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 .
I , Secretary of State, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and perfect copy of the enrolled Law now on file in my office
L SWitness my hand, and seal of State, at this 18th. day of December, A. D. 1840.
Secretary of State
By the 2nd. Section of an act passed January 27. 1841 it is thus enacted “Section 2. Any citizen of , may, by voluntary enrollment, attach himself to the Legion, with all the privileges which appertain to that Independent Military Body”.
And Whereas by the tenth article of the Constitution of the as amended “Art: 10. The powers not delegated to the by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people” And Whereas according to the Fourth Article and section second “The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States.” And Whereas according to the second Paragraph of the [HC 6:130] third Section of said Constitution “The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make the needful rules and regulations respecting territory”. And Whereas the said Congress has the power to protect each State against invasion, and insurrection: And Whereas most of the Inhabitants of the city of are exiles from the State of : And Whereas the most of the lands owned in the State of were purchased from the and patented by the to the amount of more than $200,000 worth; And Whereas the are bound to clear the title and protect it; And Whereas the said Exiles or expelled Mormons have lost in property and damage about two millions of dollars; And Whereas the said State of continues her ravages, persecutions and plunderings, by kidnapping said exiles from , and by other depredations
Now, Therefore to shew the fatherly care of the : to ratify the said Charter: to protect the said exiles from mob violence, and shield them in their rights:—
Section 1 Be it ordained by the Senate and House of Representatives of the in Congress assembled, that all the rights powers privileges and immunities belonging to Territories and not repugnant to the Constitution of the , are hereby granted and secured to the Inhabitants of the city of in addition to the Spirit, letter, meaning and provisions of the afore mentioned charter, or act of Incorporation from the State of , until the State of restores to those exiled citizens, the lands, rights, privileges, property and damage for all losses.
Section 2. And be it further ordained, in order to effect the object and further intention of this ordinance, and for the peace, security, happiness, convenience, benefit and prosperity of the said city of , and for the common weal: [p. 1821]