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Minutes, 16 June 1836

Source Note

Kirtland high council, Minutes,
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...

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, Geauga Co., OH, 16 June 1836. Featured version copied [ca. 16 June 1836] in Minute Book 1, pp. 212–218; handwriting of
Warren A. Cowdery

17 Oct. 1788–23 Feb. 1851. Physician, druggist, farmer, editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Married Patience Simonds, 22 Sept. 1814, in Pawlet, Rutland Co. Moved to Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., New York, 1816...

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; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 1.

Historical Introduction

On 16 June 1836, JS met with members of 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...

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of
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, to consider accusations he had made against two
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...

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members,
Preserved Harris

Ca. 1785–18 Apr. 1867. Farmer. Born at Easton, Albany Co., New York. Son of Nathan Harris and Rhoda Lapham. Moved with parents to area of Swift’s Landing (later in Palmyra), Ontario Co., New York, 1793. Married Nancy Warren. One of five to whom JS gave Martin...

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and
Isaac McWithy

1778–4 May 1851. Farmer. Born in New York. Married Hannah Taylor of Vermont. Moved to Covington, Genesee Co., New York, by 1820. Lived at Bennington, Genesee Co., with family of five, 1830. Ordained an elder, 15 Feb. 1833. Lived at Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio...

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, for “a want of benevolence to the poor and charity to the church.” Since he himself had brought the charges, JS may have recused himself from presiding at this meeting, though he actively participated. The council first considered Harris’s case and then, after adjourning for an hour, returned and considered McWithy’s case.
The cases heard on 16 June highlight two concerns church leaders had at the time: providing for the destitute Saints 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 supporting the church in
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 ...

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—that is,
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 ...

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.
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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Newel K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

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testified in both cases that the men had contributed very little to the poor, and he concluded that neither had borne an appropriate portion of the financial burden of caring for impoverished Kirtland church members.
1

Whitney, as the bishop in Kirtland, had firsthand knowledge of both the needs of the Saints and the charity that had been provided. (Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831–A [D&C 72:1–8]; see also Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84].)


Harris

Ca. 1785–18 Apr. 1867. Farmer. Born at Easton, Albany Co., New York. Son of Nathan Harris and Rhoda Lapham. Moved with parents to area of Swift’s Landing (later in Palmyra), Ontario Co., New York, 1793. Married Nancy Warren. One of five to whom JS gave Martin...

View Full Bio
and
McWithy

1778–4 May 1851. Farmer. Born in New York. Married Hannah Taylor of Vermont. Moved to Covington, Genesee Co., New York, by 1820. Lived at Bennington, Genesee Co., with family of five, 1830. Ordained an elder, 15 Feb. 1833. Lived at Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio...

View Full Bio
were also tried for their reluctance to financially support church endeavors, including construction 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...

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in Kirtland and purchasing land in Zion.
2

At an April 1836 meeting of F. G. Williams & Co., JS and Oliver Cowdery resolved to raise money to purchase land in Missouri. (Minutes, 2 Apr. 1836.)


In the trials, JS specifically mentioned Harris’s and McWithy’s refusals to send money or move to Zion;
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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stated that such unwillingness had forced church leaders into debt.
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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reminded those present of the need to consecrate all they had to building Zion, adding that if they refused, they were “unworthy of the fellowship of the Saints.”
During the meeting, the charges against
Preserved Harris

Ca. 1785–18 Apr. 1867. Farmer. Born at Easton, Albany Co., New York. Son of Nathan Harris and Rhoda Lapham. Moved with parents to area of Swift’s Landing (later in Palmyra), Ontario Co., New York, 1793. Married Nancy Warren. One of five to whom JS gave Martin...

View Full Bio
were deemed fully sustained and he was disfellowshipped.
Isaac McWithy

1778–4 May 1851. Farmer. Born in New York. Married Hannah Taylor of Vermont. Moved to Covington, Genesee Co., New York, by 1820. Lived at Bennington, Genesee Co., with family of five, 1830. Ordained an elder, 15 Feb. 1833. Lived at Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio...

