JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. F-1, created 9 Apr.–7 June 1856 and 20 Aug. 1856–6 Nov. 1856; handwriting of and Jonathan Grimshaw; 304 pages, plus 10 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the final volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This sixth volume covers the period from 1 May to 8 Aug. 1844; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1 through E-1, go through 30 Apr. 1844.
Historical Introduction
History, 1838-1856, volume F-1, constitutes the last 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 May 1844 to the events following his 27 June 1844 death, and it was compiled in Utah Territory in 1856.
The material recorded in volume F-1 was initially compiled under the direction of church historian , who was JS’s cousin, and also assistant church historian . Smith collaborated with in collecting material for the volume and creating a set of draft notes, which Smith dictated to Bullock and other clerks. Woodruff gathered additional material concerning the death of Joseph Smith as a supplement to George A. Smith’s work recording that event. Jonathan Grimshaw and , members of the Historian’s Office staff, transcribed the draft notes into the volume along with the text of designated documents.
According to the Historian’s Office journal, Jonathan Grimshaw initiated work on the text of volume F-1 on 9 April 1856, soon after Robert L. Campbell had completed work on volume E-1. (Historian’s Office, Journal, 5 and 9 Apr. 1856.) Grimshaw’s scribal work begins with an entry for 1 May 1844. Unlike previous volumes in which the numbering had run consecutively to page 2028, Grimshaw began anew with page 1. He transcribed 150 pages by June 1856, and his last entry was for 23 June 1844. Though more of his writing does not appear in the volume, he continued to work in the office until 2 August, before leaving for the East that same month. (Historian’s Office, Journal, 2 and 10 Aug. 1856.)
assumed the role of scribe on 20 August 1856. (Historian’s Office, Journal, 20 Aug. 1856.) He incorporated ’s draft notes for the period 24–29 June 1844 on pages 151–189, providing an account of JS’s death and its immediate aftermath. He next transcribed a related extract from ’s 1854 History of Illinois on pages 190–204. Pages 205–227 were left blank.
provided the notes for the final portion of the text. This account begins with an entry for 22 June 1844 and continues the record through 8 August 1844, ending on page 304. (The volume also included ten pages of addenda.) The last specific entry in the Historian’s Office journal that captures at work on the history is for 6 November 1856. A 2 February 1857 Wilford Woodruff letter to indicates that on 30 January 1857, the “presidency sat and heard the history read up to the organization of the church in , 8th. day of August 1844.” (Historian’s Office, Journal, 6 Nov. 1856; Wilford Woodruff, Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, to George A. Smith, 2 Feb. 1857, Historian’s Office, Letterpress Copybooks, vol. 1, p. 410; see also Wilford Woodruff, Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, to Amasa Lyman and Charles C. Rich, 28 Feb. 1857, Historian’s Office, Letterpress Copybooks, vol. 1, pp. 430–431.)
The pages of volume F-1 contain a record of the final weeks of JS’s life and the events of the ensuing days. The narrative commences with and arriving at , Illinois, on 1 May 1844 from their lumber-harvesting mission in the “” of Wisconsin Territory. As the late spring and summer of 1844 unfold, events intensify, especially those surrounding the suppression of the Nauvoo Expositor in mid-June. Legal action over the Expositor leads to a charge of riot, and subsequently JS is charged with treason and is incarcerated at the jail in , Illinois. The narrative of volume F-1 concludes with an account of the special church conference convened on 8 August 1844 to consider who should assume the leadership of the church.
<May 26> never had heard, or seen, or knew anything immoral or criminal against me. He testified [HC 6:410] under oath that he was my friend, and not the Brutus. There was a cogitation who was the Brutus. I had not prophesied against He swore under oath that he was satisfied that he was ready to lay down his life for me; and now he swears that I have committed adultery. I wish the Grand Jury would tell me who they are; whether it will be a curse or blessing to me. I am quite tired of the fools asking me. A man asked me whether the commandment was given that a man may have seven wives; and now the new prophet has charged me with adultery. I never had any fuss with these men until that Female Relief Society brought out the paper against adulterers and adulteresses. was invited into the Laws’ clique, and and the clique were dissatisfied with that document, and they rush away and leave the church; and conspire to take away my life; and because I will not countenance such wickedness, they proclaim that I have been a true prophet, but that I am now a fallen prophet.
“ has committed murder, robbery, and perjury, and I can prove it by half a dozen witnesses. got up and said ‘by God he is innocent’; and now swears that I am guilty; he threatened my life. There is another , not the prophet, who was cashiered for dishonesty and robbing the government. also swears that I told him I was guilty of adultery. Brother can swear to the contrary. I have been chained; I have rattled chains before in a dungeon for the truth’s sake. I am innocent all these charges, and you can bear witness of my innocence; for you know me yourselves. When I love the poor, I ask no favors of the rich. I can go to the cross— I can lay down my life; but don’t forsake me. I want the friendship of my brethren. Let us teach the things of Jesus Christ. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a downfall. Be meek and lowly, upright and pure; render good for evil; if you bring on yourselves your own destruction I will complain. It is not right for a man to bear down his neck to the oppressor always. Be humble and patient in all circumstances of life; we shall then triumph more gloriously. What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing <adultery> and having seven wives when I can only find one.
“I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago, and I can prove them all perjurers. I labored with these apostates myself until I was out of all manner of patience; and then I sent my brother , whom they virtually kicked out of doors. I then sent Mr Backenstos, when they declared that they were my enemies. I told Mr Backenstos that he might tell the Laws if they had any cause against me, I would go before the church, and confess it [HC 6:411] to the world. He was summoned time and again, but he refused to come. and know that I speak the truth. I cite you to , Esquires and , brother Hatfield and others for the truth of what I have said. I have said this to let my friends know that I am right. As I grow older my heart grows tenderer for you. I am at all times willing to give up every thing that is wrong, for I wish this people to have a virtuous leader. I have set your minds at liberty by letting you know the things of Christ Jesus. When I shrink not from your defence, will you throw me away for a new man who slanders you? I love you for your reception of me. Have I asked you for your money? No, you know better; I appeal to the poor. I say cursed be that man or woman who says that I have taken of your money unjustly. will address you. I have nothing in my heart but good feelings.” [p. 60]