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.
<March 24> parted in the afternoon and went on board a Steamer for , where they arrived next day. At this place the brethren expected to receive some means from , to assist them on their journey, but were disappointed. In the evening they took passage on a Canal boat, and arrived in Albany on the 19th. ( having gone forward to from ). proceeded to , and on the 20th. accompanied to his Father’s house in , Massachusetts, 30 miles east, where they spent one day, and having received some assistance from his friends, bade them fare[HC 4:313]well for the last time (his Father and Mother having since died, also a Sister whom he had left in ) and on the 21st. returned to Albany, and arrived in on the 22nd. where they found brothers and ; also Elders John Goodson, Isaac Russell, and , Priest (who had come from to join the mission) anxiously waiting their arrival, so that they might take passage on board the “United States,” which was to sail next day, but they arrived too late. In , received some further means quite providentially, and on the 23rd. the brethren engaged passage to , on board the “Garrick”, which was to sail on the 1st. of July. In the mean time the brethren received every possible assistance from Elder , for at that time he was the only member of the Church residing in the , and having no house of his own, he procured his father’s storehouse for the use of the brethren, where they lodged on the floor, amid straw and blankets one week, eating their cold morsel, and conversing with the people as they had opportunity; for no place could be procured to preach in, and there was no one to receive them into their houses. Sunday the 25th. the brethren held a Council at their lodgings, (’s Store) and organized ready for taking their departure. 29th. the brethren sealed, superscribed, and forwarded 180 of Elder ’s “Timely Warnings” to the ministers of the different denominations in the , and went on board the “Garrick,” — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — which hauled out into the river and cast anchor. July 1st. the ship weighed anchor, and was towed to the Hook by a Steamer, where she spread sail, and in 4½ hours was out of sight of land. With the exception of a strong wind on the 12th., there was generally a gentle breeze from the north west during the voyage. On the 16th. preached on the aft quarter deck, and on the 18th. Cape Clear was visible, (18 days out of sight of land) and on the morning of the 20th. the brethren landed in , 20 days from . Here Elders , and found themselves on a foreign shore, surrounded by strangers, without the first farthing in their possession; but the brethren unitedly took lodgings in a private house in Union Street, till after the inspection of the Ship; and on Saturday the 22nd., took Coach for — When they had alighted from the Coach, and were standing by their trunks in front of the Hotel, in , a large flag was unfurled over their heads, on which was printed in golden letters “Truthwill prevail,” at the sight of which, their hearts rejoiced, and they cried aloud “Amen, thanks be unto God, Truth will prevail”. [HC 4:314] Brother lodged with his brother Revd. James Fielding, then a preacher in Vauxhall <Road> Chapel, and the remainder of the brethren took Lodgings in St. Wilfred Street, Fox Street. The same evening, the Elders visited the Revd. Mr. Fielding, by his request, at his [p. 1174]