History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]

Source Note

JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, created 24 Feb. 1845–3 July 1845; handwriting of
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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,
Franklin D. Richards
2 Apr. 1821–9 Dec. 1899. Carpenter, businessman, newspaper editor. Born at Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Phinehas Richards and Wealthy Dewey. Raised Congregationalist. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Phinehas ...
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, Jonathan Grimshaw, and
Leo Hawkins
19 July 1834–28 May 1859. Clerk, reporter. Born in London. Son of Samuel Harris Hawkins and Charlotte Savage. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John Banks, 23 Oct. 1848. Immigrated to U.S. with his family; arrived in New Orleans...
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; 512 pages, plus 24 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the third volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This third volume covers the period from 2 Nov. 1838 to 31 July 1842; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, D-1, E-1 and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction

This document, “History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842],” is the third of six volumes of the “Manuscript History of the Church” (in The Joseph Smith Papers the “Manuscript History” bears the editorial title “History, 1838–1856”). The completed six-volume collection covers the period from 23 December 1805 to 8 August 1844. The narrative in this volume commences on 2 November 1838 with JS and other church leaders being held prisoner by the “
Governor
14 Dec. 1796–14 Mar. 1860. Bookkeeper, bank cashier, merchant, Indian agent and trader, lawyer, doctor, postmaster, politician. Born at Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of John M. Boggs and Martha Oliver. Served in War of 1812. Moved to St. Louis, ca...
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’s forces” 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, and concludes with the death of Bishop
Vinson Knight
14 Mar. 1804–31 July 1842. Farmer, druggist, school warden. Born at Norwich, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Rudolphus Knight and Rispah (Rizpah) Lee. Married Martha McBride, July 1826. Moved to Perrysburg, Cattaraugus Co., New York, by 1830. Owned farm...
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at
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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, Illinois, on 31 July 1842. For a more complete discussion of the entire six-volume work, see the general introduction to this history.

Volume C-1 was created beginning on or just after 24 February 1845 and its narrative was completed by 3 May 1845, although some additional work continued on the volume through 3 July of that year (Richards, Journal, 24 and 28 Feb. 1845; Historian’s Office, Journal, 3 May 1845; 3 and 4 July 1845). It is in the handwriting of
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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and contains 512 pages of primary text, plus 24 pages of addenda. Additional addenda for this volume were created at a later date as a supplementary document and appear in this collection as “History, 1838-1856, volume C-1 Addenda.” Compilers
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 drew heavily from JS’s letters, discourses, and diary entries; meeting minutes; church and other periodicals and journals; and reminiscences, recollections, and letters of church members and other contacts. At JS’s behest, Richards maintained the first-person, chronological-narrative format established in previous volumes, as if JS were the author.
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 reviewed and modified the manuscript prior to its eventual publication in the Salt Lake City newspaper Deseret News.

The historical narrative recorded in volume C-1 continued the account of JS’s life as prophet and president of the church. Critical events occurring within the forty-five-month period covered by this text include the
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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Mormon War; subsequent legal trials of church leaders; expulsion of the Saints from Missouri; missionary efforts in
England
Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...
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by the
Twelve
Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...
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and others; attempts by JS to obtain federal redress for the Missouri depredations; publication of the LDS Millennial Star in England; the migration of English converts to
America
North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...
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; missionary efforts in other nations; the death of church patriarch
Joseph Smith Sr.
12 July 1771–14 Sept. 1840. Cooper, farmer, teacher, merchant. Born at Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Nominal member of Congregationalist church at Topsfield. Married to Lucy Mack by Seth Austin, 24 Jan. 1796, at Tunbridge...
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; the establishment of the
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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city charter; the commencement of construction of the Nauvoo
temple
Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...
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; the
Wisconsin “pinery”
Also known as the “pinery.” Collective term for regions in Wisconsin where lumbering operations were located, especially along Black, Chippewa, St. Croix, Wisconsin, and Wolf rivers. Latter-day Saints established lumber camps and mills on Black River to provide...
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expedition that facilitated temple construction; the introduction of the doctrine of proxy baptism for deceased persons; the dedicatory prayer by
Orson Hyde
8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...
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on the Mount of Olives in Palestine; publication of the “Book of Abraham” in the Nauvoo Times and Seasons; publication of the JS history often referred to as the “Wentworth letter;” the organization of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo; and the inception of Nauvoo-era temple endowment ceremonies.

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<February 14> represented by consisting of 46 members, 1 Elder, 2 Priests — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — excellent prospects of a continued increase, James Albon was ordained Elder, and Thomas Barnes Priest, <Robert> Williams was ordained an Elder to preside over the branch at Bedford, and William Smith, and John Sheffield Priests. Richard Bates was ordained Priest in the branch at Woolwich and A. Painter, Teacher, under the hands of Elders , , and — It was then moved by , seconded by , that be appointed President of this Conference, also to take the Superintendency of the Church in . Much valuable instruction was given by Elders and , in relation to the duties of the official members. It was then moved by , and seconded by , that this Conference be adjourned to Sunday 16 May 1841 The Conference was then closed at half past five — — — — — — — — — — by singing and prayer— Dr. W Copeland— Clerk—”

