JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, created 24 Feb. 1845–3 July 1845; handwriting of , , Jonathan Grimshaw, and ; 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 “’s forces” at , Missouri, and concludes with the death of Bishop at , 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 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 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. , , , 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 Mormon War; subsequent legal trials of church leaders; expulsion of the Saints from Missouri; missionary efforts in by the 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 ; missionary efforts in other nations; the death of church patriarch ; the establishment of the city charter; the commencement of construction of the Nauvoo ; the expedition that facilitated temple construction; the introduction of the doctrine of proxy baptism for deceased persons; the dedicatory prayer by 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.
<April 11 ’s letter> for not writing to him at this time— Give my love to all the Prisoners, write to me as often as you can, and do not be worried about your families; Yours in affliction as well as peace. .”
“Beloved Brethren and Joseph, by the permit of my companion I write a line to shew that I have not forgotten you, neither do I forget you for my prayer is to my Heavenly Father for your deliverance; It seems as though the Lord was slow to hear the prayers of the Saints, but the Lord’s ways, are not like our ways, therefore he can do better than ourselves; you must be comforted Bro. & J. and look forward for better days; your little ones are as playful as little lambs, be comforted concerning them, for they are not cast down and sorrowful as we are; their sorrows are but momentary, and ours continual. May the Lord bless, protect and deliver you from all your enemies, and restore you to the bosom of your families, is the prayer of . , Mo.”
The examination of witnesses was continued and was permitted to give his testimony, after he had closed, Blakesly one of the Guard came in, and said to , that he wanted to speak to him, [HC 3:314] walked out with him, and round the end < mobbed.> of the house when Blakesly cried out “God dam you; you damd old Mormon; I’ll kill you” and struck at with his fist, and then with a club. took the club, and threw it over the fence. There were ten of the Mob, who immediately rushed upon to kill him, Col. , Captain of the Guard being one of the number. but told them, he could kill the whole of them at one blow a piece and drove them all off. The court and Grand Jury stood, and saw the affray, and heard the Mob threaten ’s life by all the oaths they could invent, but they took no cognizance of it— The ten mobbers went home after their guns to shoot , and the Grand Jury brought in a bill for “Murder, Treason, Burglary, Arson, Larceny, Theft, and Stealing,” against , , , and myself.
<Committee> This evening the Committee assembled at s, after prayer by Brother , he was ordained an Elder on the recommendation of , under the hands of , and reported that Jesse T. Maupin, the Thirty Dollar messenger they sent to us, had returned, that the prisoners were well and in good Spirits. who had returned from reported that he had sold all the lands in — was requested to attended a meeting of the tomorrow, and as an individual mention the case of the Committee and brethren generally and learn their feelings. whether they would protect the brethren from the abuse of the Mob, in case they come im[HC 3:315]mediately to drive them out as they had recently threatened
During this night the visions — — — — — of the future were opened to my understanding when I saw the ways and means and near approach of my escape from imprisonment. [p. 918]