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 .
<March 20.> right out in favor of a bank and a tariff; taking the true Whig ground; and ought to be regarded as the real Whig Candidate for President, until can so far recover from his shuffling and dodging, as to declare his sentiments like a man. At present we can form no opinion of ’s principles, except as they are professed by his friends in these parts. himself has adopted the notion which was once entertained by an eminent grammarian; who denied that language was intended as a means to express one’s ideas; but insisted that it was invented on purpose to aid us in concealing them.”
The Democrat, publishes:—
“A new Candidate in the Field.
We see from the Neighbor that Gen. Joseph Smith, the great Mormon prophet, has become a Candidate for the next Presidency. We do not know whether he intends to submit his claims to the National Convention or not; but judging from the language of his own Organ, we conclude that he considers himself a full team for all of them.
All that we have to say on this point, is that if superior talent, genius, and intelligence combined with virtue, integrity and enlarged views, are any guarantee to General Smith’s being elected, we think that he will be a “full team of himself.” [HC 6:268]
The “ Republican believes, that it will be death to , and all agree that it must be injurious to the Democratic ranks, inasmuch as it will throw the Mormon vote out of the field.”
A Traveller having visited for a few days wrote to the Times and Seasons:
“: Before I take my departure, permit me to express my views relative to the leading men of your , where I have been these few days.
I have been conversant with the great men of the age, and last of all, I feel that I have met with the greatest, in the presence of your esteemed prophet, Gen. Joseph Smith. From many reports, I had reason to believe him a bigoted religionist, as ignorant of politics as the savages; but to my utter astonishment, on the short acquaintance, I have found him as familiar in the cabinet of nations, as with his Bible; and in the knowledge of that book, I have not met with his equal in Europe or . Although if I should beg leave to differ with him in some items of faith; his nobleness of soul will not permit him to take offence at me, No Sir, I find him open, frank and generous, as willing others should enjoy their opinions, as to enjoy his own.
The General appears perfectly at home on every subject: and his familiarity with many languages affords him ample means to become informed concerning all nations and principles, which his familiar and dignified deportment towards all, must secure to his interest the affections of every intelligent and virtuous man that may chance to fall in his way; [p. 1934]