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 .
<July 2> H Permain, John Binley, George W Rosecran [blank], and about 25 others whose names are not reported. At 9 p.m. she turned the point of the bend and started up the . She did not stop until opposite Diamond Isle about 4 o’Clock on Tuesday morning 27th.; where they learned that the “Chicago Belle” has passed ◊◊◊ up the the day previous, with a large company of men, having a swivel gun on the forecastle as they said, with the intention of taking Joseph Smith at all hazards, and conveying him to . The “maid” next hailed at the Erie landing 5 miles above , where they were told that the “Belle” was twelve hours a head, and [HC 5:482] the company on board had left word that if the maid of Iowa “followed, they would send the Mormon Boat and crew with Jo Smith to hell.” The people advised the company on the “Maid” to return. Staid there half an hour to take in wood and then continued our journey.
Wednesday 28. At an hour before daybreak passed Pekin and the “Chicago Belle” aground in an island chute, when she saw us coming she backed her Starboard wheel and blocked up the passage. When the Pilot of the ”Maid” came near, he stopped his engine and hailed them with his speaking trumpet requesting a passage; they enquired “What boat is that?” and were told “the maid of Iowa”: They replied youcan not pass, and we will see you all d—d and in hell first. The pilot saw a little opening in the willows of about 12 feet wide on her left and signalled for the Engineer to put on all steam, and drove her through this narrow channel and a small tow head about 15 rods, tearing the willows down on each side with the guards and wheelhouses; the Captain crying out all the time “stop her! stop her! for God’s sake stop her! you will smash the boat to pieces!” When the boat had headed round the “Belle” and was once more in deep water, the Pilot stopped the engine and asked the Captain “What is the matter?” The Captain was afraid, and said “My God you will smash the Boat to pieces”; and was answered “all is safe, and we will go a head,” leaving the “Belle” still aground in the channel. Then went to Peoria about 10 miles found and who had come from the horsemen, with an express, and instructing the Company to proceed to the mouth of Fox River; we took them on board and proceeded on our way.
Thursday 29. Arrived at Peru at 10 A.M; there met William F. Lane with an express from purporting that the Company who had Joseph in charge, had started from Fox river for , destined to run him through the by that route, and then into , as they had learned their way by the was blocked up by the maid of Iowa, and for the Boat and Company to return to and there await further orders. We immediately turned round, and on arriving at the mouth of Spoon River, landed and with instructions to pursue their journey by land to .
About 1 P.M. again overhauled the ‘Chicago Belle’ at the Grand Pass while they were wooding, they hailed us to enquire “if old Jo was on board” and were answered “it is none of your business”, when another man on the Hurricane deck of the “Belle” shouted “Hurrah, Hurrah for old Joe Smith”. We continued our Journey, and again arrived at the at 9 p.m. In rounding to, broke the tiller rope and came to an anchor; repaired the same, and then continued up the . [HC 5:483]
Arrived at the island below about 8 P.M. on Friday 30th. when , , , George W Langley and Daniel M. Burbank [p. 1656]