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 habeas corpus hearing the following week at .
Footnotes
September 24 of the first Regiment, first Cohort, to fill the place of Colonel promoted, and Captain elected to fill his place; and Captain to fill the place of Major Charles Wightman deceased.
At home. Had a visit from old Mr. Joseph Murdock Senr. and Lady, concerning some Land &c.
25 Sunday 25. At the . Spoke more than two hours, chiefly on the subject of my persecution
Ship Medford sailed from for with 214 Saints.
26 Monday 26. The Office of Notary Public for the City of , was created by the City Council, and was elected— A Seal for the Municipal Court was ordered by the Council.
27 Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28th. At home. Nothing of importance transpired.
28 Ship Henry sailed from for with 157 Saints— [HC 5:165] see Note page 1433.
29 Thursday 29. This day began to be sick with fever, consequently I kept in the house with her all day.
30. Friday 30. is no better, I was with her all day.
October 1. Saturday 1. This morning I had a very severe pain in my left side; and was not able to be about. sick as usual. I had previously sent for the Temple Committee to balance their accounts and ascertain how the business was going on. Some reports had been circulated that the Committee was not making a righteous disposition of property consecrated for the building of the , and there appeared to be some dissatisfaction amongst the laborers. After carefully examining the accounts and enquiring into the manner of the proceedings of the Committee, I expressed myself perfectly satisfied with them and their works. The books were balanced between the Trustee and Committee and the wages of all agreed upon. I said to the brethren that I was amenable to the for the faithful discharge of my duties as Trustee in Trust, and that the Temple Committee were accountable to me, and to no other authority; and they must not take notice of any complaints from any source, but let the complaints be made to me, if any were needed, and I would make things right. The parties separated perfectly satisfied, and I remarked that I would have a notice published, stating that I had examined their accounts, and was satisfied [HC 5:166] &c. It was also agreed that the Recorder’s Office should be moved to the , for the convenience of all.
In this day’s Wasp I noticed the following letter from
“City of Ill: Septr. 26. 1842. Mr. Editor. Dear Sir: I noticed in the last Week’s Wasp a letter from Dr. , written from , which states that Dr. had declared in said , that he had received a letter from me and from my , and that we were preparing to leave and expose Mormonism. I wish, through the Medium of your paper, to say to the public, that said statements are entirely false. We have never at any time, written any letter or letters to Dr. , on any subject whatever. Neither are we “preparing to leave and expose Mormonism” but intend to make our Residence, and Mormonism our Motto.
Respectfully, .”
2 Sunday 2. About 10 o’clock this morning a Messenger arrived from stating that the had offered a reward of $200 for Joseph Smith Junr., and also $200 for . This Report was fully established on receipt of the Mail. Papers. The Quincy Whig also stated that had offered a reward; and published the ’s proclamation offering a reward of $300 for Joseph Smith Junr. and $300 for . It is not expected that much will be effected by the rewards. continued very sick. I was with her all day. [p. 1404]
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