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 .
<July 18> 13.— returned from this p.m., in less than 4 days. gone to Rock River visiting— 10 days or 2 weeks absence. Left the affidavits with .
14–15.— Sun hour high, p.m., President and family, and and family and about 100 more took <went on board> the <Steamboat> Maid <of Iowa”> at , and went up to north part of the , and back at dusk. Evening a theatre in the chamber— Mr. Chapman and suit actors. Rain this morning— wet the ground one inch.—
Sund. 16.— Joseph preached all day A.M— 27 chap. Matthew, &c.; did not hear him; Man’s foes they of his own house; the Spirit that crucified Christ, same spirit in ; referred particularly to— I wont say who— was it ?— did not say— brother Cole—? did not hear the sermon— why ask me?— nothing new,— same as when you left; the spirit was against Christ because of his innocence— so in the present case; said he would not prophecy any more— should be the prophet— (did not tell them he was going to be a priest now nor a king by and bye told the Elders not to prophecy when they went out preaching.
17.— Theatre again. 18.— And again this Eve— I am writing for your eye.
18.— Evening, arrived with 157.000 feet lumber, sawed shingles, &c., about 170-000 feet in all— he says it was all sawed in two weeks and brought down in two more; says he has brought bought all the claims on those mills for $12.000 payable in lumber at the mills in three years— one third already paid for; two saws did this job; chance for as many mills as they have a mind to build, and every saw can run 5000 feet per day year round; two saws now running— can deliver 157.000 feet every fortnight— all <that> is wanting is hands. I understand the “Maid <of Iowa”> starts for Black river Thursday; feels well. No investigation of books yet. tells me to day the Committee do not want a Clerk— and Joseph says little about it.
Showers all around us— little rain here. Joseph is on the prairie haying to day; wind blown from all quarters for 4 days past— More calm after a shower— good hay weather; vegetation is drying with drouth dying, , if you want to scriticise. [HC 5:512]
Proceedings of court to the end of s affidavit was were published in the last “Neighbor” and “Times and Seasons,” to be continued in the next, and all in pamphlet when finished.— Shall mail papers for you and the brethren to , where I will direct this. I have said nothing about brothers and and & & . &c., &c., but you will understand this a kind of family letter, I suppose. ’s paper arrived, but no line, no letter from . I have seen most of the widows since you left. Sisters [Mary Ann Angell] Young is well.— was afflicted on Saturday with cholera Morbus called the Elders and right up again. is well— Sisters [Phebe Carter] Woodruff is well— and I believe all the Sisters be’s well; Sisters , & [Bathsheba Bigler] Smith, and all.
19.— I send by this mail 6 papers to .— same direction. <Just> met in the Street; said to him I am writing to the Brethren— has our new prophet any thing to say to them? “Give my respects to them.”— Elders and ’s best compliments with success— Great many loves to you all. Mine particularly to all the <brethren>. Yours forever.