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 .
<August 27> Conference met a half past ten o’Clock, according to adjournment. Meeting opened by singing. Prayer by Elder . The congregation was then addressed by Elder , from 2 Peter 1 ch. 20. 21 verses: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
If the prophecies that had been fulfilled were fulfilled literally, in like manner would those prophecies which are still unfulfilled be ful[HC 5:551]filled literally. The gathering of the Saints, the building up of Zion, the gathering of the Jews, the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the establishing of the church and kingdom of God in the last days, and the preaching of the Gospel to all the world, are events looked for by the Latter day Saints; and notwithstanding these things are unpopular, and not looked for or believed in by the world, yet we feel encouraged to persevere and press forward in assisting to accomplish these great and glorious things, with a firm belief that they will as truly be brought to pass and perfected as those things were which prophesied in Ancient days. He also bore testimony of the truth of the Book of Mormon, Book of Doctrine and covenants, and of Joseph Smith being a prophet of God.
gave his testimony, when the meeting took a recess for two hours.
In the afternoon, after Elder had addressed the meeting, Elder George T. Leach was appointed to preside over the church in , in place of Elder who was about to remove to . After which several children were blessed, and the meeting adjourned until evening; at which time Elder addressed the people, in an edifying manner, concerning the Book of Mormon— its history— what it was &c.; that it was a history of nearly one half of the globe, and the people that inhabited it;— that it gave a history and names of all those cities which have been of late discovered by Catherwood and Stephens;— that it spoke of the establishing of our government, and what is more highly interesting, it reveals its final fate and destiny; so that by reading the Book of Mormon you can clearly see what will befal this nation, and what will be its final end. [HC 5:552] In that book you will find recorded the pure principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by himself on the continent of America, so plain that no two persons could disagree as to the points of doctrine set forth. He then bore testimony of the truth of Joseph Smith Junr. being a true prophet of God, and that the book of Mormon was true; also that the church of the Latter day Saints was the true church of God. He spoke about two hours; and after he closed, five children wee blessed, and then the people were dismissed.”
I attended meeting at the at 10 a.m. and made a few remarks, the following report of which is by Dr. :
“Two weeks <ago> to day something was said about Elder , and a vote was taken to disfellowship him, and to demand his license, on account of a report brought by from . [p. 1706]