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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<September 11> is fallen, is fallen.” There has quite a number of families gathered up here already, and we anticipate a continuance, especially as upon enquiry we have found that we have not had more than a ratio of sickness here, notwithstanding the trials we have had, and the hardships to which we have been exposed. Calculating as we do, upon the mercy and power of God in our behalf we hope to persevere on in every good and useful work even unto the end, that when we come to be tried in the balance, we may not be found wanting. With all good wishes and prayers for the temporal, and eternal salvation of yourself and your family, as well as of all the honest in heart over the face of the Earth— We remain Sir, with sincerity your friends and brethren— Joseph Smith Junr.” addressed to “ Esqre. , Geauga Co., Ohio.”

13 September 1839 • Friday

<13> Friday 13th. I left home for Brother s place—

14 September 1839 • Saturday

<14 starts for England> Saturday 14. President started from his house at , for England <his health was very poor, he was unable to go thirty rods to the without assistance, after he had crossed the Ferry, he got Brother to carry> him on his horse Behind him to s <where he remained sick> until the 18th. he left his wife with a babe only ten days old and all his children sick unable to wait upon each other.

I returned home this evening.

15 September 1839 • Sunday

<15> Sunday 15. I was visiting the sick.

16–17 September 1839 • Monday–Tuesday

<16> Monday and Tuesday 16. and 17 was engaged in arranging the Town lots

18 September 1839 • Wednesday

<18> Wednesday 18 Went to Iowa Territory. <Elders and left and all her children sick except little Heber, went 13 miles on their journey towards England, and were left at bro. Duel’s, who [HC 4:9] lived in a small Cabin near the Railway Between & they were so feeble as to be unable to carry their trunks into the house without the assistance of Sister Duel who received them kindly, prepared a bed for them to lie on and made them a cup of tea.>

19 September 1839 • Thursday

<19> Thursday 19 I returned this evening from — <Brother Duel carried Elders and in his waggon to , 16 miles, where another brother received them, and carried them to Father mikesell’s near about 20 miles, the fatigue of this day was too much for their feeble health, they were prostrated and obliged to tarry a few days to recruit.>

20–21 September 1839 • Friday–Saturday

<20> Friday and Saturday 20 and 21 at home, attending to domestic and Church business

21 September 1839 • Saturday

<21 starts for England> Elder , , and started for England and upset their Waggon on the bank of the , before they got out of sight of — and were so weak they could not get up— and had to lift them in again— soon after some Gentlemen met them and asked, who had been robbing the burying Ground— so miserable was their appearance through sickness.

22 September 1839 • Sunday

<22> Sunday 22 I presided at the meeting, and spake concerning the other Comforter &c— <as I had previously taught the Twelve> [HC 4:10] This week I spent in transacting various business at home except when visiting the sick, who are in general recovering, though some of them but slowly.

25–27 September 1839 • Wednesday–Friday

<25> Wednesday 25 went to ’s— 26th. to Brother Wilber’s— 27th. Brother Wilber carried Elders and to Pittsfield

29 September 1839 • Sunday

<29> Sunday 29— Held meeting at my own house, after others had spoken, I spoke and explained concerning uselessness of preaching to the world about great judgments, but rather to preach the simple gospel— Explained Concerning the coming of the Son of Man &c— that all will be raised to meet him, but the righteous will remain with him in the cloud, whilst all the proud and all that do wickedly will have to return to the Earth, and suffer his vengeance, which he will take upon them, this is the second death &c— Also that it is a false idea that the Saints will escape all [p. 967]

September 11 is fallen, is fallen.” There has quite a number of families gathered up here already, and we anticipate a continuance, especially as upon enquiry we have found that we have not had more than a ratio of sickness here, notwithstanding the trials we have had, and the hardships to which we have been exposed. Calculating as we do, upon the mercy and power of God in our behalf we hope to persevere on in every good and useful work even unto the end, that when we come to be tried in the balance, we may not be found wanting. With all good wishes and prayers for the temporal, and eternal salvation of yourself and your family, as well as of all the honest in heart over the face of the Earth— We remain Sir, with sincerity your friends and brethren— Joseph Smith Junr.” addressed to “ Esqre. , Geauga Co., Ohio.”

