OPEN TODAY: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.

Tickets

Manuscripts

Wandle Mace autobiography

Image not available

Description
Manuscript of Wandle Mace's autobiography, a vivid and thorough firsthand account of the early days of the Mormon Church. Mace writes of the "extermination" of Mormons in Missouri, the order from Joseph Smith to purchase land in Illinois, the election of Brigham Young as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the arrests and trials of various Mormon leaders, the founding of Nauvoo, Smith's trips to Washington, the story of the seeing stones Urim and Thummin, a variety of Church conferences (including notes on charters, the organization of the Church, and doctrinal debates), Smith's death, a speech by Lucy Mack Smith to Mormons in Nauvoo after her son's death, the exodus from Nauvoo in 1846, the death of Parley Pratt, discord between Church members and Brigham Young, the arrival of Thomas B. Marsh in 1857, and many theological thoughts and quotations. Mace also recounts events in his personal life, including his early years as an apprentice, his invention of a portable mill and other mechanical devices, his observance of a meteor shower on November 8, 1833, his doubts about organized religion and impromptu preaching to the poor, his introduction to and acceptance of Mormonism, the deaths of his wife and nine of his children, and moves throughout New York, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Utah. The end of the volume includes handwritten copies of various essays, including Celestial Family Organization by Parley Pratt (1845); a funeral sermon preached by Joseph Smith on the death of Elder King Follett (1844); One Hundred Years Hence, 1845-1995: A Vision (published in the Millennial Star, 1845); Two Minutes in Jail, an account of the death of Joseph Smith by Willard Richards (published in the Nauvoo Neighbor); a discourse on priesthood by Joseph Smith (1839); The Origin, Object, and Destiny of Women by John Taylor (1857); and another discourse by Joseph Smith dated 1844. The final pages include genealogical notes on the Mace family that appear to have been added at a later date. The manuscript is in the handwriting of Mace's wife, Rebecca E. Howell Mace.
Type
Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Call number
mssHM 26318
Creator
Mace, Wandle (1809-1890)(Opens in new tab)
Provenance
In library.
Find out more
View in the Library catalog(Opens in new tab)

You might also be interested in

  • Image not available

    Wandle Mace autobiography

    Manuscripts

    Carbon copy typescript of a greatly abridged version of Wandle Mace's autobiography, covering events from his childhood until his death in 1890. The majority of the autobiographical excerpts included focus on Mace's family life and his travels with the Mormons through Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Utah.

    mssHM 27984

  • Image not available

    Diary and autobiography of William Huntington

    Manuscripts

    Typescript of William Huntington's autobiography and diary. The autobiography focuses on his conversion to Mormonism in the 1830s, and also traces his family's movements through Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa. The diary entries commence around May 1841, although they may have been written after that time as part of the autobiography, and conclude on June 1, 1845. Some topics mentioned by Huntington include the Nauvoo Legion, the arrival of Sidney Rigdon in Nauvoo, the departure of troops from Nauvoo to "arrest the murder[er]s of Joseph and Hyrum Smith," his work on the Nauvoo Temple, and family news.

    mssHM 27969

  • Image not available

    Hosea Stout autobiography

    Manuscripts

    This is a typescript of the autobiography written by Hosea Stout in 1845 for the Eleventh Quorum of Seventies in Nauvoo, Illinois. In it he describes the early period of his life from his childhood to his service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He includes his move from Illinois to Missouri to join the Mormons in Caldwell County as well as providing details about his participation in the Battle of Crooked Creek, covering the attack, the death of David Wyman Patten (ca. 1800-1838), and the escape of the Mormons into Iowa

    mssHM 66521

  • Image not available

    Milo Andrus autobiography

    Manuscripts

    A carbon copy, created in 1938, of a typescript transcription of the autobiography of Milo Andrus. The 14-page, bound manuscript covers the period from 1779 to 1875, touching on Andrus' early life, his conversion to Mormonism, his work in Florence, Ohio and Nauvoo, Illinois, his marriages, his various positions of leadership in the Mormon Church, and his travels as a missionary and pioneer. Andrus also mentions his father's opposition to his participation in Mormonism, incidences of cholera among early Mormons, and the assassinations of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.

    mssHM 69948

  • Image not available

    The history of William Adams, written by himself

    Manuscripts

    The autobiography traces Adams' youth in Ireland, his conversion to Mormonism, persecution against Mormons in Ireland, his departure from Liverpool and arrival in New Orleans (where he traveled on the steam boat "The Maid of Iowa," which he said was owned by Joseph Smith), persecutions against the Mormons in Illinois, a description of life of among the Mormons in Nauvoo, the construction of the Nauvoo Temple, the death of Joseph Smith, the Adams' overland journey to Utah, his missions in Iron County (Utah) and Pennsylvania, the Utah War, his separation from his first wife over his polygamous marriages, and daily life in Utah.

    mssHM 52619

  • Autobiography of William Coe Critchlow [microform] : 1890

    Autobiography of William Coe Critchlow [microform] : 1890

    Manuscripts

    Microfilm of the autobiography of William Coe Critchlow, written in about 1890. The account includes Critchlow's family history and genealogy and notes on his injury on the Pennsylvania canal, his conversion to Mormonism, his move to Nauvoo, and the death of Joseph Smith. Also includes some account notes for 1893-1894 and various family notes.

    MSS MFilm 00415 item 02