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Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 February 1838

Source Note

Thomas B. Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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, Letter,
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
, Caldwell Co., MO, to JS, [
Kirtland Township

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
, Geauga Co., OH], 15 Feb. 1838, with Minutes, 5–9 and 10 Feb. 1838. Featured version published in “Minutes of the Proceedings of the Committee of the Whole Church in Zion,” Elders’ Journal, July 1838, pp. 44–46. For more complete source information, see the source note for Elders’ Journal, Oct. 1837.

Historical Introduction

In early February 1838,
David Whitmer

7 Jan. 1805–25 Jan. 1888. Farmer, livery keeper. Born near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Raised Presbyterian. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, shortly after birth. Attended German Reformed Church. Arranged...

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,
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
, and
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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—who composed the
presidency

An organized body of leaders over priesthood quorums and other ecclesiastical organizations. A November 1831 revelation first described the office of president over the high priesthood and the church as a whole. By 1832, JS and two counselors constituted ...

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of the church in
Zion

JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, designated Missouri as “land of Zion” for gathering of Saints and place where “City of Zion” was to be built, with Independence area as “center place” of Zion. Latter-day Saint settlements elsewhere, such as in Kirtland,...

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—were removed from office and replaced by apostles
Thomas B. Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

View Full Bio
and
David W. Patten

14 Nov. 1799–25 Oct. 1838. Farmer. Born in Vermont. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Moved to Theresa, Oneida Co., New York, as a young child. Moved to Dundee, Monroe Co., Michigan Territory, as a youth. Married Phoebe Ann Babcock, 1828, in Dundee. Affiliated...

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as presidents pro tempore. Marsh wrote to JS on 15 February 1838 to inform him of the change and to convey formal statements exculpating JS from an implied accusation of adultery made by
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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. The letter also included copies of minutes from the meetings in which the former presidency was removed and replaced.
Problems with the presidency had been developing for over a year. While
David Whitmer

7 Jan. 1805–25 Jan. 1888. Farmer, livery keeper. Born near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Raised Presbyterian. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, shortly after birth. Attended German Reformed Church. Arranged...

View Full Bio
was in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
, Ohio, in summer 1836, counselors
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
and
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

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presided over the Saints in
Missouri

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
.
1

Minute Book 2, 25 July 1836.


In late June, non-Mormon residents in
Clay County

Settled ca. 1800. Organized from Ray Co., 1822. Original size diminished when land was taken to create several surrounding counties. Liberty designated county seat, 1822. Population in 1830 about 5,000; in 1836 about 8,500; and in 1840 about 8,300. Refuge...

More Info
, Missouri, demanded that the Saints leave the county.
2

“Public Meeting,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Aug. 1836, 2:353–355; Stokes, “Wilson Letters,” 504–509.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

Stokes, Durward T., ed. “The Wilson Letters, 1835–1849.” Missouri Historical Review 60, no. 4 (July 1966): 495–517.

Consequently, in July the Missouri Saints met in a “general assembly” and appointed Phelps, John Whitmer, and the Zion
bishopric

Initially referred to a bishop’s ecclesiastical jurisdiction, but eventually described the ecclesiastical body comprising the bishop and his assistants, or counselors. John Corrill and Isaac Morley were called as assistants to Bishop Edward Partridge in 1831...

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to find a new area to settle. The Saints also appointed
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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and
Elisha Groves

5 Nov. 1797–29 Dec. 1867. Farmer. Born in Madison Co., Kentucky. Son of John Groves and Mary Hurd. Moved to Indiana, 1819. Married first Sarah Hogue, ca. 1825, in Indiana. Member of Presbyterian church. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...

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to collect donations and obtain loans from the Saints in
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
and elsewhere to give to Phelps and Whitmer for resettlement efforts.
3

Minute Book 2, 25 July 1836.


While Marsh and Groves collected donations, Phelps and Whitmer purchased the land for what would become
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
, Missouri. After Marsh and Groves returned from Kentucky and Tennessee, where they borrowed $1,450 from church members,
4

Letter to Wilford Woodruff, ca. 18 June 1838; see also “T. B. Marsh,” [2], Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

Phelps and Whitmer used the money to buy more land in the vicinity of Far West. However, they did not consult with the bishopric and the
high council

A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...

View Glossary
before selecting and purchasing the land, and they appointed a committee to help build a
temple

Plans for Far West included temple on central block. Latter-day Saints in Caldwell Co. made preparations for construction and commenced excavating for foundation, 3 July 1837. However, while visiting Latter-day Saints in Far West, 6 Nov. 1837, JS gave instructions...

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in Far West.
5

Minute Book 2, 15 Nov. 1836; 3 and 7 Apr. 1837.


The Missouri Saints followed
Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
and
Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
to
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
, but the high council and bishopric questioned the control Phelps and Whitmer were asserting. On 3 April 1837, the high council met without Phelps and Whitmer and drew up a list of questions for the two men. The council challenged the authority of the two men to unilaterally select and purchase the land for the new settlement, to sell lots in the city plat for their own profit, to designate the
temple site

Plans for Far West included temple on central block. Latter-day Saints in Caldwell Co. made preparations for construction and commenced excavating for foundation, 3 July 1837. However, while visiting Latter-day Saints in Far West, 6 Nov. 1837, JS gave instructions...

More Info
, to appoint a committee to help build the temple, and to take other actions. The council resolved to meet again in two days and invited Phelps and Whitmer to answer the questions. The council also invited the bishopric and resident apostles
Thomas B. Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

View Full Bio
and
David W. Patten

14 Nov. 1799–25 Oct. 1838. Farmer. Born in Vermont. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Moved to Theresa, Oneida Co., New York, as a young child. Moved to Dundee, Monroe Co., Michigan Territory, as a youth. Married Phoebe Ann Babcock, 1828, in Dundee. Affiliated...

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to the meeting.
6

Minute Book 2, 3 Apr. 1837.


At the beginning of the council meeting held 5 April 1837,
Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
and
Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
requested that the bishopric and
apostles

A title indicating one sent forth to preach; later designated as a specific ecclesiastical and priesthood office. By 1830, JS and Oliver Cowdery were designated as apostles. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church explained that an “apostle is an elder...

View Glossary
leave, to which everyone else objected. Phelps insisted that they leave or he would dissolve the high council.
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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declared that if Phelps took such action, Marsh would prefer formal charges against Phelps in a church court held by the
bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

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. Phelps relented, and the members of the high council proceeded with their questions. Phelps and Whitmer were unable to answer the questions to the council’s satisfaction, which “led the Council & others to strongly rebuke the late improper proceedings of the Presidents.” Patten, who was particularly incensed, stated that their actions “had been iniguitous [iniquitous] & fraudulent in the extreme, in the unrighteously appropriating church funds to their own emolument.”
7

Minute Book 2, 5–7 Apr. 1837.


Similarly, Marsh wrote in a letter to
Wilford Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

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that the two presidents had purchased the land in
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
“with Church funds, in their own name, for their own agrandisement.”
8

Letter to Wilford Woodruff, ca. 18 June 1838.


After further discussion over the next few weeks, church officers approved the
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
plat as planned by
Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
and
Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
and approved of their authority to supervise the construction of a
temple

Plans for Far West included temple on central block. Latter-day Saints in Caldwell Co. made preparations for construction and commenced excavating for foundation, 3 July 1837. However, while visiting Latter-day Saints in Far West, 6 Nov. 1837, JS gave instructions...

More Info
and appoint the temple building committee. In response, Phelps and Whitmer agreed to turn over ownership of the Far West plat and surrounding property to Bishop
Edward Partridge

27 Aug. 1793–27 May 1840. Hatter. Born at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of William Partridge and Jemima Bidwell. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio. Married Lydia Clisbee, 22 Aug. 1819, at Painesville. Initially a Universal Restorationist...

View Full Bio
and to relinquish control of the pricing and sale of this property to a combined council of the presidency, the bishopric, and other officers. Furthermore, the proceeds would be dedicated to the general building up of
Zion

A specific location in Missouri; also a literal or figurative gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, characterized by adherence to ideals of harmony, equality, and purity. In JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the ...

View Glossary
in
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
.
9

Minute Book 2, 5–7 Apr. 1837, pp. 68–69, 73; Edward Partridge, Bonds, Far West, MO, to William W. Phelps and John Whitmer, 17 May 1837, John Whitmer Family Papers, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

John Whitmer Family Papers, 1837–1912. CHL.

