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 21> after a voyage of ten weeks. From there he sailed up the , as far as Chester, Illinois, where he again took up his winter quarters. In April following he arrived at , having been absent about three years and six months, during which he had travelled near twenty thousand miles.
From this time he attended school, and was rapidly advancing in knowledge, when falling from the stairs of his ’s new building into the cellar, he broke his thigh.
This accident confined him for several weeks, but recovering, he continued his studies till he was seized with his last illness which was very severe until his death. He has often requested singing and prayer, and dwelt with great delight on the lines of Wesley which commence as follows:
“The morning flowers display their sweets,
And gay their silken leaves unfold.”
He has often while in perfect health enquired of his if he should die, and concerning death, and the resurrection, and whether if he died he should see Sister Harrington and other friends who were dead. He has often solicited ‘the laying on of hands and prayer, when sick, and has many times been healed.
He has had the gift to discern both good and evil Spirits, who sometimes visited him; and on one occasion a kind Angel ministered to him, and told him things for his comfort and instruction.
He has fought the good fight and finished his course, and now rests in paradise.
He died an infant, but he can say with Paul, “in prisons oft, in stripes more abundant, in tribulations, in persecutions, in perils by sea and land, in perils among robbers, and among false brethren, and in travels more abundant.’
His remarkable life of little more than five years, has won him thousands of friends, and acquaintances, both in Europe and in whose memory he will long live. While his faith, and his sufferings for Christ’s sake and the Gospel’s will be had as a sweet memorial through all succeeding ages.”
resigned his office as city Auctioneer and Charles Warner was re-elected.
was duly elected city Marshal in the room of , who expects to leave soon.
I gave instructions to the and Policemen to see that all carrion is removed out of the ; and all houses kept in order, to stop the boys when fighting in the Streets, and prevent children from floating off on the ice, and correct any thing out of order, like Fathers— and I offered to build a city Jail if it was left to my dictation; which the Council authorized me to do. [HC 6:124]
I insert the Memorial from the city Council to the Congress of the , for redress of grievances, and protection from further persecution; which was signed by them. four copies having been made by my Clerk for that purpose. [p. 1811]