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 4> < <>> left in an uncertain condition by Elder , deceased. Prayer by <Elder> — adjourned for one hour.
P.M. Conference opened, prayer by <Prest.><Prest.> . <Elder> spoke at some length on the subject introduced in the former part of the day, and on the old debts and obligations that are frequently brought up from and ; one of which, in the form of a $50. note he held in his hand and proclaimed as his text— On motion <voted unanimously> <voted unanimously> That the Trustee in trust — — — — — — be instructed not to appropriate church property to liquidate — — old claims that may be brought forward — — from or . President presented to the notice of Conference some embarrassment growing out of his signing as security, a certain obligation in in favor of Mr. Eaton. [blank] Voted that church property here shall not be appropriated to liquidate said claim. <President> made some appropriate and weighty remarks on the importance of more liberal consecrations and more ener[HC 4:427]getic efforts to forward the work of building <the and and> after purchasing ’s text, by paying him fifty cents, tore it in pieces and gave it to the winds, saying “go ye and do likewise.” <with all old claims against the Church> Choir sung hymn 104 and President closed by prayer.”
“Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 274 and prayer by Elder . <Elder> by request of President Joseph Smith, — — — — read — — — — a — — letter from Esqre., one of the proprietors of the , in reference to some misunderstanding in the adjustment of their claims, and conciliatory of any hard feelings growing out of such misunderstanding. <President> spoke on the contents of the letter and expressed his earnest desire that that business might be speedily adjusted, and a proper title obtained by the Church. <Elders> and followed with appropriate remarks— On motion voted that President Joseph Smith write — — —to on the subject. [blank] On motion— by President Joseph Smith, voted that the Twelve write an Epistle to the Saints abroad to use their influence and exertions to secure, by Exchange, purchase, donation &c a title to the . <President> presented an appeal from <the decision of> the Elder’s Quorum <on a charge made> against Elder , <by , for> a breach of the ordinances of the , — — — — — <for> falsehood, and — — schismatical conversation After hearing — <the> — testimony in the case, — — — <it was> voted that Elder be cut off from the Church. Closed by the Choir singing 275 hymn, prayer by <President> . Adjourned for one hour.
P.M. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 104, and prayer by <Elder> , <who then> — — — — — — read — — — — the minutes of a special conference held in — — — Nauvoo Augt. 16. 1841. President Joseph Smith made remarks explanatory of the importance of the resolutions and votes passed at that time. On motion voted, that this Conference sanction the doings of said special conference— <President> proposed to the congregation, that those who would take Laborers on the — — — — to board — — — while thus laboring should manifest their willingness by [p. 1231]