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 .
<August 21> honesty in the officers of law, who will trample upon the forms of justice, the laws of the country, and bid open defiance to both, in the manner that informs us that you acted with him, after his arrest of the Mormon prophet. That the state courts have a right, upon a writ of , to investigate the legality of all imprisonment within [HC 5:538] their respective chartered limits, whether such imprisonment is by the authority of the or of a state, no sound lawyer perhaps will doubt; but it is equally certain that no court upon such writ has any right to go beyond the forms and the prima facia evidence of the case. If the officers of courts and the community, are so corrupt as to disregard their own laws, and trample them under their feet, and liberate their criminals in defiance of law, then it appears to me that the power of self government is extinct; if , by her own authority cannot capture the prophet, it will be but a small matter to raise volunteers enough here to raze the city of to the ground: if fails to deliver up Jo. Smith, there will be something serious between the two States. will have Jo Smith for trial or impose as powerful restrictions as the constitution will allow, upon the intercourse of the citizens of in . If the of is so imbecile as to allow his warrant to be disregarded by the Mormons, and permit the prophet to go at large, then let him be impeached, and a new, honorable, energetic man be placed in his stead. I have it from a high source that will hold the whole responsible for the treatment of our , and for the delivery of the prophet. Had you liberated the prophet by a regular writ of habeas corpus, without mistreating our , I should have gloried in my acquaintance with you, but to have done it in the manner it was done, reflects no honor either on yourself, your people; or your government. The Mormons are only a lawless banditti, and I fear the pestilence has contaminated the whole community; and if opinions be correct, yourself among the rest. Holy Jo was not afraid of the ‘injustice of our people;’ it is the just punishment, and their violated laws that he fears.
I will now give you an impartial opinion of the prejudices against here, and my opinion of his guilt. There is not a man in this community but believes him guilty. There is a chain of circumstances against him so strong that no rational man can doubt his guilt. I was at house two minutes after the deed, it is in sight of mine, and the insidiousness of the offence renders it difficult to restrain the citizens from hanging him up without judge or jury. So far however, we have succeeded in quelling it; but should <he> be discharged upon trial, the power of man cannot save him. (More to morrow.)
J. Hall.”
“The foregoing letter was sent from J. Hall of , Missouri, to a respectable lawyer of , Ill. and by him with an explana[HC 5:539]tory letter enclosed and forwarded to Gen. Smith of this ; and, after retaining copies, it was thought advisable to forward both the originals to , for his consideration.— By this proceeding it is not to be understood that the citizens of fear that ‘volunteers from will raze to the ground;’ there is too much honor and patriotism in to allow such a barbarous and disgraceful transaction, but it was done to apprize his of the mode and manner of doing business in case of emergency [p. 1696]