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 27> He then read a letter from to , as follows:—
“ Ills. August 18. 1843. Dear Sir, Yours of the 15th. inst was received, but not in time to answer it by return mail. You say that a Mr. on board of the Steam boat ‘Anawan’ a short time since, was told by an officer of the boat, That a Mr. Prentice in the vicinity of , said that some person in high standing in the church of the [blank] Latter day Saints in this place () had an interview with you, (me,) said, he would use all the influence that his circumstances would admit of, to have Joseph Smith arrested and delivered into the hands of the Missourians &c.. This interview is said to have taken place at the time the first warrant was issued against Smith, and that since the last warrant was issued, that the same person had written to you (me) or had an interview with you giving the same assurances. It has been publicly said in this town that I () was the person who had this interview or interviews and correspondence with you. Now, Sir, it gives me pleas[HC 5:553]ure to be perfectly able to disabuse you. I have not seen you, to my recollection, nor had any correspondence with you, until the present since 1839, and in all the intercourse I have had with you, I have always looked upon you, as one of the most devoted followers of Joseph Smith, and one of the pillars of the church of the Latter day Saints. I never sought through the aid of any <person> to entrap Joseph Smith; a faithful discharge of my official duties, was all that I attempted or desired. Very respectfully, your obt. Servt. ”
He then resumed: “The letter is one of the most evasive things, and carries with it a design to hide the truth. Has any man been concerned in a conspiracy to deliver Joseph Smith to ? If so, who?”
He then read the 7th chap Hebrews “Salem is designed for a Hebrew term; it should be Shiloam, which signifies Righteousness and Peace; as it is, it is nothing— neither Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French or any other language.
I say to all those who are disposed to set up stakes for the Almighty, you will come short of the glory of God.
To become a joint heir of the heir ship of the son, he must put away all his tradition.
I prophecy and bear record this morning that all the combined powers of earth and hell shall not and cannot ever overthrow or overcome this boy; for I have a promise from the eternal God.
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If I have sinned I have sinned outwardly; but surely I have contemplated the things of God
Respecting the Melchisedec priesthood, the sectarians never professed to have it; consequently they never could save any one, and would all be damned together. There was an episcopalian priest who said he had the priesthood of Aaron, but had not the Priesthood of Melchisedec; and I bear this testimony that I never have found the man who claimed the priesthood of Melchisidec. The power of the Melchiedic priesthood is to have the power of ‘endless lives’, for the everlasting covenant cannot be broken.
The law was given under Aaron for the purpose of pouring out judgements and destructions.
The Sectarian world are going to hell by hundreds, by thousands, and [p. 1707]