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Minutes, 15 March 1838

Source Note

Zion high council and bishopric, Minutes,
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, 15 Mar. 1838. Featured version copied [between 1 Oct. 1842 and 14 Sept. 1843] in Minute Book 2, pp. 108–109; 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. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 2.

Historical Introduction

On 15 March 1838, JS met 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
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
and
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...

View Glossary
. Several developments had occurred since November 1837, when they had last met together. Most significantly, the rift between 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 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
and the rest of the church leaders there had widened. By early February 1838, the presidency had been removed from office and replaced by
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
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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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...

View Full Bio
.
1

Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838.


On 10 March, former presidency members
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...

View Full Bio
were excommunicated.
2

Minute Book 2, 10 Mar. 1838.


Then, on 14 March 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...

More Info
, where he intended to take up residence.
3

JS, Journal, Mar.–Sept. 1838, p. 16.


After fleeing
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
amid dissent and turmoil, he was determined to root dissent out of the church. The day after his arrival, JS met in council with Missouri church leaders to address matters relevant to the problem of dissent. In the first session of the meeting, JS reviewed the minutes of previous council meetings. In the second session, the council members considered the conduct of
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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, who was 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...

View Glossary
’s
agent

A specific church office and, more generally, someone “entrusted with the business of another.” Agents in the church assisted other ecclesiastical officers, especially the bishop in his oversight of the church’s temporal affairs. A May 1831 revelation instructed...

View Glossary
and “keeper of the Lord’s
store House

Both a literal and a figurative repository for goods and land donated to the church. The book of Malachi directed the house of Israel to bring “all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house.” In JS’s revision of the Old Testament...

View Glossary
.”
4

Minute Book 2, 22 May 1837; Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837.


The clerk for the meeting,
Ebenezer Robinson

25 May 1816–11 Mar. 1891. Printer, editor, publisher. Born at Floyd (near Rome), Oneida Co., New York. Son of Nathan Robinson and Mary Brown. Moved to Utica, Oneida Co., ca. 1831, and learned printing trade at Utica Observer. Moved to Ravenna, Portage Co....

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, produced a brief overview of the proceedings. His original minutes are apparently not extant; the featured version was recorded in Minute Book 2 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...

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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....

More Info
in 1842 or 1843.
5

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1 Oct. 1842.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838.

  2. [2]

    Minute Book 2, 10 Mar. 1838.

  3. [3]

    JS, Journal, Mar.–Sept. 1838, p. 16.

  4. [4]

    Minute Book 2, 22 May 1837; Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837.

  5. [5]

    Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1 Oct. 1842.

    Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Minutes, 15 March 1838
Minute Book 2

Page 108

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
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
, together with the
Bishoprick

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...

View Glossary
1

The Zion bishopric often met with the Zion high council. The high council had recently invited the bishopric to meet with the council to help resolve problems with presidency members William W. Phelps and John Whitmer, and the bishopric continued to meet with the council in subsequent gatherings. (Minute Book 2, 3 and 5–7 Apr. 1837; see also Minute Book 2, 11 June 1837–17 Mar. 1838.)


met 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
,
2

The high council and bishopric may have met in a schoolhouse, as they had on some occasions in 1837 and as they did on 24 February and 17 March 1838. (Minute Book 2, 29 July and 5 Aug. 1837; 24 Feb. and 17 Mar. 1838; see also JS, Journal, 6 Aug. 1838.)


on Saturday Thursday March the 15th 1838, agreeable to appointment
3

The council presumably arranged this meeting on 10 March 1838, during the previous council meeting. (Minute Book 2, 10 Mar. 1838.)


and was organized as follows. President Joseph Smith jr took the charge of the Council
4

A month earlier, Thomas B. Marsh, who was the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and David W. Patten, who was the next most-senior apostle, had replaced the recently removed Zion presidency as temporary presidents. Marsh and Patten had expected to preside over the church in Zion until JS moved there. (Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838; JS, Journal, Mar.–Sept. 1838, p. 16.)


