JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. E-1, created 20 Aug. 1855–5 Apr. 1856; handwriting of Robert L. Campbell, , and Jonathan Grimshaw; 392 pages, plus 11 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the fifth volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This fifth volume covers the period from 1 July 1843 to 30 Apr. 1844; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, C-1, D-1, and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1, constitutes the fifth of six volumes documenting the life of Joseph Smith and the early years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The series is also known as the Manuscript History of the Church and was originally published serially from 1842 to 1846 and 1851 to 1858 as the “History of Joseph Smith” in the Times and Seasons and Deseret News. This volume contains JS’s history from 1 July 1843 to 30 April 1844, and it was compiled in Utah Territory in the mid-1850s.
The material recorded in volume E-1 was initially compiled under the direction of church historian , who was JS’s cousin. Smith collaborated with in collecting material for the history and creating a set of draft notes that Smith dictated to Bullock and other clerks.
Robert L. Campbell, a recently returned missionary and member of the Historian’s Office staff, transcribed ’s notes into the volume along with the text of designated documents (such as letters and meeting minutes). The Church Historian’s Office journal entry for 2 May 1855 pinpoints the beginning of his work: “R. L. C. on Book D forenoon, afternoon began book E.” Campbell’s work on the volume apparently concluded on 5 April 1856; entries in the Historian’s Office journal indicate that he then moved on to other assignments while another clerk, Jonathan Grimshaw, began work on volume F-1, the last manuscript in the series. (Historian’s Office, Journal, 2 May 1855; 5 and 9 Apr. 1856.)
Volume E-1 contains 391 pages of primary text and 11 pages of addenda. The initial entry on page 1637 is a continuation of the 1 July 1843 entry that closed volume D-1. The final entry in volume E-1 is for 30 April 1844.
The 391 pages of volume E-1 document a crucial period of JS’s life and the history of the church. Important events recorded here include
• An account of JS’s 2 July 1843 meeting with several Pottawatamie chiefs.
• JS’s 4 July 1843 address regarding his recent arrest, the Legion, and Mormon voting practices.
• JS’s 12 July 1843 dictation of a revelation regarding eternal marriage, including the plurality of wives, in the presence of and .
• The 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment of and revocation of his priesthood license.
• Dispatch of the first missionaries to the Pacific Islands on 20 September 1843, led by .
• JS’s 1 October 1843 announcement of ’s appointment to a mission to Russia.
• Minutes of a 6–9 October 1843 general conference inserted under the date of 9 October at which pled his case in regard to his 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment and was permitted to continue as counselor in the First Presidency.
• Text of JS’s appeal to the Green Mountain Boys of , inserted under the date of 29 November 1843.
• A 20 January 1844 entry that includes a poem by commemorating the presentation of two copies of the Book of Mormon to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert by .
• JS’s nomination on 29 January 1844 as an independent candidate for the presidency of the .
<November 3> around these Islands, and the captain says they are extremely fat and more delicious than Salmon. Here we expect to feast ourselves, as you know I am fond of fish; we expect to be there in January.
Answer the questions:— What season of the year will it be there then? Where will the sun be at noon? When the sun is just setting with us there, what time will it <be> with you then?
After we leave there, we shall steer for Van Diemans Island, South cape. From there we shall make the N.W. point of New Zealand. from there to Otaheite or Tahita. When we get there, how much shall we lack of having circumnavigated the globe, and after the sun sets with you, how high will it be with us.
Nov. 9. We made the Isle of Sal this morning about 3 o’clock, by moonlight; it is called low land, and so it is in comparison with the rest; but this is highter than the Mountains about Winchester: and a view from the sea looks like a ridge of snow drifts, for it is very broken, and the peaks very sharp, (it is barren and waste, no vegetation on it. What few inhabitants there are yet there, live by selling salt. We are now sailing pretty close to it, and it looks pleasant to see land again, even in this rugged situation, after being deprived of the privilege for a month. We have made a mistake in the island, it is St. Nicholas’s; we are now so near to a town that we can see the houses and the vessels at anchor: we expect to send a boat on shore in a few minutes. If there is a chance to send the letters from there we will, if not, I will write some more on the way to St Jagoes.
Nov. 10. I went on shore in the boat yesterday, the island is quite different to what it appears at first; quite fruitful; a plenty of oranges, plantains, bananas, melons, gooves, popogars, &c, &c. The inhabitants are Portuguese, about half black; there are some English among them, they are quite friendly.— The Doctor, with his little son, Charles, were with us. He is a very delicate, fine looking fellow; there were a multitude of people on the shore when we landed; they were overjoyed to see little Charles, the dark ladies took him up, hugged and kissed him, till he was frightened and began to cry, but they gave him a variety of fruit and sweet cake to pacify him. I was quite amused at the fun. children, when I saw this nice fruit, so plenty and cheap, I wished I could buy a basket of it and give you, but the ocean rolls between us, and how long it will continue to the Lord only knows; but he may preserve us till we all meet again in this life, in health and strength, is the continual prayer of your unworthy father.
There is a brig, the Susan of , lying here, bound to Surinam, the captain offers to take our letters and send them from there the first opportunity; it is rather a round about way, but I think I will send them. The Brig is to take a load of live cattle from this island. I don’t know whether I have said anything about your writing; I wish you to write as soon you receive this: I wish to know all about the situation of the church. You know they were threatning to drive all away when we left.— Write to Tahita, to the care of the American Consul; also to the care of Nathaniel Cary, jr New Bedford,