History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843]
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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 , Robert L. Campbell, and ; 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.
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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 , with the assistance of . After Richards’s death in 1854, 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, finished the third volume of the series, volume C-1, on Thursday, 3 July 1845, in , Illinois. He began work on the fourth volume, D-1, the next day, beginning on page 1362 with the entry for 1 August 1842. (The pages in volumes A-1–E-1 were numbered consecutively.) Bullock continued work on the record, drawing upon ’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 and . 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 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, , resumed writing in D-1 on 1 July 1854, beginning with the entry for 1 March 1843.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.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 governor .• ’s 17 August 1842 letter to governor , 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 governor , and subsequent hearing in , Illinois.• The 7 February 1843 recovery of a volume of patriarchal blessings given by , which had been stolen in , Missouri.• JS’s 21 February 1843 remarks regarding the and .• JS’s 2 April 1843 instruction at , Illinois, on the nature of God and other subjects.• JS’s 16 May 1843 remarks at , Illinois, on the everlasting covenant and eternal marriage.• The account of JS’s 23 June 1843 arrest and his hearing the following week at .
Footnotes
May 6 In the morning had an interview with a lecturer on Mesmerism and Phrenology. Objected to his performing in the . Also an interview with a Methodist Preacher, and conversed about his God without body or parts
At 9½ A.M. I mounted with my staff, and with the band and about a dozen ladies led by , and proceeded to the general Parade Ground of the Nauvoo Legion, east of my on the Prairie. The Legion looked well, better than on any former occasion; and they performed their evolusions in admirable style.
The officers did honor to the Legion, many of them were equipped, and armed cap-a-pie. The men were in good spirits, they had made great improvements, both in uniform and discipline, and we felt proud to be associated with a body of men which in point of discipline, [HC 5:383] uniform, appearance and a knowledge of military tactics, are the pride of , one of its strongest defences, and a great bulwark of the western country.
In the course of my remarks on the Prairie I told the Legion, that when we have petitioned those in power for assistance, they have always told us they had no power to help us, damn such Traitors— when they give me the power to protect the innocent, I will never say I can do nothing for their good, I will exercise that power. So help me God. At the close of the address the Legion marched to the and disbanded in Main Street about 2 P.M. the day being windy and very cold. There were two Officers and of , present, who expressed great satisfaction at our appearance and evolutions.
In the evening, attended Mr Vickers performance of Wire Dancing, Legerdemain Magic &c. &c.
A conference was held at Toulon, Stark County, ; 5 branches, 17 Elders 3 Priests, 4 Teachers, 2 Deacons and 129 members were represented. A branch has been recently organized at Lyons, , New York, consisting of 2 Elders, 1 Priest 1 Teacher and 22 members
7 Sunday. In the forenoon I was visited by several Gentlemen, concerning the plates, which were dug out near Kinderhook.
The Council of the First Presidency met
Elder preached at
8 I called at the at 7 a.M. with a to stay suit Thompson Dixon.
was unwilling to give sister Mulholland one fourth of the lot as directed by me.
9 In company with my , , and my adult family, , , , and about one hundred Gentlemen and Ladies, started 10 min: before 8 A.M. [HC 5:384] from the Nauvoo dock, under a salute of Cannon: having on board a fine band of Music. We had an excellent address from our esteemed friend ; the band performed its part well: much good humor and hilarity prevailed. The Captain and officers on board did all they could to make us comfortable, and we had a very agreeable and pleasant trip. We started with the intention of visiting , but in consequence of the lowness of Skunk river, it was impracticable, we therefore altered our course to , touching at Fort Madison, on our way up, and at Shokoquon on our return.
In consequence of the of having refused to withdraw a writ, reported to have been issued on a demand from the of on the same charge as that for which I had been discharged by , I dispensed with the pleasure of calling upon my friends at or Fort Madison. During our stay at those places, I kept myself concealed on the boat The Maid of Iowa did well, her accommodations are good, for the size of the [p. 1547]
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Document Information
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Footnotes
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628
See 6 May 1843 entry in History Draft.
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629
JS, Journal, 6 May 1843, in JSP, J3:12; “Military,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 10 May 1843, [2].
Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
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630
“Conference in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois,” Times and Seasons, 1 Sept. 1843, 4:317.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
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631
See 7 May 1843 entry in History Draft.
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632
JS, Journal, 7 May 1843, in JSP, J3:13.
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Leo Hawkins handwriting ends; Robert Cambpell begins.
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633
See 8 May 1843 entry in History Draft.
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634
JS, Journal, 8 May 1843, in JSP, J3:13.
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635
See 9 May 1843 entry in History Draft.
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636
JS, Journal, 9 May 1843, in JSP, J3:13, 15; “The Maid of Iowa left Nauvoo,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 10 May 1843, [2].
Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
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Insertion in handwriting of Thomas Bullock.
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628
