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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<January 28> Lord unto you my Servant Joseph, go and say unto the Twelve, That it is my Will to have them take in hand the Editorial Department of the Times and Seasons according to that manifestation which shall be given unto them by the Power of my Holy Spirit in the midst of their Counsel, saith the Lord, Amen.

also decided that Elder should go out on a Mission, and if necessary some one go with him, and raise up a Church, and get means to go to England, and carry the Epistles required in the Revelations of December 22, and instructed the twelve. , , and being present, to call into their Council and instruct him in these things, and if he will not do these things he shall be cut off from the Church and be damned.

of the Temple Committee came into the , and — <I> — — said to him, The Lord is not well pleased with you, and you must straiten up your loins and do better, and your family also, for you have not been diligent as you ought, and as Spring is approaching you must arise and shake yourself and be active, and make your children industrious and help build the . [HC 4:503]

had appeared very backward about fulfilling the Revelation concerning him, and felt that he could not do it, unless the Twelve would furnish him the means, when he was more able to furnish his own means, as all the Elders were obliged to do, when they went on Missions, or go without.

29 January 1842 • Saturday

<29> Saturday 29. I was much engaged with the Tithings, in the afternoon in my , counselling various individuals, and in the evening in Council with Brothers , , , and others, shewing forth the Kingdom and the order thereof concerning many things, and the Will of God concerning his Servants.

<See addenda book Page 52.> [HC 4:505] [HC 4:506] [HC 4:507] [HC 4:508] [HC 4:509]

30 January 1842 • Sunday

<30> Sunday 30. I preached at my house morning and evening, concerning the different Spirits, their operations, designs— &c.

31 January 1842 • Monday

<31> Monday 31. Assisted in appraising the tithings of Saturday, with — — Received many calls— Read in Mormon— after dinner visited Brother Chase who was very sick— and in the evening was in Council with and concerning and the , spent the evening very cheerfully, and retired about ten o’clock—

1 February 1842 • Tuesday

<* 1> <Two large stones, for door sills, for the , hauled>

<See addenda book, page 56> [HC 4:510] [HC 4:511] [HC 4:512]

2 February 1842 • Wednesday

<February 2> Wednesday — — — 2 — — — Sister Laura Phelps Wife of Morris Phelps died aged 36 years. She was driven from in 1833, was in the persecution of in 1838, and went from to to assist in liberating her husband, and was left in <the> prison <yard> when he made his escape willing to suffer all the abuses a savage horde could inflict upon her, to set her companion safe from the grasp of his murderous enemies. her rest is glorious.

I spent the day in Council with , and Esqre..

3 February 1842 • Thursday

<3> In Council with Esqre. concerning a Settlement with the Estate of , and delivered him the necessary papers.

<See addenda book Page 59> [p. 1273]

January 28 Lord unto you my Servant Joseph, go and say unto the Twelve, That it is my Will to have them take in hand the Editorial Department of the Times and Seasons according to that manifestation which shall be given unto them by the Power of my Holy Spirit in the midst of their Counsel, saith the Lord, Amen.

of the Temple Committee came into the , and — I — — said to him, The Lord is not well pleased with you, and you must straiten up your loins and do better, and your family also, for you have not been diligent as you ought, and as Spring is approaching you must arise and shake yourself and be active, and make your children industrious and help build the . [HC 4:503]

See 25th. High Council

Sir Robert Sales received a letter from Sha Shoojah requiring him to evacuate Jellalabad with which he refused to comply.

29 January 1842 • Saturday

29 Saturday 29. I was much engaged with the Tithings, in the afternoon in my , counselling various individuals, and in the evening in Council with Brothers , , , and others, shewing forth the Kingdom and the order thereof concerning many things, and the Will of God concerning his Servants.

See addenda book Page 52. [HC 4:505] [HC 4:506] [HC 4:507] [HC 4:508] [HC 4:509]

30 January 1842 • Sunday

30 Sunday 30. I preached at my house morning and evening, concerning the different Spirits, their operations, designs— &c.

31 January 1842 • Monday

31 Monday 31. Assisted in appraising the tithings of Saturday, with — — Received many calls— Read in Mormon— after dinner visited Brother Chase who was very sick— and in the evening was in Council with and concerning and the , spent the evening very cheerfully, and retired about ten o’clock—

1 February 1842 • Tuesday

* 1 Two large stones, for door sills, for the , hauled

See addenda book, page 56 [HC 4:510] [HC 4:511] [HC 4:512]

2 February 1842 • Wednesday

February 2 Wednesday — — — 2 — — — Sister Laura Phelps Wife of Morris Phelps died aged 36 years. She was driven from in 1833, was in the persecution of in 1838, and went from to to assist in liberating her husband, and was left in the prison yard when he made his escape willing to suffer all the abuses a savage horde could inflict upon her, to set her companion safe from the grasp of his murderous enemies. her rest is glorious.

I spent the day in Council with , and Esqre..

3 February 1842 • Thursday

3 In Council with Esqre. concerning a Settlement with the Estate of , and delivered him the necessary papers.

See addenda book Page 59 [p. 1273]

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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. 1310
  JS, Journal, 28 Jan. 1842.
2. 1311
  See 29 Jan. 1842 entry in History Draft.
3. 1312
  JS, Journal, 29 Jan. 1842.
4. 1313
  See 30 Jan. 1842 entry in History Draft.
5. 1314
  JS, Journal, 30 Jan. 1842.
6. 1315
  See 31 Jan. 1842 entry in History Draft.
7. 1316
  JS, Journal, 31 Jan. 1842.
8. 1317
  Woodruff, Journal, 1 Feb. 1842.
  
  Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
9. 1318
  See 2 Feb. 1842 entry in History Draft.
10. 1319
  “Obituary,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1842.
11. 1320
  JS, Journal, 2 Feb. 1842,.
12. 1321
  See 3 Feb. 1842 entry in History Draft.
13. 1322
  JS, Journal, 3 Feb. 1842.