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 .
<4> Thus it has been with us. said if the people would elect him he would exterminate the Mormons, and take away their charters. As to he made no such threats, but manifested a spirit in his speeches to give every man his rights; hence the church universally voted for , and he was elected Governor. But he has issued writs against me the first time the Missourians made a demand for me, and this is the second one he has issued for me, which has caused me much trouble and expense.
Prest. Smith also rehearsed the account of his being taken by and , and the unlawful treatment he received at their hands.
The multitude gave good attention and much prejudice seemed to be removed.”
Three Steamers arrived in the afternoon, one from , one from , and one from , bringing from 800 to 1000 Ladies and Gentlemen on the arrival of each Boat, the people were escorted by the Nauvoo band, to convenient seats provided for them and were welcomed by the firing of cannon which brought to our minds the last words of the Patriot Jefferson “Let this day be celebrated by the firing of cannon &c”. the visitors and saints appeared to be highly gratified. [HC 5:490]
[blank] A collection was taken in the morning to assist Elder to build his house, and in the afternoon on his own responsibility, proposed a collection to assist me in bearing the expences of my persecution.
The meeting closed about 7 pm. The day was pleasant, sky clear and nothing tended to disturb the peace.
I extract from the Quincy Whig.
“I left on the glorious fourth on board the splendid steamer Annawan, Captain Whitney, in company with a large number of ladies and gentlemen of this city, on a pleasure excursion to the far-famed city of . The kindness of the officers of the boat, and the hearty welcome received from the citizens of on our arrival there, induced me to return to each and all of them my own, and the thanks of every passenger on board the Annawan— as I am sure all alike feel grateful for the pleasure they experienced. We left at half-past eight, and reached at about two o’clock, p, m, where we received an invitation from the prophet to attend the delivering of an oration, which was accepted and two companies of the Legion were sent to escort us to the (on the hill near the ) where the oration was to be delivered. When we reached the brow of the hill, we received a salute from the artillery there stationed, and proceeded on to the , where we were welcomed in a cordial and happy manner by the prophet, and his people. The large concourse of people assembled to celebrate the day which gave birth to American Independence, convinced me that the Mormons have been most grossly slandered; and that they respect, cherish, and love the free institutions of our , and appreciate the sacrifices and blood shed of those patriots who established them. I never saw a more orderly, gentlemanly, and hospitable people than the Mormons, nor a more enterprising population, as the stirring appearance of their city indicates. is destined to be— under the influence and enterprize of such citizens as it now contains, and her natural advantages— a populous, wealthy and manufacturing city.
The services of the day were opened by a chaste and appropriate prayer, [p. 1661]