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 .
<December 8> Section 1. Be it ordained by the city Council of the city of , according to the intent and meaning of the charter for the “benefit and convenience” of , that hereafter, if any person or persons shall come with process, demand or requisition, founded upon the aforesaid difficulties, to arrest said Joseph Smith, he or they so offending shall be subject to be arrested by any officer of the , with or , and tried by the Municipal court, upon testimony, and if found guilty sentenced to imprisonment in the city Prison for life, which convict or convicts can only be pardoned by the Governor, with the consent of the Mayor of said .
Section 2. Andbe itfurtherordained, that the preceeding Section shall apply to the case of every and all persons, that may be arrested, demanded or required upon any charge founded in the aforesaid difficulties.
Section 3. And be it further ordained, that the Jury that makes the presentment, in any case above specified, shall not, nor either of them, [HC 6:105] act as Jurors on the final trial, but the trial shall be conducted according to the fifth and sixth articles of the Amendment to the Constitution of the . Passed December 8th. 1843.
Recorder
Joseph Smith Mayor.”
The city Council also passed “An ordinance to erect a Dam in the , and for other purposes.”
“Section 1. Be it ordained by the city Council of the city of , that Joseph Smith and his successors for the term of perpetual succession, are hereby authorized and empowered to erect a dam, of suitable height to propel mills and machinery, from any point within the limits of said and below the , and in a proper direction to reach the Island this side of , but not to interfere with the main channel of the .
Section 2. And be it further ordained that the said Joseph Smith and his successors are further authorized to erect North of the aforesaid Island, a Dam, Pier, or Break-water to intersect the Sand Bar above.
Section 3. Be it further ordained that said Joseph Smith and his successors are also authorized and have full liberty to use the said Dam and water for the purpose of propelling mills and machinery, and shall be governed in their rates of toll, and rules of Manufactory by ordinance of said .
Section 4. And be it further ordained that the said Joseph Smith and his successors, are further authorized and empowered, to use the space within the limits of the said Dam as a Harbor or Basin for Steam Boats, and other Water Craft, and for which purpose they may construct docks, wharves, and landings, and receive such fees for wharfage, as may be regulated by ordinance of said .
Section 5. And be it further ordained that said Joseph Smith and his successors, are further authorized to build an embankment on the East side of the aforesaid Island— to connect the said Dam with the Pier on the North, and to use the top of said Dam for a public Road or highway [p. 1797]