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.
the terrestrial bodies for another time in order to treat upon them more fully. The next great grand Patriarch who held the Keys of the Priesthood was Lamech See Genesis 5th. ch 28 and 29 v. and Lamech lived 182 years and begat a Son and he called his name Noah, saying this same shall comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands because of the ground which the Lord has curst— The Priesthood continued from Lamech to Noah Genesis vi. 13. And God said unto Noah [“]the end of all flesh is before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them, and behold I will destroy them with the Earth”, thus we behold the Keys of this Priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice of Jehovah, that he talked with him in a familiar and friendly manner, that he continued to him the Keys, the Covenants, the power and the glory with which he blessed Adam at the beginning and the offering of sacrifice which also shall be continued at the last time, for all the ordinances and duties that ever have been required by the Priesthood under the directions and commandments of the Almighty in any of the dispensations, shall all be had in the last dispensation— Therefore all things had under the authority of the Priesthood at any former period shall be had again, bringing to pass the restoration spoken of by the mouth of all the Holy Prophets; then shall the Sons of Levi offer an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord. See Malachi iii 3. 4. And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the Sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord. It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the doctrine set forth in the above quotation, as it is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the great Sacrifice was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of Sacrifice in future; but those who assert this, are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges, and authority of the Priesthood, or with the Prophets. The offering of Sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the Priesthood. It began with the Priesthood, and will be continued until after the coming of Christ, from generation to generation. We frequently have mention made of the offering of Sacrifice by the Servants of the most High in Ancient days prior to the law of Moses. — — — — — which ordinances will be continued when the Priesthood is restored with all its authority power and blessings. Elijah was the last Prophet that held the Keys of this Priesthood, and who will before the last dispensation, restore the authority and deliver the Keys of this Priesthood, in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness— It is true that the Savior had authority and power to bestow this blessing, but the Sons of Levi were too prejudiced.— And I will send Elijah the Prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord &c &c Why send Elijah? because he holds the keys of the authority to administer in all the ordinances of the Priesthood and without the authority is given, the ordinances could not be administered in righteousness. It is a very prevalent opinion, that the Sacrifices which were offered were entirely consumed, this was not the case if you read Leviticus 2 ch: 2. 3 verses, you will observe that the Priests took a part as a Memorial and offered it up before the Lord while the remainder was kept for the maintenance of the Priests— So that the offerings and sacrifices are not all consumed upon the Altar, but the blood is sprinkled, and the fat and certain other portions are consumed. These Sacrifices as well as every ordinance belonging to the Priesthood will, when the Temple of the Lord shall be built and the Sons of Levi be purified, be fully restored and attended to in all their powers, ramifications and blessings; this ever did and will exist when the powers of the Melchisedec Priesthood are sufficiently manifest. else how can the restitution of all things spoken of by all the Holy Prophets be brought to pass? It is not to be understood that the law of Moses will be established again with all its rights and variety of ceremonies, this has never been spoken off— by <the Prophets> but those things which existed prior to Moses’ day viz Sacrifice will be continued— It may be asked by some what necessity for Sacrifice since the great Sacrifice was offered? In answer to which if Repentance, Baptism and Faith existed prior to the days of Christ what necessity for them since that time— The Priesthood has descended in a regular line from Father to Son through their succeeding generations— see Book of Doctrine and Coventants— (see page 1104#) [p. 18 [addenda]]