In spite of these resolutions, the underlying issues persisted.
In the following months, the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society and the general state of depression that followed the nationwide financial panic contributed to significant upheaval in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
. At this time some of JS’s closest associates, including former secretary
Warren Parrish

10 Jan. 1803–3 Jan. 1877. Clergyman, gardener. Born in New York. Son of John Parrish and Ruth Farr. Married first Elizabeth (Betsey) Patten of Westmoreland Co., New Hampshire, ca. 1822. Lived at Alexandria, Jefferson Co., New York, 1830. Purchased land at...

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and several apostles, became disaffected. Discontent and dismay with JS’s financial or religious leadership eventually spread to nearly one-third of the church’s general leadership and over one-tenth of the membership in
Ohio

French explored and claimed area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Northeastern portion maintained as part of Connecticut, 1786, and called Connecticut...

More Info
. Declaring JS a fallen prophet, Parrish and others attempted to establish a church of their own, which they called the Church of Christ—the original name of the church JS had founded. They also attempted to take control of the
House of the Lord

JS revelation, dated Jan. 1831, directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” In Dec. 1832, JS revelation directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS revelation, dated 1 June 1833, chastened...

More Info
.
10

Introduction to Part 7: 17 Sept. 1837–21 Jan. 1838; Backman, Heavens Resound, 323–329; Esplin, “Emergence of Brigham Young,” chap. 6.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Backman, Milton V., Jr. The Heavens Resound: A History of the Latter-day Saints in Ohio, 1830–1838. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1983.

Esplin, Ronald K. “The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1981. Also available as The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841, Dissertations in Latter-day Saint History (Provo, UT: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History; BYU Studies, 2006).

Further, some dissidents sought to replace JS with
David Whitmer

7 Jan. 1805–25 Jan. 1888. Farmer, livery keeper. Born near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Raised Presbyterian. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, shortly after birth. Attended German Reformed Church. Arranged...

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as church president.
11

Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 14.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Brigham Young History Drafts, 1856–1858. CHL. CR 100 475, box 1, fd. 5.

Even
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
, who had been close to JS since the time they had worked together on translating the Book of Mormon, began criticizing JS about financial issues and leadership concerns.
Dissent against JS’s leadership was apparently also fueled by the beginnings of plural marriage. JS’s introduction of the practice of polygamy—following the model of Old Testament patriarchs—was well attested in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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in the 1840s. A few individuals who knew JS well recounted later that he had received a revelation about the doctrine of plural marriage as early as 1831, possibly in connection with his work on the revision, or new “translation,” of the Bible.
12

Bachman, “Ohio Origins of the Revelation on Eternal Marriage,” 24–26; Hales, Joseph Smith’s Polygamy, 1:85–91.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Bachman, Danel W. “New Light on an Old Hypothesis: The Ohio Origins of the Revelation on Eternal Marriage.” Journal of Mormon History 5 (1978): 19–32.

Hales, Brian C. Joseph Smith’s Polygamy. 3 vols. SLC: Greg Kofford Books, 2013.

Several Latter-day Saints who lived in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
in the 1830s later reported that JS married
Fanny Alger

Ca. 1818–29 Nov. 1889. Born in New York. Daughter of Samuel Alger and Clarissa Hancock. Family moved to Lebanon, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, by 1820. Moved to Mayfield, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, by 1828. Resided in Chagrin, Cuyahoga Co., 1830. Lived with JS’s family, ...

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, a young Latter-day Saint who worked in the Smith household. These reports, some of which were from members of Alger’s family, include statements that a wedding “ceremony” or “sealing” had taken place or that Alger and her parents agreed to the marriage beforehand.
13

See, for example, Andrew Jenson, Research Notes, Andrew Jenson Collection, CHL; Benjamin F. Johnson, [Mesa, Arizona Territory], to George F. Gibbs, Salt Lake City, UT, ca. Apr.–ca. Oct. 1903, Benjamin Franklin Johnson, Papers, CHL; Hancock, “Autobiography of Levi Ward Hancock,” 50, 61–65; Young, Wife No. 19, 66–67; and Eliza Jane Churchill Webb, Lockport, NY, to Mary Bond, 24 Apr. 1876; Eliza Jane Churchill Webb, Lockport, NY, to Mary Bond, 4 May 1876, Myron H. Bond Folder, Biographical Folder Collection, CCLA; see also Bradley, “Relationship of Joseph Smith and Fanny Alger,” 14–58.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jenson, Andrew. Collection, ca. 1841–1942. CHL. MS 17956, box 7, fd. 105.

Johnson, Benjamin Franklin. Papers, 1852–1911. CHL. MS 1289, box 2, fd. 1.

Hancock, Mosiah Lyman. "Autobiography of Levi Ward Hancock," ca. 1896. CHL. MS 570.

Young, Ann Eliza. Wife No. 19; or, The Story of a Life in Bondage, Being a Complete Exposé of Mormonism, and Revealing the Sorrows, Sacrifices and Sufferings of Women in Polygamy. Hartford, CT: Dustin, Gilman, 1876.

Myron H. Bond Folder. Biographical Folder Collection (P21, fd. 11). CCLA.

Bradley, Don. “Mormon Polygamy before Nauvoo? The Relationship of Joseph Smith and Fanny Alger.” In Persistence of Polygamy: Joseph Smith and the Origins of Mormon Polygamy, edited by Newell G. Bringhurst and Craig L. Foster, 14–58. Independence, MO: John Whitmer Books, 2010.

Little is known of JS’s marriage to Alger, which was largely kept confidential and which ended in separation before JS’s move 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
. Other Kirtland Mormons, including
Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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, viewed the relationship as immoral.
Patten

14 Nov. 1799–25 Oct. 1838. Farmer. Born in Vermont. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Moved to Theresa, Oneida Co., New York, as a young child. Moved to Dundee, Monroe Co., Michigan Territory, as a youth. Married Phoebe Ann Babcock, 1828, in Dundee. Affiliated...

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recounted that in summer 1837, Cowdery insinuated that JS was guilty of “committing adultery with a certain girl,” an allegation that Cowdery repeated in a letter to one of his brothers in January 1838.
14

Minutes, 12 Apr. 1838; Oliver Cowdery, Far West, MO, to Warren Cowdery, 21 Jan. 1838, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 80–83. The timing of the conversation between Cowdery and Patten was clarified in a subsequent remark by Marsh. (Minutes, 12 Apr. 1838.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Cowdery, Oliver. Letterbook, 1833–1838. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

On 12 April 1838, Cowdery faced a church trial over a variety of issues. At the trial, JS stated that as Cowdery had been his bosom friend, therefore he entrusted him with many things, and JS then “gave a history respecting the girl buisness.”
15

Minutes, 12 Apr. 1838.


After his separation from Alger and the controversy arising from Cowdery’s accusations, JS set aside the practice of plural marriage for several years.
In autumn 1837, JS began to reassert his authority as church president. On 3 September, he convened a conference in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
, during which he was sustained as president and several dissenting church leaders were rejected.
16

Minutes, 3 Sept. 1837.


This conference was considered a “re-organization of the Church in Kirtland.”
17

Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837.


The following day, JS wrote a letter to the Saints in
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
, informing them of the “difficulties in Kirtland which are now about being settled.” He included a copy of the conference minutes and referred the Missouri Saints to his brother
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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and
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

View Full Bio
, who were traveling to Missouri, for further information about the reorganization in Kirtland so they would know “how to proceed to set in order & regulate the affairs of the Church in zion.” The letter also warned them of
Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
,
David Whitmer

7 Jan. 1805–25 Jan. 1888. Farmer, livery keeper. Born near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Raised Presbyterian. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, shortly after birth. Attended German Reformed Church. Arranged...

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, and others who were or would soon be in Missouri and whose support JS questioned. JS indicated that Cowdery had been in transgression and that if he did not humble himself and magnify his calling, the Saints would “soon be under the necessaty of raising their hands against him.” The letter also stated that Whitmer had transgressed and that he had been warned that if he did not “make sattisfaction to the Church,” he would lose his standing.
18

Letter to John Corrill and the Church in Missouri, 4 Sept. 1837.


On the same day JS wrote this letter, 4 September, he dictated a revelation declaring that
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

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and
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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must repent of their offenses or they would be removed from office.
19

Revelation, 4 Sept. 1837.


