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 23> moved and seconded, that all those who are willing to consecrate one tenth of their time and property, to the building of the at under the superintendence of and Counsellors, to signify it by the uplifted hands, when the motion was carried unanimously.
<24.> Sunday morning 10 o’clock. Conference met pursuant to adjournment. Elder delivered an address upon the object of Christ’s mission into this world, the resurrection, and redemption of the Saints; and pointed out, very clearly, the course to be pursued, in order to become the sons of God, through the ordinances of the Gospel, that the Saints may, at last, be exalted at the right hand of God, to dwell with him eternally in the heavens. After an intermission of one hour, the Sacrament was administered by and . The minutes of the Conference were then read and accepted. made some very just remarks on the Priesthood, authority and calling. Conference adjourned sine die. Benection by . President— J[ames] C. Snow. Clerk.” [HC 4:440]
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Extract of a Letter from
“ England— On the 20th. of September the Ship “Tyrean” sailed from for , under a charter of the Latter Day Saints; she had upwards of two hundred <Saints> on board, with Elder , at their head. By chartering we saved the Company at least 500 or 600 dollars. The splendid new Ship “Chaos”, 1200 Tons burthen, will sail on the 5th. November, under our Charter. She will have from one to two hundred Saints on board, with Patriarch Peter Melling, at their head. The Saints in this Country are generally rejoicing, and filled <with> the testimony of Jesus. Great zeal is manifested by the officers in general, of whom there <are> probably more than a thousand. We are increasing in numbers and in gifts and blessings New branches of the Church are rising in many places, and great additions made to the old ones. and vicinity has poured forth a stream of emigration for the last eighteen months, and still we numbered at our Conference, two weeks ago, near sixteen hundred members, and between one and two hundred officers; all these within one hour’s journey of . There has been a general time of pruning, we have cut off upwards of One hundred members from this Conference in a few months, this causes the young and tender branches to grow with double vigor.”
<28> Thursday 28. Copy of a letter of Attorney from Joseph Smith
“Sole Trustee in Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” to of , Ohio. Know all Men by these presents— That I Joseph Smith of Hancock County and State of Illinois “sole trustee in trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, have made constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make constitute and appoint, of , Lake County and State of Ohio, my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name, and for my use as “sole trustee in trust for the [p. 1241]