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.
<April 4 Joseph’s Epistle from > derision, and hell shall rage against thee, while the pure in heart and the wise and the noble, and the virtuous shall seek counsel and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand and thy people shall never be turned against thee by the testimony of traitors, and although their influence shall cast thee into trouble, and into bars and walls, thou shalt be had in honor, and but for a small moment and thy voice shall be more terrible in the midst of thine enemies than the fierce Lion, because of thy righteousness, and thy God shall stand by thee for ever and ever. If thou art called to pass through tribulation. If thou art in perils among false brethren. If thou art in perils amongst robbers— If thou art in perils by Land or by Sea. If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations. If thine enemies fall upon thee. If they tear thee from the Society of thy Father and Mother and Brethren and Sisters. And if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear the from bosom of thy Wife, and of thine offspring. And thine Elder Son although but six years of age shall cling to thy garments and shall say My Father, [HC 3:300] My Father why can you stay with us Oh my Father what are the men going to do with you. and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for blood of the Lamb, and if thou shouldst be cast in to the pit or into the hands of murderers, and the sentance of death passed upon thee— If thou be cast into the deep If the billowing surge conspire against thee. If fierce <winds> become thine enemy If the Heavens gather blackness and all the elements combine to hedge up the way, and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gap open her mouth wide after thee, know thou my Son that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all, art thou greater than he? Therefore hold on thy way, and the Priesthood shall remain with thee for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less, therefore fear not, what man can do, for God shall be with you. for ever and ever. Now Brethren I would suggest for the consideration of the Conference of its being carefully and wisely understood by the Counsel or Conferences that our brethren scattered abroad, who understand the Spirit of the gathering that they fall into the places of refuge and safety that God shall open unto them between and . Those from the East and from the West, and from far Countries let them fall in some where between those two boundaries in the most safe and quiet places they can find, and let this be the present understanding until God shall open a more effectual Door for us, for further considerations. And again we further suggest for the consideration of the Council, that there be no organizations of large bodies upon Common Stock principals in property, or of large companies of firms, until the Lord shall signify it in a proper manner, as it opens such a dreadful field for the avaricious, and the indolent and corrupt hearted to prey upon the innocent [p. 909]