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 9> work of the Lord, excited within us peculiar feelings that we had not experienced on former occasions.
Morning service. After opening meeting by singing and prayer, it was voted unanimously that elder preside over the Conference, and that elder J. S. Cantwell act as Clerk.
The number of officers present at the opening are as follows: High Priests, 10; Elders, 23; Priests, 5; Teachers, 3; Deacons, 2. The representation of the various Conferences was then called for:—
Conference— Represented by elder Charles Miller, including the branches of , Stockport, Ashton, Duckenfield, Newton moor, Mottram, Bolton, Edgeworth moor, Edgerton, Leith, Chewmoor Breightmet Fold, Bradshaw, Tottington, Summerseat, Bury, Haslingden, Royton, Oldham, Rochdale, Eccles, Pendlebury, Heatons, Ratcliffe, Halfaire, Crossmoor, Didsbury, Middleton, Crompton Fold, Marple bridge, Ashworth Tops, Vale House; comprises 1583 members, 2 High Priests, 41 Elders, 100 Priests 56 Teachers, 19 deacons. Baptized since last general Conference 194.
Conference— Represented by elder Mitchelson, including , the Isle of Man, Chester, part of Wales, Warrington, Newton, St. Helens and Graseby; comprises 596 members, 3 high priests, 29 elders 39 priests, 19 teachers, 11 deacons. Baptized since last general Conference 107.
Conference— Represented by elder John Banks, including , Lancaster, Kendal, Brigsteer Holme, Heskin, Hunter’s Hill, Euxton, Leyland, Southport and Longton; comprises 594 members, 1 high priest, 16 Elders, 23 priests, 17 teachers, 4 deacons. Baptized since last general conference 21.
Conference— Represented by elder , including , Newbury, Woolwich, Dover and Luton; comprises 324 members, 1 high priest, 11 elders, 21 priests, 5 teachers, 5 deacons. Baptized since last general conference 47.
Macclesfield Conference— Represented by elder Galley, including Macclesfield, Bollington, Middlewich, Northwich, Plumbley and Crewe; comprising 219 members, 1 high priest, 10 elders 22 priests, 14 teachers, 7 deacons. Baptised since last general conference 15.
Birmingham Conference— Represented by Elder Crook, including Birmingham, Gritsgreen, Old bury, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Brittle lane, Bilston, Kidderminster, Leamington, Bloxwich, Stratford-upon-Avon, Catthorpe West Bromwich, Perrydarren, Abersychan, Beaufort, Rummy, Tredagar, Merthyr Tydrill Aberdare; comprising 707 members, [HC 6:327] 38 elders, 49 priests, 27 teachers, 12 deacons. Baptized since last general conference 200.
Wooden Box— Represented by elder Robert Crook, including Wooden Box, Dustall, Branstone, Barton and Colebille; comprising 96 members, 9 elders, 10 priests, 6 teachers, 5 deacons. Baptized since last general conference 60. [p. 2001]