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 10> Chippewa Rivers, under the penalties of the laws relative to the case. [HC 6:255]
We sent Brothers and [Cyrus] Daniels, in Company with the principal chief of the Menomanee Indians over land to the Wisconsin River, to ascertain more about the matter. They saw the Agent, found him a gruff austere man determined to stop all trespassing on Indian land. The Indians are willing to sell privileges to individuals for lumbering and cutting timber as they have hitherto done, but the Agent is opposed to it. Thus a difficulty arises between themselves— Now as regards the introduction of the Gospel of Christ among the Indians here it will require more exertion to all appearances to check the enthusiastic ardor of these our red brethren until the full principles of faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ shall be reasoned into their minds, than to urge them on to receive it— They have great confidence in us. The Country belonging to these Northern Indians is a dreary cold region, and to a great extent, Cranberry marshes, pine barrens, and Swamps with a small amount of good land scarce of game, and only valuable in Mill privileges and facilities for lumbering purposes. as to mineral resources, they have not been fully developed— There is no doubt as to the abundance of Iron ore, but uncertain as to quality— Now under all of these circumstances, a few of us here have arrived at this conclusion in our minds, (such as can undergo all things,) that as the Gospel has not been fully opened in all the South and South Western States, as also , Mexico, Brazil &c. together with the West India Islands;
Having produced lumber enough to build the and — also having an influence over the Indians so as to induce them to sell their lands to the , and go to a climate South West more congenial (all according to the policy of the U. S. Government) and having also become convinced that the church at or in the Eastern States will not build the according to the commandment, neither the in a reasonable time— and that we have so far as we have made trials got means in the South, we have it in our minds to go to the table lands of to a point we may find to be the most eligible, their <there> locate, and let it be a place of gathering for all the South (they being incumbered with that unfortunate race of beings the Negroes) and for us to employ our time and talents in gathering together means to build according to the Commandments of our God, and spread the Gospel to the nations according to the will of our heavenly father, We therefore our beloved brethren send our worthy , with a few of our thoughts, on paper, that you may take the subject matter under consideration, and return us such instructions as may be according to the mind and will of the Lord our God.
We have thought it best to sell the mills here if you may think it expedient. We feel greatly encouraged to spend and be spent in the cause of Christ according to the will of our heavenly Father— [HC 6:256]
You will therefore after due deliberation send us by the hands of such instructions as may be the result of your deliberations. [p. 1924]