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> a little on either side and the middle was dough, as it was before those cakes and sweetened water, was a good breakfast.
Saturday morning 13th. This morning the chief told me that in consequence of being used in the manner that I was, in coming to visit them they had come to the conclusion that they would not let the same Indian go back with <me> that came with me and that they had selected in the first council, <but> after more investigation, they concluded to make a new selection of men that would be more respectable, and could do honor to their nation and have authority to act for the tribe, and it would be satisfactory to the whole nation as the nation was much displeased with the conduct of Neotanah and in Council gave him a severe flogging, and said that he was not fit to go anywhere amongst the whites and especially amongst the Mormons They seemed to express much regret, and feeling of sorrow that I had received such treatment from one that pretended to be a friend and an honorable man of the Pottawatamies, for they consider themselves honorable men.
While now I write I have seven of the most honorable in the tribe <around me> The head chief and his councillors, one of them is aged, his head is silvered oe’r with age— Many a cold and wintry frost, has made his locks to shake with chill; while in <his> prime— none could endure more fatigue, none whose constitution was stronger than his, but now he says he is soon to go and shake hands with the great Shamingto (that is God) that made him, and had given him strength to hunt and in war to fight his enemies; here the old man would shew the wounds received in battle in fighting for his nation, his wife and little ones He said he never had fought, but on the defensive; ninety eight years as nigh as he can remember, he has seen, and, now he said he wants to know how the Mormons worship the great Shamingto different from what he did, (if the best way,) he wanted to get into it before the he went his journey to see the great Shamingto.
Sunday 14th. there is no day known amongst these Indians— Every day is alike unto them, they have no day of the month, neither day of the week, all things move on one day after another, they count their months by moons and Twelve moons make a year, they can tell how many years they have lived in the West— and most of them can tell how old they are &c. Monday 15th. This morning the Indians have arrived from and brought an Interpreter and one to go to the East, <or to the> to conduct me home and to see the big chief. Council is to sit at 9 o’Clock this morning, but in consequence of the head chief’s child to be buried this morning, Council will be called immediately after dinner the afternoon was spent in business matters writing— preparing for the journey to . [HC 5:547] Tuesday 16th. This morning I went to see a Sqaw that was bit last night by a rattlesnake twice up on upon the top of her left foot— She was in great pain all night, her foot and leg very much swollen— In the afternoon the Indians all met for worship and to prepare for drawing the Blankets and money— They were as many <merry> as bees in a hive— old and young from the Grey head to the suckling on a board; they held their meeting until 1 o’clock in the morning Danced and prayed and preached some. Wednesday 17th. They commenced again the worship about sunrise, dressed in the richest and best style possible except [p. 1702]