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 7> Meeting— opened <with singing, prayer> by elder Mitchelson [blank] and <singing>, when elders MacGuffie and Domville were called to administer the ordinance of the Lord’s supper.
The congregation being numerous, and many strangers present, the business of the conference was postponed, and the afternoon was occupied very profitably by elder<s> Crook, Henshaw, Margetts, Miller, and priest Walker bearing testimony to the truth of the work of the Lord.
Evening Service.
This service was opened with singing and prayer by , who proceeded to address the assembly on the principles of the church, on his experience for eleven years in connexion with it; also on the order of the kingdom of God, and the manner of sitting in judgment on matters that required it. He exhorted all persons to the adoption of the scriptural mode of settling differences— to the practice of humility, that we might be exalted in the due time of the Lord. He enlarged on the greatness of the plan of salvation— on the importance of the truths committed unto the officers of preaching those principles which would prove to all either a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death. He admonished them to beware in what manner they handled the word of life, and to take heed that their garments were clear of the blood of this generation. He urged upon them faithfulness in the work in which they were engaged, that they might be found worthy to be endowed with greater power to go forth to bind up the law and seal up the testimony, that the end might come.
<8> Monday 8 The Meeting was opened by singing, and prayer by elder .
Moved by elder Ward, seconded by elder Miller, that elder Blakey may be appointed to preside over the Garway Conference. Carried.
Voted that Elder Struthers be appointed to preside over the Bedfordshire Conference for the time being.
spoke at some length on the duties of the high priesthood— on the evil of by-laws, and the cutting off of members for the violation of them— on the honoring of each person in his office, and of the equality of privileges and in council enjoyed by the Priesthood; also, on the duties of priests and teachers visiting the members, that it be done in the spirit of love.
Clitheroe Conference was stated by elder Snalam to be in a good condition.
Afternoon Service.
having called for such volunteers as could go out to labor in the vineyard, elder came forward, and being asked whether he at present wished to go home to , or to labor in the ministry, he declared it to be his wish to go out and preach.
Elder Thomas Margetts having stated that the prospects in Leicester and the surrounding country were of the most encouraging [p. 2006]