History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]

Source Note

JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, created 24 Feb. 1845–3 July 1845; handwriting of
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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,
Franklin D. Richards
2 Apr. 1821–9 Dec. 1899. Carpenter, businessman, newspaper editor. Born at Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Phinehas Richards and Wealthy Dewey. Raised Congregationalist. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Phinehas ...
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, Jonathan Grimshaw, and
Leo Hawkins
19 July 1834–28 May 1859. Clerk, reporter. Born in London. Son of Samuel Harris Hawkins and Charlotte Savage. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John Banks, 23 Oct. 1848. Immigrated to U.S. with his family; arrived in New Orleans...
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; 512 pages, plus 24 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the third volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This third volume covers the period from 2 Nov. 1838 to 31 July 1842; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, D-1, E-1 and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction

This document, “History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842],” is the third of six volumes of the “Manuscript History of the Church” (in The Joseph Smith Papers the “Manuscript History” bears the editorial title “History, 1838–1856”). The completed six-volume collection covers the period from 23 December 1805 to 8 August 1844. The narrative in this volume commences on 2 November 1838 with JS and other church leaders being held prisoner by the “
Governor
14 Dec. 1796–14 Mar. 1860. Bookkeeper, bank cashier, merchant, Indian agent and trader, lawyer, doctor, postmaster, politician. Born at Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of John M. Boggs and Martha Oliver. Served in War of 1812. Moved to St. Louis, ca...
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’s forces” 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, and concludes with the death of Bishop
Vinson Knight
14 Mar. 1804–31 July 1842. Farmer, druggist, school warden. Born at Norwich, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Rudolphus Knight and Rispah (Rizpah) Lee. Married Martha McBride, July 1826. Moved to Perrysburg, Cattaraugus Co., New York, by 1830. Owned farm...
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at
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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, Illinois, on 31 July 1842. For a more complete discussion of the entire six-volume work, see the general introduction to this history.

Volume C-1 was created beginning on or just after 24 February 1845 and its narrative was completed by 3 May 1845, although some additional work continued on the volume through 3 July of that year (Richards, Journal, 24 and 28 Feb. 1845; Historian’s Office, Journal, 3 May 1845; 3 and 4 July 1845). It is in the handwriting of
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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and contains 512 pages of primary text, plus 24 pages of addenda. Additional addenda for this volume were created at a later date as a supplementary document and appear in this collection as “History, 1838-1856, volume C-1 Addenda.” Compilers
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 drew heavily from JS’s letters, discourses, and diary entries; meeting minutes; church and other periodicals and journals; and reminiscences, recollections, and letters of church members and other contacts. At JS’s behest, Richards maintained the first-person, chronological-narrative format established in previous volumes, as if JS were the author.
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 reviewed and modified the manuscript prior to its eventual publication in the Salt Lake City newspaper Deseret News.

The historical narrative recorded in volume C-1 continued the account of JS’s life as prophet and president of the church. Critical events occurring within the forty-five-month period covered by this text include the
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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Mormon War; subsequent legal trials of church leaders; expulsion of the Saints from Missouri; missionary efforts in
England
Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...
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by the
Twelve
Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...
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and others; attempts by JS to obtain federal redress for the Missouri depredations; publication of the LDS Millennial Star in England; the migration of English converts to
America
North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...
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; missionary efforts in other nations; the death of church patriarch
Joseph Smith Sr.
12 July 1771–14 Sept. 1840. Cooper, farmer, teacher, merchant. Born at Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Nominal member of Congregationalist church at Topsfield. Married to Lucy Mack by Seth Austin, 24 Jan. 1796, at Tunbridge...
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; the establishment of the
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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city charter; the commencement of construction of the Nauvoo
temple
Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...
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; the
Wisconsin “pinery”
Also known as the “pinery.” Collective term for regions in Wisconsin where lumbering operations were located, especially along Black, Chippewa, St. Croix, Wisconsin, and Wolf rivers. Latter-day Saints established lumber camps and mills on Black River to provide...
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expedition that facilitated temple construction; the introduction of the doctrine of proxy baptism for deceased persons; the dedicatory prayer by
Orson Hyde
8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...
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on the Mount of Olives in Palestine; publication of the “Book of Abraham” in the Nauvoo Times and Seasons; publication of the JS history often referred to as the “Wentworth letter;” the organization of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo; and the inception of Nauvoo-era temple endowment ceremonies.

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<July 7 Farewell of the 12.> testimony of the truth of the Book of Mormon &c— s address went chiefly to exhortation to the Saints, after which he bore his testimony also. Elder next came forward and having alluded to his own late fall exhorted all to perseverance in the things of God, expressed himself, one with his brethren, and bore testimony to his knowledge of the truth, and the misery of falling from it. Elder made some very appropriate remarks, and also bore testimony to the truth of these things, and gave an invitation to come forward and be baptized, when three manifested their determination to renounce the world, and take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ— One brother was then confirmed, after which President , addressed the meeting in a very feeling manner, showing that it must be no small matter, which could induce men to leave their families, and their homes to travel over all the Earth, amidst persecutions and trials, such as always followed the preaching of this Gospel; he then addressed himself to [HC 4:2] the Twelve and gave them some Counsel and Consolation as far as in his power. after which I requested their prayers, and promised to pray for them— &c— The meeting was large and respectable, a large number were present who did not belong to the Church— The most perfect order prevailed throughout— The meeting was dismissed about half past five when we repaired to the Water, and the three Candidates were baptized and confirmed.