15 February 1841 • Monday

<15> Monday 15 As Chairman of the Committee, I reported a bill to the City [HC 4:298] Council, which after a long discussion passed into

“An Ordinance in relation to Temperance” Sec. 1. Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of , That all persons and establishments whatever, in this , are prohibited from vending Whiskey in a less quantity than a gallon, or other Spirituous Liquors in a less quantity than a quart, to any person whatever, excepting on the recommendation of a Physician duly accredited, in writing, by the “Chancellor and Regents of the University of the City of Nauvoo,” and any person guilty of any act contrary to the Prohibition contained in this ordinance, shall, on conviction thereof before the Mayor, or Municipal Court, be fined in any sum not exceeding twenty five dollars, at the discretion of said Mayor, or Court; and any person or persons who shall attempt to evade this ordinance by giving away liquor, or by any other means, shall be considered alike amenable, and fined as aforesaid.

[1 line blank]

Passed Feb. 15. 1841 , Mayor; , Recorder.

In the — — — — — — — discussion I spoke at great length <on the use> of Liquors, and shewed that it was unnecessary, and operates as a poison in the Stomach, and that Roots and herbs can be found to effect all necessary purposes—

16 February 1841 • Tuesday

<16> Tuesday 16—

“Resolved by the Senate <-[of the State of ]-> the House of Representatives concurring: That two thousand copies of the evidence taken, before the examining Court in relation to Mormon difficulties, and such of the letters, orders and correspondence on that subject on file in the office of the Secretary of State, as may be selected by a joint committee of the two houses, shall be published in pamphlet form, under the direction of the Secretary of State; that one copy, in lieu of the Manuscript copies, heretofore ordered, be sent to our delegation in Congress, to be laid before the houses to which they respectively belong, one to each Member of Congress, and the residue be distributed among the members of the General Assembly. Approved Feb. 16. 1841.” [HC 4:299]

Is this ’s last struggle to retrieve her lost character? to publish to the world a one sided statement of her robberies, murders, and [p. 1164]

February 14 represented by consisting of 46 members, 1 Elder, 2 Priests — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — excellent prospects of a continued increase, James Albon was ordained Elder, and Thomas Barnes Priest, Robert Williams was ordained an Elder to preside over the branch at Bedford, and William Smith, and John Sheffield Priests. Richard Bates was ordained Priest in the branch at Woolwich and A. Painter, Teacher, under the hands of Elders , , and — It was then moved by , seconded by , that be appointed President of this Conference, also to take the Superintendency of the Church in . Much valuable instruction was given by Elders and , in relation to the duties of the official members. It was then moved by , and seconded by , that this Conference be adjourned to Sunday 16 May 1841 The Conference was then closed at half past five — — — — — — — — — — by singing and prayer— Dr. W Copeland— Clerk—”

15 February 1841 • Monday

15 Monday 15 As Chairman of the Committee, I reported a bill to the City [HC 4:298] Council, which after a long discussion passed into

[1 line blank]

Passed Feb. 15. 1841 , Mayor; , Recorder.

In the — — — — — — — discussion I spoke at great length on the use of Liquors, and shewed that it was unnecessary, and operates as a poison in the Stomach, and that Roots and herbs can be found to effect all necessary purposes—

16 February 1841 • Tuesday

16 Tuesday 16—

“Resolved by the Senate -[of the State of ]- the House of Representatives concurring: That two thousand copies of the evidence taken, before the examining Court in relation to Mormon difficulties, and such of the letters, orders and correspondence on that subject on file in the office of the Secretary of State, as may be selected by a joint committee of the two houses, shall be published in pamphlet form, under the direction of the Secretary of State; that one copy, in lieu of the Manuscript copies, heretofore ordered, be sent to our delegation in Congress, to be laid before the houses to which they respectively belong, one to each Member of Congress, and the residue be distributed among the members of the General Assembly. Approved Feb. 16. 1841.” [HC 4:299]

Is this ’s last struggle to retrieve her lost character? to publish to the world a one sided statement of her robberies, murders, and [p. 1164]

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Document Information
Editorial Title
History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]
ID #
7513
Total Pages
562
Handwriting on This Page
- Thomas Bullock
Footnotes
1. 904
  See 15 Feb. 1841 entry in History Draft.
2. 905
  Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 15 Feb. 1841, pp. 7–8; “An Ordinance in Relation to Temperance,’” Times and Seasons, 15 Feb. 1841, 2:321.
  
  Nauvoo City Council Minute Book / Nauvoo City Council. “A Record of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Nauvoo Handcock County, State of Illinois, Commencing A.D. 1841,” ca. 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3435.
  Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
3. 906
  See 16 Feb. 1841 entry in History Draft.
4. 907
  Missouri Senate and House Resolution, 16 Feb. 1841, in Document Containing the Correspondence, 10.
  
  Document Containing the Correspondence, Orders, &c., in Relation to the Disturbances with the Mormons; and the Evidence Given before the Hon. Austin A. King, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of Missouri, at the Court-House in Richmond, in a Criminal Court of Inquiry, Begun November 12, 1838, on the Trial of Joseph Smith, Jr., and Others, for High Treason and Other Crimes against the State. Fayette, MO: Boon’s Lick Democrat, 1841.

History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]

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