History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843]
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Source Note
JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. D-1, created 4 July 1845–4 Feb. 1846 and 1 July 1854–2 May 1855; handwriting of , Robert L. Campbell, and ; 275 pages, plus 6 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the fourth volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This fourth volume covers the period from 1 Aug. 1842 to 1 July 1843; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, C-1, E-1 and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
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Historical Introduction
History, 1838–1856, volume D-1, constitutes the fourth of six volumes documenting the life of Joseph Smith and the early years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The series is also known as the Manuscript History of the Church and was originally published serially from 1842 to 1846 and 1851 to 1858 as the “History of Joseph Smith” in the Times and Seasons and Deseret News. This volume contains JS’s history from 1 August 1842 to 1 July 1843, and it was compiled after JS’s death.The material recorded in volume D-1 was initially compiled under the direction of church historian , with the assistance of . After Richards’s death in 1854, continued work on the volume as the new church historian with Bullock’s continued help. The process adopted by Richards and Bullock involved Richards creating a set of rough draft notes and Bullock transcribing the notes into the volume along with the text of designated documents (such as letters and meeting minutes). George A. Smith followed a similar pattern, though he dictated the draft notes to Bullock and other scribes.According to the Church Historian’s Office journal, finished the third volume of the series, volume C-1, on Thursday, 3 July 1845, in , Illinois. He began work on the fourth volume, D-1, the next day, beginning on page 1362 with the entry for 1 August 1842. (The pages in volumes A-1–E-1 were numbered consecutively.) Bullock continued work on the record, drawing upon ’s draft notes, until 3 February 1846—the day before D-1 and the other volumes were packed up in preparation for the Latter-day Saints’ exodus from Nauvoo. At that point he had reached page 1485 with the entry for 28 February 1843. Subsequently, apparently after the collection had arrived in Utah, Bullock added a brief comment beneath that entry: “end of W. Richard’s compiling[.] the books packed Feby. 4— 1846 in Nauvoo[.] Miles Romney— present. The records carried by T Bullock from Winter Quarters to G S L [Great Salt Lake] City in 1848.”A notation at the top of page 1486 reports that “the books were unpacked in G. S. L. City by and . June 7. 1853. J[onathan] Grimshaw & Miles Romney present.” Vertically, in the margin, is a poignant epitaph: “Decr. 1 1853 Dr. Willard Richards wrote one line of History—being sick at the time—and was never able to do any more.” With Richards’s death on 11 March 1854, JS’s cousin was called to the office of church historian. The notation on the top of page 1486 acknowledges this change in officers, noting, “commencement of George A. Smith’s compiling as Historian. April 13. 1854[.] [C]ommenced copying July 1. 1854.” From mid-April to the end of June 1854, George A. Smith, in collaboration with Thomas Bullock, worked on the draft notes for the history before a new scribe, , resumed writing in D-1 on 1 July 1854, beginning with the entry for 1 March 1843.continued transcribing intermittently into the late fall of 1854, when he was assigned other duties in the Historian’s Office. He had reached page 1546 with the entry for 5 May 1843. Work resumed in February 1855 in the hand of Robert L. Campbell, recently returned from a mission. He concluded volume D-1 on the morning of 2 May 1855 and began writing in E-1 that afternoon.The 274 pages of volume D-1 contain a record of much that is significant in the life of JS and the development of the church he founded. Among these events are• JS’s 6 August 1842 prophecy that the Saints would become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains.•JS’s 8 August 1842 arrest on a warrant for being “an accessory before the fact” to an attack on former governor .• ’s 17 August 1842 letter to governor , pleading for the humane treatment of her husband and family.•JS’s 1 and 6 September 1842 instructions regarding the proper procedures for performing baptisms for the dead.• JS’s 15 November 1842 “Valedictory” as he stepped down as editor of the Times and Seasons.• The 26 December 1842 arrest of JS on a “proclamation” by former governor , and subsequent hearing in , Illinois.• The 7 February 1843 recovery of a volume of patriarchal blessings given by , which had been stolen in , Missouri.• JS’s 21 February 1843 remarks regarding the and .• JS’s 2 April 1843 instruction at , Illinois, on the nature of God and other subjects.• JS’s 16 May 1843 remarks at , Illinois, on the everlasting covenant and eternal marriage.• The account of JS’s 23 June 1843 arrest and his hearing the following week at .
Footnotes
September 8 on this subject, and the real facts in relation to this people, and their unrelenting persecution. And if any man feels an interest in the welfare of their fellow beings; and would think of saying or doing any thing in this matter; I would suggest the propriety of a committee of wise men, being sent to ascertain the justice or injustice of our cause— to get in possession of all the facts; and then make report to an enlightened world, whether we individually, or collectively, are deserving such high handed treatment.
In relation to the books that you sent here, put them into my Store, to be sold on Commission; saying, that when I was able, the money must be remitted to yourself. Nothing was said about any consecration to the .
Another calamity has befallen us. Our in this place is exceedingly corrupt. It is with great difficulty that we can get our letters to, or from our friends. Our papers that we send to our subscribers, are embezzled and burned, or wasted. We get no money from our subscribers, and very little information from abroad; and what little we do get, we get by private means, in consequence of these things: and I am sorry to say, that this robbing of the of money was carried on by ; and since he left here, it is carried on by the means of his confederates. I now subscribe myself your friend, and a patriot and a lover of my country, pleading at their feet for—— protection and deliverance, by the justice of their Constitutions. I add no more. Your most obedient servant. Joseph Smith.” [HC 5:159]
9 Friday 9. at 10 pm I received a very interesting visit from , , , and . I counselled and to stay in and preach in the principal Cities against Mobocracy and to notify the Twelve it was my wish they should also labor in : after a conversation of two hours, I accompanied the brethren and to my house, remaining there a few minutes to offer a blessing upon the heads of my sleeping children; then called a few minutes at the house of my Cousin , on my way to my retreat at Edward Hankes. accompanied me as guard.
, , , , and declared to the City Council, their intention of absence for 3 months or more, and others were appointed to fill their places during their absence. , and were absent and their places were filled. The object of the absence of these brethren was to preach the gospel in different states, and shew up the wickedness and falsehood of the Apostate . “An ordinance relative to the returns of Writs of ” was passed by the City Council. [HC 5:160] see Addenda page 1. Prest. Young started on his mission.
10 Saturday 10. , and started on their mission, and proceeded as far as Lima, where they met who was preaching to a Congregation. was the training of the Companies of the Nauvoo Legion, and lest I should be observed by the Multitude passing and repassing, I kept very still. After dark my sent a Messenger and requested me to return home, as she thought I would be as safe there as any where. and I went safely home, undiscovered.
11 Sunday 11. I was at home all day. My letter of the 6th. of September was read to the Saints, at the near the . The High Priests Quorum met, Several had gone Missions, others were preparing to go, but few were present, and the “meeting adjourned sinê diê.
Elders , , and addressed a large assembly in the Grove in , in relation to the slanderous reports of .
12 Monday 12 To the Editor of the Times and Seasons—
Dear Brother:— Having commenced our mission yesterday we held our first conference at brother ’s; we had a good time— the brethren here are in good spirits. We ordained 19 Elders and baptized 12. We expect next Saturday and Sunday to hold a [HC 5:161] two days meeting in , being the 17th. and 18th. instant. on the 24th. 25th. at Payson, the 1st. 2nd. of October at , the 8th. 9th. of October at Pittsfield, the 15th. 16th. October at Apple Creek in Green County. From thence we shall proceed to and . If you please, notice the above in your paper for the benefit of those friends scattered abroad. Yours in the everlasting covenant— [p. 1401]
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