JS sent the letter, and presumably the revelation, 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
with
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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, who had likely informed JS of the Missouri leadership issues. Together, these documents raised questions about
Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
and the entire
Zion

JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, designated Missouri as “land of Zion” for gathering of Saints and place where “City of Zion” was to be built, with Independence area as “center place” of Zion. Latter-day Saint settlements elsewhere, such as in Kirtland,...

More Info
presidency, all of whom were in Missouri by the time JS and other leaders arrived there to hold a reorganization conference similar to the one they had held in
Ohio

French explored and claimed area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Northeastern portion maintained as part of Connecticut, 1786, and called Connecticut...

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.
JS arrived in
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

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in late October or early November 1837. On 6 November, JS,
Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

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,
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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, and other leaders from
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
met with
Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
,
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
,
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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, and other church leaders living in
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
to further resolve problems. After those at the council meeting discussed the recent land purchases, the Far West plat, and related issues, “all difficulties were satisfactorily settled except a matter between J. Smith jr.
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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and T. B. Marsh, which was refered to themselves with the agreement that their settlement of the affair should be sufficient for the Council.”
20

Minutes, 6 Nov. 1837.


This unresolved matter was apparently Cowdery’s contention that JS was guilty of adultery. The three met to discuss the issue later that evening or sometime before JS returned to Kirtland.
At the 7 November reorganization conference, which was also called a “general assembly,”
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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served as the moderator. JS was sustained as president of the entire church, and
Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

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was sustained as a counselor in the First Presidency. Marsh and others objected to the other counselor,
Frederick G. Williams

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

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, who was consequently rejected by the general assembly and replaced by
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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. When the names of
David

7 Jan. 1805–25 Jan. 1888. Farmer, livery keeper. Born near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Raised Presbyterian. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, shortly after birth. Attended German Reformed Church. Arranged...

View Full Bio
and
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
were presented for reappointment to the
Zion

JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, designated Missouri as “land of Zion” for gathering of Saints and place where “City of Zion” was to be built, with Independence area as “center place” of Zion. Latter-day Saint settlements elsewhere, such as in Kirtland,...

More Info
presidency, Marsh and others objected. However, apostle
William E. McLellin

18 Jan. 1806–14 Mar. 1883. Schoolteacher, physician, publisher. Born at Smith Co., Tennessee. Son of Charles McLellin and Sarah (a Cherokee Indian). Married first Cynthia Ann, 30 July 1829. Wife died, by summer 1831. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...

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“made satisfaction” on behalf of David Whitmer, and John Whitmer offered words of confession, after which the two men were retained in office. When
Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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’s name was presented, he also offered a confession and was reappointed to the Zion presidency. In another meeting, held 10 November, the problems with John Whitmer and Phelps were further resolved and the authority of the bishopric to oversee land issues was reaffirmed.
Having addressed the problems in
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
, JS and his party from
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

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departed for home.
21

Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837; Minutes, 10 Nov. 1837; JS History, vol. B-1, 775–778; Esplin, “Emergence of Brigham Young,” chaps. 6–7.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Esplin, Ronald K. “The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1981. Also available as The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841, Dissertations in Latter-day Saint History (Provo, UT: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History; BYU Studies, 2006).

Although the church had been reorganized in Kirtland, JS returned only to face continued efforts by dissidents to undermine his leadership.
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

View Full Bio
’s 15 February 1838 letter suggests that rumors of JS committing adultery were circulating in Kirtland or that Marsh understood that to be the case based on a letter he had recently received from JS.
Such rumors and the spirit of dissent were also spreading in
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
. As tensions involving
Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
and the
Zion

JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, designated Missouri as “land of Zion” for gathering of Saints and place where “City of Zion” was to be built, with Independence area as “center place” of Zion. Latter-day Saint settlements elsewhere, such as in Kirtland,...

More Info
presidency resurfaced, it became evident that the dissension required further attention. In a letter JS wrote to
Partridge

27 Aug. 1793–27 May 1840. Hatter. Born at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of William Partridge and Jemima Bidwell. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio. Married Lydia Clisbee, 22 Aug. 1819, at Painesville. Initially a Universal Restorationist...

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in Missouri on 7 January 1838, JS included a revelation warning the Saints to “be aware of dissensions among them lest the enemy have power over them” and commanding church leaders to warn the members, “for behold the wolf cometh to destroy them!”
22

Letter and Revelation to Edward Partridge, 7 Jan. 1838.


JS apparently sent a similar letter to
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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around the same time. Marsh presumably received the letter by 20 January, when he held a meeting at his house to initiate an effort to remove the Zion presidency. Marsh was a member of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

View Glossary
, which held jurisdiction over only the
branches

An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...

View Glossary
and missionary work outside of Zion and its stakes. However, on 5 February 1838, when Marsh held a meeting to remove the Zion presidency, he stated that he was following special instructions from JS, which were apparently included in a letter from JS.
John Murdock

15 July 1792–23 Dec. 1871. Farmer. Born at Kortright, Delaware Co., New York. Son of John Murdock Sr. and Eleanor Riggs. Joined Lutheran Dutch Church, ca. 1817, then Presbyterian Seceder Church shortly after. Moved to Orange, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ca. 1819....

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, who was also at the meeting, stated that he likewise knew about the instructions from JS to Marsh.
23

As Marsh noted in his 15 February letter to JS, Marsh had sent a letter to JS on 4 February in response to JS’s request for statements from Marsh and George W. Harris regarding what Oliver Cowdery said about Fanny Alger. This 4 February missive to JS may have been a response to the same letter in which JS instructed Marsh to take action against Cowdery and the Missouri presidency.


In the “social meeting”
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

View Full Bio
hosted on 20 January, he met with fellow apostle
Patten

14 Nov. 1799–25 Oct. 1838. Farmer. Born in Vermont. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Moved to Theresa, Oneida Co., New York, as a young child. Moved to Dundee, Monroe Co., Michigan Territory, as a youth. Married Phoebe Ann Babcock, 1828, in Dundee. Affiliated...

View Full Bio
and several members of the
Zion

JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, designated Missouri as “land of Zion” for gathering of Saints and place where “City of Zion” was to be built, with Independence area as “center place” of Zion. Latter-day Saint settlements elsewhere, such as in Kirtland,...

More Info
high council. After considering grievances against the Whitmer brothers,
Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
, and
Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
, those at the meeting appointed a committee to present their concerns to “the Presidents” and Cowdery, who was serving as the Zion presidency’s clerk, and then report back to the larger group. The chief concern, apparently, was that Phelps,
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

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, and Cowdery had recently sold land in
Jackson County

Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. president Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...

More Info
. The committee also challenged the men regarding their adherence to the “
Word of Wisdom

A revelation dated 27 February 1833 containing a code of health. The revelation warned the Saints against consuming tobacco, wine, “strong drinks” (apparently distilled liquors), and “hot drinks” (generally understood as tea and coffee). The revelation recommended...

View Glossary
,” the church’s dietary code. In general, the men insisted on their individual rights to sell or otherwise control their land and to interpret and observe the dietary revelation as they saw fit. In short, they “would not be controlled by any ecclesiastical power or revelation whatever in their temporal concerns.” When the committee reported this response in a council meeting on 26 January, the council members resolved to reject the presidency and to hold “general assembly” meetings to lay the case before church officers in
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
and in some surrounding settlements. The council members planned the general assembly meetings and resolved that Marsh would inform the Zion presidency and Cowdery of the decisions made at the council meeting.
24

Minute Book 2, 20 and 26 Jan. 1838.


On 30 January, the
Zion

JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, designated Missouri as “land of Zion” for gathering of Saints and place where “City of Zion” was to be built, with Independence area as “center place” of Zion. Latter-day Saint settlements elsewhere, such as in Kirtland,...

More Info
presidency met with
Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
and other dissenters, during which the group declared their opposition to JS for “endeavoring to unite ecclesiastical with civil authority and force men under the pretence of incurring the displeasure of heaven to use their earthly substance contrary to their own interest and privilege.” Cowdery copied the meeting minutes into a 4 February 1838 letter to his brothers regarding recent events in
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
. He also explained that the high council had decided not to try him and that the Zion presidency had decided not to attend a meeting to be held in Far West the following day.
25

Oliver Cowdery, Far West, MO, to Warren Cowdery and Lyman Cowdery, [Kirtland, OH], 4 Feb. 1838, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 83–86.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Cowdery, Oliver. Letterbook, 1833–1838. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

Also on 4 February,
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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followed through on a request from JS to send Marsh’s and
George W. Harris

1 Apr. 1780–1857. Jeweler. Born at Lanesboro, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Harris and Diana (Margaret) Burton. Married first Elizabeth, ca. 1800. Married second Margaret, who died in 1828. Moved to Batavia, Genesee Co., New York, by 1830. Married...

