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 .
<January 3.> property for the purpose of building a [HC 6:164] Steam mill and raising a hundred acres of Hemp, and the Lord had not blest them in the business but sunk their Hemp in the . I told him it was my opinion that was the doughhead referred to. I have had no secret conversation whatever with the Mayor and never received any charge except the one, with the rest of the Police, before the city Council.’
The Council spent nearly the whole day in investigating the subject, and examining these two Witnesses, the Police were all sworn and cross examined by and the Alderman Aldermen; and the result shewed nothing but imagination— having grown out of the surmises of . upon which became satisfied, shook hands with me declaring he did not believe a word of the story, and said he would stand by me to the death, and called the whole Council and the police to witness his declaration.
The Mayor suggested the propriety, since and others are clear, and we have the promise of protection from the , and as the Police are now well organized that they put up their guns, and carry only small arms, and that the Council pass such an order. The Danite system alluded to by Norton never had any existence; it was a term made use of by some of the brethren in and grew out of an expression I made use of when the brethren were preparing to defend themselves from the mob in reference to the stealing of Macaiah’s images (Judges chap: 18,) if the enemy comes the Danites will be after them, meaning the brethren in self-defence.
The Mayor instructed the police to lay up their arms till further orders
I took dinner in the North room— and was remarking to what a kind, provident I had, that when I wanted a little bread and milk, she would load the table with so many good things, it would destroy my appetite— at this moment came in while in continuation of the conversation said “you must do as Buonaparte did, have a little table, just large enough for the victuals you want your[HC 6:165]self”. replied “Mr. Smith is a bigger man than Buonaparte, he can never eat without his ‘friends’” I remarked: “that is the wisest thing I ever heard you say.”
Last night I dreamed I saw two serpents swallowing each other tail foremost.
Another tempest in a tea pot, or big fuss about nothing at all. In consequence of the night being severely cold some persons built a fire on the bank of the nearly opposite ’ house, he then became afraid and concluded he must either be the Brutus or the Dough head, and laid awake all night thinking the police had built the fire to kill him by. In the morning he called on me, reported the circumstances, and expressed his fears, when another Session of inquiry was held by the City Council at his request [p. 1853]