The council minutes do not indicate a specific rule that the men speak in order of seniority, and it is clear that generally there was no such order in their debates. However, by council rule votes were taken in seniority order—“beginning at the oldest and on down to the youngest.” (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 11 Mar. 1844.)

In recording these minutes, Clayton may have intended to refer to Orson Pratt’s resolution. Spencer had introduced only one motion, which is described earlier in this sentence of the text.

According to Clayton’s minutes, JS stated at the 10 March 1844 council meeting that “he wanted all the brethren to speak their minds” on the subject at hand “and to say what was in their hearts whether good or bad.” (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 10 Mar. 1844.)