History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]

Source Note

JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. E-1, created 20 Aug. 1855–5 Apr. 1856; handwriting of Robert L. Campbell,
Leo Hawkins
19 July 1834–28 May 1859. Clerk, reporter. Born in London. Son of Samuel Harris Hawkins and Charlotte Savage. Baptized into LDS church by John Banks, 23 Oct. 1848. Immigrated to U.S. with his family; arrived in New Orleans, 26 Dec. 1849. Lived in St. Louis...
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, and Jonathan Grimshaw; 392 pages, plus 11 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the fifth volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This fifth volume covers the period from 1 July 1843 to 30 Apr. 1844; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, C-1, D-1, and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction

History, 1838–1856, volume E-1, constitutes the fifth 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 July 1843 to 30 April 1844, and it was compiled in Utah Territory in the mid-1850s.

The material recorded in volume E-1 was initially compiled under the direction of church historian
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 LDS church by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1833. Labored on Kirtland temple...
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, who was JS’s cousin. Smith collaborated with
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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in collecting material for the history and creating a set of draft notes that Smith dictated to Bullock and other clerks.

Robert L. Campbell, a recently returned missionary and member of the Historian’s Office staff, transcribed
Smith
26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into LDS church by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1833. Labored on Kirtland temple...
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’s notes into the volume along with the text of designated documents (such as letters and meeting minutes). The Church Historian’s Office journal entry for 2 May 1855 pinpoints the beginning of his work: “R. L. C. on Book D forenoon, afternoon began book E.” Campbell’s work on the volume apparently concluded on 5 April 1856; entries in the Historian’s Office journal indicate that he then moved on to other assignments while another clerk, Jonathan Grimshaw, began work on volume F-1, the last manuscript in the series. (Historian’s Office, Journal, 2 May 1855; 5 and 9 Apr. 1856.)

Volume E-1 contains 391 pages of primary text and 11 pages of addenda. The initial entry on page 1637 is a continuation of the 1 July 1843 entry that closed volume D-1. The final entry in volume E-1 is for 30 April 1844.

The 391 pages of volume E-1 document a crucial period of JS’s life and the history of the church. Important events recorded here include

• An account of JS’s 2 July 1843 meeting with several Pottawatamie chiefs.

• JS’s 4 July 1843 address regarding his recent arrest, the
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, LDS church purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas. Served as church headquarters, 1839...
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Legion, and Mormon voting practices.

• JS’s 12 July 1843 dictation of a revelation regarding eternal marriage, including the plurality of wives, in the presence of
Hyrum Smith
9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co., by...
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and
William Clayton
17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into LDS church by Heber C. Kimball, 21 Oct. 1837, in River...
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.

• The 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment of
Sidney Rigdon
19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
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and revocation of his priesthood license.

• Dispatch of the first missionaries to the Pacific Islands on 20 September 1843, led by
Addison Pratt
21 Feb. 1802–14 Oct. 1872. Sailor, farmer, carpenter. Born in Winchester, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of Henry Pratt and Rebekah Jewell. Married Louisa Barnes, 3 Apr. 1831, in Dunham, Lower Canada. Settled on banks of Lake Erie, in New York, where he...
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.

• JS’s 1 October 1843 announcement of
George J. Adams
7 Nov. 1810–11 May 1880. Tailor, actor, clergyman. Born in Oxford, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Lived in Boston during 1820s and 1830s. Became Methodist lay preacher. Married Caroline. Moved to New York City, before 1840. Baptized into LDS church, Feb. 1840, in...
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’s appointment to a mission to Russia.

• Minutes of a 6–9 October 1843 general conference inserted under the date of 9 October at which
Sidney Rigdon
19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
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pled his case in regard to his 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment and was permitted to continue as counselor in the First Presidency.

• Text of JS’s appeal to the Green Mountain Boys of
Vermont
Area served as early thoroughfare for traveling Indian tribes. French explored area, 1609, and erected fort on island in Lake Champlain, 1666. First settled by Massachusetts emigrants, 1724. Claimed by British colonies of New York and New Hampshire, but during...
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, inserted under the date of 29 November 1843.

• A 20 January 1844 entry that includes a poem by
Eliza R. Snow
21 Jan. 1804–5 Dec. 1887. Poet, teacher, seamstress, milliner. Born in Becket, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Daughter of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Moved to Mantua, Trumbull Co., Ohio, ca. 1806. Member of Baptist church. Baptized into LDS ...
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commemorating the presentation of two copies of the Book of Mormon to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert by Lorenzo Snow.

• JS’s nomination on 29 January 1844 as an independent candidate for the presidency of the
United States
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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.

• An account of JS’s
King Follett
24/26 July 1788–9 Mar. 1844. Born at Winchester, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Son of John Follett and Hannah Oak (Oake) Alexander. Married Louisa Tanner, by 1815. Baptized into LDS church, spring 1831. Member of Whitmer branch at Jackson Co., Missouri, by...
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sermon, 7 April 1844.