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’s accounts of a meeting with Cowdery in which he discussed
Alger

Ca. 1818–29 Nov. 1889. Born in New York. Daughter of Samuel Alger and Clarissa Hancock. Family moved to Lebanon, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, by 1820. Moved to Mayfield, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, by 1828. Resided in Chagrin, Cuyahoga Co., 1830. Lived with JS’s family, ...

View Full Bio
.
The general assembly meetings began in
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
on 5 February 1838.
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

View Full Bio
served as the moderator, as he had in the general assembly held on 7 November 1837. He began by rehearsing the recent reorganization meetings in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
and Far West and also some of the problems with the
Zion

JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, designated Missouri as “land of Zion” for gathering of Saints and place where “City of Zion” was to be built, with Independence area as “center place” of Zion. Latter-day Saint settlements elsewhere, such as in Kirtland,...

More Info
presidency. The members of the committee appointed to visit the presidency also spoke.
Bishop Partridge

27 Aug. 1793–27 May 1840. Hatter. Born at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of William Partridge and Jemima Bidwell. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio. Married Lydia Clisbee, 22 Aug. 1819, at Painesville. Initially a Universal Restorationist...

View Full Bio
, one of his counselors, and his financial agent argued that the proceedings of the general assembly were hasty and improper, while Partridge’s other counselor pleaded for mercy for
Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
and
Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
. Two members of the high council were sympathetic, but most were against the presidency. Similarly, Marsh,
Patten

14 Nov. 1799–25 Oct. 1838. Farmer. Born in Vermont. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Moved to Theresa, Oneida Co., New York, as a young child. Moved to Dundee, Monroe Co., Michigan Territory, as a youth. Married Phoebe Ann Babcock, 1828, in Dundee. Affiliated...

View Full Bio
, and high council member
Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
vigorously opposed the presidency. After hearing from the various leaders, the men holding priesthood offices in Far West voted to remove the presidency from office.
Over the next four days, sessions of the general assembly were held in four of the smaller outlying settlements, all with the same result. On 10 February a council meeting was held, probably in
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
, in which
Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
,
Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
, and
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
were removed from their appointments to license church officers and were replaced by
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

View Full Bio
and
Patten

14 Nov. 1799–25 Oct. 1838. Farmer. Born in Vermont. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Moved to Theresa, Oneida Co., New York, as a young child. Moved to Dundee, Monroe Co., Michigan Territory, as a youth. Married Phoebe Ann Babcock, 1828, in Dundee. Affiliated...

View Full Bio
. At the same time, Marsh and Patten were appointed presidents pro tempore for the church in
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
. Five days later, on 15 February,
George M. Hinkle

13 Nov. 1801–Nov. 1861. Merchant, physician, publisher, minister, farmer. Born in Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Son of Michael Hinkle and Nancy Higgins. Married first Sarah Ann Starkey. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1832. Moved to ...

View Full Bio
wrote a statement regarding a conversation with Cowdery about
Alger

Ca. 1818–29 Nov. 1889. Born in New York. Daughter of Samuel Alger and Clarissa Hancock. Family moved to Lebanon, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, by 1820. Moved to Mayfield, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, by 1828. Resided in Chagrin, Cuyahoga Co., 1830. Lived with JS’s family, ...

View Full Bio
; Hinkle apparently gave his statement to Marsh that day.
After receiving
Hinkle

13 Nov. 1801–Nov. 1861. Merchant, physician, publisher, minister, farmer. Born in Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Son of Michael Hinkle and Nancy Higgins. Married first Sarah Ann Starkey. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1832. Moved to ...

View Full Bio
’s statement,
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

View Full Bio
wrote to JS. Marsh began with copies of the minutes of the general assembly held 5–9 February and of the council meeting held 10 February.
26

The letter from Marsh refers to the minutes as if they were part of the letter. In the Elders’ Journal, the minutes and the letter were printed together as one text.


Marsh then explained that the high council had acted in order to avoid a widespread rebellion among the general church membership, which strongly opposed the ongoing actions of the presidency. Marsh was probably writing to report on the fulfillment of JS’s earlier instructions. He also wrote to follow through on JS’s request for statements regarding
Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
and his insinuations that JS was guilty of adultery. Marsh included new versions of his and
Harris

1 Apr. 1780–1857. Jeweler. Born at Lanesboro, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Harris and Diana (Margaret) Burton. Married first Elizabeth, ca. 1800. Married second Margaret, who died in 1828. Moved to Batavia, Genesee Co., New York, by 1830. Married...

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’s statements and also included the statement from Hinkle.
Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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may have written the letter at his home in
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
.
27

In June 1837, the high council determined to give Marsh “a lot in the Town of Far West.” Marsh later recounted that he “immediately procured a lot built a house & moved into it.” The minutes for the 20 January meeting designate Far West as the location of the meeting and further specifiy that the meeting was “held at the house of Thos B. Marsh,” affirming that Marsh had moved to Far West by this time. (Minute Book 2, 11 June 1837 and 20 Jan. 1838; “T. B. Marsh,” [2], Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

He expressed some concern in his letter that the letter he had sent in the mail on 4 February might be intercepted by enemies before it reached JS, so Marsh may have sent his 15 February letter in the hands of a Latter-day Saint he trusted. As Marsh’s letter indicates, he was not yet aware that JS had already departed
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
and was en route to Far West.
28

Information regarding JS’s departure arrived in a letter to Phelps by 24 February, when it was read in a council meeting. (Minute Book 2, 24 Feb. 1838.)


Because JS had left already, he would not be able to use the statements collected by Marsh to stop the rumors of adultery in Kirtland, but the statements may have been of some use to him after arriving in Far West. If the letter was sent by a Mormon courier rather than through the mail, JS may have received the letter en route and become apprised of the recent developments in Far West prior to his arrival. In any case, he most likely received the original letter or read a retained copy of it before it was published in the July issue of the Elders’ Journal, which he was the editor of.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Minute Book 2, 25 July 1836.

  2. [2]

    “Public Meeting,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Aug. 1836, 2:353–355; Stokes, “Wilson Letters,” 504–509.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

    Stokes, Durward T., ed. “The Wilson Letters, 1835–1849.” Missouri Historical Review 60, no. 4 (July 1966): 495–517.

  3. [3]

    Minute Book 2, 25 July 1836.

  4. [4]

    Letter to Wilford Woodruff, ca. 18 June 1838; see also “T. B. Marsh,” [2], Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

  5. [5]

    Minute Book 2, 15 Nov. 1836; 3 and 7 Apr. 1837.

  6. [6]

    Minute Book 2, 3 Apr. 1837.

  7. [7]

    Minute Book 2, 5–7 Apr. 1837.

  8. [8]

    Letter to Wilford Woodruff, ca. 18 June 1838.

  9. [9]

    Minute Book 2, 5–7 Apr. 1837, pp. 68–69, 73; Edward Partridge, Bonds, Far West, MO, to William W. Phelps and John Whitmer, 17 May 1837, John Whitmer Family Papers, CHL.

    John Whitmer Family Papers, 1837–1912. CHL.

  10. [10]

    Introduction to Part 7: 17 Sept. 1837–21 Jan. 1838; Backman, Heavens Resound, 323–329; Esplin, “Emergence of Brigham Young,” chap. 6.

    Backman, Milton V., Jr. The Heavens Resound: A History of the Latter-day Saints in Ohio, 1830–1838. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1983.

    Esplin, Ronald K. “The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1981. Also available as The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841, Dissertations in Latter-day Saint History (Provo, UT: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History; BYU Studies, 2006).

  11. [11]

    Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 14.

    Historian’s Office. Brigham Young History Drafts, 1856–1858. CHL. CR 100 475, box 1, fd. 5.

  12. [12]

    Bachman, “Ohio Origins of the Revelation on Eternal Marriage,” 24–26; Hales, Joseph Smith’s Polygamy, 1:85–91.

    Bachman, Danel W. “New Light on an Old Hypothesis: The Ohio Origins of the Revelation on Eternal Marriage.” Journal of Mormon History 5 (1978): 19–32.