13 September 1839 • Friday

13 Friday 13th. I left home for Brother s place—

14 September 1839 • Saturday

14 starts for England Saturday 14. President started from his house at , for England his health was very poor, he was unable to go thirty rods to the without assistance, after he had crossed the Ferry, he got Brother to carry him on his horse Behind him to s where he remained sick until the 18th. he left his wife with a babe only ten days old and all his children sick unable to wait upon each other.

I returned home this evening.

15 September 1839 • Sunday

15 Sunday 15. I was visiting the sick.

16–17 September 1839 • Monday–Tuesday

16 Monday and Tuesday 16. and 17 was engaged in arranging the Town lots

18 September 1839 • Wednesday

18 Wednesday 18 Went to Iowa Territory. Elders and left and all her children sick except little Heber, went 13 miles on their journey towards England, and were left at bro. Duel’s, who [HC 4:9] lived in a small Cabin near the Railway Between & they were so feeble as to be unable to carry their trunks into the house without the assistance of Sister Duel who received them kindly, prepared a bed for them to lie on and made them a cup of tea.

19 September 1839 • Thursday

19 Thursday 19 I returned this evening from — Brother Duel carried Elders and in his waggon to , 16 miles, where another brother received them, and carried them to Father mikesell’s near about 20 miles, the fatigue of this day was too much for their feeble health, they were prostrated and obliged to tarry a few days to recruit.

20–21 September 1839 • Friday–Saturday

20 Friday and Saturday 20 and 21 at home, attending to domestic and Church business

21 September 1839 • Saturday

21 starts for England Elder , , and started for England and upset their Waggon on the bank of the , before they got out of sight of — and were so weak they could not get up— and had to lift them in again— soon after some Gentlemen met them and asked, who had been robbing the burying Ground— so miserable was their appearance through sickness.

22 September 1839 • Sunday

22 Sunday 22 I presided at the meeting, and spake concerning the other Comforter &c— as I had previously taught the Twelve [HC 4:10] This week I spent in transacting various business at home except when visiting the sick, who are in general recovering, though some of them but slowly.

25–27 September 1839 • Wednesday–Friday

25 Wednesday 25 went to ’s— 26th. to Brother Wilber’s— 27th. Brother Wilber carried Elders and to Pittsfield

29 September 1839 • Sunday

29 Sunday 29— Held meeting at my own house, after others had spoken, I spoke and explained concerning uselessness of preaching to the world about great judgments, but rather to preach the simple gospel— Explained Concerning the coming of the Son of Man &c— — Also that it is a false idea that the Saints will escape all [p. 967]

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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. 362
  See 13 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
2. 363
  JS, Journal, 8–14 Sept. 1839.
3. 364
  See 14 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
4. 365
  Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 14 Sept. 1839, p. 111.
  
  Kimball, Heber C. “The Journal and Record of Heber Chase Kimball an Apostle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” ca. 1842–1858. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 1.
5. 366
  See 15 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
6. 367
  JS, Journal, 15 Sept. 1839.
7. 368
  See 16–17 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
8. 369
  JS, Journal, 16–21 Sept. 1839.
9. 370
  See 18 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
10. 371
  Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 18 Sept. 1839, pp. 111–112.
  
  Kimball, Heber C. “The Journal and Record of Heber Chase Kimball an Apostle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” ca. 1842–1858. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 1.
11. 372
  See 19 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
12. 373
  JS, Journal, 16–21 Sept. 1839.
13. 374
  Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 19 Sept. 1839, pp. 111–112.
  
  Kimball, Heber C. “The Journal and Record of Heber Chase Kimball an Apostle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” ca. 1842–1858. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 1.
14. 375
  See 20–21 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
15. 376
  JS, Journal, 16–21 Sept. 1839.
16. 377
  See 21 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
17. 378
  Recommendation for George A. Smith, 21 Sept. 1839.
18. 379
  See 22 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
19. 380
  JS, Journal, 22–28 Sept. 1839.
20. 381
  See 25–27 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
21. 382
  Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 25–27 Sept. 1839, p. 112.
  
  Kimball, Heber C. “The Journal and Record of Heber Chase Kimball an Apostle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” ca. 1842–1858. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 1.
22. 383
  See 29 Sept. 1839 entry in History Draft.
23. 384
  JS, Journal, 29 Sept.–6 Oct. 1839; Discourse, 29 Sept. 1839, as Reported by James Mulholland.