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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<October 24> give us assistance as quick as possible— Yours &c — Joseph Dickson”

These mobbers must have had very acute ears to hear Cannon (a six pounder) thirty seven miles— so much for the lies of a priest of this world— Now for the truth of the case. This day about < at Log Creek> noon , with some thirty or forty men, called on Brother Thoret Parsons where he was living at the head of the East branch at Log Creek, and warned <him> to be gone before next day at ten in the morning, declaring also

“That he would give Thunder and Lightening before next day at noon, if he had good luck in meeting , who would camp about six miles west of that night, and that he should camp on ,”

and departed towards . Brother Parsons despatched a Messenger with this news to , and followed after to watch his movements. Brother <David Judith this christian name furnished by says it is D Juda> , and <David> Judith who went out this morning to watch the movements of the enemy, saw eight unarmed mobbers call at the house of Brother <Mr> Pinkham, where they took three prisoners (Brother <Nathan> Pinkham’s son, Brothers Wm. Seeley and <Addison> Green) and four horses, arms &c and departed threatning <Father> Pinkham if he did not leave the State immediately they “would have his damned old scalp,” and having learned of ’s movements returned to near midnight, and reported their proceedings, and that of the Mob. On hearing the <’s order> Report the first Judge of the Ordered , the highest officer in command in , to send out [HC 3:169] a Company to disperse the Mob and retake their Prisoners who it was reported they intended to murder that night— The Trumpet sounded, and the brethren were assembled on the public square— about midnight when the facts were stated and about seventy five volunteered to obey the Judges order under command of Captain , who immediately commenced their March on horseback, hoping to surprise and scatter the Camp, retake the prisoners and prevent the attack threatened upon , without the loss of blood.

25 October 1838 • Thursday

<25> Thursday 25. fifteen of the Company were detached from the Main body while Sixty continued their March till they arrived near the fords of (or Creek) where they dismounted, tied their horses, and leaving four or five men to guard them, proceeded toward the Ford, not knowing the location of the encampment. It was just at the dawning of light in the East, when they were marching quietly along the Road, and near the top of the hill <s mob battle at > which descends to the River, when the report of a Gun was heard, and young <Young ’s name was — this name was furnished by > reeled out of the Ranks and fell mortally wounded. Thus the work of death commenced, when ordered a charge and rushed down the hill on a fast trot, and when within about fifty yards of the Camp formed a line. The mob formed a line under the bank of the River below their tents. It was yet so dark that little could be seen by looking at the West— while the mob looking towards the dawning light could see and his men, when they fired a broadside, and three or four of the brethren fell— ordered the fire returned, which was instantly obeyed to great— disadvantage in the darkness which yet continued— The fire was repeated by the Mob and returned by ’s Company, and gave the Watchword “God and Liberty”; when ordered a charge which was instantly obeyed— The parties immediately came in contact with their swords, and the Mob was soon put to flight, crossing the River at [HC 3:170] the Ford and such places as they could get a chance. In the pursuit one of the Mob fled behind a tree, wheeled, and shot , who instantly fell mortally wounded, having received a large ball in his bowels— The ground was soon cleared, and the brethren gathered up a waggon or two, and making beds therein of tents &c took their wounded and retreated towards — Three brethren were wounded in the bowels, one in the neck, one in the Shoulder, one through the hips, one through [p. 839]

October 24 give us assistance as quick as possible— Yours &c — Joseph Dickson”

These mobbers must have had very acute ears to hear Cannon (a six pounder) thirty seven miles— so much for the lies of a priest of this world— Now for the truth of the case. This day about at Log Creek noon , with some thirty or forty men, called on Brother Thoret Parsons where he was living at the head of the East branch at Log Creek, and warned him to be gone before next day at ten in the morning, declaring also

“That he would give Thunder and Lightening before next day at noon, if he had good luck in meeting , who would camp about six miles west of that night, and that he should camp on ,”

and departed towards . Brother Parsons despatched a Messenger with this news to , and followed after to watch his movements. Brother David Judith this christian name furnished by says it is D Juda , and David Judith who went out this morning to watch the movements of the enemy, saw eight unarmed mobbers call at the house of Brother Pinkham, where they took three prisoners ( Nathan Pinkham , Brothers Wm. Seeley and Addison Green) and four horses, arms &c and departed threatning Father Pinkham if he did not leave the State immediately they “would have his damned old scalp,” and having learned of ’s movements returned to near midnight, and reported their proceedings, and that of the Mob. On hearing the ’s order Report the first Judge of the Ordered , the highest officer in command in , to send out [HC 3:169] a Company to disperse the Mob and retake their Prisoners who it was reported they intended to murder that night— The Trumpet sounded, and the brethren were assembled on the public square— about midnight when the facts were stated and about seventy five volunteered to obey the Judges order under command of Captain , who immediately commenced their March on horseback, hoping to surprise and scatter the Camp, retake the prisoners and prevent the attack threatened upon , without the loss of blood.

25 October 1838 • Thursday

25 Thursday 25. fifteen of the Company were detached from the Main body while Sixty continued their March till they arrived near the fords of (or Creek) where they dismounted, tied their horses, and leaving four or five men to guard them, proceeded toward the Ford, not knowing the location of the encampment. It was just at the dawning of light in the East, when they were marching quietly along the Road, and near the top of the hill s mob battle at which descends to the River, when the report of a Gun was heard, and young Young ’s name was — this name was furnished by reeled out of the Ranks and fell mortally wounded. Thus the work of death commenced, when ordered a charge and rushed down the hill on a fast trot, and when within about fifty yards of the Camp formed a line. The mob formed a line under the bank of the River below their tents. It was yet so dark that little could be seen by looking at the West— while the mob looking towards the dawning light could see and his men, when they fired a broadside, and three or four of the brethren fell— ordered the fire returned, which was instantly obeyed to great— disadvantage in the darkness which yet continued— The fire was repeated by the Mob and returned by ’s Company, and gave the Watchword “God and Liberty”; when ordered a charge which was instantly obeyed— The parties immediately came in contact with their swords, and the Mob was soon put to flight, crossing the River at [HC 3:170] the Ford and such places as they could get a chance. In the pursuit one of the Mob fled behind a tree, wheeled, and shot , who instantly fell mortally wounded, having received a large ball in his bowels— The ground was soon cleared, and the brethren gathered up a waggon or two, and making beds therein of tents &c took their wounded and retreated towards — Three brethren were wounded in the bowels, one in the neck, one in the Shoulder, one through the hips, one through [p. 839]

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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. 672
  TEXT: Later graphite notation added in left margin.
2. 673
  TEXT: Insertion in graphite.
3. 674
  See 25 Oct. 1838 entry in History Draft.
4. 675
  Charles C. Rich, Statement, ca. 22 Feb. 1845, Historian’s Office, JS History, Documents, ca. 1839–1856, CHL; Rockwood, Journal, 25–28 Oct. 1838.
  
  Rockwood, Albert Perry. Journal Entries, Oct. 1838–Jan. 1839. Photocopy. CHL. MS 2606.
5. 676
  TEXT: Later graphite notation in left margin marked for insertion here.

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

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