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 .
<April 1.> Monday 1. In the court room in the mansion, Mr. J. Easton was brought up as being accessory to whipping Chism; referred the case to ; on investigation it appeared to the satisfaction of the Court, that he had been on trial for the same offence before and acquitted. I extract from the Neighbor.
“After the court dismissed the case, Gen. Smith fearlessly stated that he believed that it was a plot on the part of those who were instrumental in getting up the previous trial, to thwart the ends of justice, and screen the prisoner from the condemnation he justly deserves. then stated by way of an apology, that at the time he issued the warrant, he did not know that the prisoner was under an arrest, or that there was any process out against him. We hope for the honor of such a man as , that his statement is true. , however, called upon one of his jurors, , to corroborate what he had said; but to our astonishment, he replied that when summoned him to appear and act as a juryman, that he was not informed what case he was to act upon, nor did he learn till he entered the office, where he acted according to the evidence given, but believed then as well as now, that it was a sham trial, and a mere mockery of justice. We state facts as they are, and let the public judge for themselves. [HC 6:284] The statement of the negro was that Messrs. Easton, Townsend, and Lawyer , were the persons engaged in this diabolical affair; Mr. Gibbs one of the witnesses against Townsend, believed the above persons were engaged in it; but as a negro knows nothing in this , and Mr Gibbs could not positively swear to it— of course we don’t know; but we have our opinion and so have the public; we don’t remember of ever having seen more indignation manifest than was manifested on this occasion, and the public mind is not satisfied at the turn affairs have taken. Lynch law will not do in , and those who engage in it must expect to be visited by the wrath of an indignant people; not according to the rules of Judge Lynch; but according to law and equity.”
We are glad to see the laws of the land enforced to the very letter; but we are decidedly opposed to the Lynch law in any shape whatever, or to any individual or set of individuals, taking the law into their own hands. We are for equal rights and privileges, and even-handed justice; but we hate oppression, tyranny and mobocracy, let it come from what source it may.
We have no right to say whether or not the negro is guilty of the crime alledged against him, but if he is, we sincerely hope that the laws of our may be enforced upon him, that he may be thus brought to justice.
Indeed, we regret that it has become our duty to record such an outrage, as having taken place in our or its vicinity, and hope that we [p. 1948]