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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<September 5 Joseph’s Affidavit continued> possession of the deponent. The deponent further saith, that no violation was offered to any individual in his presence, or within his knowledge; and that no insulting language was given by either party, except on the part of Mrs. Black, who while was engaged in making out the above named writing, (which he made with his own hand) gave to this Deponent, and others of the [HC 3:71] Society, highly insulting language, and false accusations, which were calculated in their nature to greatly irritate, if possible, the feelings of the bystanders belonging to said Society, in language like this:— being asked by the Deponent if she knew any thing in the Mormon People derogatory to the character of gentlemen, she answered in the negative— but said she did not know but the object of their visit was to steal something from them. After had executed the writing deponent asked if he had any unfriendly feelings towards the Deponent, and if he had not treated him genteelly. He answered in the affirmative; deponent then took leave of said and repaired to the house of — The next day we returned to — and further <x> this deponent saith not— Joseph Smith Jr.

Sworn to and subscribed this fifth day of September A.D. 1838. J.C.C.C.C.”

arrived at on his way to to meet the proposed trial had gone before arrived and the Judge tarried all night I was at home after six o clock in the evening.

<Camp.> Brother Nickerson’s child died in the Camp this morning. Passed through Mount Vernon, Mount Meridian, Putnamsville, Manhattan, Washington Township, Pleasant Garden into Van Buren Township Clay County— twenty miles and tented in the Road about one furlong west of Grays Creek— There was much sickness in the Country through which the Camp passed—

6 September 1838 • Thursday

<6> Thursday 6. Camp travelled seventeen miles and encamped two miles East of . roads very dusty.

<Joseph’s trial before > At half past seven this morning I started on horseback accompanied by several brethren among whom was my Brother and Judge to attend my trial at ’s . I thought it not wisdom to make my appearance before the public in that place in consequence of the many threats made against me and the high state of excitement— The Trial could not proceed on account of the absence of the Plaintiff and lack of testimony and the court adjourned until tomorrow at ten o clock in the morning— at a s, some six or eight miles further South, and within half a mile of the line of , is a Regular Mob Character. We all returned to , where we arrived before dark.

7 September 1838 • Friday

<7> Friday 7. About Sunrise I started with my friends and arrived at s at the appointed hour. We did not know but there would be a disturbance among the Mob Characters, to day, we ac[HC 3:72]cordingly had a company of men placed at the County line so as to be ready at a minute’s warning if there should be any difficulty at the trial, the trial commenced. who was the Prosecutor had no witnesses but , who contrived to swear a great many things that never had an existence until he swore them and I presume never entered the heart of any man to conceive and in fine I think he swore by the Job— and that he was employed so to do by — The Witnesses on the part of the defence were , , and — The bound and myself over to court in a five hundred dollar bond— there was no proof against us to criminate us, but it is supposed he did it to pacify as much as possible the feelings of the Mobbers— the stated afterwards in the presence of that there was nothing proven against us worthy of bonds, but we submitted without— murmuring a word, gave the bonds with sufficient Securities, and all returned home the same evening— We found two persons in at the trial, which Gentlemen were sent [p. 821]

September 5 Joseph’s Affidavit continued possession of the deponent. The deponent further saith, that no violation was offered to any individual in his presence, or within his knowledge; and that no insulting language was given by either party, except on the part of Mrs. Black, who while was engaged in making out the above named writing, (which he made with his own hand) gave to this Deponent, and others of the [HC 3:71] Society, highly insulting language, and false accusations, which were calculated in their nature to greatly irritate, if possible, the feelings of the bystanders belonging to said Society, in language like this:— being asked by the Deponent if she knew any thing in the Mormon People derogatory to the character of gentlemen, she answered in the negative— but said she did not know but the object of their visit was to steal something from them. After had executed the writing deponent asked if he had any unfriendly feelings towards the Deponent, and if he had not treated him genteelly. He answered in the affirmative; deponent then took leave of said and repaired to the house of — The next day we returned to — and further x this deponent saith not— Joseph Smith Jr.

Sworn to and subscribed this fifth day of September A.D. 1838. J.C.C.C.C.”

arrived at on his way to to meet the proposed trial had gone before arrived and the Judge tarried all night I was at home after six o clock in the evening.

Camp. Brother Nickerson’s child died in the Camp this morning. Passed through Mount Vernon, Mount Meridian, Putnamsville, Manhattan, Washington Township, Pleasant Garden into Van Buren Township Clay County— twenty miles and tented in the Road about one furlong west of Grays Creek— There was much sickness in the Country through which the Camp passed—

6 September 1838 • Thursday

6 Thursday 6. Camp travelled seventeen miles and encamped two miles East of . roads very dusty.

Joseph’s trial before At half past seven this morning I started on horseback accompanied by several brethren among whom was my Brother and Judge to attend my trial at ’s . I thought it not wisdom to make my appearance before the public in that place in consequence of the many threats made against me and the high state of excitement— The Trial could not proceed on account of the absence of the Plaintiff and lack of testimony and the court adjourned until tomorrow at ten o clock in the morning— at a s, some six or eight miles further South, and within half a mile of the line of , is a Regular Mob Character. We all returned to , where we arrived before dark.

7 September 1838 • Friday

7 Friday 7. About Sunrise I started with my friends and arrived at s at the appointed hour. We did not know but there would be a disturbance among the Mob Characters, to day, we ac[HC 3:72]cordingly had a company of men placed at the County line so as to be ready at a minute’s warning if there should be any difficulty at the trial, the trial commenced. who was the Prosecutor had no witnesses but , who contrived to swear a great many things that never had an existence until he swore them and I presume never entered the heart of any man to conceive and in fine I think he swore by the Job— and that he was employed so to do by — The Witnesses on the part of the defence were , , and — The bound and myself over to court in a five hundred dollar bond— there was no proof against us to criminate us, but it is supposed he did it to pacify as much as possible the feelings of the Mobbers— the stated afterwards in the presence of that there was nothing proven against us worthy of bonds, but we submitted without— murmuring a word, gave the bonds with sufficient Securities, and all returned home the same evening— We found two persons in at the trial, which Gentlemen were sent [p. 821]

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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
- Thomas Bullock
Footnotes
1. 543
  JS, Journal, 5 Sept. 1838.
2. 544
  Kirtland Camp, Journal, 5–6 Sept. 1838; Tyler, “Daily Journal,” 5–6 Sept. 1838.
  
  Kirtland Camp. Journal, Mar.–Oct. 1838. CHL. MS 4952.
  Tyler, Samuel D. Journal, July–Oct. 1838. CHL. MS 1761.
3. 545
  See 6 Sept. 1838 entry in History Draft.
4. 546
  JS, Journal, 6 Sept. 1838.
5. 547
  See 7 Sept. 1838 entry in History Draft.
6. 548
  JS, Journal, 7 Sept. 1838; Recognizance, 7 Sept. 1838 (State of MO v. Smith et al. for Riot).
  
  Missouri, State of. Recognizance of Joseph Smith and Lyman Wight, Daviess Co., MO, 7 Sept. 1838. Private possession. Copy in CHL.

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

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