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 27> place last Saturday, carrying the above bill, but was hindered on his way, Receive brother Richardson as a servant of God— and as your liberality through him to me shall abound, so shall the blessings of heaven and earth abound to you.
How can the son of man expect to find a place to lay his head on earth; if his servants who are not hated, by the world, half as much as he is cannot have a place. Not that I wish to urge you, brethren, for I know your liberality, and that you will do right— therefore I say God bless you for ever.
Every proparation is making for the furtherance of the ,— and we firmly hope to see the roof on this season. There is a better spirit in general in than ever before and we shall go it hard to elect Gen. Smith to the Presidency. Bro: Richardson will tell you more than I can write about things here so I subscribe myself your friend and brother in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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In the <Afternoon> made the following affidavit before Esq.
“State of Illinois)
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Personally appeared before me, , acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the said , , who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith, that on or about the 15th day of March, A. D. 1844. came to my house and requested me to walk with him, which I did. During the time we were walking, said said that he was then coming direct from Mr. Law’s; that there was going to be a secret meeting in the city of , probably to morrow evening; but as it was not decided he could not say positively as to the time, but he would inform me in season— The said said that , and the Laws. were red-hot for a conspiracy, and he should not be surprised if in two weeks there should not be one of the Smith family left alive in . After we arrived at Mr. Loomis’ <near> the , in the city of , he related some things which he stated that had said relative to his family. This he did in the presence of , and myself and strongly solicited myself and to attend the secret meeting, and join them in their intentions. The said further said that had said that he the said had seen men tied hand and foot and run through the heart with a sword, and their heads taken off, and then buried; and he durst not say a word. This the said said in Mr. Loomis’ room, and further this deponent saith not.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th. day of March, A.D. 1844.