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 .
<September 9> God Almighty to set his hand to redeem Israel. We are not bound to make the people believe, but we are bound to preach the Gospel and having done this, our garments are clear.
The Lord does not require every soul to leave his home as soon as he believes;— some may be wanted to go to the Isles of the sea, and some to go North and some South— but he does require them to hearken to counsel, and follow that course which he points out, whether to gather or stay to do some other work.
The Spirit of the Lord, and this work, are on the alert, and those who keep up with the work must be on the alert also. The spirit of the Lord will leave them who sit down, and refuse to obey. When the Lord says, “gather yourselves together,” why do you ask him what for? Had you not rather enjoy the society of Saints, than sinners whom you cannot love? Is it not the principle of the Saints to mingle together and promote the great cause in which they are engaged? Perhaps some of you are ready to ask “Cannot the Lord save us as well where we are as to gather together?” Yes, if the Lord says so; but if he commands us to come out and gather together, he will not save us by staying at home. Have you not received the Gospel? Yes; [HC 6:12] then do you believe what we say. Have you not received the Holy Ghost by receiving the Gospel which we have brought unto you? Yes; thousands have, and it stands as a testimony that God has got a prophet on the earth. You might have been baptized seventy times seven in any way except the way God had ordained, and pointed out, and you would not have received the Holy Ghost; this also is a testimony to you
Are you engaged with us in this great work? “Yes, certainly”, you answer, “heart and hand”; can we do any good”? Yes you can. The Sectarian world send the Bible to the nations of the earth; the poor among them put sixpence, fifty cents, or a dollar into the box to carry out that object; and can the Latter Day Saints do nothing? Let them do what God requires; He has required that we should build a house unto his name, that the ordinances and blessings of his kingdom may be revealed, and that the Elders may be endowed, go forth, and gather together the blood of Ephraim— the people of God from the ends of the earth. Can you get an endowment in Boston or anywhere except where God appoints? No, only in that place which God has pointed out. Now query; Could Moses have obtained the law if he had staid in the midst of the children of Israel, instead of going up on to the Mountain? The Lord said, “go and do so and so, stand before Pharaoh, pull off thy shoes for the place is holy.” Moses obeyed, and obtained blessings which he would not have received if he had been disobedient.
Has the Lord spoken in these last days, and required us to build him a house? Then why query about it? If he has spoken, it is enough. I do not care whether the people gather or not, if they don’t want to do so; I do not wish to save the people against their will, I want them to choose whether they will gather and be saved with the righteous or remain with the wicked and be damned. I would like to have all people bow down to the Lord Jesus Christ; [p. 1718]