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 .
<July 4> few words in my own defence, in relation to my arrest. In the first place I will state to those that can hear me, that I never spent more than six months in , except while in prison. While I was there, I was at work for the support of my family. I never was a prisoner of war during my stay, for I had nothing to do with war. I never took a pistol, gun or sword, and the most that has been said on this subject by the Missourians, is false. I have been willing to go before any Governor, Judge or tribunal, where justice would be done, and have the subject investigated. I could not have committed treason in that , while <I resided> there for treason against , consists in levying war against the State, or adhering to her enemies. Missouri was at peace and had no enemy that I could adhere to, had I been disposed; and I did not make war as I had no command or authority either civil or <military>, but only in spiritual matters as a Minister of the Gospel. <This people> was driven from that by force of arms under the exterminating order of . I have never committed treason. The people know very well I have been a peaceable citizen, but there has been a great hue and cry about being shot. No crime can be done, but it is laid to me. Here I was again dragged to the court, and acquitted on the merits of the case and now it comes again. But as often as God sees fit for me to suffer I am ready, but I am as innocent of the crimes alleged against me as the Angels in heaven. I am not an enemy to mankind, I am a friend <to mankind> I am not an enemy to , nor any Governors, or people. As to the military station I hold, and the cause of my holding it, is as follows. When we came here, the required of us to bear arms and do military duty, according to law, and as the church had just been driven from the State of , and robbed of all their property and arms; they were poor and destitute of arms, they were liable to be fined for not doing duty, when they had not arms to do it with; they came to me for advice, and I advised them to organize themselves into independent companies, and demand arms of the ; this they did. Again there were many Elders having license to preach, which by law exonerated them from Military duty, but the officers would not release them on this ground. I then told the Saints that though I was clear from Military duty by law, in consequence of lameness in one of my legs; yet I would set them the example, and would do duty myself, they then said they were willing to do duty, if they could be formed into an independent Company and I could be at their head, this is the origin of [HC 5:489] the Nauvoo Legion; and of my holding the office of Lieutenant General. All the power that I desire or have sought to obtain, has been the enjoyment of the Constitutional privilege for which my fathers shed their blood, of living in <peace in> the society of my and childen and enjoying the society of my friends, and that religious liberty which is the right of every American citizen, of worshipping according to the dictates of his conscience and the revelations of God.
With regard to elections, some say all the Latter day Saints vote together and vote as I say; but I never tell any man how to vote, or who to vote for, but I will show you how we have been situated by bringing a comparison; should there be a Methodist Society here, and two candidates running for office, one says if you will vote for me, and put me in Governor, I will exterminate the Methodists, take away their charters &c.. The other candidate says if I am Governor, I will give all an equal privilege; which would the Methodists vote for? of course they would vote enmasse for the candidate that would give them their rights. [p. 1660]