JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. B-1, created 1 Oct. 1843–24 Feb. 1845; handwriting of and ; 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 , Missouri. For a fuller discussion of the entire six-volume work, see the general introduction to the history.
, 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. ’s poor health led to the curtailment of work on B-1 for several months, until 11 December 1844. On that date, Richards and , assisted by , 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, , 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, and 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, , , , 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—, Ohio, and northwest —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.
dissatisfied, and would not submit to the present order, and receive these <September 3> last presidents, that they should have power to demand their licence, and they should no longer be considered members of the church, conference closed, by prayer by the president. clerk. Joseph Smith Jun Prest. [HC 2:510]
<Joseph’s,— Letter continued 4> Dear Brethren, has been in transgression, but as he is now chosen as one of the presidents or counsellors, I trust that he will yet humble himself and magnify his calling; but if he should not, the church will soon be under the necessity of raising their hands against him; therefore pray for him. , and others have been in transgression, but we hope that they may be humble and ere long make satisfaction to the church, otherwise they cannot retain their standing: Therefore we say unto you beware of all disaffected characters, for they come and not to build up but to destroy and scatter abroad. Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel or introduce an order of things, than those things which ye have received, and are authorized to receive from the <first> presidency let him be accursed. May God Almighty bless you all, and keep you unto the coming and kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Yours in the Bonds of the New Covenant J<oseph> Smith, Junr.
<Revelation & .> I received the following: Revelation, given at , Ohio, September 4th 1837. Making known the transgression of and .
Verily thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph: My servants and have done those things which are not pleasing in my sight; therefore if they repent not, they shall be removed out of their places. Amen
<9 Unlawful Matrimony disfellowshipped> September 9th. the High council of withdrew the hand of fellowship from Uriah and Lydia Ann Hawkins for unlawful Matrimony, deceiving, and unchristian-like conduct.
<9. High Council of re-organized.—> September 9th. the High council of met in the and organized by electing President, and Clerk. The members elected on the 3d. were ordained, and drew for their numbers, and the whole were arranged as follows, No 1: , 2: , 3: , 4: , 5: , 6: , 7: , 8: , 9: , 10: , 11: and , 12. [HC 2:511]
<Sunday 10 Rules of the approved> Sunday Sept 10th 2 o’clock P.M. In Assembly of the church in the , . read the Rules and Regulations of the , as passed by the different quorums on the 15th of January 1836. when the church voted to receive the same and be governed by them. The Minutes of the High council of the 9th. instant were read. After which those < & & Restored.> <of> the Twelve. who were disfellowshipped the previous sabbath had opportunity to speak; and , and made their confession and were received into fellowship by vote of the church, also to retain their Apostleship, ...Presedent Smith read a letter from Elder to the church, stating that before he started for from he had received satisfaction from these elders; also stated < Restored> the same. High counsellor. , made some confessions to the church stating wherein he had been wrong for a short time past, and the church voted that he be recieved into fellowship, and retain his office [p. 772]