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.
<January 15> and privileges of freemen, but we are happy to state that several of the principal men in , who have listened to the doctrines we promulge, have become obedient to the faith and are rejoicing in the same; among whom is . M.D. Quarter Master General of . we mention this gentleman first, because, that during our persecutions in , he became acquainted with the violence we were suffering, while in that , on account of our religion— his sympathies for us were aroused, and his indignation kindled against our persecutors for the cruelties practised upon us, and their flagrant violation of both the law and the Constitution. Amidst their heated zeal to put down the truth, he addressed us a letter, tendering to us his assistance in delivering us out of the hands of our enemies, and restoring us again to our privileges, and only required at our hands to point out the way, and he would be forthcoming, with all the forces he could raise for that purpose— He has been one of the — — — — — — instruments, in effecting our safety and deliverance from the unjust persecutions and demands of the authorities of , and also in procuring the City Charter— He is a man of enterprize, extensive acquirements, and of independent mind, and is calculated to be a great blessings to our community. Dr. , also, who is one of our benefactors, having under his control, a large quantity of land in the immediate vicinity of our , and a considerable portion of the City Plot, opened both his heart and his hands, and “when we were strangers— took us in,” and bade us welcome to share with him in his abundance; leaving his dwelling house, the most splendid edifice in the vicinity for our accommodation, and betook himself to a small uncomfortable dwelling— He sold us his large Estates, on very reasonable terms, and on long credit, so that we might have an opportunity of paying for them, without being distressed, and has since taken our lands in in payment for the whole amount, and has given us a clear and indisputable title for the same. And in addition to the first purchase, we have exchanged lands with him in to the amount of eighty thousand dollars. He is the honored instrument the Lord used, to prepare a home for us, when we were driven from our inheritances, having given him control of vast bodies of land, and prepared his heart to make the use of it the Lord [HC 4:270] intended he should. Being a man of extensive information, great talents, and high literary fame, he devoted all his powers and influence to give us a character. After having thus exerted himself for our salvation and comfort, and formed an intimate acquaintance with many of our people, his mind became wrought up to the greatest feelings, being convinced that our persecutions were like those of the ancient Saints, and after investigating the doctrines we proclaimed, he became convinced of the truth and of the necessity of obedience thereto, and to the great joy and satisfaction of the Church, he yielded himself to the Waters of baptism, and became a partaker with us in our sufferings “choosing rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a Season.” In connexion with these we would mention the names of General , Judge of Probate of Sangamon County, Dr. Green of Shelby County, . — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — of , Dr. Knight of Putnam County Indiana, with many others of [p. 1146]