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.
<December 13> income to their own use; but this is a mistaken idea; suppose that all should act upon this principle, no one would do aught at present, consequently the building must cease, and this generation remain without a , and the church be rejected; then suppose the next generation labor upon the same principle, and the same in all succeeding generations, the Son of God would never have a place on earth to lay his head. Let every individual remember that their tithings and consecrations are required from what they have, and not what they expectto have sometime hence, and are wanted for immediate use— All money and other property designed for tithings and consecrations to the building of the must hereafter be presented to the Trustee in trust, President Joseph Smith and entered at the Recorder’s office in the book before referred to; and all receipts now holden by individuals, which they have received of the building committee for the property delivered to them, must also be forwarded to the Recorder’s Office for entry, to secure the appropriation of said property according to the original design. The Elders every where, will instruct the brethren both in public and in private, in the principles and doctrine set forth in this Epistle; so that every individual of the church may have a perfect understanding of his duty and privilege—
<14> Tuesday 14. I commenced <opening> unpacking <and assorting> a lot of dry goods in the second Story of my New , situate on the North West Corner of Block 155. The Joiners and Masons <are> yet at work in the lower part of the building.
<15> Wednesday 15. In reply to enquiries concerning , the Printing Press, , &c, contained in a letter written at Novr. 16. 1841 by and acting Presidents, and , Bishop and Council to President Joseph Smith and &c it was decided as follows,
“It remains for to offer satisfaction, if he wishes so to do, according to the Minutes of the Conference. Youare doubtlessall wellawarethat allthe Stakes, exceptthose in , Illinois, andIowa, were discontinuedsome time sinceby the First Presidency, as publishedin theTimes and Seasons; but as it appears that there are many in who desire to remain there, and build up that place, and as you have made great exertions, according to your letter, to establish a printing press, and take care of the Poor, &c, since that Period, you may as well continue operations according to your designs, and [p. 1264]