    Hales, Brian C. Joseph Smith’s Polygamy. 3 vols. SLC: Greg Kofford Books, 2013.

  13. [13]

    See, for example, Andrew Jenson, Research Notes, Andrew Jenson Collection, CHL; Benjamin F. Johnson, [Mesa, Arizona Territory], to George F. Gibbs, Salt Lake City, UT, ca. Apr.–ca. Oct. 1903, Benjamin Franklin Johnson, Papers, CHL; Hancock, “Autobiography of Levi Ward Hancock,” 50, 61–65; Young, Wife No. 19, 66–67; and Eliza Jane Churchill Webb, Lockport, NY, to Mary Bond, 24 Apr. 1876; Eliza Jane Churchill Webb, Lockport, NY, to Mary Bond, 4 May 1876, Myron H. Bond Folder, Biographical Folder Collection, CCLA; see also Bradley, “Relationship of Joseph Smith and Fanny Alger,” 14–58.

    Jenson, Andrew. Collection, ca. 1841–1942. CHL. MS 17956, box 7, fd. 105.

    Johnson, Benjamin Franklin. Papers, 1852–1911. CHL. MS 1289, box 2, fd. 1.

    Hancock, Mosiah Lyman. "Autobiography of Levi Ward Hancock," ca. 1896. CHL. MS 570.

    Young, Ann Eliza. Wife No. 19; or, The Story of a Life in Bondage, Being a Complete Exposé of Mormonism, and Revealing the Sorrows, Sacrifices and Sufferings of Women in Polygamy. Hartford, CT: Dustin, Gilman, 1876.

    Myron H. Bond Folder. Biographical Folder Collection (P21, fd. 11). CCLA.

    Bradley, Don. “Mormon Polygamy before Nauvoo? The Relationship of Joseph Smith and Fanny Alger.” In Persistence of Polygamy: Joseph Smith and the Origins of Mormon Polygamy, edited by Newell G. Bringhurst and Craig L. Foster, 14–58. Independence, MO: John Whitmer Books, 2010.

  14. [14]

    Minutes, 12 Apr. 1838; Oliver Cowdery, Far West, MO, to Warren Cowdery, 21 Jan. 1838, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 80–83. The timing of the conversation between Cowdery and Patten was clarified in a subsequent remark by Marsh. (Minutes, 12 Apr. 1838.)

    Cowdery, Oliver. Letterbook, 1833–1838. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

  15. [15]

    Minutes, 12 Apr. 1838.

  16. [16]

    Minutes, 3 Sept. 1837.

  17. [17]

    Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837.

  18. [18]

    Letter to John Corrill and the Church in Missouri, 4 Sept. 1837.

  19. [19]

    Revelation, 4 Sept. 1837.

  20. [20]

    Minutes, 6 Nov. 1837.

  21. [21]

    Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837; Minutes, 10 Nov. 1837; JS History, vol. B-1, 775–778; Esplin, “Emergence of Brigham Young,” chaps. 6–7.

    Esplin, Ronald K. “The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1981. Also available as The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841, Dissertations in Latter-day Saint History (Provo, UT: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History; BYU Studies, 2006).

  22. [22]

    Letter and Revelation to Edward Partridge, 7 Jan. 1838.

  23. [23]

    As Marsh noted in his 15 February letter to JS, Marsh had sent a letter to JS on 4 February in response to JS’s request for statements from Marsh and George W. Harris regarding what Oliver Cowdery said about Fanny Alger. This 4 February missive to JS may have been a response to the same letter in which JS instructed Marsh to take action against Cowdery and the Missouri presidency.

  24. [24]

    Minute Book 2, 20 and 26 Jan. 1838.

  25. [25]

    Oliver Cowdery, Far West, MO, to Warren Cowdery and Lyman Cowdery, [Kirtland, OH], 4 Feb. 1838, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 83–86.

    Cowdery, Oliver. Letterbook, 1833–1838. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

  26. [26]

    The letter from Marsh refers to the minutes as if they were part of the letter. In the Elders’ Journal, the minutes and the letter were printed together as one text.

  27. [27]

    In June 1837, the high council determined to give Marsh “a lot in the Town of Far West.” Marsh later recounted that he “immediately procured a lot built a house & moved into it.” The minutes for the 20 January meeting designate Far West as the location of the meeting and further specifiy that the meeting was “held at the house of Thos B. Marsh,” affirming that Marsh had moved to Far West by this time. (Minute Book 2, 11 June 1837 and 20 Jan. 1838; “T. B. Marsh,” [2], Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861, CHL.)

    Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

  28. [28]

    Information regarding JS’s departure arrived in a letter to Phelps by 24 February, when it was read in a council meeting. (Minute Book 2, 24 Feb. 1838.)

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 February 1838
Elders’ Journal, July 1838

Page 44

MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CHURCH IN
ZION

JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, designated Missouri as “land of Zion” for gathering of Saints and place where “City of Zion” was to be built, with Independence area as “center place” of Zion. Latter-day Saint settlements elsewhere, such as in Kirtland,...

More Info
.
1

The minutes of the 3 September 1837 conference held in Kirtland began with similar language, explaining that they were “minutes of a conference assembled in the house of the Lord, in committee of the whole.” Furthermore, when JS sent a copy of the minutes to Missouri, his cover letter referred to the conference as “the comittee, of the whole Church of Kirtland the authorities &.c.” The 3 September 1837 and 5 February 1838 meetings may have followed the conventional parliamentary procedure for resolving to form a committee of the whole, in which business ordinarily delegated to a committee was opened to the general body, the regular chairman turned his duties over to a committee chair, and all members could speak as often as they liked. Or the phrase “committee of the whole” may have been used merely to signify the attendance of priesthood holders from all the councils and quorums, as well as other church members. (Minutes, 3 Sept. 1837; Letter to John Corrill and the Church in Missouri, 4 Sept. 1837; Jefferson, Manual of Parliamentary Practice, sec. 12.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jefferson, Thomas. A Manual of Parliamentary Practice. For the Use of the Senate of the United States. Washington DC: Samuel Harrison Smith, 1801.

The following are the minutes of the proceedings of a
general assembly

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

View Glossary
of the
Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter Day Saints

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
,
2

When JS organized the church on 6 April 1830, it was named the Church of Christ. In 1834, church leaders changed the name of the church to the Church of the Latter Day Saints. After that time, various combinations of the two names were occasionally used. On 26 April 1838, JS dictated a revelation announcing that the church would be called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The name of the church used at the beginning of Marsh’s letter as published in the July issue of the Elders’ Journal and as recorded in Minute Book 2 may be a combination of the first two names of the church or may be an emendation made after the new name of the church was revealed. (Revelation, 6 Apr. 1830 [D&C 21:3, 11]; Articles and Covenants, ca. Apr. 1830 [D&C 20:1]; Minutes, 3 May 1834; Revelation, 26 Apr. 1838 [D&C 115:4]; Minute Book 2, 5–9 Feb. 1838; see also Anderson, “What Changes Have Been Made in the Name of the Church?,” 13–14.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Anderson, Richard Lloyd. “What Changes Have Been Made in the Name of the Church?” Ensign, Jan. 1979, 13–14.

assembled at the following places, to transact the business of said Church.
3

Section 3 in part 2 of the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants instructed that an unrighteous decision made by any governing quorum in the church, including a “quorum of three presidents,” could be “brought before a general assembly of the several quorums, which constitute the spiritual authorities of the church.” (Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:29, 32].)


1st. At
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
,
4

This general assembly of church officers may have met in a schoolhouse. Other meetings were held in one or more schoolhouses in Far West in 1837 and 1838. (Minute Book 2, 29 July and 5 Aug. 1837; 24 Feb. and 17 Mar. 1838; JS, Journal, 6 Aug. 1838.)


Feb. 5, 1838;
Thomas B. Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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was chosen Moderator,
5

Seven members of the high council, including Elias Higbee, were originally designated to conduct the sessions of the general assembly. At a 26 January 1838 meeting, Marsh, who was not a member of the high council, was chosen to replace Higbee in the upcoming series of meetings. During the 5 February session, Marsh stated that he had recently received directions from JS. It is possible that those instructions were relevant to the discipline of the presidency or the regulation of the church, which might explain why Marsh was chosen as Higbee’s replacement. (Minute Book 2, 26 Jan. 1838.)


and
John Cleminson

28 Dec. 1798–28 Nov. 1879. Farmer, teacher, cabinet maker, carpenter, clerk. Born at Lancaster, Lancashire, England. Migrated to St. John’s, New Brunswick (later in Canada), 1812. Moved to Louisville, Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Moved to Lexington, Lillard Co...

