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 .
<January 9> the store, all armed. Mr. Eldredge then told the company present, who he was, and demanded all in the house to assist in taking the prisoner, and then seized him, as soon as he laid hold of the prisoner about six or eight men laid hold of the Constable. Mr. Markham assisted the constable, when Mr. Markham had nearly succeeded in liberating the Constable, a man who was called Dr. Morrison drew his pistol and shot at Markham; the ball missed Markham: but came so near Mr. Coltrin’s head who was one of the assistants, as to graze his forehead. As there were only four of the assistants in the store they were overpowered by superior numbers and the prisoner was taken away from them. They saw that it would be impossible to take him without bloodshed, and consequently returned home. The parties engaged in this affray [HC 6:172] swore that regardless of all law they would defend the prisoner and he should not be taken.
We have received the above particulars from Mr. Markham and can consequently rely upon the correctness of the statement as he is one of the parties mentioned. The woman who was enciente who made the affidavit is not in the church, neither is , the person who was struck with the bayonet. has gone to the to make complaint.
We think that it is high time that prompt measures be taken to put a stop to such abominable outrages, if officers can be insulted in this manner and the law violated with impunity, we think that we shall speedily slide back into the barbarous ages. Some of our mobocratic friends, who assembled at a mobocratic meeting some time ago in were considerably chagrined at our terming them mobocrats, we wonder whether they now believe that they are or not? If such proceedings as those are cherished, farewell to our republican institutions; farewell to law, equity and justice, and farewell to all those sacred ties that bind men to their fellow men.
We would here ask where the Sheriff was? why was he not applied to? We merely ask for information: we don’t know that he was present or applied to. If he was it certainly was his duty to see the law magnified”
<10> Wednesday 10 At home— ordained Uncle a Patriarch. Enjoyed myself well in an interview with the Brethren and concluded to take a ride part way with my on his return to Macedonia—
In consequence of a visit of <from> some gentlemen of I called the city Council together at 7 p. m. I copy the minutes:—
“January 10th. 1844. 7 p m
Special Session. Names of members called.
The Mayor said:— ‘Messrs. Backman, Hamilton and Sherman Lawyers from have called on me, and told me that the occasion of the excitement at , and the resistance to the law in the case of the arrest of [Milton] Cook, was the late ordinance of this Council “to prevent unlawful search or seizure of person or property by foreign [HC 6:173] process in the city of .” That they considered said ordinance was designed to hinder the of the Statutes of within this : consequently they, the old citizens, felt disposed to stop the execution of process, issuing from the city precincts.—— [p. 1859]