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.
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 .
<November 28> acted as Council for Defendants, and Elder for the accusers. The hearing of testimony lasted until about four oclock, at which time the meeting adjourned for half an hour. On coming together again addressed the brethren at some length showing the important responsibility of the Committee, also the many difficulties they had to contend with. He advised the brethren to have charity one with another and be united &c &c replied to ’s remarks. explained some remarks before made. Elder made a few pointed remarks, after which I gave my decision, which was that the Committee stand in their place as before. I likewise shewed the brethren that I was responsible to the for a faithful performance of my office as sole Trustee in Trust &c and the Temple Committee were responsible to me, and had given bonds to me, to the amount of $12000 for a faithful discharge of all duties devolving upon them as a Committee &c &c The trial did not conclude until about nine o’clock in the evening.
<29.> Tuesday 29. In council with , , and others, concerning Bankruptcy— Afternoon attended Court at the trial of Mr. Hunter <Grocer> before Alderman [Asa] Spencer for slander. I forgave Hunter the judgment but he was fined $10. for contempt of Court.
<30.> Wednesday 30. A. M. Morning In Council in the large Assembly Room preparing evidence in the case of Bankruptcy. P. M. <Afternoon> had brought before the Municipal Court for slander, but in consequence of the informality of the writ drawn by Esqre. , I was nonsuited.
A severe storm of snow, rain, and wind, is reported to have been experienced at this day and evening, doing much damage to the Ships and Wharves.
<December 1> Thursday December 1. 1842 was sick [HC 5:197] which occupied some of my time. visited and who were sick. Called at s, in company with , to give some Council concerning a sick sister, called on to get the historical documents &c after which I commenced reading and revising history.
Extract of a letter from — Superscribed to dated December 1. 1842 whither he had gone to escape the hands of those who sought his life in
“Dear brother Joseph Smith— I am requested by our friend , to drop a few lines informing you that he is in this place, his Health is good. but his Spirits are depressed, caused by his being unable to obtain employment of any kind he has applied in different parts of the and Country, but all without success— as Farmer’s can get persons to work from sunrise till dark— for merely what they eat— he is most anxious to hear from you– and wishes you to see his Mother and Children— and write all particulars, how matters and things are, and what the prospects are— I pity him from the bottom of my heart— his lot in life seems marked with sorrow, bitterness, and care— he is a noble generous friend— but you know his worth! any comments from me would be superfluous. he will wait in this place until he hears from you— please write immediately as ’twill be a source of great comfort to him to hear, if Joseph is not at home— will be kind enough to write— he says every other one he has come across has been afraid of their shadows, but he watches them well he comes to see me every day— and I keep him a close Prisoner! but he does not complain of my cruelty, or being hard hearted, but when with me seems resigned to whatever punishment [p. 1423]