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 .
<March 5> said that if Water Street extended round the city then had been constructing a nuisance.
Mayor spoke in explanation, and said, that said if the would make a wharf, he would give up what he had done.
Coun. said, he wished the Mayor to execute the law of the .
Coun. concurred.
Coun. proposed that Water Street be worked the whole length.
said ‘I go in for executing the laws of the ’
stated that Morrison said he had a bond for a deed to low water mark, and the could not take his personal rights, and he objected to the boats paying wharfage—
Coun. said if or Morrison or any one else has built wharf <wharves> since that Street was laid out, they could get no damage.
Coun. , considered the ordinance passed, good and <it> ought to be enforced.
Coun. believed it was our duty to stand up to the ordinances.
Motioned by that the city Council instruct the Mayor, to order the supervisor to open Water Street from Joseph Smith’s North, to the North line of the .
approved of the motion, that the road might be cleared from rafts— and the rafts might also pay license.
said the upper stone house was in the street.
Mayor said that was the greatest nuisance there was in the street.
Coun. was in favor.
Motion carried unanimously.
The having refused to issue commissions to the Aldermen elect of the , inquired who were Aldermen.
The Mayor explained, that if the refuses to grant a commission it does not disqualify the officer elect from acting in his office, consequently there is no virtue in the commission, but the virtue of the office consists in the election.
thought they were Aldermen all the time, or none of the time.
Mayor said he wanted all the Aldermen to be added to the city Council. [HC 6:235]
said he considered the election made the Aldermen and not the commission.
Mayor said if he had been elected Alderman, and filed his bonds he would act as Counseler and Magistrate.”
sent a Memorial to the Governor, Senate and [p. 1905]
Noah Packard, Memorial, Russell, MA, to Governor, Senate, and House of Representatives of Massachusetts, 5 Mar. 1844, in Times and Seasons, 1 May 1844, 5:514–519.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.