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 .
“It is expected that a part will be on duty while others rest, it might be expected that thieves had crept into the for the purpose of concealing their wickedness under the garb of sanctity. It is an abominable thing to set a thief to catch a thief, and I would look upon men who do this, as guilty of a mean or cowardly act with the utmost contempt. Some city Councils have taken thieves out of their prisons and employed them as policemen, under the old and foolish adage ‘set a rogue to catch a rogue,’ which is decidedly wrong, and is a corrupt policy. You will act under the direction of , we will call him high Policeman, but in reality he is the Captain of the Police, but as men are apt to be frightened at a Military Title, we will use a civil Title, as these Policemen are all civil officers of the . is the man to send after a thief, he will not come back after following him a mile to ask if he may shoot him if he resists. Some men have strange ears and changeable hearts they become transformed from their original purity and integrity and become altogether different from what they were.
If the blood thirsty hell hounds of continue their persecution we will be forbearing, until we are compelled to strike; then do it decently and in good order, and break the yoke effectually so that it cannot be mended; the mob has have been so repulsed in their last attempt at kidnapping they may stand in fear, at least for a short time.
We will be in peace with all men, so long as they will mind their own business and let us alone, even ‘peace with ’ shall be the Motto of the , from this [HC 6:150] time forth, if they will stop their persecution and oppressive warfare against us. Let them alone, for they stink in the nose of the Almighty; let them alone. has come home clear; a grand jury could not find a bill against him even in , and that proves me clear of the charge of being accessory of shooting . Many of our difficulties from the State of are hurled upon us through the influence of some of our near neighbors.
has boasted of being a law abiding man; a Governor certainly should be law abiding; it is therefore our best policy to acquaint the by affidavits of every violation of our rights, so that when the onset comes, he will be obliged by law to send the Militia to our support. Let us keep cool as a cucumber on a frosty morning. Do not be excited, say nothing about ’s oppression; ‘Soft words turn away wrath in the heart of fools; grievous words stir up anger’: therefore we will ‘poor pussy’ this generation.
Keep a strict account of the time you serve as Policemen. Have the ordinances of the always in your possession and study them, and ferret out all grog shops, gambling houses, brothels; and disorderly conduct, and if a transgressor resists, cuff his ears. If any one lifts a weapon or presents a pistol at you take his life if need be to preserve your own, but enforce the ordinances, and preserve the peace of the , or take care of your own lives. Let no horses be taken away out of the ; or anything else stolen if you can help it.
Let alone, keep out of her Territory, don’t go over there on any business whatever; any of this people would be subject to cruel abuse if found [p. 1835]