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 9> labor in different parts of the vineyard, which were now open before us. I left on the 17th. accompanied by Elder , and visited the churches by the way until we arrived among the Saints in Herefordshire, who were anxiously looking for my return. In a few days we were joined in our labors by Elder . We took locations in different parts of this new field of labor which extended through various places in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire We continued preaching, and baptizing, and administering in the ordinances of the gospel daily unto such as would receive our testimony, and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. Truth was mighty and prevailed; the work prospered and multiplied on every hand, until several hundreds, including more than fifty preachers of — — various sects, were rejoicing in the fulness of the everlasting Gospel; and felt to praise God that they had lived to behold the day when the Lord had set his hand to prune his vineyard once more with a mighty pruning, and to establish the gospel in its ancient purity again upon the face of the earth; and in many instances, signs followed the believer, according to the promise of the Savior. The Spirit of God accompanied the preaching of the word to the hearts of men. Whole households, on hearing the word, have received it into good and honest hearts, and gone forth and received the ordinances of the gospel, and frequently we have baptized from eight to twelve the first time of meeting with the people in new places, and preaching the word of God unto them. labored with us about one month, during which time many were baptized, confirmed, and numbers ordained to preach the gospel, and while the Saints were much edified, and their hearts made glad with the teaching and instruction by , I also obtained much benefit myself by enjoying his society, sitting under his instruction and sharing in his Council. As it became necessary for to return to , to [HC 4:152] assist in preparing a Collection of hymns and other matters, he took the parting hand with us on the 20th. day of May; and and myself continued our labors in the vineyard, in connexion with , who had given himself wholly to the work of the ministry. The Lord still continued to bless our labors, and added daily unto the Church; new doors were opening on every hand, a multiplicity of calls constantly reached our ears, many of which we could not answer for the want of laborers. Notwithstanding there were about fifty ordained Elders and priests in this part of the Vineyard, yet there was equally as many places for preaching to be attended to upon the Sabbath day. Thus we continued our labors in this region until the time drew near for the General Conference in on the 6th. of July. But before leaving the Saints, we considered it wisdom to set in order the Church, and organize them into Branches, and Conferences, that they might be properly represented before the General Conference. Therefore we held two Conferences with the Saints before we took our departure from them. The first was held at the Gadfield Elm Chapel, Worcestershire, on the 14th. of June, at which time we organized twelve branches, and transacted such business as the occasion required. The second Conference was held at Stanley Hill, Herefordshire, on the 21st. of June, and organized twenty branches of the Church. The minutes of the above named Conferences I present you for publication, if you think proper. On the day following , and myself took our leave of the [p. 1076]