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.
<June 15> and fertile soil of humble and honest hearts. Go forth therefore, little volume to other nations and tongues; and may the Almighty speed your way; and like a sharp two edged sword, cut thy way through the prejudices of this generation.— encamp with all thy virtues in the hearts of the people and there let thy principles be enthroned.”
One thing I was pleased with, which I noticed in the Times and Seasons, the remarks made on the use of intoxicating spirits. In my heart they found a corresponding echo. I should not be willing to indulge the thought for a moment that the Saints in would quietly stand still and see a brother gorge himself with that strong drink which makes a hell of his home, and rolls the fiery flood of ruin over the affections of his once happy family. No; they will dash from his lips the cup of wretchedness; and sharply rebuke the homicide that sells to him the wine of wrath, and measures to him his wife’s tears by the pint, quart, gallon, and jugful. May the lightnings of heaven for ever blast (I had almost said) those brewers of strong drink which send forth their corrupt and poisonous streams to sweep down in their filthy current, men of sterling talents to an untimely grave— May the Saints of God stand as far from them, as Lot stood from Sodom in its evil day. This dizzy flood has sometimes entered the house of worship— invaded the sacred desk, and hushed in death for ever, the voice that could plead, like an angel, the cause of God and man. I have just received a note from Dr. S[olomon] Hirschell, President Rabbi of the Hebrew community in this country, in reply to a very polite note which I sent to him, requesting the indulgence of a personal interview with him: But in consequence of a very severe accident which befell him, he is confined to his room, and unable at this time, to grant the asked indulgence -[His leg is broken.]- I have addressed to him a communication upon the subject of my mission; a copy of which I transmit to you. It may not be altogether uninteresting to the Saints and friends in .
“Revd. Sir. I cannot but express my sorrow and regret at the mis[HC 3:374]fortune under which you labor, in consequence of the severe accident which befell you; and by which you are confined to your room. Please accept Sir, the sincere wishes of a Stranger, that you may speedily recover from the injury you sustained in consequence of the accident; and resume the labors which your high and responsible station calls you to perform. Feeling that I may not enjoy the privilege and happiness of a personal interview with you, I hope you will indulge the liberty which I now presume to take in addressing a written communication to you, embracing some of those things which I had fondly hoped, would have been the foundation of a mutual interchange of thought between us: But as Providence has laid an embargo upon that distinguished privilege, I must forego, at this time, the pleasure of a verbal relation of those things pertaining to your nation, with which my mind is deeply affected. Since I have arrived to years of more mature reflection, and become religiously inclined, the writings of the Jewish prophets have won my affections; and the scattered and oppressed condition of that people, has enlisted the finest sympathies of my heart. Believing therefore that the words of Hosea the prophet 2. 23 connected with [p. 1209]