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 .
Carlisle <Conference>— Represented by letter, comprises 160 members, 8 elders, 19 priests, 8 teachers, 3 deacons, and contains four branches.
Littlemoor— Represented by letter, comprises 6 members, 1 priest.
Bedfordshire <Conference>— Represented by letter, includes twelve branches, comprising 184 members, 14 elders, 20 priests, 9 teachers, 2 deacons.
The number of members, and authorities, of each Conference being ascertained as nearly as possible, it was determined that the delegates should represent the condition of each Conference; and what alterations or measures were necessary to be adopted for the well being of each.
Elder <Charles> Miller having remarked that he had been challenged to discussion, and had accepted it; <it> led to some remarks from elder Ward as to the very little good effected in general by discussions; and that it was beneath the servants of God to turn aside from the path of duty, to wrangle and dispute like the people of the world; and that while the professors of modern religion were in a manner devouring each other, the path of the Saints ought to be onward in the proclamation of the principles of truth.
agreed with the remarks of elder Ward, and stated that it was in perfect accordance with the advice of the first presidency, and ought to be guarded against as much as possible. [HC 6:329]
Elder George Mitchelson then arose to state that the work of the Lord in the Conference was progressing slowly.
The condition of North Wales being stated by Elder Joseph Martin, it was proposed by elder Ward, and carried, that elder Martin be permitted to ordain to the lesser priesthood such officers as he may feel led by the spirit to be necessary.
Evening meeting.
The meeting being opened by elder Charles Miller with singing and prayer; Elder John Banks rose to state the condition of the Conference. The church he said had been much harassed, as well as much blessed previously, it having been the place where the standard of the fulness of the Gospel had been first planted in these islands in the last days; it had also been the subject of the attacks of the enemy in an extraordinary manner, many had also emigrated, and Satan appeared to have singled some of them out for his victims, through whose influence, at times, much evil had been done; but, notwithstanding all this, the condition of the Conference, with the exception of the distant branches in the North, was in a much better condition than for a long time past, and he trusted would ultimately overcome, and be eminently successful in gathering in the honest in heart. [p. 2003]