On 4 March 1845 the council discussed the “difficulty of taking minutes when there is confusion.” William W. Phelps stated that “if there were other men in this council who were good at keeping minutes he was in favor of some being appointed to assist the clerk.” Notwithstanding Foster’s appointment in this meeting, no evidence indicates that he took minutes of council meetings. Young may have intended him to serve as a temporary replacement for Clayton when needed or for him to create a separate set of minutes. By 1849 the Council of Fifty regularly appointed a reporter to keep minutes in addition to those kept by the clerk. (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 4 Mar. 1845; see, for example, Minutes, 3 Mar. 1849, Council of Fifty, Papers, 1844–1885, CHL.)

Council of Fifty. Papers, 1844–1885. CHL.

See Ephesians 6:15; and Revelation, ca. Aug. 1830 [D&C 27:16]. This phrase was used by Latter-day Saints at this time to describe being armed. At the April 1845 church conference, Heber C. Kimball explained the purpose of gathering the Saints to Nauvoo: “We want them here, that they may help us to build the Temple, and the Nauvoo House; and want them to bring their firelocks, and learn to use them, and keep them well cleaned and loaded, and primed, so that they will go off the first shot, that every man may be in readiness, and prepared, that is, every man shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (holding up his cane as a sample;) that is the way.” (“Speech Delivered by Heber C. Kimball,” Times and Seasons, 15 July 1845, 6:971; see also “Nauvoo Canes,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 30 Apr. 1845, [2]; and Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 4 May 1845.)

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL