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 Former-day Saints had two priesthoods. The Aaronic Priesthood administered in outward ordinances, as in the case of John the Baptist. The power and authority of the Higher, or Melchizedeck Priesthood was to hold the Keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church, as Jesus said, “I give unto thee the Keys of the Kingdom of heaven— whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,” &c. They were to have the privilege of knowing the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven. “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom,”— to have the heavens opened unto them— to commune with the general assembly and church of the firstborn; and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and of Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant. Heb. 12. 22, 23, 24. So that in this wonderful Priesthood, they have provided for an ample supply of new things in endless variety, and without end, from those who are and were counted the off-scouring of all things; and who, as the baptists would insinuate, “did aspire to a dignity which they say ‘belongs alone to him who is the only Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedeck.”
The fear of trespassing upon the time and patience of our readers, prevents our enlarging upon these and many other points of difference; but enough has been said to shew that no two sects can possibly differ more widely from each other than do the Baptists and Former-day Saints,— and to amalgamate the two systems in any way is not only an act of injustice— but would involve the Baptists, who by the by are an honourable body, in the disgrace of that sect which was “every where spoken against.” See Acts.
provisions of an act entitled, “An Act concerning Religious Societies”, approved February 6th., 1835.
Joseph Smith (L.S.)
State of Illinois, , ss.
This day personally appeared before me, , a justice of the peace, within and for the County of aforesaid, , , and , who, being duly sworn, depose and say, that the foregoing certificate of Joseph Smith is true.
;
,
.
Sworn to and subscribed this third day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one, before me.
,
Justice of the Peace.
The above is recorded in the County Records, at , in Book No. 1, of Bonds and Mortgages, page 95, No. 87. [p. 24 [addenda]]