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Clerk.
The
Moderator

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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addressed the throne of grace in prayer,
6

See Hebrews 4:16.


after which he laid before the assembly the object of the meeting, giving a relation of the recent organization of the Church here, and in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
.
7

At the reorganization conference held in Kirtland on 3 September 1837, several members of the Kirtland high council and of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were removed from their positions. When a reorganization conference was held in Far West on 7 November, Hyrum Smith was appointed to replace Frederick G. Williams in the First Presidency of the church. (Minutes, 3 Sept. 1837; Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837.)


He also read a certain revelation given in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
, Sept. 4, 1837; which made known that
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

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and
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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were in transgression, and that if they repented not, they should be removed out of their places.—
8

Revelation, 4 Sept. 1837.


Also, read a certain clause contained in the appeal, published in the old Star, under the 183rd page, as follows:— “And to sell our lands would amount to a denial of our faith, as that is the place where
Zion

A specific location in Missouri; also a literal or figurative gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, characterized by adherence to ideals of harmony, equality, and purity. In JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the ...

View Glossary
of God shall stand according to our faith and belief in the revelations of God.”
9

The appeal regarded the lands the Saints owned in Jackson County, from which they had been driven. In 1833, after the Saints were driven out of the county, a revelation indicated that rather than selling their land in Jackson County, the Saints should continue to purchase land there. An 1834 revelation directed the Saints to purchase additional land in Jackson County and to “make proposals for peace unto those who have smitten you.” In response to this revelation, church leaders in Missouri apparently wrote an appeal to “the people” of the nation, requesting that the Saints be allowed to possess their lands in peace. (“An Appeal,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Aug. 1834, 183; Revelation, 16–17 Dec. 1833 [D&C 101:17–20, 67–75]; Revelation, 22 June 1834 [D&C 105:26–29, 40].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.

Elder

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

View Glossary
John Murdock

15 July 1792–23 Dec. 1871. Farmer. Born at Kortright, Delaware Co., New York. Son of John Murdock Sr. and Eleanor Riggs. Joined Lutheran Dutch Church, ca. 1817, then Presbyterian Seceder Church shortly after. Moved to Orange, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ca. 1819....

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then took the stand, and showed to the congregation why the
High Council

A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...

View Glossary
proceeded thus,
10

Murdock probably spoke first and on behalf of the high council as a leader in that group.


was, that the Church might have a voice in the matter; and that he considered it perfectly legal, according to the instructions of President Joseph Smith jr.
11

Canonized instruction indicated that charges against a president of the high priesthood would be heard by a bishop who was counseled by twelve high priests. However, JS dictated a revelation on 12 January 1838 that instituted a new procedure, whereby “the presidency of said Church may be tried by the voice of the whole body of the Church of Zion, and the voice of a majority of all her stakes.” It is possible that this revelation, perhaps with related instructions from JS to Marsh or Murdock, had reached the high council by this time, as had the 7 January letter for Edward Partridge, although Marsh apparently did not yet know that JS had left Kirtland for Far West on the night of 12 January. (Revelation, 11 Nov. 1831–B [D&C 107:82–84]; Revelation, 12 Jan. 1838–A.)


Elder
G[eorge] M. Hinkle

13 Nov. 1801–Nov. 1861. Merchant, physician, publisher, minister, farmer. Born in Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Son of Michael Hinkle and Nancy Higgins. Married first Sarah Ann Starkey. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1832. Moved to ...

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then set forth the way in which the
Presidency

An organized body of leaders over priesthood quorums and other ecclesiastical organizations. A November 1831 revelation first described the office of president over the high priesthood and the church as a whole. By 1832, JS and two counselors constituted ...

View Glossary
of
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
had been labored with, that a committee of three, of whom he was one, had labored with them.—
12

Hinkle, Thomas Grover, and George Morey were appointed to visit the Missouri presidency by Marsh, Patten, and several members of the Missouri high council who met for a “social meeting” in Marsh’s home in Far West on 20 January 1838. (Minute Book 2, 20 Jan. 1838.)


He then read a written document containing a number of accusations against the three presidents.
13

This document was apparently presented or summarized in a meeting held 26 January 1838. The minutes of that meeting include a transcript or summary of the committee’s report. (Minute Book 2, 26 Jan. 1838.)


He spake many things against them, setting forth in a plain and energetic manner, the iniquity of
Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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and
Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

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, in using the monies which were loaned for the Church. Also
D[avid] Whitmer

7 Jan. 1805–25 Jan. 1888. Farmer, livery keeper. Born near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Raised Presbyterian. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, shortly after birth. Attended German Reformed Church. Arranged...

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’s wrong, in persisting in the use of tea, coffee, and tobacco.
14

In 1833, JS dictated a revelation proscribing the use of tobacco, wine, “strong drinks,” and “hot drinks.” “Strong drinks” were understood to be distilled liquors, and “hot drinks” were identified as tea and coffee. In the conference held in Far West on 7 November 1837, the members of the congregation voted that they would not support “Stores and Shops selling spirituous liquors, Tea, Coffee or Tobacco.” The committee appointed by the high council to labor with the Missouri presidency reported in the council meeting held 26 January 1838 that “David and John Whitmer said they did use tea and coffee but they did not consider them to come under the head of hot drinks.” (Revelation, 27 Feb. 1833 [D&C 89:1–3, 5–9]; Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837; Minute Book 2, 26 Jan. 1838.)


Bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

View Glossary
[Edward] Partridge

27 Aug. 1793–27 May 1840. Hatter. Born at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of William Partridge and Jemima Bidwell. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio. Married Lydia Clisbee, 22 Aug. 1819, at Painesville. Initially a Universal Restorationist...

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then arose, and endeavored to rectify some mistakes of minor importance made by
Elder Hinkle

13 Nov. 1801–Nov. 1861. Merchant, physician, publisher, minister, farmer. Born in Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Son of Michael Hinkle and Nancy Higgins. Married first Sarah Ann Starkey. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1832. Moved to ...

View Full Bio
. Also, the
Bishop

27 Aug. 1793–27 May 1840. Hatter. Born at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of William Partridge and Jemima Bidwell. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio. Married Lydia Clisbee, 22 Aug. 1819, at Painesville. Initially a Universal Restorationist...

View Full Bio
spake against the proceedings of the meeting, as being hasty and illegal, for he thought they ought to be had before the common council;
15

As the bishop, Partridge oversaw a “common council.” In 1835 JS provided instruction on the priesthood, stating that “inasmuch as a president of the high priesthood shall transgress, he shall be had in remembrance before the common council of the church.” In May 1837, Sidney Rigdon presided over a high council meeting to try Frederick G. Williams and David Whitmer, both of whom appealed to the 1835 regulation and held that they should be tried in a bishop’s court. After much debate on this issue, the council “dispersed in confusion.” (Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:68–84]; Minute Book 1, 29 May 1837.)


and said, that he could not lift his hand against the presidency at present; he then read a letter from President Joseph Smith jr.
16

The 7 January 1838 letter from JS to Partridge included words of a revelation: “And again thus saith the Lord, let my people be aware of dissensions among them lest the enemy have power over them, Awake my shepherds and warn my people! for behold the wolf cometh to destroy them! receive him not.” (Letter and Revelation to Edward Partridge, 7 Jan. 1838.)


A letter was then read by
T. B. Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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from
William Smith

13 Mar. 1811–13 Nov. 1893. Farmer, newspaper editor. Born at Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811; to Norwich, Windsor Co., 1813; and to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816...

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,
17

William Smith was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with Marsh serving as president of the quorum. The previous year, apostles Marsh, Patten, and Smith traveled together from Far West to Kirtland, where they participated in the September 1837 reorganization of the church there, and then all returned to Missouri to attend the November 1837 reorganization of the church in Far West. (Letter to Wilford Woodruff, ca. 18 June 1838; Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837.)


who made some comments on the same,
18

Marsh commented on the letter from William Smith, who was still living in Kirtland and would not move to Far West until later in the year. (Letter from Don Carlos Smith, ca. Late May 1838; see also Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1844–1845, bk. 15, [3]–[6].)


and also on the letter read by
E. Partridge

27 Aug. 1793–27 May 1840. Hatter. Born at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of William Partridge and Jemima Bidwell. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio. Married Lydia Clisbee, 22 Aug. 1819, at Painesville. Initially a Universal Restorationist...

