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Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 3, 6 May 1845–13 January 1846

6 May 1845 • Tuesday, continued Page 1 10 May 1845 • Saturday Page 4 9 September 1845 • Tuesday Page 13 30 September 1845 • Tuesday Page 33 4 October 1845 • Saturday Page 42 11 January 1846 • Sunday Page 85 13 January 1846 • Tuesday Page 109

Source Note

See source note under Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 1, 10 March 1844–1 March 1845.

Historical Introduction

See historical introduction under Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 1, 10 March 1844–1 March 1845.

Page [109]

13 January 1846 • Tuesday

Editorial Note
The council met on 13 January 1846 at either 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. in the attic story of the
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
.
151

While the council minutes indicate that the meeting was called to order at 11:00, the previous council meeting set 10:00 as the time to convene. John D. Lee and Hosea Stout recorded that the meeting began at 10:00. (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 11 Jan. 1846; Lee, Journal, 13 Jan. 1846, 79; Hosea Stout, Reminiscences and Journal, 13 Jan. 1846.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Lee, John D. Journals, 1844–1853. CHL.

Stout, Hosea. Reminiscences and Journals, 1845–1869. Microfilm. CHL. Originals at Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City. Also available as On the Mormon Frontier: The Diary of Hosea Stout, 1844–1861, edited by Juanita Brooks, 2 vols. (1964. Reprint, Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press; Salt Lake City: Utah State Historical Society, 1982).

At the previous meeting
Brigham Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
had directed the captains of hundreds and fifties for the emigration west to report at this 13 January meeting on the readiness of their companies.
152

Council of Fifty, “Record,” 11 Jan. 1846.


Fearing that the federal government would attempt to impede the emigration, Young explained that this meeting’s purpose was “to ascertain how many persons and families, can be ready to start for
California

Originally part of New Spain. After Mexico declared independence, 1821, area became part of Mexico. American colonization increased, after 1840. By 1841, area was known variously as California, Upper California, Alta California, and New California. Area included...

More Info
in six hours notice.” The council then received written reports from twenty of the twenty-five captains of hundreds.
Following these reports
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
proposed that the captains of hundreds and fifties “use their influence to have as few women and children as possible, go with the first company, but let us go and prepare a place for them, so that they can follow in the spring.” Young particularly wanted “all those men who are in danger and who are likely to be hunted with writs, to go and take their families.” The council accepted Young’s proposals.
These minutes record that two additional meetings were scheduled, for 18 and 19 January 1846. While records exist for these meetings (and are included as appendixes in this volume), they were not included in the Council of Fifty record book, which concludes with this meeting of 13 January.
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

View Full Bio
’s rough notes of the meeting are still extant.
153

Council of Fifty, Minutes, [13 Jan. 1846], CHL.


Significant differences between the rough notes and the recorded minutes have been noted.
In early February,
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
and many members of the council crossed the
Mississippi River

Principal U.S. river running southward from Itasca Lake, Minnesota, to Gulf of Mexico. Covered 3,160-mile course, 1839 (now about 2,350 miles). Drains about 1,100,000 square miles. Steamboat travel on Mississippi very important in 1830s and 1840s for shipping...

More Info
and began the westward trek across
Iowa Territory

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. First permanent white settlements established, ca. 1833. Organized as territory, 1838, containing all of present-day Iowa, much of present-day Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota. Population in...

More Info
, beginning a journey that the council had contemplated, discussed, and planned since JS established the council in March 1844. In the council’s organizational meeting on 11 March 1844, council members had advocated establishing a “Theocracy either in
Texas

France established colony in area, 1685. First Spanish settlement created, 1718. After Mexican War of Independence from Spain, 1821, area became part of Mexico and immigration increased. Conflict between Mexican government and Texian residents resulted in...

More Info
or
Oregon

Lewis and Clark expedition wintered in area, 1805–1806. Treaty of 1818 between U.S. and England provided decade of joint rights to area. Major immigration to area from existing U.S. states commenced, 1839. Oregon Trail used as main route to area, beginning...

More Info
or somewhere in
California

Originally part of New Spain. After Mexico declared independence, 1821, area became part of Mexico. American colonization increased, after 1840. By 1841, area was known variously as California, Upper California, Alta California, and New California. Area included...

More Info
”; they had also, referring to a scriptural metaphor, spoken of establishing “a ‘standard’ to the people an ensign to the nations.”
154

Council of Fifty, “Record,” 11 Mar. 1844.


In his journal
John D. Lee

6 Sept. 1812–23 Mar. 1877. Farmer, courier, riverboat ferryman, policeman, merchant, colonizer. Born in Kaskaskia, Randolph Co., Illinois Territory. Son of Ralph Lee and Elizabeth Doyle. Served in Black Hawk War, 1831. Married Agatha Ann Woolsey, 23 July ...

View Full Bio
wrote that Young spoke of this same concept in the 13 January meeting, though with his eyes now firmly on the valleys of the
Rocky Mountains

Mountain chain consisting of at least one hundred separate ranges, commencing in present-day New Mexico and continuing about 3,000 miles northwest to northern Canada. Determine flow of North American rivers and streams toward Atlantic or Pacific oceans. First...

