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.> We have heard the effects of slander, and we want a cure, and balm; and I carry one with me all the while, and I want all of you to do the same; I will tell you what it is; it is to mind our own business, and let others alone; and suffer wrong rather than do wrong; if any one takes [HC 6:241] your property away, let them alone, and have nothing to do with them. A Spirit has been manifest to divide the Saints; it was manifest in the last election— it was said if they did not look out, the Saints on the flat would beat the Saints on the hill. Great God! how such a thing looks! that the Saints should be afraid of beating one another in the election, or being beat. I would ask who built up this ? Would steamboats have landed here if the Saints had not come? <Or could you, even the Speculators, have sold your lands for anything here, if the saints had not come?> They might have sold for a few bear and wolf skins, but not for money. If any of you wish to know how to have your bread fall butter side up, butter it on both sides, and then it will fall butter side up. Oppose this work, and it will roll over you. When did this work ever stop since it began? Never! The only thing the Saints now want to know is, what does the Lord want of us, and we are ready to do it. Well, then, build the of the Lord— keep the law of God ye saints, and the hypocrite and scoundrel will flee out of your midst, and tremble for the fire of God will be too hot for them. I expect the saints are so anxious to work, and so ready to do right, that God has whispered to the prophet “build the , and let the alone at present.” I would not sue a man if he owed me five hundred or a thousand dollars, should he come to me and say he would not pay me.
Elder remarked that it was said by some discontented persons that the Municipal officers of the were acting in an arbitrary manner, which was false. He then went on to explain the principles of democracy, until it was announced that it would be desirable to set a contribution on foot immediately to get fuse rope and blasting powder, as a boat was coming down the , and the messenger was waiting to go down to . paused awhile for this purpose, and a collection amounting to about 60 dollars was made. He then continued his speech. When society was first organized they found themselves without Legislature, Congress, House of Lords, or anything of the kind; every man was Lord over his own house. Difficulties began to arise, and the people began to contend, and combine together in Governments; bye and bye some two or three requested they might return to their original customs, and the Government said they might. This was the situation of this in the main when we asked for a charter. Of General Joseph Smith some are afraid, and think it doubtful about his election, and like the Ostrich stick their heads under a bush, [HC 6:242] and leave their bodies out, so that we can all see them; and after this it will be a bye word “that man is an Ostrich’, who hides his head in this cause.” He spoke also on going on with the . [p. 1912]