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> your magnanimity, will prohibit the indulgence of any prejudice in your feelings against the author of this production, in consequence of his not being able, by any existing document or record, to identity himself with your nation. About nine years ago a young man with whom I had a short acquaintance, and one too, in whom dwelt much wisdom and knowledge— in whose bosom the Almighty had deposited many secrets, laid his hands upon my head, and pronounced these remarkable words: “In due time thou shalt go to , the land of thy fathers, and be a watchman unto the house of Israel; and by thy hands, shall the most High do a good work, which shall prepare the way, and greatly facilitate the gathering together of that people.” Many other particulars were told me by him, at that time, which I do not write in this letter: But sufficient is written to show that divine appointment is claimed as the main-spring that has sent me forth from the embraces of an affectionate family, and kind friends, as well as from the land that gave me birth. My labors since that period, have been bestowed upon the Gentiles in various countries, and on both sides of the Atlantic, until, in the early part of March 1840, I retired to my bed one night as usual; and while meditating and contemplating the field of my future labors, the vision of the Lord, like clouds of light burst into my view (see Joel 2. 28) [HC 4:375] The Cities of Amsterdam, Constantinople, and , all appeared in succession before me; and the Spirit said unto me “Here are many of the children of Abraham whom I will gather to the Land that I gave to their fathers; and here also is the field of your labors. take therefore proper credentials from my people, your brethren, and also from the Governor of your State with the seal of authority thereon, and go ye forth to the cities which have been shown you, and declare theses words unto Judah, and say Blow ye the trumpet in the Land; cry, gather together, and say, assemble yourselves and let us go into the defenced cities. Set up the standard towards — retire, stay not; for I will bring evil from the north and a great destruction. The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the gentiles is on his way— he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate, and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant. Speak ye comfortably to and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished— that her iniquity is pardoned, for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. Let your warning voice be heard among the Gentiles as you pass, and call ye upon them in my name for aid and for assistance. With you, it mattereth not whether it be little or much; but to me it belongeth to show favor unto them, who show favor unto you.[”] The vision continued open about six hours, that I did not close my eyes in sleep. In this time many things were shewn unto me which I have never written, neither shall I write them until they are fulfilled in . It appears from the prophets, that has none to guide— none to take her by the hand among all the sons whom she hath brought forth and reared: But these two sonsare comeunto thee! The sons of strangers shall build up thy walls— Permit me now Revd. Sir, to trouble you with [p. 1210]