflicted, and our eyes are dimmed when we behold the Sanctuary of the Lord, the Synagogue which still lies in ruins; nor is it in the power of all of us (the German Congregation) to rebuild it; for, alas, great is the number of our poor who stand in need of bread, and the debts we contracted in building the Medrash are large, and weigh heavily upon us— The cause of our grief is thus ever present to our eyes, the ruins of the Synagogue are heaped in the middle of the Court, and rank weeds spread over the consecrated pile. We, therefore, deem it our bounden duty to despatch a messenger unto our brethren the children of Israel, who are dispersed and in exile, in order to acquaint them with “the salvation of the Lord in the land,” so that they may arise and take pity on Zion, for it is time to shew mercy unto her— To undertake this laborious duty was the voluntary offer of our dearly beloved friend, that profound and renowned Rabbi, the zealous and honorable AaronSeligAshkenazi. He is a man confirmed in the [HC 4:174] fear of the Lord, of a faithful Stock; and him we depute as our Messenger, worthy of all trust, to make proclamation unto the communities of Israel, “according to the sight which he has seen in the Holy Mount,” and to him we have given letters of authorization, containing full particulars as to his pious mission, and every necessary information relating thereto. Now, therefore, let the righteous, behold and rejoice; let the pious exult and triumph in gladness; the day ye so long <have> hoped for is come, and ye see it, The Crown of holiness will again adorn its former abode. Therefore, arise, and take upon yourselves, according to the words of this letter, to devote a portion of your wealth as a sacred tribute towards erecting “the temple of the most holy King on the Mountain of the Lord,” that ye may have a portion and a righteous record in . Let no one among you, refuse his aid, but let the poor man contribute his mite for himself and his household freely, as the rich dispenses the bounty wherewith the Lord hath blessed him. Let fathers and their offspring, the aged, and the youthful, alike arise in mercy to Zion at this propitious season, Let each man encourage his neighbor, and say, “we will be zealous and persevering for our people and the city of our God, and for the love of Zion and the sake of we will not rest nor be easy until Jerusalem is praised throughout the Earth, and foremost in our joys, even as we have vowed. If I forget thee, , let my right hand forget her cunning: if I prefer not above my chief joy.” Such are the words of your brethren who address you for the glory of God, and for the honor of his land, his people and his inheritance— continually praying for our exiled brethren, and offering up our orisons on holy ground, and particularly near the Western Wall that it may be well with you everlastingly, as you yourselves desire, and we most sincerely wish. Signed at , the 18th. day of <the> year 5597 A.M. by the Wardens of the Medrash and members of the building Committee, on behalf of the Congregation of German Jews in this — Hirsh Joseph, David Reuben, Nathan Saadis, Abrahams Salmons, Mordecai Avigdor, Uriah S. Hyam— The undersigned Assessors of the Beth-din by direction of the [HC 4:175] Rev. Chief Rabbi, hereby certify that Rev. Aaron Selig Ashkenazi is actually deputed for the purpose mentioned in the above Circular. London the 7th. Tebath— 24 Dec. 5599— Israel Levy— Aaron Levy— A. L. Barnett.” [p. 1069]