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 .
<1843 Sepr. 6> whose name stands first, on the list of each committee to act as Chairman, and that all communications from the other committees, or from any other source, shall be added
The following gentlemen were then appointed by the Chair, as Committees in the several precincts, to-wit:
In Green Plains— Edson Whitney, and .
Bear creek— , and .
Chili— Stephen Owen, and Arthur Morgan.
Augusta— Wm. D. Abernethy, and Alex. Oliver.
Saint Marys— William Darnell, and Daul. Beaver.
— Thomas Geddis, and S[tephen] H. Tyler.
La Harpe— Jesse Gilmer, and Chas. Comstock.
Camp creek— Jas. Graham and Thomas Harris.
Appanooce— Jno. Mc.Cauley, and Jno. R. Atherton.
Montebello— Samuel Steel, and Benj. B. Gates.
— and
On Motion of , Col. Root of , was added to the Central Corresponding Committee, at .
On motion of Henry Newton Esq.
Resolved, That the Central Committee of Correspondence, act as a general Committee of Supervision, and in case of a contingency occurring, requiring aid that they immediately call on the precinct committees, and upon all others favorable to our cause, to furnish such aid as the exigency of the case may require.
On motion of Chas. C. Stevens, the following Resolutions were unanimously adopted.
Resolved, That the President of this meeting be requested to communicate with the of , and respectfully request him to make another demand upon the authorities of this , for the body of of Joseph Smith, commonly called the Mormon Prophet; and in the event of a requisition and an order, for his arrest, and delivery to the proper officers of the State of , we offer our services to enforce said order— and pledge ourselves to sustain the supremacy of the laws, at all hazards, and under all circumstances.
Resolved, That a copy of the proceedings of this meeting, be forwarded to the Publisher of the Message, Whig, and Herald, for publication, with a request to them to add a note soliciting all Editors friendly to our cause, in this , and , to copy.
It was moved and seconded, that this meeting adjourn, subject to the call of the Central Corresponding Committee.
Edson Whitney, Chairman.
W. D. Abernethy, Sec’y.
Editors throughout , , , friendly to the Anti-Mormon cause, are requested to publish the proceedings in to-days paper, of a meeting held at on the 6th. inst. -[Page 1714]-
<1844 Feb 19> A Conference was held in Halifax, Halifax Co. Nova Scotia, Elder Robert Dickson President. Two branches were represented, consisting of 30 members, 3 Elders, 1 Priest, 1 Teacher, and 2 Deacons -[Page 1895]- [p. 7 [addenda]]