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.
<April 6> Resolved. That the Macclesfield conference include Macclesfield, Northwich, Middlewich, and Lostock. That Edinburgh Conference include Edinburgh and vicinity— That Glasgow Conference, include Glasgow, Paisley, Bridge of Weir, Johnston, and Thorny bank— That , preside over the Edinburgh Conference— That J<ohn> Greenhow preside over the Conference— That preside over the Clitheroe Conference— That preside over the Conference– That J<as.> Gally preside over the Macclesfield Conference— That preside over the Staffordshire Conference— That James Riley be ordained a High Priest and preside over the Birmingham Conference— That J. Mc.Auley preside over the Glasgow Conference— That Thomas Richardson preside over the Gadfield Elm Conference— That Wm. Kay preside over the Froomes Hill Conference— That have the superintendance of the Garway Conference— [HC 4:333] That P. Melling preside over the Conference— That J. Sanders preside over the Brampton Conference— Adjourned till seven o’clock
Met pursuant to adjournment, commenced by singing “When shall we all meet again”, and prayer. The Patriarch P. Melling was then called upon to pronounce a Patriarchal blessing upon the head of John Albertson, previous to his being ordained to the office of Patriarch— Laying his hands upon him he blessed him in the following words
“John, I lay my hands upon thy head, in the name of Jesus Christ; and by the authority of the Holy Priesthood committed unto me, I pronounce upon thy head the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I say unto thee, that inasmuch as it is in thy heart to do the will of the Lord, thou shalt be blessed, and the desires of thy heart shall be granted thee; and the Lord God will enlarge thy heart; and inasmuch as thou wilt be humble and faithful before the Lord in thy calling, even that of a Patriarch, thou shalt be blessed, strengthened, and have great wisdom and understanding, Thy bowels shall be filled with compassion for the widow and fatherless; and I pray that our Father in heaven will take thee into his own care, and as he feels for thy welfare, thou shalt be made strong in faith, and the Lord shall bless thee and open thy understanding. Thou shalt know the doctrine of Jesus Christ, and the mysteries of heaven shall be opened to thy mind— Thou shalt also have the gift of Prophecy and Revelation, and thou shalt predict those things that shall take place to the latest generation. I pray that our Father in heaven may confer these blessings upon thy head: yea, thou shalt be a mighty man, if thou wilt be a faithful man, and a humble man, so that thou mayest be an ornament to thy calling, and a blessing to thy posterity: Yea thy posterity shall be blessed, and they shall become mighty upon the earth, and become blessed, inasmuch as thou wilt be faithful in all things, and watch unto prayer. Thou shalt finally overcome and be lifted up on high, and inherit the mansions prepared for thee in the kingdom of our God. Thou art of the blood of Ephraim; and I seal these blessings upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen”
The <Apostles> then laid hands on J<ohn> Albertson, and ordained him to the office of Patriarch. The ordinations of the High Priests then took place; but from the pressure of business it was directed that the High Priests who were present should retire to the vestry, with those who were to be ordained Elders, and there ordain them at the same <time> that the ordinations of the High Priests were proceeding— Several appropriate discourses were delivered by different members [HC 4:334] of the <Twelve Apostles> in relation to the duties of the officers in their respective callings, and the duties and privileges of the members; also on the prosperity of the work in general: A very richly ornamented cake, a present from , from Elder Adams’ wife to the Twelve, was then exhibited to the meeting— This was blessed by them, and distributed to all the officers and members, and the whole congregation, consisting perhaps of seven hundred people; a large fragment was still preserved for some who were not present. during the distribution several very appropriate hymns were sung, and a powerful and general feeling of delight universally pervaded the meeting. While this was proceeding. Elder composed and handed over to the Clerk the following lines, which the Clerk then read to the meeting.