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 19> “To the Travelling High Council and Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Great Britain:— Beloved brethren, May grace, mercy and peace rest upon you, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Having several communications lying before me from my brethren the Twelve, some of which ’ere this have merited a reply, but from the multiciplicity of business which necessarily engages my attention, I have delayed communicating to you to the present time. Be assured beloved brethren, that I am no disinterested observer of the things which are transpiring on the face of the whole Earth; and amidst the general movements which are in progress; none is of more importance than the glorious work in which you are now engaged; consequently I feel some anxiety on your account, that you may by your virtue, faith, diligence and charity commend yourselves to one another, [HC 4:226] to the Church of Christ, and to your Father who is in heaven, by whose grace you have been called to so holy a calling, and be enabled to perform the great and responsible duties which rest upon you. And I can assure you that from the information I have received, I feel satisfied that you have not been remiss in your duty; but that your diligence and faithfulness have been such as must secure you the smiles of that God whose servants you are, and also the good will of the Saints throughout the world. The spread of the gospel throughout England is certainly pleasing; the contemplation of which cannot but afford feelings of no ordinary kind in the bosom of those who have borne the heat and burthen of the day; and who were its firm supporters and strenuous advocates in infancy, while surrounded with circumstances the most unpropitious, and its destruction threatened on all hands; but like the gallant bark, that has braved the storm unhurt, spreads her canvass to the breeze and nobly cuts her way through the yielding wave, more conscious than ever of the strength of her timbers and the experience and capability of her captain, pilot, and crew. It is, likewise, very satisfactory to my mind that there has been such a good understanding between you, and that the Saints have so cheerfully hearkened to council and vied with each other in this labor of love, and in the promotion of truth and righteousness: this is as it should be in the Church of Jesus Christ; unity is strength. “How pleasing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity,” Let the Saints of the Most High ever cultivate this principle and the most glorious blessings must result, not only to them individually, but to the whole church— the order of the kingdom will be maintained, its officers respected, and its requirements readily, and cheerfully obeyed. Love is one of the chief characteristics of Diety, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the “Sons of God.” A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world anxious to bless the whole human race— this has been your feeling and caused you to forego the pleasures of home, that you might be a blessing to others, who are candidates for immortality, but strangers to truth; and for so doing, I pray that heaven’s choisest blessings may rest upon you. Being requested to give my advice respecting the propriety of your returning in the Spring, I will do so, willingly. I have reflected upon the subject some time, and am of the opinion that it would be wisdom in you to make preparations to leave the scene of your labors in the spring. Having carried the testimony to that land, and numbers having received it, — — — — — — — the leaven [p. 1115]