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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of our religion is the testimony of the apostles and prophets concern<May 8.>ing Jesus Christ, “that he died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended up into heaven”; and all other things, are only appendages to these, which pertain to our religion. But in connection with these, we beleive in the gift of the Holy Ghost, the power of faith, the enjoyment of the Spiritual gifts according to the will of God, the restoration of the house of Israel, and the final triumph of truth.

I published the foregoing answers to save myself the trouble of repeating the same <x> a thousand times over, and over again.

9 May 1838 • Wednesday

<Wednesday 9.> Wednesday the 9th I attended the funeral of , and complied with the request that I should preach on the occasion.

10 May 1838 • Thursday

<10> Thursday 10th. I listened to an address on the political policy of ou[r] nation, delivered by , at the in the South west quarter of the city, to a large concourse of people from all sections of the , and from other counties also. Although was suffering under a severe cold, and great hoarseness. Yet, being assisted by the spirit of God. he was enabled clearly to elucidate the policy of the Federal and Democratic parties, from their rise to the in our country the present time, to the understanding of all present, giving an impartial hearing to both sides of the question. This address was delivered in consequence of a partial Electioneering, Federal speech of , at the same place a short time previous: And the politics of the church of [HC 3:30] Latter Day Saints generally being Democratic, it seemed desirable to hear an elucedation of the principles of both parties: with which I was highly edified.

11 May 1838 • Friday

<11.> Friday 11th. I attended the trial of . and Doctor McCord for transgression; before the Bishop’s Court. Mc Cord said he “was sorry to trouble the council on his account, for he had intended to withdraw from the church, before he left the place; that he had no confidence in the work of God, or his prophet, and should go his own way.” He gave up his licencence, and departed.— stated about the same as McCord, and that he had “no confidence in the heads of the church, beleiving they had transgressed, and had got out of the way: consequently he quit praying, and keeping the commandments, and indulged himself in his lustful desires; but when he heard that the first presidency had made a general settlement and acknowledged their sins, he began to pray again &c” When I interrogated him, he said he “had seen nothing out of the way himself, but he judged from heresay”

12 May 1838 • Saturday

<12> Saturday 12th. and myself attended the High Council for the purpose of presenting for their consideration, some business relating to our pecuniary concerns. We stated to the council our situation, as to maintaining our families, and the relation we now stand in to the church: spending, as we, have for eight years, our time, talents and property, in the service of the church; and being reduced, as it were to beggary, and being still detained in the business and [HC 3:31] service of the church, it appears necessary than something should be done for the support of our families, [p. 796]

of our religion is the testimony of the apostles and prophets concernMay 8.ing Jesus Christ, “that he died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended up into heaven”; and all other things, are only appendages to these, which pertain to our religion. But in connection with these, we beleive in the gift of the Holy Ghost, the power of faith, the enjoyment of the Spiritual gifts according to the will of God, the restoration of the house of Israel, and the final triumph of truth.

I published the foregoing answers to save myself the trouble of repeating the same x a thousand times over, and over again.

9 May 1838 • Wednesday

Wednesday 9. Wednesday the 9th I attended the funeral of , and complied with the request that I should preach on the occasion.

10 May 1838 • Thursday

10 Thursday 10th. I listened to an address on the political policy of our nation, delivered by , at the in the South west quarter of the city, to a large concourse of people from all sections of the , and from other counties also. Although was suffering under a severe cold, and great hoarseness. Yet, being assisted by the spirit of God. he was enabled clearly to elucidate the policy of the Federal and Democratic parties, from their rise in our country the present time, to the understanding of all present, giving an impartial hearing to both sides of the question. This address was delivered in consequence of a partial Electioneering, Federal speech of , at the same place a short time previous: And the politics of the church of [HC 3:30] Latter Day Saints generally being Democratic, it seemed desirable to hear an elucedation of the principles of both parties: with which I was highly edified.

11 May 1838 • Friday

11. Friday 11th. I attended the trial of . and Doctor McCord for transgression; before the Bishop’s Court. Mc Cord said he “was sorry to trouble the council on his account, for he had intended to withdraw from the church, before he left the place; that he had no confidence in the work of God, or his prophet, and should go his own way.” He gave up his licencence, and departed.— stated about the same as McCord, and that he had “no confidence in the heads of the church, beleiving they had transgressed, and had got out of the way: consequently he quit praying, and keeping the commandments, and indulged himself in his lustful desires; but when he heard that the first presidency had made a general settlement and acknowledged their sins, he began to pray again &c” When I interrogated him, he said he “had seen nothing out of the way himself, but he judged from heresay”

12 May 1838 • Saturday

12 Saturday 12th. and myself attended the High Council for the purpose of presenting for their consideration, some business relating to our pecuniary concerns. We stated to the council our situation, as to maintaining our families, and the relation we now stand in to the church: spending, as we, have for eight years, our time, talents and property, in the service of the church; and being reduced, as it were to beggary, and being still detained in the business and [HC 3:31] service of the church, it appears necessary than something should be done for the support of our families, [p. 796]

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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. 437
  JS, Journal, 9 May 1838.
2. 438
  JS, Journal, 10 May 1838.
3. 439
  JS, Journal, 11 May 1838.
4. 440
  JS, Journal, 12 May 1838.

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

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