History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838]

Source Note

JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. B-1, created 1 Oct. 1843–24 Feb. 1845; handwriting of
Willard Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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and
Thomas Bullock
23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...
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; 297 pages, plus 10 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the second volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This second volume covers the period from 1 Sept. 1834 to 2 Nov. 1838; the subsequent four volumes, labeled C-1 through F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction

This document, volume B-1, is the second of the six volumes of the “Manuscript History of the Church.” The collection was compiled over the span of seventeen years, 1838 to 1856. The narrative in volume B-1 begins with the entry for 1 September 1834, just after the conclusion of the Camp of Israel (later called Zion’s Camp), and continues to 2 November 1838, when JS was interned as a prisoner of war at
Far West
Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...
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, Missouri. For a fuller discussion of the entire six-volume work, see the general introduction to the history.
Willard Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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, serving as JS’s “private secretary and historian,” completed the account of JS’s history contained in volume A-1 in August 1843. It covered the period from JS’s birth in 1805 through the aftermath of the Camp of Israel in August 1834. When work resumed on the history on 1 October 1843, Richards started a new volume, eventually designated B-1.
At the time of JS’s death in June 1844, the account had been advanced to 5 August 1838, on page 812 of volume B-1.
Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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’s poor health led to the curtailment of work on B-1 for several months, until 11 December 1844. On that date, Richards and
William W. Phelps
17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...
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, assisted by
Thomas Bullock
23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...
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, resumed gathering the records and reports needed to draft the history. Richards then composed and drafted roughed-out notes while Thomas Bullock compiled the text of the history and inscribed it in B-1. They completed their work on the volume on or about 24 February 1845. Richards, Willmer Benson, and Jonathan Grimshaw later added ten pages of “Addenda,” which provided notes, extensive revisions, or additional text to be inserted in the original manuscript where indicated.
Though JS did not dictate or revise any of the text recorded in B-1,
Willard Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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and
Thomas Bullock
23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...
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chose to maintain the first-person, chronological narrative format established in A-1 as if JS were the author. They drew from a variety of primary and secondary sources including JS’s diaries and letters, minutes of meetings, the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, church and other periodicals, reports of JS’s discourses, and the reminiscences and recollections of church members. As was the case with A-1, after JS’s death,
Brigham Young
1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...
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,
Heber C. Kimball
14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...
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,
George A. Smith
26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...
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, and others modified and corrected the manuscript as they reviewed material before its eventual publication.
Beginning in March 1842 the church’s Nauvoo periodical, the Times and Seasons, began publishing the narrative as the “History of Joseph Smith.” It was also published in England in the church periodical the Millennial Star beginning in June 1842. Once a press was established in Utah and the Deseret News began publication, the “History of Joseph Smith” once more appeared in print in serialized form. Beginning with the November 1851 issue, the narrative picked up where the Times and Seasons had left off over five years earlier.
The narrative recorded in B-1 continued the story of JS’s life as the prophet and president of the church he labored to establish. The account encompasses significant developments in the church’s two centers at that time—
Kirtland
Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...
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, Ohio, and northwest
Missouri
Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...
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—during a four-year-span. Critical events included the organization of the Quorums of the Twelve Apostles and the Seventy, the dedication of the House of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio, the establishment of the Kirtland Safety Society, dissension and apostasy in Kirtland and Missouri, the first mission to England, JS’s flight from Kirtland to Missouri in the winter of 1838, the Saints’ exodus from Kirtland later that year, the disciplining of the Missouri presidency, and the outbreak of the Missouri War and arrest of JS. Thus, B-1 provides substantial detail regarding a significant period of church expansion and transition as well as travail.

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of health, slept awhile, and arose feeling tolerably well through the <December 5.> mercy of God. I received a letter from , , N. York: also another from s Mother in-law, N. York, of no consequence as to what it contained, but cost me twenty five cents for postage. I mention this as it is a common occurrence, and I am subjected to a great deal of expence, by those whom I know nothing about, only that they are destitute of good manners, for if people wish to be benefitted with information from me, common respect, and good breeding would dictate them to pay the postage on their letters. I addressed the following letter to the Editor of the Messenger and Advocate;

“Dear Brother, I wish to inform my friends and all others, abroad, that whenever they wish to address me through the Post office, they will be kind enough to pay the postage on the same. My friends will excuse me in this matter, as I am willing to pay postage on letters to hear from them; but am unwilling to pay for insults, and menaces; consequently must refuse all unpaid.