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.
Elder
G. Moery [George Morey]

30 Nov. 1803–15 Dec. 1875. Farmer. Born at Pittstown, Rensselaer Co., New York. Son of William Morey and Anda Martin. Moved to Collinsville, Butler Co., Ohio, 1814. Married Sylvia Butterfield, 29 Oct. 1825, at Butler Co. Moved to Vermillion Co., Illinois,...

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, who was one of the committee sent to labor with the Presidency, then spake, setting forth in a very energetic manner, the proceedings of the presidency, as being iniquitous.
Elder [Thomas] Grover

22 July 1807–20 Feb. 1886. Farmer, boat operator. Born at Whitehall, Washington Co., New York. Son of Thomas Grover and Polly Spaulding. Married first Caroline Whiting of Whitehall, 1828. Became a Methodist preacher, by 1834. Moved to Freedom, Cattaraugus...

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also, being one of the committee, spake against the conduct of the presidency and
O[liver] Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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,
19

Two months earlier, Cowdery was appointed clerk of the Missouri high council. (Minute Book 2, 6–7 Dec. 1837.)


on their visit to labor with them.
Elder
David W. Patten

14 Nov. 1799–25 Oct. 1838. Farmer. Born in Vermont. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Moved to Theresa, Oneida Co., New York, as a young child. Moved to Dundee, Monroe Co., Michigan Territory, as a youth. Married Phoebe Ann Babcock, 1828, in Dundee. Affiliated...

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, then spake with much zeal against this presidency, and in favor of brother Joseph Smith jr.
20

Patten was second in seniority in the quorum and therefore likely had a close relationship with Marsh, who was the most senior apostle and was leading the charge against the Zion presidency. (Minutes and Discourse, 2 May 1835.)


and that the wolf alluded to in his letter, were the dissenters in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

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.
21

See Letter and Revelation to Edward Partridge, 7 Jan. 1838; John 10:12; and Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 484 [3 Nephi 14:15].


Elder
Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

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next stated that he considered that all other accusations were of minor importance compared to their selling their lands in
Jackson County

Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. president Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...

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, that they (
Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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and
Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

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) had set an example which all the members were liable to follow; he said that it was a hellish principle, and that they had flatly denied the faith in so doing. Elder
Elias Higbee

23 Oct. 1795–8 June 1843. Clerk, judge, surveyor. Born at Galloway, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. Son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers. Moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, 1803. Married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 Sept. 1818, in Tate Township, Clermont Co. Lived at ...

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then sanctioned what had been done by the council, speaking against the presidency.
Elder Murdock

15 July 1792–23 Dec. 1871. Farmer. Born at Kortright, Delaware Co., New York. Son of John Murdock Sr. and Eleanor Riggs. Joined Lutheran Dutch Church, ca. 1817, then Presbyterian Seceder Church shortly after. Moved to Orange, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ca. 1819....

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again took the stand, and stated that sufficient had been said to substantiate the accusations against them.
Elder
Solomon Hancock

15 Aug. 1793/1794–2 Dec. 1847. Born at Springfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts. Son of Thomas Hancock III and Amy Ward. Moved to Wolcott, Seneca Co., New York, by 1810. Joined Methodist church, 1814. Married first Alta Adams, 12 Mar. 1815. Moved to Columbia...

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plead in favor of the presidency, stating that he could not raise his hand against them.
Elder
John Corrill

17 Sept. 1794–26 Sept. 1842. Surveyor, politician, author. Born at Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Married Margaret Lyndiff, ca. 1830. Lived at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10 Jan. 1831,...

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then spake against the High Council in regard to their proceedings, and labored hard to show that the meeting was illegal, and that the presidency ought to be had before a proper tribunal, which he considered to be a
bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

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and twelve
high priests

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. Christ and many ancient prophets, including Abraham, were described as being high priests. The Book of Mormon used the term high priest to denote one appointed to lead the church. However, the Book of Mormon also discussed...

View Glossary
;
22

Corrill referred to the same revelation that Partridge had. Corrill had served as a counselor to Partridge for several years but had recently been released as a counselor in the bishopric and appointed as “an agent to the Church and Keeper of the Lord’s store House”—an appointment in which he probably worked closely with Partridge. (Minute Book 2, 22 May and 1 Aug. 1837.)


he labored in favor of the presidency, and said that he should not raise his hands against them at present, although he did not uphold the presidents in their iniquity.
Elder
Simeon Carter

7 June 1794–3 Feb. 1869. Farmer. Born at Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Gideon Carter and Johanna Sims. Moved to Benson, Rutland Co., Vermont, by 1810. Married Lydia Kenyon, 2 Dec. 1818, at Benson. Moved to Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, by ...

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, next arose and spake against the meeting as being hasty.
Elder [Elisha] Groves

5 Nov. 1797–29 Dec. 1867. Farmer. Born in Madison Co., Kentucky. Son of John Groves and Mary Hurd. Moved to Indiana, 1819. Married first Sarah Hogue, ca. 1825, in Indiana. Member of Presbyterian church. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...

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followed
brother Carter

7 June 1794–3 Feb. 1869. Farmer. Born at Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Gideon Carter and Johanna Sims. Moved to Benson, Rutland Co., Vermont, by 1810. Married Lydia Kenyon, 2 Dec. 1818, at Benson. Moved to Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, by ...

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, in like observations and of like nature.
Elder [David W.] Patten

14 Nov. 1799–25 Oct. 1838. Farmer. Born in Vermont. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Moved to Theresa, Oneida Co., New York, as a young child. Moved to Dundee, Monroe Co., Michigan Territory, as a youth. Married Phoebe Ann Babcock, 1828, in Dundee. Affiliated...

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again took the stand in vindidcation of the cause of the meeting.
Elder [Isaac] Morley

11 Mar. 1786–24 June 1865. Farmer, cooper, merchant, postmaster. Born at Montague, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Thomas Morley and Editha (Edith) Marsh. Family affiliated with Presbyterian church. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, before 1812. Married...

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then spake against the presidency, at the same time pleading mercy.
Titus Billings

24 Mar. 1793–6 Feb. 1866. Stonemason, carpenter, musician. Born in Greenfield, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ebenezer Billings and Esther Joyce. Moved to Mentor, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1817. Married Diantha Morley, 16 Feb. 1817, in Geauga Co. Moved to...

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said that he could not vote until they had a hearing in the common council.
23

Billings, who served as a counselor to Partridge, repeated Partridge’s argument and presumably would have participated with Partridge in this “common council.” (Minute Book 2, 1 and 5 Aug. 1837; 24 Feb. 1838; Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837; Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:82].)


Elder Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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said that the meeting was according to the direction of br. Joseph, he, therefore, considered it legal.
Elder
Moses Martin

1 June 1812–5 May 1899. Farmer. Born in New Lisbon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire. Son of Moses Martin and Sarah Aldrich. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 19 Feb. 1833, at Elk Creek Township, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. Participated in ...

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then took the stand, and with great energy spake in favor of the legality of the meeting, and against the conduct of the presidency of
Zion

JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, designated Missouri as “land of Zion” for gathering of Saints and place where “City of Zion” was to be built, with Independence area as “center place” of Zion. Latter-day Saint settlements elsewhere, such as in Kirtland,...

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, alledging that the present corruptions of the church here, were owing to the wickedness and mismanagement of her leaders.
The
Moderator

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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then called the vote in favor of the present presidency. The negative was then called, and the vote against
David Whitmer

7 Jan. 1805–25 Jan. 1888. Farmer, livery keeper. Born near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Raised Presbyterian. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, shortly after birth. Attended German Reformed Church. Arranged...

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,
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
, and
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
was unanimous, excepting 8 or 10 and [p. 44]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 44

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 February 1838
ID #
377
Total Pages
3
Print Volume Location
JSP, D6:10–26
Handwriting on This Page
  • Printed text

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    The minutes of the 3 September 1837 conference held in Kirtland began with similar language, explaining that they were “minutes of a conference assembled in the house of the Lord, in committee of the whole.” Furthermore, when JS sent a copy of the minutes to Missouri, his cover letter referred to the conference as “the comittee, of the whole Church of Kirtland the authorities &.c.” The 3 September 1837 and 5 February 1838 meetings may have followed the conventional parliamentary procedure for resolving to form a committee of the whole, in which business ordinarily delegated to a committee was opened to the general body, the regular chairman turned his duties over to a committee chair, and all members could speak as often as they liked. Or the phrase “committee of the whole” may have been used merely to signify the attendance of priesthood holders from all the councils and quorums, as well as other church members. (Minutes, 3 Sept. 1837; Letter to John Corrill and the Church in Missouri, 4 Sept. 1837; Jefferson, Manual of Parliamentary Practice, sec. 12.)

