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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<August 31> robbed, and others who had borne the <burden in the> heat of the day— it was — — — — — voted unanimously that President Smith as Trustee in Trust be requested and instructed by this Conference in behalf of the Church, to extend relief to such indigent suffering brethren, either by land or goods, as the properties of the Church will admit, and his wisdom shall judge expedient, so that no one shall be denied the privilege of remaining in our midst and enjoying the necessaries of life, who has been faithful in his duties to God and the Church.

— Prest. , Clerk.” [HC 4:413]

1 September 1841 • Wednesday

<1> <Wednesday 1 The N.Y. Sun contains an account of some singular Phenomena, viz. a shower of Flesh and Blood, a Pillar of Smoke, & a Shower of Manna.>

2 September 1841 • Thursday

<2> <2 The Town of Cartage, on the Isthmus of Darien, <containing 100000 Inhabitants—> destroyed by an Earthquake.>

4 September 1841 • Saturday

<September 4> Saturday 4. Colonel was elected Brigadier General of the second Cohort to fill the vacancy of General deceased, and Lieutenant Colonel , was elected Colonel in the place of promoted; and Major was elected Lieutenant Colonel in his place, and Captain was elected Major in his place—

The City Council elected Counsellor in place of deceased, and and were elected Regents of the University in place of and deceased— was elected Professor of Mathematics in the University of the City of Nauvoo, and the degree of Master of Arts conferred on him by the <Chancellor and board of Regents. <Board of Regents of the University of Nauvoo>>

A Committee was instructed to purchase two Blocks for a burying ground, and the <City> Recorder was instructed to procure “a Seal for the Corporation”—

5 September 1841 • Sunday

<5.> Sunday 5. I preached to a large congregation at the , on the Science and practice of Medicine, desiring to persuade the Saints to trust in God. when sick, and not in an arm of flesh, and live by faith and not by— medicine, or poison, and when they were sick, and had called for the Elders to pray for them, and they were not healed, to use herbs and mild food.

7 September 1841 • Tuesday

<7> Tuesday 7. Another shower of flesh and blood is reported in the Papers to have fallen in Kensing[HC 4:414]ton, this day,

“There had been a drizzling rain during a great part of the day until about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, when the rain stopped, and the dark clouds began gradually to assume a brassy hue, until the whole heavens above, seemed a sea of fire. The Sky continued to grow more bright until about a quarter past 5. when almost instantly, it became a burnished red, and in a few moments it rained moderately, a thick liquid of the appearance of blood, clothing fields and roads for two miles in circumference, in a blood stained garment. The bloody rain continued for about ten minutes, when it suddenly cleared away, and the atmosphere became so intensely cold that over coats were needed.”

Elder went to , and located himself, for the purpose of Counselling the Saints, and settling the town of , and the day following made sale of three City Lots.

The war between England and China continues. The English have fitted out a new expedition to proceed against her, with the utmost rigor; and his Celestial Majesty, on the other hand, has issued orders for the raising of a “grand army,” and the extermination of the English.

8 September 1841 • Wednesday

<8> <Wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, tempests, pestilence, and great fires, connected with every kind of wickedness, distress and destruction of property, are heard in almost every land & nation.>

11 September 1841 • Saturday

<11.> Saturday 11.

“The Legion was out for general parade, in conformity with a [p. 1225]

August 31 robbed, and others who had borne the burden in the heat of the day— it was — — — — — voted unanimously that President Smith as Trustee in Trust be requested and instructed by this Conference in behalf of the Church, to extend relief to such indigent suffering brethren, either by land or goods, as the properties of the Church will admit, and his wisdom shall judge expedient, so that no one shall be denied the privilege of remaining in our midst and enjoying the necessaries of life, who has been faithful in his duties to God and the Church.

— Prest. , Clerk.” [HC 4:413]

1 September 1841 • Wednesday

1 Wednesday 1 The N.Y. Sun contains an account of some singular Phenomena, viz. a shower of Flesh and Blood, a Pillar of Smoke, & a Shower of Manna.

2 September 1841 • Thursday

2 2 The Town of Cartage, on the Isthmus of Darien, containing 100000 Inhabitants— destroyed by an Earthquake.

4 September 1841 • Saturday

September 4 Saturday 4. Colonel was elected Brigadier General of the second Cohort to fill the vacancy of General deceased, and Lieutenant Colonel , was elected Colonel in the place of promoted; and Major was elected Lieutenant Colonel in his place, and Captain was elected Major in his place—

A Committee was instructed to purchase two Blocks for a burying ground, and the City Recorder was instructed to procure “a Seal for the Corporation”—

Elder arrived in the .

5 September 1841 • Sunday

5. Sunday 5. I preached to a large congregation at the , on the Science and practice of Medicine, desiring to persuade the Saints to trust in God. when sick, and not in an arm of flesh, and live by faith and not by— medicine, or poison, and when they were sick, and had called for the Elders to pray for them, and they were not healed, to use herbs and mild food.

7 September 1841 • Tuesday

7 Tuesday 7. Another shower of flesh and blood is reported in the Papers to have fallen in Kensing[HC 4:414]ton, ,

Elder went to , and located himself, for the purpose of Counselling the Saints, and settling the town of , and the day following made sale of three City Lots.

8 September 1841 • Wednesday

8 Wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, tempests, pestilence, and great fires, connected with every kind of wickedness, distress and destruction of property, are heard in almost every land & nation.

11 September 1841 • Saturday

11. Saturday 11.

“The Legion was out for general parade, in conformity with a [p. 1225]

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Cite this page

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. 1105
  See 4 Sept. 1841 entry in History Draft.
2. 1106
  Hosea Stout, History of the Nauvoo Legion, Draft 2, p. [3], Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL.
  
  Stout, Hosea. History of the Nauvoo Legion, Draft 2, ca. 1844–1845. Nauvoo Legion Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430, fd. 10. One of three drafts of the history; includes material dated 4 February 1841 through September 1843. Pages are out of order; in the current order, this draft includes pp. [1]–[4], [13]–[14].
3. 1107
  Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 4 Sept. 1841, 22.
  
  Nauvoo City Council Minute Book / Nauvoo City Council. “A Record of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Nauvoo Handcock County, State of Illinois, Commencing A.D. 1841,” ca. 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3435.
4. 1108
  See 5 Sept. 1841 entry in History Draft.
5. 1109
  Richards, Journal, 5 Sept. 1841.
  
  Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
6. 1110
  See 7 Sept. 1841 entry in History Draft.
7. 1111
  “Another ‘Shower of Flesh and Blood’ in Our Own Neighborhood,” Times and Seasons, 15 Nov. 1841, 3:587.
  
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
8. 1112
  Richards, Journal, 7 Sept. 1841.
  
  Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.
9. 1113
  See 11 Sept. 1841 entry in History Draft.
10. 1114
  Hosea Stout, History of the Nauvoo Legion, Draft 2, p. [3], Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL.
  
  Stout, Hosea. History of the Nauvoo Legion, Draft 2, ca. 1844–1845. Nauvoo Legion Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430, fd. 10. One of three drafts of the history; includes material dated 4 February 1841 through September 1843. Pages are out of order; in the current order, this draft includes pp. [1]–[4], [13]–[14].