History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838]

Source Note

JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. B-1, created 1 Oct. 1843–24 Feb. 1845; handwriting of
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
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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; 297 pages, plus 10 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the second volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This second volume covers the period from 1 Sept. 1834 to 2 Nov. 1838; the subsequent four volumes, labeled C-1 through F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction

This document, volume B-1, is the second of the six volumes of the “Manuscript History of the Church.” The collection was compiled over the span of seventeen years, 1838 to 1856. The narrative in volume B-1 begins with the entry for 1 September 1834, just after the conclusion of the Camp of Israel (later called Zion’s Camp), and continues to 2 November 1838, when JS was interned as a prisoner of war 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. For a fuller discussion of the entire six-volume work, see the general introduction to the history.
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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, serving as JS’s “private secretary and historian,” completed the account of JS’s history contained in volume A-1 in August 1843. It covered the period from JS’s birth in 1805 through the aftermath of the Camp of Israel in August 1834. When work resumed on the history on 1 October 1843, Richards started a new volume, eventually designated B-1.
At the time of JS’s death in June 1844, the account had been advanced to 5 August 1838, on page 812 of volume B-1.
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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’s poor health led to the curtailment of work on B-1 for several months, until 11 December 1844. On that date, Richards and
William W. Phelps
17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...
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, assisted by
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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, resumed gathering the records and reports needed to draft the history. Richards then composed and drafted roughed-out notes while Thomas Bullock compiled the text of the history and inscribed it in B-1. They completed their work on the volume on or about 24 February 1845. Richards, Willmer Benson, and Jonathan Grimshaw later added ten pages of “Addenda,” which provided notes, extensive revisions, or additional text to be inserted in the original manuscript where indicated.
Though JS did not dictate or revise any of the text recorded in B-1,
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
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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chose to maintain the first-person, chronological narrative format established in A-1 as if JS were the author. They drew from a variety of primary and secondary sources including JS’s diaries and letters, minutes of meetings, the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, church and other periodicals, reports of JS’s discourses, and the reminiscences and recollections of church members. As was the case with A-1, after JS’s death,
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 modified and corrected the manuscript as they reviewed material before its eventual publication.
Beginning in March 1842 the church’s Nauvoo periodical, the Times and Seasons, began publishing the narrative as the “History of Joseph Smith.” It was also published in England in the church periodical the Millennial Star beginning in June 1842. Once a press was established in Utah and the Deseret News began publication, the “History of Joseph Smith” once more appeared in print in serialized form. Beginning with the November 1851 issue, the narrative picked up where the Times and Seasons had left off over five years earlier.
The narrative recorded in B-1 continued the story of JS’s life as the prophet and president of the church he labored to establish. The account encompasses significant developments in the church’s two centers at that time—
Kirtland
Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...
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, Ohio, and northwest
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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—during a four-year-span. Critical events included the organization of the Quorums of the Twelve Apostles and the Seventy, the dedication of the House of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio, the establishment of the Kirtland Safety Society, dissension and apostasy in Kirtland and Missouri, the first mission to England, JS’s flight from Kirtland to Missouri in the winter of 1838, the Saints’ exodus from Kirtland later that year, the disciplining of the Missouri presidency, and the outbreak of the Missouri War and arrest of JS. Thus, B-1 provides substantial detail regarding a significant period of church expansion and transition as well as travail.

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<November 27.> At a conference of Elders, consisting of all the authorities of the church in , November 27th. Elder Reuben Hadlock [Hedlock] was chosen President of the elders quorum in place of Elder <30> deceased. November 30th presented a complaint [HC 2:526] <against> , “for abusing Elder , and for a general course of unchristian like conduct.” The accused having been notified to appear and answer for his conduct, and having refused, The High council decided that he be cut off, for shewing contempt to the authorities of the church.

6–7 December 1837 • Wednesday–Thursday

<December 6. Council at Committees, <&c> appointed> December 6th. The High Council and and council appointed , and a committee to consider the propriety of proposing to the chu[r]ch to pay the council for their time while engaged in counsel. , and were appointed a committee to report upon the subject of raising a revenue to defray the expences of the Church. was appointed to sign Elder’s Licences as Chairman, and as cle[r]k: and , to sign Licences as Chairman Pro Tempore, in the absence of , and as clerk pro tempore; And Recording clerk, and standing Clerk of the Council; and Recorder of Patriarchal Blessings at .

<Report of committee on pay for Council &c> The committee on pay for the council reported “It is our united opinion that the Presidency, High council, and Bishop and council, Clerk of the council, Patriarch, & Agent of the church; (also any others who may be employed in church business,) receve per day, each, one dollar and fifty cents.” , , .” <$1.000. for suits against Mob.> Reported to the council that he had paid six hundred dollars to Lawyers to carry on suits against the Mob, and three hundred dollars costs <in carrying on> on said suits, for which he had involved himself, and was paying ten per cent interest on the same: and petitioned the council for leave to Liquidate the debt out of properties consecrated [HC 2:527] for the benefit of the church, and charge the church for the same; and the council Granted the petition. Voted that the Recorder of Licences and Patriarchal blessings receive for each 100 words 10 cents. Council adjourned to December 7th.