Yours in the gospel, Joseph Smith Jn— [HC 2:325]

6 December 1835 • Sunday

<Sunday 6.> Sunday 6th. Went

Went to meeting at the usual hour. preached a splendid discourse; In the afternoon we had an exhortation and <Bro. Draper> communion. Some two or three weeks since, Brother Draper insisted on leaving the meeting, before communion; and would not be prevailed upon to tarry a few moments, although we invited him to do so, as we did not wish to have the house thrown into confusion. He observed that he “would not” if we excluded him from the church. To day he attempted to make a confession, but it was not satisfactory to me, and I was constrained <deliver to the buffetings of satan.> by the Spirit to deliver him over to the buffetings of satan, until he should humble himself, and repent of his sins, and make a satisfactory confession before the church.

7 December 1835 • Monday

<7> Monday 7th. Received a letter from , and was much rejoiced to hear from him, and of his success in proclaiming the Gospel. Wrote him a letter requesting him to return to . Spent the day in reading Hebrew. Mr called to take the parting hand with me, and remarked that he had been in darkness all his days, but had now found the light, and intended to obey it. This evening a number of brethren called to see the records, which I exhibited and explained. Fine Sleighing.

8 December 1835 • Tuesday

<8> Tuesday morning 8th. at home. Read Hebrew in company with , , Bro. and . In the evening preached at the as usual, had great liberty in speaking. congregation attentive After the services closed, the brethren proposed to draw wood for me.

9 December 1835 • Wednesday

<9.> Wednesday 9th at home, wind south, strong, and chilly. came in this morning, and made me a present of twelve dollars, which he held in a note against me. May God bless him for his liberality. Also James Aldrich sent me my note by the hand of , on which there was twelve dollars [p. 659]

of health, slept awhile, and arose feeling tolerably well through the December 5. mercy of God. I received a letter from , , N. York: also another from s Mother in-law, N. York, of no consequence as to what it contained, but cost me twenty five cents for postage. I mention this as it is a common occurrence, and I am subjected to a great deal of expence, by those whom I know nothing about, only that they are destitute of good manners, for if people wish to be benefitted with information from me, common respect, and good breeding would dictate them to pay the postage on their letters. I addressed the following letter to the Editor of the Messenger and Advocate;

Yours in the gospel, Joseph Smith Jn— [HC 2:325]

6 December 1835 • Sunday

Sunday 6. Sunday 6th.

Went to meeting at the usual hour. preached a splendid discourse; In the afternoon we had an exhortation and Bro. Draper communion. Some two or three weeks since, Brother Draper insisted on leaving the meeting, before communion; and would not be prevailed upon to tarry a few moments, although we invited him to do so, as we did not wish to have the house thrown into confusion. He observed that he “would not” if we excluded him from the church. To day he attempted to make a confession, but it was not satisfactory to me, and I was constrained deliver to the buffetings of satan. by the Spirit to deliver him over to the buffetings of satan, until he should humble himself, and repent of his sins, and make a satisfactory confession before the church.

7 December 1835 • Monday

7 Monday 7th. Received a letter from , and was much rejoiced to hear from him, and of his success in proclaiming the Gospel. Wrote him a letter requesting him to return to . Spent the day in reading Hebrew. Mr called to take the parting hand with me, and remarked that he had been in darkness all his days, but had now found the light, and intended to obey it. This evening a number of brethren called to see the records, which I exhibited and explained. Fine Sleighing.

8 December 1835 • Tuesday

8 Tuesday morning 8th. at home. Read Hebrew in company with , , Bro. and . In the evening preached at the as usual, had great liberty in speaking. congregation attentive After the services closed, the brethren proposed to draw wood for me.

9 December 1835 • Wednesday

9. Wednesday 9th at home, wind south, strong, and chilly. came in this morning, and made me a present of twelve dollars, which he held in a note against me. May God bless him for his liberality. Also James Aldrich sent me my note by the hand of , on which there was twelve dollars [p. 659]

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Document Information
Editorial Title
History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838]
ID #
7404
Total Pages
332
Handwriting on This Page
- Willard Richards
Footnotes
1. 162
  Letter to Editor, 5 Dec. 1835.
2. 163
  JS, Journal, 6 Dec. 1835.
3. 164
  JS, Journal, 7 Dec. 1835.
4. 165
  JS, Journal, 8 Dec. 1835.
5. 166
  JS, Journal, 9 Dec. 1835.

History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838]

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