8–10 July 1839 • Monday–Wednesday

<8 Selecting Hymns > Monday. Tuesday, and Wednesday, 8. 9. and 10. I was with the Twelve selecting hymns, for the purpose of compiling a hymn book.—

<Sickness commenced> About this time, sickness began to manifest itself, much amongst the brethren, as well as among the inhabitants of the place, so that this week and the following was generally spent in visiting the sick, and ministering unto them, some had faith enough, and were healed, others had not.

21 July 1839 • Sunday

<21> Sunday 21. There was no meeting on account of much rain, and much sickness, however, many of the sick were this day raised up by the power of God. through the instrumentality of the Elders of Israel ministering unto them in the name of Jesus Christ

22–23 July 1839 • Monday–Tuesday

<22> Monday and Tuesday 22. and 23. The sick were ministered unto with great success, but many remain sick and new cases are occurring daily. [HC 4:3]

28 July 1839 • Sunday

<28.> Sunday 28. Meeting was held as usual, Elder preached on the gathering of Israel, and in the afternoon addressed the Church, on the necessity of keeping the commandments of God after which I spoke and admonished the church individually to set their houses in order, to make clean the inside of the platter, and to [HC 4:4] meet on the next sabbath to partake of <the> Sacrament in order that by our obedience to the ordinances, we might be enabled to prevail with God against the destroyer, and that the sick may might be healed. All this week chiefly spent among the sick, who in general are gaining strength, and recovering health

4 August 1839 • Sunday

<August 4> Sunday August 4. The Church came together for prayer meeting and Sacrament I exhorted the Church at length, concerning the necessity of being righteous, and clean at heart before the Lord, many others also spoke, especially some of the Twelve who were present, professed their willingness to proceed on their Mission [p. 964]

July 7 Farewell of the 12. testimony of the truth of the Book of Mormon &c— s address went chiefly to exhortation to the Saints, after which he bore his testimony also. Elder next came forward and having alluded to his own late fall exhorted all to perseverance in the things of God, expressed himself, one with his brethren, and bore testimony to his knowledge of the truth, and the misery of falling from it. Elder made some very appropriate remarks, and also bore testimony to the truth of these things, and gave an invitation to come forward and be baptized, when three manifested their determination to renounce the world, and take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ— One brother was then confirmed, after which President , addressed the meeting in a very feeling manner, showing that it must be no small matter, which could induce men to leave their families, and their homes to travel over all the Earth, amidst persecutions and trials, such as always followed the preaching of this Gospel; he then addressed himself to [HC 4:2] the Twelve and gave them some Counsel and Consolation as far as in his power. after which I requested their prayers, and promised to pray for them— &c— The meeting was large and respectable, a large number were present who did not belong to the Church— The most perfect order prevailed throughout— The meeting was dismissed about half past five when we repaired to the Water, and the three Candidates were baptized and confirmed.

8–10 July 1839 • Monday–Wednesday

8 Selecting Hymns Monday. Tuesday, and Wednesday, 8. 9. and 10. I was with the Twelve selecting hymns, for the purpose of compiling a hymn book.—

Sickness commenced About this time, sickness began to manifest itself, much amongst the brethren, as well as among the inhabitants of the place, so that this week and the following was generally spent in visiting the sick, and ministering unto them, some had faith enough, and were healed, others had not.

21 July 1839 • Sunday

21 Sunday 21. There was no meeting on account of much rain, and much sickness, however, many of the sick were this day raised up by the power of God. through the instrumentality of the Elders of Israel ministering unto them in the name of Jesus Christ

22–23 July 1839 • Monday–Tuesday

22 Monday and Tuesday 22. and 23. The sick were ministered unto with great success, but many remain sick and new cases are occurring daily. [HC 4:3]

28 July 1839 • Sunday

28. Sunday 28. Meeting was held as usual, Elder preached on the gathering of Israel, and in the afternoon addressed the Church, on the necessity of keeping the commandments of God after which I spoke and admonished the church individually to set their houses in order, to make clean the inside of the platter, and to [HC 4:4] meet on the next sabbath to partake of the Sacrament in order that by our obedience to the ordinances, we might be enabled to prevail with God against the destroyer, and that the sick might be healed. All this week chiefly spent among the sick, who in general are gaining strength, and recovering health

4 August 1839 • Sunday

August 4 Sunday August 4. The Church came together for prayer meeting and Sacrament I exhorted the Church at length, concerning the necessity of being righteous, and clean at heart before the Lord, many others also spoke, especially some of the Twelve who were present, professed their willingness to proceed on their Mission [p. 964]

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Document Information
Editorial Title
History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]
ID #
7513
Total Pages
562
Handwriting on This Page
- Thomas Bullock
Footnotes
1. 334
  See 8–10 July 1839 entry in History Draft.
2. 335
  JS, Journal, 8–20 July 1839.
3. 336
  See 21 July 1839 entry in History Draft.
4. 337
  JS, Journal, 21 July 1839.
5. 338
  See 22–23 July 1839 entry in History Draft.
6. 339
  JS, Journal, 22–23 July 1839.
7. 340
  See 28 July 1839 entry in History Draft.
8. 341
  JS, Journal, 28 July–3 Aug. 1839; Discourse, 28 July 1839, as Reported by James Mulholland.
9. 342
  See 4 Aug. 1839 entry in History Draft.
10. 343
  JS, Journal, 4 Aug. 1839.

History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]

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