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.
<December 16> the general assembly, That all that district of Country embraced within the following boundaries, to wit; beginning at the north east corner of section thirty one, in township seven, north of range eight, west of the fourth principal meridian, in the County of , and running thence west to the north west corner of said section, thence north to the , thence west to the middle of the main channel of the said , thence down the middle of said channel to a point due west of the South East Corner of fractional section number twelve, in township six north of range nine, west of the fourth principal meridian; thence east to the south east corner of said section twelve; thence north on the range line between township six north and range eight and nine west, to the south west corner of section six in Township six, north of range eight west, thence east to the South east corner of [HC 4:239] said section; thence north to the place of beginning, including the town plats of and , shall hereafter be called and known, by the name of the “City of ”, and the inhabitants thereof are hereby constituted a body corporate and politic by the name aforesaid, and shall have perpetual succession, and may have, and use, a common seal, which they may change and alter at pleasure. Sec. 2. Whenever any tract of land adjoining “the City of ” shall have been laid out into Town lots, and duly recorded according to law, the same shall form a part of the “City of .” Sec 3. The Inhabitants of said , by the name and style aforesaid, shall have power to sue and be sued, to plead and be impleaded, defend and be defended, in all courts of law and equity, and in all actions whatsoever; to purchase, receive, and hold property, real and personal, in said , to purchase, receive and hold real property beyond the city for burying grounds, or for other public purposes, for the use of the inhabitants of said ; to sell, lease, convey or dispose of property, real and personal, for the benefit of the , to improve and protect such property, and to do all other things in relation thereto as natural persons. Sec. 4. There shall be a City Council to consist of a Mayor, four Aldermen, and nine Counsellors, who shall have the qualifications of electors of said , and shall be chosen by the qualified voters thereof, and shall hold their offices for two years, and until their successors shall be elected and qualified. The City Council shall judge of the qualifications, elections and returns, of their own members, and a majority of them shall form a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members under such penalties as may be prescribed by ordinance. Sec. 5. The Mayor, Aldermen, and Counsellors, before entering upon the duties of their offices shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation that they will support the Constitution of the , and of this , and that they will well and truly perform the duties of their Offices to the best of their skill and abilities. Sec. 6. On the first Monday of February next, and every two years thereafter, an election shall be held for the election of one Mayor, four Aldermen, and nine Counsellors; and at the first election under this act, three judges shall be chosen vivavoce by the Electors present; the said judges shall choose two Clerks, and the judges and Clerks before entering upon their duties shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation such as is now required by [p. 1124]