JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. E-1, created 20 Aug. 1855–5 Apr. 1856; handwriting of Robert L. Campbell, , and Jonathan Grimshaw; 392 pages, plus 11 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the fifth volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This fifth volume covers the period from 1 July 1843 to 30 Apr. 1844; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, C-1, D-1, and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1, constitutes the fifth 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 July 1843 to 30 April 1844, and it was compiled in Utah Territory in the mid-1850s.
The material recorded in volume E-1 was initially compiled under the direction of church historian , who was JS’s cousin. Smith collaborated with in collecting material for the history and creating a set of draft notes that Smith dictated to Bullock and other clerks.
Robert L. Campbell, a recently returned missionary and member of the Historian’s Office staff, transcribed ’s notes into the volume along with the text of designated documents (such as letters and meeting minutes). The Church Historian’s Office journal entry for 2 May 1855 pinpoints the beginning of his work: “R. L. C. on Book D forenoon, afternoon began book E.” Campbell’s work on the volume apparently concluded on 5 April 1856; entries in the Historian’s Office journal indicate that he then moved on to other assignments while another clerk, Jonathan Grimshaw, began work on volume F-1, the last manuscript in the series. (Historian’s Office, Journal, 2 May 1855; 5 and 9 Apr. 1856.)
Volume E-1 contains 391 pages of primary text and 11 pages of addenda. The initial entry on page 1637 is a continuation of the 1 July 1843 entry that closed volume D-1. The final entry in volume E-1 is for 30 April 1844.
The 391 pages of volume E-1 document a crucial period of JS’s life and the history of the church. Important events recorded here include
• An account of JS’s 2 July 1843 meeting with several Pottawatamie chiefs.
• JS’s 4 July 1843 address regarding his recent arrest, the Legion, and Mormon voting practices.
• JS’s 12 July 1843 dictation of a revelation regarding eternal marriage, including the plurality of wives, in the presence of and .
• The 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment of and revocation of his priesthood license.
• Dispatch of the first missionaries to the Pacific Islands on 20 September 1843, led by .
• JS’s 1 October 1843 announcement of ’s appointment to a mission to Russia.
• Minutes of a 6–9 October 1843 general conference inserted under the date of 9 October at which pled his case in regard to his 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment and was permitted to continue as counselor in the First Presidency.
• Text of JS’s appeal to the Green Mountain Boys of , inserted under the date of 29 November 1843.
• A 20 January 1844 entry that includes a poem by commemorating the presentation of two copies of the Book of Mormon to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert by .
• JS’s nomination on 29 January 1844 as an independent candidate for the presidency of the .
<October 15> things, but the creeds set up stakes, and say hitherto shalt thou come, and no further; which I cannot subscribe to.
I believe the bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writers; ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors. As it read Gen: 6 ch. 6 v. ‘it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth;’ also Num: 23 ch. 19 v. ‘God is not a man that he should lie; neither the son of man that he should repent,’ which I do not believe; but it ought to read ‘it repented Noah that God made man’ This I believe, and then the other quotation stands fair. If any man will prove to me by one passage of Holy Writ, one item I believe, to be false, I will renounce and disclaim it far as I have promulged it.
The first principles of the gospel as I believe, are, Faith, Repentance, Baptism for remission of sins, with the promise of the Holy Ghost. [HC 6:57]
Look at Heb. 6 ch. 1 v. for contradictions ‘Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ let us go on unto perfection.’ If a man leaves the principles of the doctrine of Christ, how can he be saved in the principles? This is a contradiction— I don’t believe it: I will render it, as it should be, ‘therefore not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.’
It is one thing to see the kingdom of God, and another thing to enter into it, we must have a change of heart to see the kingdom of God, and subscribe the articles of adoption, to enter therein.
No man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations. The Holy Ghost is a revelator.
I prophecy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, anguish and wrath, and tribulation, and the withdrawing of the Spirit of God from the earth, await this generation, until they are visited with utter desolation. This generation is as corrupt as the generation of the Jews that crucified Christ; and if he were here to day, and should preach the same doctrine he did then; they would put him to death. I defy all the world to destroy the work of God, and I prophecy they never will have power to kill me till my work is accomplished, and I am ready to die.
I will now speak a little on the economy of this , I think there are too many merchants among you— I would like to see more wool and raw materials, instead of manufactured goods, and the money be brought here to pay the poor for manufacturing goods. Set our women to work, and stop their spinning street yarns, and talking about spiritual wives.
Instead of going abroad to buy goods, lay your money out in the country, and buy grain, cattle, flax, wool and work it up yourselves.
I proclaim in the name of the Lord God Almighty, that I will fellowship nothing in the church but virtue, integrity, and uprightness. [p. 1755]