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Minutes, 11 March 1842

Source Note

Nauvoo high council, Minutes, [
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....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL], 11 Mar. 1842. Featured version copied [ca. 11 Mar. 1842] in Nauvoo Stake High Council Minutes, rough copy, 8 Mar. 1840–20 May 1842, p. 39; handwriting of
Hosea Stout

18 Sept. 1810–2 Mar. 1889. Farmer, teacher, carpenter, sawmill operator, lawyer. Born near Pleasant Hill, Mercer Co., Kentucky. Son of Joseph Stout and Anna Smith. Moved to Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, 1819; to Wilmington, Clinton Co., fall 1824; to...

View Full Bio
; CHL.
The minutes are contained in a single gathering of forty-four pages measuring 12½ × 7¾ inches (32 × 20 cm). The gathering is sewn all along. At one time the gathering was likely bound in a book with other loose gatherings of the
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....

More Info
stake

Ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. Stakes were typically large local organizations of church members; stake leaders could include a presidency, a high council, and a bishopric. Some revelations referred to stakes “to” or...

View Glossary
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
minutes from other time periods. This gathering, containing minutes dated between 8 March 1840 and 20 May 1842, is the second in a collection of gatherings known as the “rough copy” of minutes. The recto of the first leaf includes a header: “<​Nauvoo, Hancock County Illinois, March 8 1840​> | Minutes | of | The High Council | of the | Church of Jesus Christ | of | Nauvoo Illinois.” The edges are considerably worn, and some pages are torn.
The minutes were included in inventories produced by the Church Historian’s Office (now CHL) in 1846 and April 1855, which suggests continuous institutional custody.
1

“Schedule of Church Records. Nauvoo 1846,” [1]; “Inventory. Historian’s Office. 4th April 1855,” [1], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    “Schedule of Church Records. Nauvoo 1846,” [1]; “Inventory. Historian’s Office. 4th April 1855,” [1], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

Historical Introduction

On the evening of 11 March 1842, 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
at
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....

More Info
, Illinois, met at
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...

View Full Bio
’s office and then JS’s home to deliberate on charges against
Gladden Bishop

19 June 1809–30 Nov. 1864. Watchmaker, minister. Born at Livonia, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Isaac Gates Bishop and Mary Hyde. Served as minister in Freewill Baptist Church, by 1831. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ordained...

View Full Bio
.
1

See JS, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842.


Beginning in 1835 if not earlier, Bishop taught controversial ideas, including the possibility that he was a prophet. The high council 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, deliberated on charges related to these teachings in September 1835.
2

Minutes, 28–29 Sept. 1835.


Looking back on Bishop’s
church

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
activities,
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,...

View Full Bio
wrote in March 1842, “The church had been so much troubled with him by his foolish conduct that he had been cut off a number of times from the Church & restored.”
3

Woodruff, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

On 7 March 1842
Reynolds Cahoon

30 Apr. 1790–29 Apr. 1861. Farmer, tanner, builder. Born at Cambridge, Washington Co., New York. Son of William Cahoon Jr. and Mehitable Hodges. Married Thirza Stiles, 11 Dec. 1810. Moved to northeastern Ohio, 1811. Located at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co.,...

View Full Bio
signed a statement charging
Bishop

19 June 1809–30 Nov. 1864. Watchmaker, minister. Born at Livonia, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Isaac Gates Bishop and Mary Hyde. Served as minister in Freewill Baptist Church, by 1831. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ordained...

View Full Bio
with two types of improper conduct: “First for setting himself up as a prophet and Revelator to the Church— Secondly for an improper course of conduct in meetings.”
4

Reynolds Cahoon, Complaint, 7 Mar. 1842, Nauvoo Stake High Council Papers, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Stake High Council Papers, 1839–1844. CHL.

According to JS’s journal the complaint was based on Bishop having “written & publishd or taught certain Revelations & doctrines not consistent with the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church.”
5

JS, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842.


At the 11 March high council meeting, Bishop declined to “present the written Revelations,” after which “the Mayer [
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
] issued his warrant & brought them before the council” and Bishop reluctantly read from them.
6

JS, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842.


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,...

View Full Bio
, who was present, described them as the “greatest Bundle of Nonsens ever put together.”
7

Woodruff, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Afterward, JS explained “the nature of the case. & gave a very clear elucidation of the tendency of such Prop[h]ets & propecyings & gave
Mr Bishop

19 June 1809–30 Nov. 1864. Watchmaker, minister. Born at Livonia, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Isaac Gates Bishop and Mary Hyde. Served as minister in Freewill Baptist Church, by 1831. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ordained...

View Full Bio
over to the Buffetings of Satan until he shall learn wisdom.”
8

JS, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842.


According to
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,...

View Full Bio
, JS also stated that “nothing would excuse him [Bishop] in the sight of God & angels in committing the unpardonable sin ownly because he was a fool & had not sens sufficient for the Holy Ghost to enlighten him.”
9

Woodruff, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842, underlining in original.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

After JS’s remarks, as well as statements by four counselors, the council voted unanimously for Bishop’s excommunication. At some point during the meeting, JS burned Bishop’s written revelations.
10

JS, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842.