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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No 1
Jared Carter

14 June 1801–6 July 1849. Born at Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Gideon Carter and Johanna Sims. Moved to Benson, Rutland Co., Vermont, by 1810. Married Lydia Ames, 20 Sept. 1823, at Benson. Moved to Chenango, Broome Co., New York, by Jan...

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No 2
5

Carter was apparently substituting for Elisha Groves, who had moved from Far West; Carter soon replaced Groves permanently. (Minutes, 7–8 Apr. 1838.)


Brigham Young

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

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6

Young, a senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was apparently substituting for Calvin Beebe, who had moved from Far West. (Minute Book 2, 23 Dec. 1837; Minutes, 24 Mar. 1838; Minutes, 7–8 Apr. 1838.)


" 3
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...

View Full Bio
" 4
Levi Jackman

28 July 1797–23 July 1876. Carpenter, wainwright. Born at Vershire, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Moses French Jackman and Elizabeth Carr. Moved to Batavia, Genesee Co., New York, 1810. Married first Angeline Myers Brady, 13 Nov. 1817, at Alexander, Genesee...

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" 5
Thomas Gates

7 May 1776–22 June 1851. Farmer. Born in Henniker, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. Son of Isaac Gates and Mary. Moved to Acworth, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire, by 1790. Married Patty Plumley, before 1805 and likely before 1800. Moved to St. Johnsbury, Caledonia...

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" 6
Stephen Winchester

8 May 1795–1 Jan. 1873. Farmer. Born in Vershire, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Benjamin Winchester and Bethia Benjamins. Married Nancy Case, 31 July 1816, in Fort Edward, Washington Co., New York. Moved to Elk Creek, Erie Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Baptized...

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7

Winchester was substituting for George Morey. (See Minute Book 2, 10 and 17 Mar. 1838.)


" 7
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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8

Martin was substituting for Newel Knight. Martin had spoken strongly against the former members of the Zion presidency in their February trial. (Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838; see also Minute Book 2, 10 and 17 Mar. 1838.)


" 8
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 ...

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" 9
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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9

Harris was apparently substituting for Lyman Wight, who had moved from Far West; Harris soon replaced Wight permanently. (Minutes, 7–8 Apr. 1838.)


" 10
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 ...

View Full Bio
" 11
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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" 12
The Council opened by singing “This earth was once a garden place &c.”
10

Hymn 23, Collection of Sacred Hymns, 29–30.


and prayer by Prest Joseph Smith jr.
The minutes of some previous Councils were read by the
Clerk

25 May 1816–11 Mar. 1891. Printer, editor, publisher. Born at Floyd (near Rome), Oneida Co., New York. Son of Nathan Robinson and Mary Brown. Moved to Utica, Oneida Co., ca. 1831, and learned printing trade at Utica Observer. Moved to Ravenna, Portage Co....

View Full Bio
First, The minutes of a Council held on Saturday the 24th of February 1838,
11

During the council meeting held on 24 February 1838, those present passed resolutions to regulate “the several Branches with in the bounds of this Stake.” These measures were apparently designed to stop the former members of the Zion presidency and those who sympathized with them from taking charge of any of the settlements around Far West. (Minute Book 2, 24 Feb. 1838.)


when it was voted— First
That the 6th article of the said minutes be null & void & also, that a new article be put in the place of it (which was done)—
12

Article 6 recommended that all high priests, elders, and priests in the settlements around Far West “take the lead of all meetings” in their settlements. This article was replaced by the third resolution, which stated that high priests, elders, and priests were not to take the lead of meetings without the “invitation or consent of the Presiding officer of that branch,” who was the branch-appointed teacher. The third resolution further stipulated that the presiding teacher had authority to object to any church officer “who may come among them, to officiate, who is not in good standing or a friend to the true cause of Christ” and that the presiding teacher should report to the high council anyone who was “unruly” or teaching “corrupt doctrine” in the settlement. (Far West Stake High Council Minutes, 24 Feb. 1838; Minute Book 2, 24 Feb. 1838.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Far West Stake High Council Minutes, Dec. 1837–Mar. 1838. CHL.

