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.
<May 4> marked respect— and while they discharge their duties with promptitude and boldness as officers, they must not forget or neglect to observe the requisites of gentlemen. The 2nd. Company (Light Infantry) 1st. Battalion, 1st. Regiment, 2nd. Cohort; and the 1st. Company (Lancers) 1st. Battalion, 3rd. Regiment, 2nd. Cohort of the Legion, will act as an escort for the reception of such visiting companies from , and , as may be present. Should the be present, it will be announced by a fire of artillery by the 1st. Cohort, and the 2nd. companies, 1st. Battalion, 1st. Regiment, 1st. Cohort, and the 1st. Company, 1st. Battalion, 1st. Regiment, 2nd. Cohort, when he will be received by the entire Legion with the honors due so conspicuous a personage as the of the forces of the . Officers receiving copies of these orders, will promulgate the same without delay throughout the bounds of their respective commands. Joseph Smith, Lieutenant General.”
To the Editors of the Times and Seasons, Gentlemen:— I wish through the medium of your paper, to make known, that on Sunday last, I had the honor of receiving a visit from the Hon: , Justice of the Supreme Court and Judge of the fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of , and [HC 4:356] Esqre. of , who expressed great pleasure in visiting our , and were astonished at the improvements which were made. They were officially introduced to the congregation, who had assembled on the Meeting Ground, by the ; and they severally addressed the assembly. , expressed his satisfaction of what he had seen and heard respecting our people, and took that opportunity of returning thanks to the citizens of , for conferring upon him the freedom of the , stating that he was not aware of rendering us any service, sufficiently important to deserve such marked honor; and likewise spoke in high terms of our location and the improvements we had made, and that our enterprise and industry were highly creditable to us indeed. spoke much in favor of the place, the industry of the Citizens, &c, and hoped they would continue to enjoy all the blessings and privileges of our free and glorious Constitution, and as a patriot and a freeman, he was willing at all times, to stand boldly in defence of liberty and law. It must indeed be satisfactory to this community to know, that kind and generous feelings exist in the hearts of men of such high reputation and moral and intellectual worth. has ever proved himself <friendly> to this people; and interested himself to obtain for us our several charters, holding at that time the office of Secretary of State. also ranks high, and has long held a standing at the bar, which few attain, and is considered one of the most able and profound jurists in the . The sentiments they expressed on the occasion, were highly honorable to them as American Citizens, and as gentlemen. How different their conduct, from that of the official characters in the state of , whose minds were prejudiced to such an extent, that instead of mingling in our midst and ascertaining for [p. 1201]