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 25> Thursday 25. Instructed to make out a writ of , for Mr. of , who was expecting to be arrested by the U. S. Marshal, for getting money which was due him, as he says at .
A play on rational amusement, was to commence this evening, but a most tremendous shower of rain and large hail from the S. W. commenced about 6 p. m, which prevented it. the small creeks rose over four feet high, overflowed their banks, sweeping away fences and doing considerable damage. [HC 6:343]
The is higher at this place than ever known by the oldest inhabitant.
At 10 a, m. The went up on the hill, to arrest , for an assault on his brother , in his own house. , and came down. drew a pistol pointed towards me and threatened to shoot while standing on the steps of my . I ordered him to be arrested and the pistol taken from him, when a struggle ensued, in which , and resisted, and I ordered them to be arrested also, and I as the Mayor ordered the policemen to be called:— then went on to try — he was fined $100 and required to give bonds in $100 to keep the peace for 6 months. He appealed the case at once to the Municipal Court.
, , and were also tried for resisting the authorities of the .
sworn.
Marshal sworn, said swore by God that he would not assist the , and swore by God they would see the Mayor in hell before they would go; and that drew a pistol and presented at the Mayor which was being wrested from him when Dr. interfered:— and said they would be God damnd if they would not shoot the Mayor. they breathed out many hard threatnings, and menacing sayings— they said they would consider themselves the favored of God, for the privilege of shooting, or ridding the world of such a tyrant, (referring to the Mayor).
sworn and confirmed the s testimony.
sworn, and confirmed the foregoing statements [HC 6:344]
, , and were each fined $100: They immediately took an appeal to the Municipal Court.
I issued a warrant for on complaint of , for a breach of Ordinance, in that said to “you”, shaking his fists in the s. face, “are another damd black hearted villain, you tried to seduce my wife on the Boat, when she was going to , [p. 2024]