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> consequently taking all these things into consideration I would not press it upon to return in the Spring. I am happy to inform you that we are prospering in this place, and that the Saints are more healthy than formerly: and from the decrease of sickness this season, when compared with the last, I am led to the conclusion that this must eventually become a healthy place. There are, at present about 3000 Inhabitants in , and numbers are flocking in daily. Several stakes have been set off in different parts of the Country, which are in prosperous circumstances. Provisions are much lower than when you left— Flour is about $4.00 per barrel. Corn and potatoes about twenty five cents per bushel, and other things in proportion. There has been a very plentiful harvest throughout the Union. You will observe by the Times and Seasons that we are about building a for the worship of our God, in this place: preparations are now making: every tenth day is devoted by the brethren for quarrying rock &c. We have secured one of the most lovely situations for it, — — — — — — in this region of country; it is expected to be considerably larger than the one in , and on a more magnificent scale, and which will undoubtedly attract the attention of the great men of the Earth. We have a bill before the Legislature, for the incorporation of the City of , and for the establishing of a Seminary of learning and other purposes, which I expect will pass in a short time. You will also receive intelligence of the death of my , which event although painful to the family and to the church generally, yet the sealing testimony of the truth of the work of the Lord was indeed satisfactory. succeeds him as Patriarch of the Church, according to his last directions and benedictions. [HC 4:229] Several persons of eminence and distinction in Society, have joined the church and become obedient to the faith, and I am happy to inform you that the work — — is spreading very fast upon this Continent, some of the brethren are now in , and we expect a large gathering from the South. I have had the pleasure of welcoming about one hundred brethren who came with , the remainder I am informed stopped in , not having means to get any further. I think those that came here this fall, did not take the best possible route, or the least expensive. Most of the brethren have obtained employment of one kind or another, and appear tolerably well contented and seem disposed to hearken to counsel. Brother’s and lately had a letter from Elders , and , which gave us information of the commencement of the work of the Lord in the City of , which I was glad to hear. I am likewise informed that Elders have gone to Australia and to the East Indies. I feel desirous that every providential opening of the kind should be filled, and that you should prior to your leaving England, send the Gospel into as many parts as you possibly can. Beloved Brethren, you must be aware in some measure, of my feelings, when I contemplate the great work which is now rolling on, and the relationship which I sustain to it, while it is extending to distant lands, and thousands are embracing it— I realize in some measure my responsibility and the need I have of support from above, and wisdom from on high, that I may be able to teach this people, which have now become a great people, the principles of righteousness, and lead them agreeably to the will of heaven; so, that they [p. 1117]