President Joseph Smith jr gave a history of the
ordination

The conferral of power and authority; to appoint, decree, or set apart. Church members, primarily adults, were ordained to ecclesiastical offices and other responsibilities by the laying on of hands by those with the proper authority. Ordinations to priesthood...

View Glossary
of
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
, which took place in July 1834, to be a leader, or a prophet to this
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
, which (ordination) was on conditions that he (J. Smith jr) did not live to God himself.
13

In February 1831, JS dictated a revelation for church members regarding his authority: “This ye shall know asshuredly that there is none other appointed unto you to receive commandments & Revelations untill he be taken if he abide in me. but Verily Verily I say unto you that none else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be through him for if it be taken from him he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead.”a JS ordained Whitmer the president of the church in Zion in 1834. Whitmer and others later recounted that JS had also ordained Whitmer as JS’s successor,b and some of the dissidents in Kirtland sought to replace JS with Whitmer as church president. The minutes of the 10 March 1838 high council meeting, which JS was probably reviewing in this 15 March meeting, included a letter from Whitmer and his former counselors, which they signed as the Zion presidency, thus rejecting the decision of the 5–9 February general assembly that removed them from office. Furthermore, the letter rejected as illegal the actions planned for the 10 March high council meeting, including the excommunication of Phelps and John Whitmer.c(aRevelation, Feb. 1831–A [D&C 43:3–4].bMinutes and Discourse, ca. 7 July 1834; Whitmer, Address to All Believers in Christ, 55; [William E. McLellin], Editorial, Ensign of Liberty, Mar. 1847, 5–6; William E. McLellin, Kirtland, OH, to David Whitmer, 2 Dec. 1846, in Ensign of Liberty, Apr. 1847, 18–19; “The Successor of Joseph, the Seer,” Ensign of Liberty, Dec. 1847, 43–44; see also Quinn, Origins of Power, 187–189.cHistorian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 14; Minute Book 2, 10 Mar. 1838; Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Whitmer, David. An Address to All Believers in Christ. Richmond, MO: By the author, 1887.

Ensign of Liberty. Kirtland, OH. Mar. 1847–Aug. 1849.

Quinn, D. Michael. The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power. Salt Lake City: Signature Books with Smith Research Associates, 1994.

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

President J. Smith jr approved of the proceedings of the High Council, after hearing the minutes of the former Councils.
14

In addition to the minutes of the 24 February high council meeting, JS apparently reviewed the minutes of the 10 March 1838 meeting, in which William W. Phelps and John Whitmer were excommunicated.


The Council ajourned for one hour.
7-o’clock P.M. The Council and Bishoprick convened agreeably to adjournment and was [p. 108]
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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes, 15 March 1838
ID #
8605
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
JSP, D6:39–43
Handwriting on This Page
  • Hosea Stout

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    The Zion bishopric often met with the Zion high council. The high council had recently invited the bishopric to meet with the council to help resolve problems with presidency members William W. Phelps and John Whitmer, and the bishopric continued to meet with the council in subsequent gatherings. (Minute Book 2, 3 and 5–7 Apr. 1837; see also Minute Book 2, 11 June 1837–17 Mar. 1838.)

  2. [2]

    The high council and bishopric may have met in a schoolhouse, as they had on some occasions in 1837 and as they did on 24 February and 17 March 1838. (Minute Book 2, 29 July and 5 Aug. 1837; 24 Feb. and 17 Mar. 1838; see also JS, Journal, 6 Aug. 1838.)

  3. [3]

    The council presumably arranged this meeting on 10 March 1838, during the previous council meeting. (Minute Book 2, 10 Mar. 1838.)

  4. [4]

    A month earlier, Thomas B. Marsh, who was the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and David W. Patten, who was the next most-senior apostle, had replaced the recently removed Zion presidency as temporary presidents. Marsh and Patten had expected to preside over the church in Zion until JS moved there. (Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838; JS, Journal, Mar.–Sept. 1838, p. 16.)

  5. [5]

    Carter was apparently substituting for Elisha Groves, who had moved from Far West; Carter soon replaced Groves permanently. (Minutes, 7–8 Apr. 1838.)

