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 .
<April 29> deserved it and merited the people’s rebuke! On Friday morning the 26th. inst, I was informed by Mr. that one Mr. , had committed an assault on the person of Alderman , and the Mayor of the had sent for and found him in ’s law office, made him a prisoner and informed him he must go with me to the Mayor’s ; when he said he would not go! I then called upon , and , to assist me in taking said to the Mayor’s ; but they swore they would not, and used many threatning oaths, and aspersions, saying they would see the Mayor and the damned and then they would not, but soon followed me and Mr. to the door, when the Mayor ordered me to arrest those three men for refusing to assist me in the discharge of my duty, and when attempting to arrest them they all resisted and with horrid imprecations threatened to shoot. I called for help and there not being sufficient, the Mayor laid hold on the two Fosters at the same time. At that instant drew a double barrel pistol on Mr. Smith; but it was instantly wrenched from his hand, and afterwards he declared he would have shot the Mayor if we had let his pistol alone, and also he would thank God for the privilege of ridding the world of a tyrant! responded to ’s threats and swore that he would do it! [HC 6:348] However, the three were arrested and brought before the Mayor, whereupon , , and testified to the amount of the above statements, upon which evidence the court assessed a fine of one hundred dollars to each of the above named aggressors, (who appealed to the Municipal Court.)
I wish the public to know who it is that makes insurrections, and disturbs the peace and quiet of the people of the city of , and in order to do this I need only to tell the world that this is a County magistrate, and the same that was fined for gambling a few weeks since, and that this is a lawyer and Notary public of , and the same that was fined for insulting the city officers (the and a Constable) when in the discharge of their official duties, a few weeks since.
“When the wicked rule the people mourn; but righteousness exalteth any nation.”— Solomon.
, city Marshal.
N. B. We wish it to be distinctly understood that neither of the three above named individuals are members of the Church of Lattter-Day Saints,— but we believe is a Methodist.