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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<Note U> The mob committee met a committee of the brethren, and the brethren entered into an agreement to purchase all the lands and possessions of those who desired to sell and leave — (page 829

Addenda, Note W • 27 September 1838

<Note W> 26th. The High Council of was immediately called, and Elders , , , and were appointed to go immediately to the branches of the church in the south and East, and raise men and means to fulfill the contract; they arrived at late in the evening and called upon me and gave the above information which I approved of 26 <27th> my Brother and company left for this mission (see page 830

Addenda, Note X • 15–18 October 1838

<— X> among whom was Wife of my brother who was absent on a Mission at Tenessee her house having been plundered and burned by the mob she having travelled nearly three miles carrying her two helpless babes having had to wade see page 837

Addenda, Note Y • 17–18 September 1837

Ohio September 10th. 1837

Note Y <Note Y> Whereas the Ch To the Saints scattered abroad the and his counsellors of send Greeting.— Whereas the Church in has taken into Consideration the affairs of the latter day Saints, in general having opportunities of making themselves acquainted with the situation of the saints throughout the continent together, with the very flattering prospects of the prosperity of the Cause of God in our land; And also of the peculiar condition of the City of , which is a kind of firstfruits of the cities, which the Lord has began to build unto himself in these last days. It <h>as been deemed of great importance to the prosperity of the cause of truth in general that the and his Counsellors, send abroad this their memorial to all the Saints throughout the land, as well as to all well wishers to the Cause of Zion, in this our most happy Country. It is a fact well known, that the Saints in the City of have been called to endure a great fight of affliction for the truth’s sake; and to bear a heavy burden in order that the foundation of the Kingdom of God might be laid on a sure and certain basis, so that the prophetic vision of Daniel might most certainly be fulfilled. That this Kingdom might break in pieces all other Kingdoms, and stand for ever. The exertions of the enemy to prevent this have been very great and through their great exertions, they have given to the Saints great trouble, and caused them much expence. In addition to this, they have had to publish the word of the Lord which has been attended with great expence: those together with building the , have embarrassed them very much; for when subscription failed they went on and accomplished the work of building the house themselves, plighting all that they had, property, credit, and Character, and by these means accomplished this great work which is the Wonder and admiration of the world. This they have done in faith— b[e]lieving that as the multitude of saints increased, that their liberality would abound towards those who regarding nothing but the salvation of the world, have thus exposed themselves to ruins in order that the work of the gathering might not fail. And besides all, there have been a large number of poor who have to receive assistance from the donations of the Church, which have tended to increase its embarrassments. And now so numerous are the Saints grown, that it is impracticable for them all to gather to the places which are now appointed for this purpose. The Church of has therefore required at [p. 7 [addenda]]

Addenda, Note U • 25 September 1838

Note U The mob committee met a committee of the brethren, and the brethren entered into an agreement to purchase all the lands and possessions of those who desired to sell and leave — (page 829

Addenda, Note W • 27 September 1838

Note W 26th. The High Council of was immediately called, and Elders , , , and were appointed to go immediately to the branches of the church in the south and East, and raise men and means to fulfill the contract; they arrived at late in the evening and called upon me and gave the above information which I approved of 27th my Brother and company left for this mission (see page 830

Addenda, Note X • 15–18 October 1838

— X among whom was Wife of my brother who was absent on a Mission at Tenessee her house having been plundered and burned by the mob she having travelled nearly three miles carrying her two helpless babes having had to wade see page 837

Addenda, Note Y • 17–18 September 1837

Ohio September 10th. 1837

Note Y To the Saints scattered abroad the and his counsellors of send Greeting.— Whereas the Church in has taken into Consideration the affairs of the latter day Saints, in general having opportunities of making themselves acquainted with the situation of the saints throughout the continent together, with the very flattering prospects of the prosperity of the Cause of God in our land; And also of the peculiar condition of the City of , which is a kind of firstfruits of the cities, which the Lord has began to build unto himself in these last days. It has been deemed of great importance to the prosperity of the cause of truth in general that the and his Counsellors, send abroad this their memorial to all the Saints throughout the land, as well as to all well wishers to the Cause of Zion, in this our most happy Country. It is a fact well known, that the Saints in the City of have been called to endure a great fight of affliction for the truth’s sake; and to bear a heavy burden in order that the foundation of the Kingdom of God might be laid on a sure and certain basis, so that the prophetic vision of Daniel might most certainly be fulfilled. That this Kingdom might break in pieces all other Kingdoms, and stand for ever. The exertions of the enemy to prevent this have been very great and through their great exertions, they have given to the Saints great trouble, and caused them much expence. In addition to this, they have had to publish the word of the Lord which has been attended with great expence: those together with building the , have embarrassed them very much; for when subscription failed they went on and accomplished the work of building the house themselves, plighting all that they had, property, credit, and Character, and by these means accomplished this great work which is the Wonder and admiration of the world. This they have done in faith— believing that as the multitude of saints increased, that their liberality would abound towards those who regarding nothing but the salvation of the world, have thus exposed themselves to ruins in order that the work of the gathering might not fail. And besides all, there have been a large number of poor who have to receive assistance from the donations of the Church, which have tended to increase its embarrassments. And now so numerous are the Saints grown, that it is impracticable for them all to gather to the places which are now appointed for this purpose. The Church of has therefore required at [p. 7 [addenda]]

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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
- Willmer Benson
Footnotes
1. 702
  Newel K. Whitney et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Saints scattered abroad,” 18 Sept. 1837, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1837, 3:561–564.
  
  Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

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

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