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 .
<Mar 10.> reciprocity of action between the North and the South would greatly advance the building up of the kingdom. The Committee is well informed of the Cherokee and the Choctaw Nations who live between the State of Arkansas and the Colorado River of the , owning large plantations and thousands of Slaves and that they are also very desirous to have an interview with the Elders of this Church upon the principles of the Book of Mormon. This Committee is of the opinion that they can choose soldiers for this expedition who are as undeviating in the principles of the doctrine of Christ and the Book of Mormon as the sun in his daily course, and as indefatigable in their exertions in this cause as the earth is in its daily revolution. This committee views it as a matter of investigation, whether would the Southerner with his slaves and abundance of wealth do better to take them to some slave-holding point, keep them in lively exercise according to his former customs and habits, turning over his yearly proceeds into the hands of the Trustee in trust for the whole church, or to abolish slavery and settle himself in a climate uncongenial to his nature and entirely derogatory to his former occupations in life.
After having procured the lumber for those two houses the committee is of the opinion that the preaching the Gospel and raising funds [HC 6:259] in the South would be a far more speedy way of accomplishing the work than any other that could be introduced at the present time.
We your servants, therefore will wait patiently the result of your Council and submit ourselves to the same with all cheerfulness, our only object being to advance the cause and kingdom of God, stand ready to take hold wherever your wise Council may consider it to be of the most advantage— This Committee view with deep regret the many different teachings this church has received concerning the distribution of their property, such as raising funds for the printing of tracts, evidences of the Book of Mormon, and pamphlets of various discriptions, which we consider has not advanced the cause in the least degree, but has tended directly to sap the foundation of building the houses. We therefore believe that no person embracing the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, should give any part or parcel of their property without a direct Council written or oral from the first Presidency of the Church.
Whereas the Committee having appointed and to write the views of the committee, each wrote separate and apart having laid the same, before [blank] the Committee, the Committee resolved that both productions be sent without alterations. We the committee conclud[e] by subscribing ourselves your friends and well wishers in the Lord, praying a speedy answer from your worthy council or the word of the Lord.
Select Committee to write expressive of the views of the branch of the church at Black River Falls