<x 7> Council assembled on the 7th. according to adjournment, and heard the report of their committee on raising a revenue to pay the officers of the church for their services, and after much discussion, and adjournment from time to time, the council dismissed the subject as being anti-scriptural.

December 1837

During <my> absence . , , , and some others united together for the overthrow of the church. I returned <10 Joseph’s return to > to on or about the 10th of December: soon after which this dissenting band, openly and publicly, renounced the church of Christ of Latter Day Saints. And claimed themselves to be the old standard, calling themselves the church of Christ, excluding that of Saints, and set me at naught, and the whole church denouncing us as heretics, not considering that the Saints shall possess the kingdom according to the Prophet Daniel. , and most of his adherents, openly ren The “Elder’s Journal” No 2. for November was the last paper printed at <Printing office burned at > . Our printing establishment was attached to satisfy an unjust Judgment of the county court, and soon after the whole printing apparatus and office was burned to the ground.—

September–December 1837

<England> The work continued to spread in England, with great rapidity. On the 12th of September Elder [John] Goodson left Bedford for ; and about the first of october sailed for . in company with , taking with him 200 Books of Mormons which the Elders in vain tried to persuade him to leave. Branches were established in Eccleston, Wrightington, Heskin, Euxton Bath, Daubers Lane, Chorley, Whittle, Leyland Moss, Ribchester, Thornley, Clithero, Wadding[HC 2:528]ton, Downham and [p. 779]

27–30 November 1837 • Monday–Thursday

November 27. At a conference of Elders, consisting of all the authorities of the church in , November 27th. Elder Reuben Hadlock [Hedlock] was chosen President of the elders quorum in place of Elder 30 deceased. November 30th presented a complaint [HC 2:526] against , “for abusing Elder , and for a general course of unchristian like conduct.” The accused having been notified to appear and answer for his conduct, and having refused, The High council decided that he be cut off, for shewing contempt to the authorities of the church.

6–7 December 1837 • Wednesday–Thursday

December 6. Council at Committees, &c appointed December 6th. The High Council and and council appointed , and a committee to consider the propriety of proposing to the church to pay the council for their time while engaged in counsel. , and were appointed a committee to report upon the subject of raising a revenue to defray the expences of the Church. was appointed to sign Elder’s Licences as Chairman, and as clerk: and , to sign Licences as Chairman Pro Tempore, in the absence of , and as clerk pro tempore; And Recording clerk, standing Clerk of the Council; and Recorder of Patriarchal Blessings at .

Report of committee on pay for Council &c The committee on pay for the council reported “It is our united opinion that the Presidency, High council, Bishop and council, Clerk of the council, Patriarch, & Agent of the church; (also any others who may be employed in church business,) receve per day, each, one dollar and fifty cents.” , , .” $1.000. for suits against Mob. Reported to the council that he had paid six hundred dollars to Lawyers to carry on suits against the Mob, and three hundred dollars costs in carrying on said suits, for which he had involved himself, and was paying ten per cent interest on the same: and petitioned the council for leave to Liquidate the debt out of properties consecrated [HC 2:527] for the benefit of the church, and charge the church for the same; and the council Granted the petition. Voted that the Recorder of Licences and Patriarchal blessings receive for each 100 words 10 cents. Council adjourned to December 7th.

x 7 Council assembled on the 7th. according to adjournment, and heard the report of their committee on raising a revenue to pay the officers of the church for their services, and after much discussion, and adjournment from time to time, the council dismissed the subject as being anti-scriptural.

December 1837

During my absence . , , , and some others united together for the overthrow of the church. I returned 10 Joseph’s return to to on or about the 10th of December: soon after which this dissenting band, openly and publicly, renounced the church of Christ of Latter Day Saints. And claimed themselves to be the old standard, calling themselves the church of Christ, excluding that of Saints, and set me at naught, and the whole church denouncing us as heretics, not considering that the Saints shall possess the kingdom according to the Prophet Daniel. The “Elder’s Journal” No 2. for November was the last paper printed at Printing office burned at . Our printing establishment was attached to satisfy an unjust Judgment of the county court, and soon after the whole printing apparatus and office was burned to the ground.—

September–December 1837

England The work continued to spread in England, with great rapidity. On the 12th of September Elder John Goodson left Bedford for ; and about the first of october sailed for . in company with , taking with him 200 Books of Mormons which the Elders in vain tried to persuade him to leave. Branches were established in Eccleston, Wrightington, Heskin, Euxton Bath, Daubers Lane, Chorley, Whittle, Leyland Moss, Ribchester, Thornley, Clithero, Wadding[HC 2:528]ton, Downham and [p. 779]

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Document Information
Editorial Title
History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838]
ID #
7404
Total Pages
332
Handwriting on This Page
- Willard Richards
Footnotes
1. 401
  Minute Book 1, 27 Nov. 1837.
2. 402
  Minute Book 1, 30 Nov. 1837.
3. 403
  Minute Book 2, 6–7 Dec. 1837.
4. 404
  Kimball, “Journal and Record,” 115–131.
  
  Kimball, Heber C. “The Journal and Record of Heber Chase Kimball an Apostle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” ca. 1842–1858. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 1.

History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838]

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