The minutes for the 11 March 1842 meeting were kept by
Hosea Stout

18 Sept. 1810–2 Mar. 1889. Farmer, teacher, carpenter, sawmill operator, lawyer. Born near Pleasant Hill, Mercer Co., Kentucky. Son of Joseph Stout and Anna Smith. Moved to Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, 1819; to Wilmington, Clinton Co., fall 1824; to...

View Full Bio
and were presumably recorded into the minute book contemporaneously.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See JS, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842.

  2. [2]

    Minutes, 28–29 Sept. 1835.

  3. [3]

    Woodruff, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  4. [4]

    Reynolds Cahoon, Complaint, 7 Mar. 1842, Nauvoo Stake High Council Papers, CHL.

    Nauvoo Stake High Council Papers, 1839–1844. CHL.

  5. [5]

    JS, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842.

  6. [6]

    JS, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842.

  7. [7]

    Woodruff, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  8. [8]

    JS, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842.

  9. [9]

    Woodruff, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842, underlining in original.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  10. [10]

    JS, Journal, 11 Mar. 1842.

Page 39

March the 11th 1842. 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
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
of
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....

More Info
Illinois met in council at the office of
Prest

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

View Glossary
H[yrum] 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...

View Full Bio
.
1

Hyrum Smith’s office was located on the southeast corner of Water and Bain streets in Nauvoo. (See “Alphabetical List of Property Assessed in the Fourth Ward,” 1843, Nauvoo block 154, lot 2, Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo, IL, Records, 1841–1845. CHL.

Council adjourned to the House of Prest. Joseph Smith
1st A. charge was prefered against
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
F. G[ladden] Bishop

19 June 1809–30 Nov. 1864. Watchmaker, minister. Born at Livonia, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Isaac Gates Bishop and Mary Hyde. Served as minister in Freewill Baptist Church, by 1831. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ordained...

View Full Bio
. by
R[eynolds] Cahoon

30 Apr. 1790–29 Apr. 1861. Farmer, tanner, builder. Born at Cambridge, Washington Co., New York. Son of William Cahoon Jr. and Mehitable Hodges. Married Thirza Stiles, 11 Dec. 1810. Moved to northeastern Ohio, 1811. Located at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co.,...

View Full Bio
. First for setting himself up as a prophet and revelator to the Church Second for an improper course of conduct in meetings.—
He plad [pled] not guilty— two were then appointed to speak on each side
2

The high council selected four counselors to speak when an issue was considered difficult. (Revised Minutes, 18–19 Feb. 1834 [D&C 102:14].)


namely (1)
S[amuel] Bent

19 July 1778–16 Aug. 1846. Born in Barre, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joel Bent and Mary Mason. Married first Mary Kilburn, 3 Mar. 1805, in Wendell, Franklin Co., Massachusetts. Colonel in Massachusetts militia. Lived in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts...

View Full Bio
(2)
James Allred

22 Jan. 1784–10 Jan. 1876. Farmer. Born in Randolph Co., North Carolina. Son of William Allred and Elizabeth Thrasher. Married Elizabeth Warren. Moved to Missouri, before Sept. 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by George M. Hinkle...

View Full Bio
(3)
L. D. [Lewis Dunbar] Wilson

2 June 1805–11 Mar. 1856. Born in Milton, Chittenden Co., Vermont. Son of Bradley Wilson and Mary (Polly) Gill. Married Nancy Ann Waggner, by ca. 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 23 May 1836. Ordained an elder, Sept. 1836. ...

View Full Bio
(4) and
E[lias] 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 ...

View Full Bio
. The charge was sustained after which it was decided that the he be expelled from the Church by the unanimous vote of the Council. Adjourned to meet at Prest
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...

View Full Bio
’s office on Thursday the 17th inst at 2 o’clock P. M.
Hosea Stout

18 Sept. 1810–2 Mar. 1889. Farmer, teacher, carpenter, sawmill operator, lawyer. Born near Pleasant Hill, Mercer Co., Kentucky. Son of Joseph Stout and Anna Smith. Moved to Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, 1819; to Wilmington, Clinton Co., fall 1824; to...

View Full Bio
Clerk [p. 39]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 39

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes, 11 March 1842
ID #
11980
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
JSP, D9:236–238
Handwriting on This Page
  • Hosea Stout

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Hyrum Smith’s office was located on the southeast corner of Water and Bain streets in Nauvoo. (See “Alphabetical List of Property Assessed in the Fourth Ward,” 1843, Nauvoo block 154, lot 2, Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL.)

    Nauvoo, IL, Records, 1841–1845. CHL.

  2. [2]

    The high council selected four counselors to speak when an issue was considered difficult. (Revised Minutes, 18–19 Feb. 1834 [D&C 102:14].)

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