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 26> to pay them their money; he said he was very sorry that he could not conduct me to , he wanted to see the place and the people, the Interpreter appeared very friendly indeed— and regretted much that he could not go with me home, but said he would visit in the Spring, <as> early as the weather and streams of water would permit— Thursday 4th. this morning I discovered a little <dis>satisfaction in some which began to cause a division that the same Indian that conducted me to their nation should conduct me back again. The Pawnees on the head of the Big Platte 150 miles from Council Bluffs, the Sacs 600 men came against the Pawnees 160 they fought from day light until noon, killed sixty Sioux and about sixty two of the Pawnees, the Missionary went upon the bluff and saw the Battle, they offered no abuse to the whites, this battle <was> fought about the 7 of July 1843.
Friday 5th. Nothing of note passed. Saturday 6th. this day I took dinner with a friend who <had> just came come from the Buffalo hunt, his daughter cooked a Johnny cake and got some tea, had sugar a plenty and Buffalo meat, this for the first time that I had seen any corn meal was pounded in a Mortar and the finest sorted out and baked— but the manner in which it was wet up and shortened, was a caution to the hogs, but this all passed over very well. I have no reason to complain, for they did the best they knew [HC 5:544] how— severe hunger made all things relish well that was eatable for dogs. Sunday 7 went down the creek to make some arrangements about returning home, saw some new Indians and had to go and dine with them, then after dinner went up to Town and staid all night. Monday 8th. Went about 8 or 10 miles, after wild honey found two trees, got the honey and returned home by dark the same day. Tuesday 9th. this morning had breakfast of Honey and Buffalo meat dried and smoked; then, in about 1½ hours corn boiled and Elk bones broth was served up, this was a great dish amongst the Lamanites— but not so good a dish for me as I have seen in past days in my own land and amongst my own people. On the 8th. inst a great feast was held at the Black Chief’s called the Buffalo feast, or after the Buffalo hunt was over, and all returned in safety and their labors crowned with abundant success. An Address was delivered by the Chief Speaker, because the chief was very ill, this address or sermon was lengthy and delivered in great Oratorical Style— At the ending of the last sentence the congregation responded a loud Amen, then they commenced eating as the feast was prepared already, after the feast the singers [blank] commenced to sing, and sung three songs, the dancers commenced at a loud whoop from the war chief, after dancing was passed off, the priest offered up a prayer to the great Spirit for giving them good hunting, the congregation then dispersed. Wednesday 10th. Another feast was prepared for the lower town, who was were absent at the first feast; this last feast held all night, or the dance continued all night— Thursday 11th. I went to the lower town and visited them; they also were very friendly. This town is situated on the East bank of the river about 3 miles below the middle Town and the middle Town about 1 mile below the upper Town, the head chief lives in the middle Town and one chief in each of the other Towns. [p. 1700]