History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843]

Source Note

JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. D-1, created 4 July 1845–4 Feb. 1846 and 1 July 1854–2 May 1855; 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...
View Full Bio
, Robert L. Campbell, 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...
View Full Bio
; 275 pages, plus 6 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the fourth volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This fourth volume covers the period from 1 Aug. 1842 to 1 July 1843; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, C-1, E-1 and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction
History, 1838–1856, volume D-1, constitutes the fourth 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 August 1842 to 1 July 1843, and it was compiled after JS’s death.

The material recorded in volume D-1 was initially compiled under the direction of church historian
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...
View Full Bio
, with the assistance 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...
View Full Bio
. After Richards’s death in 1854,
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,...
View Full Bio
continued work on the volume as the new church historian with Bullock’s continued help. The process adopted by Richards and Bullock involved Richards creating a set of rough draft notes and Bullock transcribing the notes into the volume along with the text of designated documents (such as letters and meeting minutes). George A. Smith followed a similar pattern, though he dictated the draft notes to Bullock and other scribes.

According to the Church Historian’s Office journal,
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...
View Full Bio
finished the third volume of the series, volume C-1, on Thursday, 3 July 1845, in
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....
More Info
, Illinois. He began work on the fourth volume, D-1, the next day, beginning on page 1362 with the entry for 1 August 1842.
1
Historian’s Office, Journal, 3 and 4 July 1845.
(The pages in volumes A-1–E-1 were numbered consecutively.) Bullock continued work on the record, drawing upon
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...
View Full Bio
’s draft notes, until 3 February 1846—the day before D-1 and the other volumes were packed up in preparation for the Latter-day Saints’ exodus from Nauvoo. At that point he had reached page 1485 with the entry for 28 February 1843. Subsequently, apparently after the collection had arrived in Utah, Bullock added a brief comment beneath that entry: “end of W. Richard’s compiling[.] the books packed Feby. 4— 1846 in Nauvoo[.] Miles Romney— present. The records carried by T Bullock from Winter Quarters to G S L [Great Salt Lake] City in 1848.”

A notation at the top of page 1486 reports that “the books were unpacked in G. S. L. City by
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...
View Full Bio
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...
View Full Bio
. June 7. 1853. J[onathan] Grimshaw & Miles Romney present.” Vertically, in the margin, is a poignant epitaph: “Decr. 1 1853 Dr. Willard Richards wrote one line of History—being sick at the time—and was never able to do any more.” With Richards’s death on 11 March 1854, JS’s cousin
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,...
View Full Bio
was called to the office of church historian. The notation on the top of page 1486 acknowledges this change in officers, noting, “commencement of George A. Smith’s compiling as Historian. April 13. 1854[.] [C]ommenced copying July 1. 1854.” From mid-April to the end of June 1854, George A. Smith, in collaboration with Thomas Bullock, worked on the draft notes for the history before a new scribe,
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...
View Full Bio
, resumed writing in D-1 on 1 July 1854, beginning with the entry for 1 March 1843.
2
Historian’s Office, Journal, 1 July 1854.

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...
View Full Bio
continued transcribing intermittently into the late fall of 1854, when he was assigned other duties in the Historian’s Office. He had reached page 1546 with the entry for 5 May 1843. Work resumed in February 1855 in the hand of Robert L. Campbell, recently returned from a mission. He concluded volume D-1 on the morning of 2 May 1855 and began writing in E-1 that afternoon.
3
Historian’s Office, Journal, 2 May 1855.

The 274 pages of volume D-1 contain a record of much that is significant in the life of JS and the development of the church he founded. Among these events are

• JS’s 6 August 1842 prophecy that the Saints would become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains.

•JS’s 8 August 1842 arrest on a warrant for being “an accessory before the fact” to an attack on former
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 ...
More Info
governor
Lilburn W. Boggs
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...
View Full Bio
.

•
Emma Smith
10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...
View Full Bio
’s 17 August 1842 letter to
Illinois
Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...
More Info
governor
Thomas Carlin
18 July 1789–14 Feb. 1852. Ferry owner, farmer, sheriff, politician. Born in Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of Thomas Carlin and Elizabeth Evans. Baptist. Moved to what became Missouri, by 1803. Moved to Illinois Territory, by 1812. Served in War of 1812. Married...
View Full Bio
, pleading for the humane treatment of her husband and family.

•JS’s 1 and 6 September 1842 instructions regarding the proper procedures for performing baptisms for the dead.

• JS’s 15 November 1842 “Valedictory” as he stepped down as editor of the Times and Seasons.

