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.
<October 4> motion; resolved, that a Committee be appointed to draft a bill for the incorporating of the Town of , and other purposes. Resolved that Joseph Smith — —, , and be said Committee— Resolved, that be appointed delegate, — — — — — — — to urge the passage of said bill through the Legislature. President then rose and gave some general instructions to the Church. Conference adjourned for one hour. [HC 4:205]
One oclock P.M. Conference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened by prayer by Elder . President Joseph Smith — — — then rose and delivered a discourse on the subject of baptism for the dead, which was listened to with considerable interest, by the vast multitude assembled. from the Committee, to draft a charter for the , and for other purposes, reported the outlines of the same. On motion resolved that the same be adopted. Elder then rose and gave an account of the printing of another edition of the book of Mormon, and stated, that it was now nearly completed and that arrangements had been made for the printing of the Hymn Book, book of doctrine and covenants, &c. Conference adjourned to Monday Morning.
<5.> Monday morning October 5th. Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened by prayer by Elder . Elder after a few preliminary remarks, read an article on the Priesthood composed by President Joseph Smith— <which will appear at the close of the Conference minutes> — —, after which, , delivered an excellent discourse on the same subject, at — — — considerable length. Conference adjourned for one hour. During the intermission a large number were baptized.
Two o’clock P.M. Conference met pursuant to adjournment— Elder addressed the Congregation on the subject of baptism for the dead and other subjects of interest to the Church. The President then made some observations, and pronounced his benediction on the Assembly— Dr. said that many persons had been accused of crime, and been looked upon as guilty, when on investigation it has been ascertained that nothing could be adduced against them,— Whereupon On motion. It was resolved that no person be considered guilty of crime, unless proved so by the testimony of two or three witnesses. He next brought before the Conference the treatment the Saints had experienced in , and wished to know whether the Conference would take any further steps in relation to obtaining redress. On motion resolved that and be appointed a Committee to obtain redress for the wrongs sustained in . The Committee on ordinations reported that they had ordained thirty nine to the ministry. [HC 4:206] On motion; resolved that this Conference be dismissed, and that the next Conference be held on the 6th. day of April next— Joseph Smith Prest.— . Clerk. <(Article on the Priesthood) see addenda page 16#.> [HC 4:207] [HC 4:208] [HC 4:209] [HC 4:210] [HC 4:211]
The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, would respectfully report: that they feel rejoiced to meet the Saints at another general Conference, and under circumstances as favorable as the present. Since our Settlement in , we have for the most part been treated with courtesy and respect, and a feeling of kindness and of sympathy has generally been manifested by all classes of the Community, who with us, deprecate the conduct of those men, whose dark andblackeningdeeds, are stamped with everlasting infamy and disgrace. [p. 1104]