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 22> the hands of wicked men by the mercy of our God, we say it is your privilege to be delivered from the powers of the Adversary, be brought into the liberty of God’s dear children, and again take your stand among the Saints of the Most High, and by diligence, humility, and love unfeigned, commend yourself to our God, and your God, and to the Church of Jesus Christ. Believing your Confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, I shall be happy once again to give you the right hand of fellowship, and rejoice over the returning Prodigal.
Your letter was read to the Saints last Sunday and an expression of their feeling was taken, when it was unanimously [HC 4:163] resolved that should be received into fellowship
“Come on dear brother since the war is past
For friends at first, are friends again at last”
Yours as ever— Joseph Smith Jr.”
“To all whom it may Concern— This is to certify that Elder and are authorized agents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints being appointed by the First Presidency and High Council of said Church to visit the branches of the Church in the East, or wherever they may be led in the Providence of God to obtain donations and subscriptions for the purpose of printing the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Hymn Books, and the new Translation of the Scriptures &c they are likewise instructed and authorized to make loans in behalf of the Church for carrying into operation the above and other important works necessary to the well being of said Church. From our long acquaintance with these our beloved brethren, their long tried friendship under circumstances the most trying and painful— their zeal for the cause of truth, and their strict moral honesty, we most cheerfully recommend them to the Saints of the Most High; any statements they may make relative to their mission may be implicitly relied upon, and any loans which they may effect will be considered binding on the Church, and we do hope the Saints will do all in their power to effect the object proposed and lift up the hands of our beloved brethren who have cheerfully come forward to engage in a work so great and important—
Joseph Smith Junr. Prest.
”
“— Dear Sir— It was with great pleasure I received your and Brother Richard’s Letter dated June 23rd. 1840 and was very happy [HC 4:164] to be informed of your safe arrival in that place, and your probability of success, and I do hope that your anticipations will be realized, and that you will be enabled to free the from all incumbrances and be prospered in all your undertakings for the benefit of the Church; and pray that while you are exerting your influence to bring about an object so desirable, that the choisest blessings of heaven may rest down upon you, while you are endeavoring to do so and attending to the duties laid upon you by the Authorities of the Church in this place. I am sorry to be informed not only in your letter, but from other respectable sources of the strange conduct pursued in by Elder , I am indeed surprised that a man having the experience which has had should take any steps whatever calculated to destroy the confidence of the brethren in the Presidency or any of the authorities of the Church. In order to conduct the affairs of the Kingdom [p. 1083]