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.
<October 3> through the pores and escape; so the Sadducee saints mock at authority, kick out of the traces, and run to the mountains of perdition leaving the long echo of their braying behind them. <He> then contrasted the charity of the sects, in denouncing all who disagree with them in opinion, and in joining in persecuting the saints; who, believe that even such may be saved in this world and in the world to come (murderers and apostates excepted.) This doctrine, — — — presents in a clear light, the wisdom and mercy of God, in preparing an ordinance for the salvation of the dead, being baptized by proxy, their names recorded in heaven, and they judged according to the deeds done in the body. This doctrine was the burden of the Scriptures. Those saints who neglect it, in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own salvation. The dispensation of the fulness of times will bring to light the things that have been revealed in all former dispensations, also other things that have not been before revealed. He shall send Elijah the Prophet &c and restore all things in Christ. <President Joseph Smith> then anounced “There shall be no more baptisms for the dead, until the ordinance can be attended to in the font of the ; and the church shall not hold another general Conference; until they can meet in said . For thus saith the Lord!” [blank] prayer by President — adjourned for one hour.
P.M. Conference, opened by the choir singing Hymn 105, and prayer by <Elder> , <President> addressed the Elders at some length, on the importance of teaching abroad the first principles of the gospel, leaving the mysteries of the Kingdom to be taught among the Saints, [HC 4:426] also on the propriety of <many of> the Elders, — — — —, remaining at home, and working on the ; and that their labors will be as acceptable to the Lord as their going abroad, and more profitable for the Church— that those who go abroad must take a recommend from the proper authorities; without which they will not be fellowshipped— and that those who go, and those who remain make consecrations more abundantly than heretofore— <Elder> , followed with remarks of a similar purport; resigning his mission of gathering means for the < and >. — — — — — — — — The Conference appointed — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — , , and , <to petition congress for redress of wrongs sustained in . and >, Elder — — — to present <the> petition [blank]. Closed by the Choir singing Hymn 125 and prayer by <Prest.> .”
<4> Monday 4. This morning Conference assembled,
“Prayer by <Elder> President Joseph Smith made a lengthy exposition of the condition of the temporal affairs of the Church, the agency of which had been committed to him at a general conference in — explaining the manner that he had discharged the duties involved in that agency, and the condition of the lands and other property of the Church— On motion, resolved— That Elder be vested with power of attorney to settle, — — — <the> — — — — business at [p. 1230]