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<September 13> regard to that place and people is very erroneous. During his residence there he became quite familiar with their manners, principles and habits, and says there is not a more industrious, moral and well ordered town in the country. Society is as much diversified there as it is here, the Mormons constituting about two thirds of he population, while all religious sects are as freely tolerated as in any other part of the . He was at the late trial and acquital of Joseph Smith, and says that the charges against him were of the most frivolous and unsubstantial nature. He is an agreeable man in conversation, is respected by those who know him and is ‘as much sinned against as sinning’. He only claims the privilege of exercising and enjoying his own religion— a privilege which he and his followers cheerfully award to others. They invite immigrants to come among them, and receive those who design to enter into the Mormon community with great attention and kindness. Houses are prepared for their reception, to which they are conducted on their arrival, by a Committee appointed for that purpose, whose next business it is to attend to their immediate wants and see them comfortably situated. Education is by no means neglected— proper schools and teachers being provided; and temperance reigns throughout. It has now about 15 to 18.000 inhabitants and promises to become a place of extensive business, four or five steamboats stopping there every day. [HC 6:32] The gentleman remarked to us that he wished he could speak as well of his own native town as he could of . This is news to us, as no doubt it will be to many, but no one who knows him can doubt the integrity of our informant.”

I insert the doings of the Anti-Mormon meeting at as published in the Warsaw Message of this date, as a most diabolical specimen of black-hearted corruption and falsehood ever spread upon paper; <see addenda page 3.>

14 September 1843 • Thursday

<14> Thursday 14. I attended a second lecture on Socialism by Mr Finch; and after he got through, I made a few remarks alluding to and getting up a community at , and of the big fish there eating up all the little fish. I said I did not believe the doctrine. Mr Finch replied a few minutes, and said “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness— I am the Spiritual prophet— Mr. Smith the temporal.”

Elder replied to the lecture at some length.

15 September 1843 • Friday

<15> Friday 15. I put up a sign “” in consequence of my house being constantly crowded with strangers and other persons wishing to see me, or had business in the ; I found myself unable to support so much company free of charge, which I have done from the foundation of the church; my house has been a home and resting place for thousands, and my family many times obliged to do without food, after having fed all they had to visitors; and I could have continued the same liberal course, had it not been for the cruel and untiring persecution of my relentless enemies. I have been reduced to the necessity of opening my mansion as a hotel, have provided the best Table accommodations in the , and the being large and convenient, renders travellers more comfortable than any other place on the Upper . I have erected a large and commodious brick stable, and it is capable of accommodating [p. 1734]

September 13 regard to that place and people is very erroneous. During his residence there he became quite familiar with their manners, principles and habits, and says there is not a more industrious, moral and well ordered town in the country. Society is as much diversified there as it is here, the Mormons constituting about two thirds of he population, while all religious sects are as freely tolerated as in any other part of the . He was at the late trial and acquital of Joseph Smith, and says that the charges against him were of the most frivolous and unsubstantial nature. He is an agreeable man in conversation, is respected by those who know him and is ‘as much sinned against as sinning’. He only claims the privilege of exercising and enjoying his own religion— a privilege which he and his followers cheerfully award to others. They invite immigrants to come among them, and receive those who design to enter into the Mormon community with great attention and kindness. Houses are prepared for their reception, to which they are conducted on their arrival, by a Committee appointed for that purpose, whose next business it is to attend to their immediate wants and see them comfortably situated. Education is by no means neglected— proper schools and teachers being provided; and temperance reigns throughout. It has now about 15 to 18.000 inhabitants and promises to become a place of extensive business, four or five steamboats stopping there every day. [HC 6:32] The gentleman remarked to us that he wished he could speak as well of his own native town as he could of . This is news to us, as no doubt it will be to many, but no one who knows him can doubt the integrity of our informant.”

14 September 1843 • Thursday

14 Thursday 14. I attended a second lecture on Socialism by Mr Finch; and after he got through, I made a few remarks alluding to and getting up a community at , and of the big fish there eating up all the little fish. I said I did not believe the doctrine. Mr Finch replied a few minutes, and said “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness— I am the Spiritual prophet— Mr. Smith the temporal.”

Elder replied to the lecture at some length.

15 September 1843 • Friday

15 Friday 15. I put up a sign “” in consequence of my house being constantly crowded with strangers and other persons wishing to see me, or had business in the ; I found myself unable to support so much company free of charge, which I have done from the foundation of the church; my house has been a home and resting place for thousands, and my family many times obliged to do without food, after having fed all they had to visitors; and I could have continued the same liberal course, had it not been for the cruel and untiring persecution of my relentless enemies. I have been reduced to the necessity of opening my mansion as a hotel, have provided the best Table accommodations in the , and the being large and convenient, renders travellers more comfortable than any other place on the Upper . I have erected a large and commodious brick stable, and it is capable of accommodating [p. 1734]

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Document Information
Editorial Title
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]
ID #
8112
Total Pages
448
Handwriting on This Page
- Robert L. Campbell
Footnotes
1. 264
  See 14 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
2. 265
  JS, Journal, 14 Sept. 1843.
3. 266
  See 15 Sept. 1843 entry in History Draft.
4. 267
  JS, Journal, 15 Sept. 1843.

History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]

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