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 28 [29]> in that in the same manner that has been; he was seized * <* in while attending to his lawful business, picked up and ironed, and thrown in jail without any form of law, conveyed to , in the custody of a ruffian, who swore falsely in the hope of getting a reward, kept in irons, all the way, lodged in Independence Jail without even the form of an inquiry; chained double in a filthy, damp, unventilated dungeon, chained hand and foot so that he could not straighten for months, till his body was reduced to a mere skeleton and he unable to walk when the Irons were taken off, and he had to be led; half fed on the refuse of what dogs would not eat; his case presented to a grand jury, and not evidence enough to warrant them in <even> finding an indictment, after which the court in the plentitude of their justice transmit<ted> the innocent and unindicted man back to the dungeon without fire, provisions or any other comfort; hoping by this torture no doubt to produce death or force him to accede to an infamous proposition ‘that whether Jo Smith was guilty or innocent only come out against [HC 6:151] him you shall have your liberty and receive a liberal reward’. After months have passed away without any shadow of law, the door is opened and he is told to ‘slip off privately or the people will hang you’. Keep out of if you don’t want such treatment as this: for the Averys, and many others, have been thankful to get away with their lives.>
If any man attempt to bribe you in any way whatever, or persuade you to neglect your duty tell the same to me. Let us have a reformation.
There are speculators in this , who are wanting to sell revolving pistols to us in order to fight the Missourians and at the same time inciting the Missourians to fight us. Don’t buy, it would be better to buy plough shares and raise corn with them.
My life is more in danger from some little dough-head of a fool in this , than from all <my> numerous and inveterate enemies abroad. I am exposed to far greater danger from traitors among ourselves than from enemies without, altho’ my life has been sought for many years by the civil <and Military> authorities, Priests and people of , and if I can escape from the ungrateful treachery of assassins I can live as Caesar might have lived were it not for a right hand Brutus. I have had pretended friends betray me. All the enemies upon the face of the earth may roar and exert all their power to bring about my death; but they can accomplish nothing, unless some who are among us, enjoying our society, have been with us in our Councils, participated in our confidence, taken us by the hand, called us brother, saluted us with a kiss, join with our enemies, turn our virtues into faults, and by falsehood and deceit, stir up their wrath and <in>dignation against us, and bring their united vengeance upon our heads. All the hue and cry of the chief Priests and Elders against the Savior could not bring down the wrath of the Jewish nation upon his head and thereby cause the crucifixion of the son of God until Judas said to them ‘whomsoever I shall kiss, he is the man, hold him fast’. Judas was one of the Twelve Apostles even their Treasurer and dipt with their master in the dish and thro<ugh> his treachery, the crucifixion was brought about, and we have a Judas in our midst.”
The Mayor then blessed the police:—
“it shall be said in time to come, where are our old policemen?— let us have one of the old police to stand at our window, guard our interests and protect our families, and we shall be safe.
If you will magnify your office, the full confidence of Israel shall be the blessing that shall be conferred on you in time to come.” [HC 6:152]
Counselor Councilor spoke of the importance of the police office.
The Mayor said, that if any one offered a bribe to a policeman, the will pay that policeman twice the amount offered for the information when reported to the Mayor.
<29> Friday 29. My made copies of <five> Affidavits made yesterday by and Mr , <and others> and sent same to the with the following letter:—
“ Dec 30 1843
Sir, I forward to your a number of affidavits relative to the late kidnapping of the Avery’s, and upon other matters, when the mob made efforts to resist the laws. Joseph Smith as Mayor gave notice to to hold a portion of the Legion in readiness; and Esq., called for some troops to maintain the laws— but I am happy to say, none were ordered to march as it was deemed most advisable to let Col. and his mob flourish until indictments could be made at the Circuit Court of [p. 1836]