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and speaking of a literal banner as an ensign. Lee recorded that Young stated, “The Saying of the Prophets would never be verified unless the House of the Lord should be reared in the Tops of the Mountains & the Proud Banner of liberty wave over the valley’s that are within the Mountains &c I know where the spot is & I no [know] how to make the Flag.”
155

Lee, Journal, 13 Jan. 1846, 79.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Lee, John D. Journals, 1844–1853. CHL.


Tuesday January 13th. 1846 Council met pursuant to adjournment in the Attic Story of the
Temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
Prest.
B. Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
in the chair.
The house was called to order by the chair at 11 o clock A.M. a number of persons viz Capts.
156

TEXT: Possibly “Capn.”.


of Tens, Fifties and Hundreds being present, who are not members of the Council,
157

For instance, Hosea Stout attended this meeting. He recorded, “This is the first time which ever I met with that Council. The subject of our removal West was discussed & I was well entertained.” (Hosea Stout, Reminiscences and Journal, 13 Jan. 1846.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Stout, Hosea. Reminiscences and Journals, 1845–1869. Microfilm. CHL. Originals at Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City. Also available as On the Mormon Frontier: The Diary of Hosea Stout, 1844–1861, edited by Juanita Brooks, 2 vols. (1964. Reprint, Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press; Salt Lake City: Utah State Historical Society, 1982).

the meeting was not organized in order.
The
chairman

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
stated the object of the meeting, viz. to ascertain how many persons and families, can be ready to start for
California

Originally part of New Spain. After Mexico declared independence, 1821, area became part of Mexico. American colonization increased, after 1840. By 1841, area was known variously as California, Upper California, Alta California, and New California. Area included...

More Info
in six hours notice. He drew a striking contrast between the circumstances of the church now, and 12 years ago, when they had to search every State in the
Union

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

More Info
, to raise 205 men to go up to
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
, but we can raise as many men now, in almost any State.
158

Young referred to the Camp of Israel expedition in 1834 that traveled to Missouri to assist Latter-day Saints who had been driven from Jackson County, Missouri. While a February 1834 revelation instructed JS and others to recruit as many as 500 men for the expedition, approximately 205 actually went, along with approximately twelve women and ten children. (See “Joseph Smith Documents from April 1834 through September 1835”; Revelation, 24 Feb. 1834 [D&C 103:30]; “Extracts from H. C. Kimball’s Journal,” Times and Seasons, 1 Feb. 1845, 6:789; and Radke, “We Also Marched,” 149–159.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Radke, Andrea G. “We Also Marched: The Women and Children of Zion’s Camp, 1834.” BYU Studies 39 (2000): 147–165.

He cautioned all present to keep secret whatever shall be said or done during the day.
He then went on to state, that the Government of the
United States

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

More Info
, are determined to stop our going away, [p. [109]]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page [109]

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 3, 6 May 1845–13 January 1846
ID #
11603
Total Pages
387
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
  • William Clayton

Footnotes

  1. [151]

    While the council minutes indicate that the meeting was called to order at 11:00, the previous council meeting set 10:00 as the time to convene. John D. Lee and Hosea Stout recorded that the meeting began at 10:00. (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 11 Jan. 1846; Lee, Journal, 13 Jan. 1846, 79; Hosea Stout, Reminiscences and Journal, 13 Jan. 1846.)

    Lee, John D. Journals, 1844–1853. CHL.

    Stout, Hosea. Reminiscences and Journals, 1845–1869. Microfilm. CHL. Originals at Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City. Also available as On the Mormon Frontier: The Diary of Hosea Stout, 1844–1861, edited by Juanita Brooks, 2 vols. (1964. Reprint, Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press; Salt Lake City: Utah State Historical Society, 1982).

  2. [152]

    Council of Fifty, “Record,” 11 Jan. 1846.

  3. [153]

    Council of Fifty, Minutes, [13 Jan. 1846], CHL.

  4. [154]

    Council of Fifty, “Record,” 11 Mar. 1844.

  5. [155]

    Lee, Journal, 13 Jan. 1846, 79.

    Lee, John D. Journals, 1844–1853. CHL.

  6. [156]

    TEXT: Possibly “Capn.”.

  7. [157]

    For instance, Hosea Stout attended this meeting. He recorded, “This is the first time which ever I met with that Council. The subject of our removal West was discussed & I was well entertained.” (Hosea Stout, Reminiscences and Journal, 13 Jan. 1846.)

    Stout, Hosea. Reminiscences and Journals, 1845–1869. Microfilm. CHL. Originals at Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City. Also available as On the Mormon Frontier: The Diary of Hosea Stout, 1844–1861, edited by Juanita Brooks, 2 vols. (1964. Reprint, Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press; Salt Lake City: Utah State Historical Society, 1982).

  8. [158]

    Young referred to the Camp of Israel expedition in 1834 that traveled to Missouri to assist Latter-day Saints who had been driven from Jackson County, Missouri. While a February 1834 revelation instructed JS and others to recruit as many as 500 men for the expedition, approximately 205 actually went, along with approximately twelve women and ten children. (See “Joseph Smith Documents from April 1834 through September 1835”; Revelation, 24 Feb. 1834 [D&C 103:30]; “Extracts from H. C. Kimball’s Journal,” Times and Seasons, 1 Feb. 1845, 6:789; and Radke, “We Also Marched,” 149–159.)

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

    Radke, Andrea G. “We Also Marched: The Women and Children of Zion’s Camp, 1834.” BYU Studies 39 (2000): 147–165.

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