• The 26 December 1842 arrest of JS on a “proclamation” by former
Illinois
Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...
More Info
governor
Thomas Carlin
18 July 1789–14 Feb. 1852. Ferry owner, farmer, sheriff, politician. Born in Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of Thomas Carlin and Elizabeth Evans. Baptist. Moved to what became Missouri, by 1803. Moved to Illinois Territory, by 1812. Served in War of 1812. Married...
View Full Bio
, and subsequent hearing in
Springfield
Settled by 1819. Incorporated as town, 1832. Became capital of Illinois, 1837. Incorporated as city, 1840. Sangamon Co. seat. Population in 1840 about 2,600. Stake of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized in Springfield, Nov. 1840; discontinued...
More Info
, Illinois.

• The 7 February 1843 recovery of a volume of patriarchal blessings given by
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...
View Full Bio
, which had been stolen in
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...
More Info
, Missouri.

• JS’s 21 February 1843 remarks regarding the
Nauvoo House
Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...
More Info
and
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....
More Info

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...
More Info
.

• JS’s 2 April 1843 instruction at
Ramus
Area settled, 1826. Founded by Latter-day Saints, 1839–1840, following exodus from Missouri. Town platted, Aug. 1840. Post office established, Sept. 1840. Incorporated as Macedonia, Mar. 1843. Renamed Webster, 23 July 1847. Population in 1845 about 380. Crooked...
More Info
, Illinois, on the nature of God and other subjects.

• JS’s 16 May 1843 remarks at
Ramus
Area settled, 1826. Founded by Latter-day Saints, 1839–1840, following exodus from Missouri. Town platted, Aug. 1840. Post office established, Sept. 1840. Incorporated as Macedonia, Mar. 1843. Renamed Webster, 23 July 1847. Population in 1845 about 380. Crooked...
More Info
, Illinois, on the everlasting covenant and eternal marriage.

• The account of JS’s 23 June 1843 arrest and his
habeas corpus
“Have the body”; a written order from a court of competent jurisdiction commanding anyone having a person in custody to produce such person at a certain time and place and to state the reasons why he or she is being held in custody. The court will determine...
View Glossary
hearing the following week 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....
More Info
.

Footnotes
1. 1
  Historian’s Office, Journal, 3 and 4 July 1845.
2. 2
  Historian’s Office, Journal, 1 July 1854.
3. 3
  Historian’s Office, Journal, 2 May 1855.

Hide editing marks

<April 25> In the in the morning, and heard read the proceedings of the Twelve <Apostles> yesterday.

and other Masons came to see me concerning , when I was told that Grand Master G.M. [Jonathan] Nye was dead; which was caused the following remark When Nye was here trying to pull me by the nose, and trample on me, I enquired of the Lord if I was to be led by the nose and cuffed about by such a man’ I received for answer “wait a minute.” Nye is dead, and any man or mason who attempts to ride me down, and oppress me, will run against the boss of Jehovah’s buckler, and will be quickly moved out of the way. Nye was a hypocritical Presbyterian preacher, and was known to have committed adultery, <in this > and violated his oath as a Master Mason. He started an opposition Lodge, on the hill, called the Nye Lodge, on which subject I <said> they will do us all the injury they can, but let them go ahead, altho’ it will result in a division of the lodge.

Nye fearing the penalty of the city ordinances on adultery, speedily fled from , and soon after died suddenly in .

At 3¼ P.M. Rain fell in torrents, and wind blew strong from N. W. several barns [HC 5:370] were blown down; so dark for 15 minutes, could not see to write, considerable hail fell. The creeks rose very high, the land covered with water.

26 April 1843 • Wednesday

<26.> Wednesday. At home. Squally and cold weather.

Received of a deed of N. ½ of lot 4, block 12 on ’s 2nd addition; valued at $50 on Tithing.

27 April 1843 • Thursday

<27> At 11 A.M. Sat in Mayor’s Court, when Jonathan Ford proved a stolen horse.

Visited at bro. ’s with .

The new Nye Lodge was installed on the hill.

English State Documents show an annual loss of £3,000,000, and 1000 lives on the coast of Portsmouth, for want of harbors of refuge.

28 April 1843 • Friday

<28> At home.

29 April 1843 • Saturday

<29> Rode out to <the> Prarie with my brothers and , and John Topham, and apportioned a lot between Sister Mulholland and

Elders , , , , and rode to , Iowa.

30 April 1843 • Sunday

<30> The brethren held a Meeting at , and had a good time, about 200 Saints were present; <> is a flourishing little town, there are three saw mills, <&> two flour mills having excellent water privileges.

