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 7> Now if they will not let the people bring in their produce, the people will not buy their goods; and the result will be, the merchants will get the spirit of mobocracy. Another man, (I will not call his name) has been writing to the Tribune some of the most disgraceful things possible to name. He says in that article, that there are a great many donations to the which have been appropriated to other purposes. His object evidently was to stigmatize the Trustee, and excite prejudice against us abroad. But I pledge myself that whoever has contributed any old shoes, harness, horses, waggons, or anything else, if he will come forward I will show that every farthing is on the book and has been appropriated for the building of the . I pledge myself that if he finds the first farthing that we cannot show where it has been appropriated I will give him my head for a foot ball. He also states that the cannot be built it costs so much:— who does not know that we can put the roof on the building this season if we have a mind to? By turning all the means from the , and doubling our diligence, we can do it. [HC 6:239]
There are men in our midst who are trying to build up themselves at our expense, and others who are watching for iniquity, and will make a man an offender for a word. The best way for such men is to be still. If I did not love men I would not reprove them, but would work in the dark as they do. As to who is the author of the article in the Tribune, read it, and you will see for yourselves. He is not a lawyer— he is nearer related to a doctor— a small man. (Mr. Mc.Neil enquired if he was the man) No; I do not know you; you are a stranger. But I will rest myself and give way for others.
Prest. arose and made a few remarks. He compared the lawyers to polliwags, wiglers and toads; he said they would dry up next fall
“Those characters I presume were made in gizzard making time, when it was cheaper to get gizzards than souls, for if a soul cost $5.00, a gizzard would cost nothing; like tree toads they change color to suit the object they are upon; they ought to be ferreted out like rats— you could describe them as you would a hedgehog; they are in every hedge stinking like the skunk.
asked if Joseph meant him. Joseph said, I will reply by asking you a question. “That is no way” Joseph “Yes that is the way the quakers do, but Jesus said “whose image and superscription is this.” Why did you apply the remarks to yourself? Why did you ask if we meant you?” , “then I understand you meant me” Joseph “you said it” “you shall hear from me.” Joseph (as Mayor), “I fine you $10 for that threat, and for disturbing the meeting.”