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 Sept 7> it might still be short of the truth.
“Believing the Bible to say what it means, and mean what it says: and guided by revelation, according to the ancient order of the fathers, to whom came what little light we enjoy; and circumscribed only by the eternal limits of truth, this church must continue the even tenor<” * * *> <Page 1716.>
<1844 April 8.> President called the conference to order at 25 minutes to 4 p. m., and spoke to the Assembly one hour and a half. He treated upon the subject of the Elders preaching abroad. He said it was a matter of consequence that the Elders of Israel should know what they were about when they go to preach the gospel— They should, like Paul, be ready to give a reason for the hope of their calling. When they are sent to preach the gospel, they should preach the gospel and nothing else, if they wish to stand approved themselves. The Elders are sent into the world to preach faith, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, and they should let the mysteries alone. God has commanded you to preach repentance to this generation, and if this generation will not receive the first principles of the gospel and the Book of Mormon they will receive nothing greater— Just go and do as you are told and God will bless you. It is the power of God that is going to convert the world and nothing but the power of God. Every man who knows me knows that I have taught these principles from the beginning. It is the honest and pure in heart that will hearken to the Everlasting Covenant, they are those who are noble and good they will feed and clothe you and receive your testimony and we want the Elders to gather out the good seed to . The day will come when you will see the wicked free when no man pursueth— I want you to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves— preach principles that will stand the test of ages— teach them good precepts and save souls— go forth as men of God and you will find friends wherever you go— Drink deep of the spirit of truth and a great and mighty work shall be wrought in the world— Hundreds and tens of thousands shall flock to the standard and go up to Zion. Many other remarks were made by the speaker.
After which made a few remarks and concurred in what had said.
12 min to 6 adjourned to April 9th at 8 o’clock a. m.