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 .
<1843 Sep. 6> ably if we can, but forcibly if we must.
Resolved, 3rd. That in the event of our being forced into a collision with that People, we pledge ourselves, that we will stand by and support each other, in every emergency, up to the death.
Resolved, 4th.. That we believe, that it is also the interest of our friends in the neighboring <Counties, and also the neighboring> States, to begin to take a firm and decided stand against the high pretensions and base designs of this latter-day would be Mahomet.
Resolved 5th.. That provided we must necessarily, for the well-being of this community; the protection of our dearest rights, and the preservation of our excellent institutions, adopt measures to humble the pride and arrogance of that audacious despot; we therefore call upon all good and honest men, without distinction of party or place to come to the rescue.
Resolved, 6th.. That we pledge ourselves in the most determined manner, that, if the authorities of the State of , shall make another demand for the body of Joseph Smith, and our shall issue another warrant, to stand ready at all times to serve the officer, into whose hands such warrant may come, as a Posse, in order, that it may not be said of us, in future, that the most outragous culprits have been suffered “to go unwhipped of justice.”
Resolved, 7th.. That a corresponding committee be appointed to communicate with the different parts of this , and also with other counties; and we would also recommend to all surrounding counties to appoint like Committees, for the purpose of a mutual interchange of views, in regard to the subjects embraced in these proceedings.
Resolved, 8th.. That if it has been too common for several years past for politicians of both political parties, not only, of this , but likewise of the , to go to and truckle to the heads of the Mormon clan, for their influence, we pledge ourselves, that we will not support any man of either party in future, who shall thus debase himself.
Resolved, 9th., That if the Mormons carry out the threats they have made in regard to the lives of several of our citizens, we will, if failing to obtain speedy redress from the laws of the land, take summary and signal vengeance upon them as a people.
Resolved, 10th.. That when the government ceases to afford protection, the citizens of course fall back upon their original and inherent right of self defense.
In pursuance of the 7th. resolution the following gentlemen were appointed to act as a central corresponding committee, at . Namely — Capt. R[obert] F. Smith, Maj. T. J. Bartlet, , F. A. Worrell and .
On motion of Henry Stephens, it was ordered that committees, consisting of two persons be appointed in each election precinct, of this , for the purpose of communicating with the central committee, at , and that those two may add to their number at discretion.
On motion of Daniel Beaver: It was made the duty of the person, [p. 6 [addenda]]