  6. [6]

    Young, a senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was apparently substituting for Calvin Beebe, who had moved from Far West. (Minute Book 2, 23 Dec. 1837; Minutes, 24 Mar. 1838; Minutes, 7–8 Apr. 1838.)

  7. [7]

    Winchester was substituting for George Morey. (See Minute Book 2, 10 and 17 Mar. 1838.)

  8. [8]

    Martin was substituting for Newel Knight. Martin had spoken strongly against the former members of the Zion presidency in their February trial. (Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838; see also Minute Book 2, 10 and 17 Mar. 1838.)

  9. [9]

    Harris was apparently substituting for Lyman Wight, who had moved from Far West; Harris soon replaced Wight permanently. (Minutes, 7–8 Apr. 1838.)

  10. [10]

    Hymn 23, Collection of Sacred Hymns, 29–30.

  11. [11]

    During the council meeting held on 24 February 1838, those present passed resolutions to regulate “the several Branches with in the bounds of this Stake.” These measures were apparently designed to stop the former members of the Zion presidency and those who sympathized with them from taking charge of any of the settlements around Far West. (Minute Book 2, 24 Feb. 1838.)

  12. [12]

    Article 6 recommended that all high priests, elders, and priests in the settlements around Far West “take the lead of all meetings” in their settlements. This article was replaced by the third resolution, which stated that high priests, elders, and priests were not to take the lead of meetings without the “invitation or consent of the Presiding officer of that branch,” who was the branch-appointed teacher. The third resolution further stipulated that the presiding teacher had authority to object to any church officer “who may come among them, to officiate, who is not in good standing or a friend to the true cause of Christ” and that the presiding teacher should report to the high council anyone who was “unruly” or teaching “corrupt doctrine” in the settlement. (Far West Stake High Council Minutes, 24 Feb. 1838; Minute Book 2, 24 Feb. 1838.)

    Far West Stake High Council Minutes, Dec. 1837–Mar. 1838. CHL.

  13. [13]

    In February 1831, JS dictated a revelation for church members regarding his authority: “This ye shall know asshuredly that there is none other appointed unto you to receive commandments & Revelations untill he be taken if he abide in me. but Verily Verily I say unto you that none else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be through him for if it be taken from him he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead.”a JS ordained Whitmer the president of the church in Zion in 1834. Whitmer and others later recounted that JS had also ordained Whitmer as JS’s successor,b and some of the dissidents in Kirtland sought to replace JS with Whitmer as church president. The minutes of the 10 March 1838 high council meeting, which JS was probably reviewing in this 15 March meeting, included a letter from Whitmer and his former counselors, which they signed as the Zion presidency, thus rejecting the decision of the 5–9 February general assembly that removed them from office. Furthermore, the letter rejected as illegal the actions planned for the 10 March high council meeting, including the excommunication of Phelps and John Whitmer.c

    (aRevelation, Feb. 1831–A [D&C 43:3–4]. bMinutes and Discourse, ca. 7 July 1834; Whitmer, Address to All Believers in Christ, 55; [William E. McLellin], Editorial, Ensign of Liberty, Mar. 1847, 5–6; William E. McLellin, Kirtland, OH, to David Whitmer, 2 Dec. 1846, in Ensign of Liberty, Apr. 1847, 18–19; “The Successor of Joseph, the Seer,” Ensign of Liberty, Dec. 1847, 43–44; see also Quinn, Origins of Power, 187–189. cHistorian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 14; Minute Book 2, 10 Mar. 1838; Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838.)

    Whitmer, David. An Address to All Believers in Christ. Richmond, MO: By the author, 1887.

    Ensign of Liberty. Kirtland, OH. Mar. 1847–Aug. 1849.

    Quinn, D. Michael. The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power. Salt Lake City: Signature Books with Smith Research Associates, 1994.

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

  14. [14]

    In addition to the minutes of the 24 February high council meeting, JS apparently reviewed the minutes of the 10 March 1838 meeting, in which William W. Phelps and John Whitmer were excommunicated.

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