At 10 A.M. A trial commenced before the First Presidency, vs Anson Matthews, being an appeal from the High Council on complaint. “First— For a failure in refusing to perform according to contract respecting the sale of a piece of land by him sold to me. Second.— For transferring his property in a way to enable him to bid defiance to the result and force of law, to compel him < ◊◊> < and> to evade the aforesaid contracts thereby wronging me out of my just claim to the same, and also for lying.” &c &c.

Witnesses for plaintiff— , N.G. Blodgett, , [HC 5:371]

Witnesses for defence— 2 Affidavits of Geo Reads, Mrs Matthews, bro [Daniel] Browett, Saml Thompson Richard Slater.

Decision of the Council is, that the charges are not sustained [p. 1541]

25 April 1843 • Tuesday

April 25 In the in the morning, and heard read the proceedings of the Twelve Apostles yesterday.

and other Masons came to see me concerning , when I was told that Grand Master G.M. [Jonathan] Nye was dead; which caused the following remark When Nye was here trying to pull me by the nose, and trample on me, I enquired of the Lord if I was to be led by the nose and cuffed about by such a man’ I received for answer “wait a minute.” Nye is dead, and any man or mason who attempts to ride me down, and oppress me, will run against the boss of Jehovah’s buckler, and will be quickly moved out of the way. Nye was a hypocritical Presbyterian preacher, and was known to have committed adultery, in this and violated his oath as a Master Mason. He started an opposition Lodge, on the hill, called the Nye Lodge, on which subject I said they will do us all the injury they can, but let them go ahead, altho’ it will result in a division of the lodge.

Nye fearing the penalty of the city ordinances on adultery, speedily fled from , and soon after died suddenly in .

26 April 1843 • Wednesday

26. Wednesday. At home. Squally and cold weather.

Received of a deed of N. ½ of lot 4, block 12 on ’s 2nd addition; valued at $50 on Tithing.

27 April 1843 • Thursday

27 At 11 A.M. Sat in Mayor’s Court, when Jonathan Ford proved a stolen horse.

Visited at bro. ’s with .

The Nye Lodge was installed on the hill.

English State Documents show an annual loss of £3,000,000, and 1000 lives on the coast of Portsmouth, for want of harbors of refuge.

28 April 1843 • Friday

28 At home.

29 April 1843 • Saturday

29 Rode out to the Prarie with my brothers and , and John Topham, and apportioned a lot between Sister Mulholland and

Elders , , , , and rode to , Iowa.

30 April 1843 • Sunday

30 The brethren held a Meeting at , and had a good time, about 200 Saints were present; is a flourishing little town, there are three saw mills, & two flour mills having excellent water privileges.

At 10 A.M. A trial commenced before the First Presidency, vs Anson Matthews, being an appeal from the High Council on complaint. “First— For a failure in refusing to perform according to contract respecting the sale of a piece of land by him sold to me. Second.— For transferring his property in a way to enable him to bid defiance to the result and force of law, and evade the aforesaid contracts thereby wronging me out of my just claim to the same, and also for lying.” &c &c.

Witnesses for plaintiff— , N.G. Blodgett, , [HC 5:371]

Witnesses for defence— 2 Affidavits of Geo Reads, Mrs Matthews, bro Daniel Browett, Saml Thompson Richard Slater.

Decision of the Council is, that the charges are not sustained [p. 1541]

View entire transcript |

Cite this page

Document Information
Editorial Title
History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843]
ID #
7624
Total Pages
298
Handwriting on This Page
- Thomas Bullock
Footnotes
1. 599
  See 25 Apr. 1843 entry in History Draft.
2. 600
  JS, Journal, 25 Apr. 1843; Clayton, Journal, 25 Apr. 1843.
  
  Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
3. 601
  See 26 Apr. 1843 entry in History Draft.
4. 602
  JS, Journal, 26 Apr. 1843.
5. 603
  See 27 Apr. 1843 entry in History Draft.
6. 604
  JS, Journal, 27 Apr. 1843; Clayton, Journal, 27 Apr. 1843.
  
  Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
7. 605
  See 28 Apr. 1843 entry in History Draft.
8. 606
  JS, Journal, 28 Apr. 1843.
9. 607
  See 29 Apr. 1843 entry in History Draft.
10. 608
  Clayton, Journal, 29 Apr. 1843.
  
  Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
11. 609
  See 30 Apr. 1843 entry in History Draft.
12. 610
  Young, Journal, 19–30 Apr. 1843; JS, Journal, 30 Apr. 1843.
  
  Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.
13. 611
  Graham Coltrin v. Anson Matthews, Appeal before the First Presidency, 30 Apr. 1843, JS Collection, CHL.
  
  Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.

History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843]

Cite this page

Request for Documents