    Jefferson, Thomas. A Manual of Parliamentary Practice. For the Use of the Senate of the United States. Washington DC: Samuel Harrison Smith, 1801.

  2. [2]

    When JS organized the church on 6 April 1830, it was named the Church of Christ. In 1834, church leaders changed the name of the church to the Church of the Latter Day Saints. After that time, various combinations of the two names were occasionally used. On 26 April 1838, JS dictated a revelation announcing that the church would be called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The name of the church used at the beginning of Marsh’s letter as published in the July issue of the Elders’ Journal and as recorded in Minute Book 2 may be a combination of the first two names of the church or may be an emendation made after the new name of the church was revealed. (Revelation, 6 Apr. 1830 [D&C 21:3, 11]; Articles and Covenants, ca. Apr. 1830 [D&C 20:1]; Minutes, 3 May 1834; Revelation, 26 Apr. 1838 [D&C 115:4]; Minute Book 2, 5–9 Feb. 1838; see also Anderson, “What Changes Have Been Made in the Name of the Church?,” 13–14.)

    Anderson, Richard Lloyd. “What Changes Have Been Made in the Name of the Church?” Ensign, Jan. 1979, 13–14.

  3. [3]

    Section 3 in part 2 of the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants instructed that an unrighteous decision made by any governing quorum in the church, including a “quorum of three presidents,” could be “brought before a general assembly of the several quorums, which constitute the spiritual authorities of the church.” (Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:29, 32].)

  4. [4]

    This general assembly of church officers may have met in a schoolhouse. Other meetings were held in one or more schoolhouses in Far West in 1837 and 1838. (Minute Book 2, 29 July and 5 Aug. 1837; 24 Feb. and 17 Mar. 1838; JS, Journal, 6 Aug. 1838.)

  5. [5]

    Seven members of the high council, including Elias Higbee, were originally designated to conduct the sessions of the general assembly. At a 26 January 1838 meeting, Marsh, who was not a member of the high council, was chosen to replace Higbee in the upcoming series of meetings. During the 5 February session, Marsh stated that he had recently received directions from JS. It is possible that those instructions were relevant to the discipline of the presidency or the regulation of the church, which might explain why Marsh was chosen as Higbee’s replacement. (Minute Book 2, 26 Jan. 1838.)

  6. [6]

    See Hebrews 4:16.

  7. [7]

    At the reorganization conference held in Kirtland on 3 September 1837, several members of the Kirtland high council and of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were removed from their positions. When a reorganization conference was held in Far West on 7 November, Hyrum Smith was appointed to replace Frederick G. Williams in the First Presidency of the church. (Minutes, 3 Sept. 1837; Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837.)

  8. [8]

    Revelation, 4 Sept. 1837.

  9. [9]

    The appeal regarded the lands the Saints owned in Jackson County, from which they had been driven. In 1833, after the Saints were driven out of the county, a revelation indicated that rather than selling their land in Jackson County, the Saints should continue to purchase land there. An 1834 revelation directed the Saints to purchase additional land in Jackson County and to “make proposals for peace unto those who have smitten you.” In response to this revelation, church leaders in Missouri apparently wrote an appeal to “the people” of the nation, requesting that the Saints be allowed to possess their lands in peace. (“An Appeal,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Aug. 1834, 183; Revelation, 16–17 Dec. 1833 [D&C 101:17–20, 67–75]; Revelation, 22 June 1834 [D&C 105:26–29, 40].)

    The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.

  10. [10]

    Murdock probably spoke first and on behalf of the high council as a leader in that group.

  11. [11]

    Canonized instruction indicated that charges against a president of the high priesthood would be heard by a bishop who was counseled by twelve high priests. However, JS dictated a revelation on 12 January 1838 that instituted a new procedure, whereby “the presidency of said Church may be tried by the voice of the whole body of the Church of Zion, and the voice of a majority of all her stakes.” It is possible that this revelation, perhaps with related instructions from JS to Marsh or Murdock, had reached the high council by this time, as had the 7 January letter for Edward Partridge, although Marsh apparently did not yet know that JS had left Kirtland for Far West on the night of 12 January. (Revelation, 11 Nov. 1831–B [D&C 107:82–84]; Revelation, 12 Jan. 1838–A.)

  12. [12]

    Hinkle, Thomas Grover, and George Morey were appointed to visit the Missouri presidency by Marsh, Patten, and several members of the Missouri high council who met for a “social meeting” in Marsh’s home in Far West on 20 January 1838. (Minute Book 2, 20 Jan. 1838.)

  13. [13]

    This document was apparently presented or summarized in a meeting held 26 January 1838. The minutes of that meeting include a transcript or summary of the committee’s report. (Minute Book 2, 26 Jan. 1838.)

  14. [14]

    In 1833, JS dictated a revelation proscribing the use of tobacco, wine, “strong drinks,” and “hot drinks.” “Strong drinks” were understood to be distilled liquors, and “hot drinks” were identified as tea and coffee. In the conference held in Far West on 7 November 1837, the members of the congregation voted that they would not support “Stores and Shops selling spirituous liquors, Tea, Coffee or Tobacco.” The committee appointed by the high council to labor with the Missouri presidency reported in the council meeting held 26 January 1838 that “David and John Whitmer said they did use tea and coffee but they did not consider them to come under the head of hot drinks.” (Revelation, 27 Feb. 1833 [D&C 89:1–3, 5–9]; Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837; Minute Book 2, 26 Jan. 1838.)

  15. [15]

    As the bishop, Partridge oversaw a “common council.” In 1835 JS provided instruction on the priesthood, stating that “inasmuch as a president of the high priesthood shall transgress, he shall be had in remembrance before the common council of the church.” In May 1837, Sidney Rigdon presided over a high council meeting to try Frederick G. Williams and David Whitmer, both of whom appealed to the 1835 regulation and held that they should be tried in a bishop’s court. After much debate on this issue, the council “dispersed in confusion.” (Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:68–84]; Minute Book 1, 29 May 1837.)

  16. [16]

    The 7 January 1838 letter from JS to Partridge included words of a revelation: “And again thus saith the Lord, let my people be aware of dissensions among them lest the enemy have power over them, Awake my shepherds and warn my people! for behold the wolf cometh to destroy them! receive him not.” (Letter and Revelation to Edward Partridge, 7 Jan. 1838.)

  17. [17]

    William Smith was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with Marsh serving as president of the quorum. The previous year, apostles Marsh, Patten, and Smith traveled together from Far West to Kirtland, where they participated in the September 1837 reorganization of the church there, and then all returned to Missouri to attend the November 1837 reorganization of the church in Far West. (Letter to Wilford Woodruff, ca. 18 June 1838; Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837.)

  18. [18]

    Marsh commented on the letter from William Smith, who was still living in Kirtland and would not move to Far West until later in the year. (Letter from Don Carlos Smith, ca. Late May 1838; see also Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1844–1845, bk. 15, [3]–[6].)

  19. [19]

    Two months earlier, Cowdery was appointed clerk of the Missouri high council. (Minute Book 2, 6–7 Dec. 1837.)

  20. [20]

    Patten was second in seniority in the quorum and therefore likely had a close relationship with Marsh, who was the most senior apostle and was leading the charge against the Zion presidency. (Minutes and Discourse, 2 May 1835.)

  21. [21]

    See Letter and Revelation to Edward Partridge, 7 Jan. 1838; John 10:12; and Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 484 [3 Nephi 14:15].

  22. [22]

    Corrill referred to the same revelation that Partridge had. Corrill had served as a counselor to Partridge for several years but had recently been released as a counselor in the bishopric and appointed as “an agent to the Church and Keeper of the Lord’s store House”—an appointment in which he probably worked closely with Partridge. (Minute Book 2, 22 May and 1 Aug. 1837.)

  23. [23]

    Billings, who served as a counselor to Partridge, repeated Partridge’s argument and presumably would have participated with Partridge in this “common council.” (Minute Book 2, 1 and 5 Aug. 1837; 24 Feb. 1838; Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837; Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:82].)

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