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 18> that a conspiracy was formed against Joseph Smith and others, and that some of them would be shot. These conversations were had at different times. He thought Mr. Smith was a bad character. He thought they ought to be taken. Ques. Who? Joseph Smith, and some others. I told him he had been taken, but had been acquitted. He did not thank the for that. He carried the idea that there was a conspiracy against his life, and said we have a plan in operation that will pop him over.
sworn.
By the court. Is your residence in this ? Yes.
Messrs. and Styles, attorneys, resident in , made some thrilling remarks pertaining to the outrageous proceedings of . The diabolical conduct of those wretches who could be engaged in destroying and kidnapping their fellow men was portrayed in glowing colors. Judge Phelps and General Smith then followed on the same subject, their language was thrillingly eloquent, and powerful: if ever inhumanity and <deeds> of blood were depicted in their true colors, it was on that occasion; their thoughts flashed <as> fire and they spake in “words that burned’. We never saw the character of General Smith so clearly developed, for while he abhorred and depicted the fiendish crime that the culprit stood charged with in its true colors, he pitied the poor wretch that then stood before him, and with feelings of commiseration, benevolence and philanthropy, withdrew his charge, wished if it was in the power of the court that the culprit might be forgiven, promised to pay all the charges, and invited him and those of his friends who came along, to come to his house and they should be taken care of. It would be superfluous for us to attempt to give even a faint outline of the remarks made by the above named gentlemen, we hope to have at least a synopsis of their speeches for publication which we are sure would be highly interesting to our readers. Upon the whole, although a painful, yet it was an interesting occasion and will long be remembered, and unless ’s heart, and those of his friends, were made of adamant, it must have made an indellible impression on their minds and almost made them hate themselves.”
I received from Esqre. the following demand [HC 6:118]
“City of Dec. 18th. 1843. Sir. I have been informed that a writ issued by me for the body of for kidnapping will be resisted by an armed force. Therefore according to the provision to the charter, I wish you to order me a detachment of the Legion, say 100 men to enforce the law of the and bring the said to justice. J. P.”
which demand I complied with by writing to Major General
“City of , Dec 18, 1843. Sir, you will detach 100 men under the direction of a Justice of the Peace for the purpose of assisting the in executing the Law of the in taking who is charged with kidnapping , yours Joseph Smith, Lieut. Gen. N. L. Major Genl. . Commanding. Legion.”
who detached Col. with 100 men for that purpose.
about 10 p. m. two young men arrived as express, stating that a Mob was collecting at , also at Col. house; and Messengers had gone to the Mob in to reinforce their number there. [p. 1806]