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 5> the suit &c.— was suspicious Warren Smith’s feelings might have risen from that source.
Counselor , , Warren Smith, and addressed the Council.
The Mayor spoke:— said no one had come to him with tales about to prejudice his mind against him— was totally ignorant of it. I said to if any man approached [HC 6:168] my house with arms, or attempted to disturb my house, I wanted the police to take care of that individual, whoever he might be. I repeat the instruction and I am perfectly astonished that , , or any other man should entertain such an idea— I live above suspicion on this subject from any source whatever. I never could bring my feelings to take revenge on my enemies. The City Council did not concoct the idea of having a police; the several Wards petitioned for a police to protect them against invasion— wanted citizens to pass the streets at any time of night without molestation; but if the police see a man breaking my house or barn, or any body’s house or barn, tell him to stand and inquire his business. I think it possible that some person has been practicing fraud on and the police, and upon individuals as the Police according to their instructions had laid away their guns.
Don’t guard house any more. Men must not pervert the power entrusted to them like whose executive oath required him to protect the Saints in , but perverted prevented his power to enforce their extermination from the .
does not know that it was a policeman who stopped him; does not know that the police kindled the fire before his house. Let the police have canes. Let the citizens pass and re pass at all times of night.
spoke:— thought the conclusion drawn up by that Joseph or somebody was going to get revenged by setting the guard to kill , was the most contemptible that could be imagined; and if had had the respect for brother Joseph he ought to have had, he could not have formed such a conclusion.
Mayor referred to ’s testimony— thought had better stay at home and hold his tongue lest rumor turn upon him and disclose some private matters, which he would prefer kept hid, did not believe there was any rumor of the kind afloat or he could have told some of the names of his informants— thought the young men of the had better withdraw from his society, and let him stand on his own merits; I by no means consider him the standard of the .
There has been a system of corruption and debauchery— which these rumors have grown out of, and the individuals who are the authors of them are those who do not want a police; they want to prowl in the Streets at pleasure without interruption.
Alderman spoke, approving the conduct of the police [p. 1856]