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> and asked Joseph to await &c. He said “he has not threatened you”. Joseph said “he has.” said “No one has heard him threaten you.” when hundreds cried “I have!”. . continued to speak when the Mayor called him to order, or, said he, “I will fine you.”
then read Genl. Smiths views of the powers and policy of the General Government of the , after which it was voted unanimously, with one exception, to uphold Genl. Smith for the Presidency of the . [HC 6:240]
An Article was also read by entitled “A voice of innocence from ,” and all the Assembly said “Amen”, twice.
At 30 minutes past 12 the meeting adjourned till 2 p. m.
When the people assembled according to adjournment Choir sung a hymn; prayer by Elder ; singing.
President addressed the congregation. He said;
“I wish to speak upon the duty of lawyers, as they have been spoken of this morning. They were first among the Children of Israel to explain the laws of Moses to the common people. I class myself as a lawyer in Israel. My business is to make peace among the people; and when any man who calls himself a lawyer takes a course to break peace instead of making it, he is out of the line of his duty. A Lawyers duty is to read the law well himself, then tell the people what it is, and let them act upon it, and keep peace; and let them receive pay like any laboring man. It is desirable for Justices of the Peace, when men call for writs, to enquire into the merits of the case, and tell the parties how to settle it; and thus put down lawsuits. To cure lawing, let us pay attention to our own business. When we hear a story never tell it again; and it will be a perfect cure. If your brother mistreats you let him alone, if your enemy cheats you, let it go; cease to deal with men who abuse you; if all men had taken the straight forward course that some have, we should not have any such disorderly men in our midst. I have no objection to any man coming here, but I will have nothing to do with men who will abuse me at midnight and at noon day. Our difficulties and persecutions have always arisen from men right in our midst. It is the lust of individuals to rob us of everything, and to take advantage of divisions that may arise among us to build themselves up. I feel that I want every man should stay, and lift up holy hands without dubiety wrath or doubting. To the men who own land here I would say do not think you can sell your lands here, and then go off and spend it somewhere else in abusing the Mormons. I tell you nay; for know it ye, people, that Israel is here, and they are the head, and not the tail; and the people must learn it: all those who have gone from us have gone from the head to the tail.
The grand object before us is to build the this season. [p. 1911]