View Full Bio
defended himself against the accusations, claiming he had acted charitably, and asked the council for forgiveness. No verdict was recorded in the minutes for McWithy’s case.
3

Unfortunately, the minutes featured here are the last entries in the Kirtland high council records until May 1837. The handwriting of Warren A. Cowdery, who had acted as the scribe recording Minute Book 1 in 1836, ends with this entry, and Marcellus Cowdery’s handwriting begins with the next entry, dated 11 May 1837. The entry for the 16 June 1836 meeting featured here is followed by a blank half page, possibly indicating room was left to record additional information on the case. (Minute Book 1, 16 June 1836–29 May 1837.)


Harris appears to have been unwilling to change his conduct; he accepted the council’s decision and left the church. Although the extant minutes do not officially disfellowship McWithy, he also seems to have distanced himself from the church after this trial.
Throughout summer and fall 1836, JS and his fellow church leaders grappled with the competing priorities of providing for the poor Saints 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
while raising money and support for
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
. Both concerns would again be addressed in December 1836, when a conference was held for the church leadership in Kirtland to consider the difficulties of additional impoverished church members moving there.
4

Minutes, 22 Dec. 1836.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Whitney, as the bishop in Kirtland, had firsthand knowledge of both the needs of the Saints and the charity that had been provided. (Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831–A [D&C 72:1–8]; see also Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84].)

  2. [2]

    At an April 1836 meeting of F. G. Williams & Co., JS and Oliver Cowdery resolved to raise money to purchase land in Missouri. (Minutes, 2 Apr. 1836.)

  3. [3]

    Unfortunately, the minutes featured here are the last entries in the Kirtland high council records until May 1837. The handwriting of Warren A. Cowdery, who had acted as the scribe recording Minute Book 1 in 1836, ends with this entry, and Marcellus Cowdery’s handwriting begins with the next entry, dated 11 May 1837. The entry for the 16 June 1836 meeting featured here is followed by a blank half page, possibly indicating room was left to record additional information on the case. (Minute Book 1, 16 June 1836–29 May 1837.)

  4. [4]

    Minutes, 22 Dec. 1836.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Minutes, 16 June 1836 Minute Book 1 History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 216

him for the poor as it was usual for him on such occasions.
10

Patriarch Joseph Smith Sr. was to be paid ten dollars a week by the church for the time he spent giving patriarchal blessings. Recipients of patriarchal blessings paid a fee to have them written in Patriarchal Blessing Book 1, and they may have also been charged for personal copies of the blessing. Here Joseph Smith Sr. suggests that he often received donations for the poor from church members when he gave patriarchal blessings; no other extant records mention this. (Minutes, 14 Sept. 1835.)


Eld.

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...

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Edmund Bosley

25 June 1776–15 Dec. 1846. Miller. Born at Northumberland, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania. Son of John P. Bosley and Hannah Bull. Married Ann Kelly of Northumberland Co. Lived at Livonia, Livingston Co., New York, 1792–1834. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co...

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says he thinks from what he told him, he was worth at least two thousand dollars.
Eld. Rich

1800–1868. Farmer. Born in New York. Married first Keziah. Lived at Warsaw, Genesee Co., New York, 1830. Participated in Camp of Israel expedition to Missouri, 1834. Served as a president of First Quorum of the Seventy, 1835–1837. Stockholder in Kirtland ...

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says he has been acquainted with the
accused

1778–4 May 1851. Farmer. Born in New York. Married Hannah Taylor of Vermont. Moved to Covington, Genesee Co., New York, by 1820. Lived at Bennington, Genesee Co., with family of five, 1830. Ordained an elder, 15 Feb. 1833. Lived at Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio...

View Full Bio
for several years before and after he came into the
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
and thinks he has always been two covetous he has been compelled to doubt at times whether he was a full believer in the Latter Day work in consequence, yet he had sometimes known him to give a little, but it always came hard. He had a considerable property or had given it to his unbelieving son! thinks that he does not deal with that liberally as a man of God should do. He once took a dollar from brother Hadlock for the use of a few dollars a little time but afterwards restored four dollars fearing the fulfilment of a prophecy delivered against him at the dedication.
11

Likely a reference to the dedication of the House of the Lord in Kirtland on 27 March 1836. (See Minutes and Prayer of Dedication, 27 Mar. 1836 [D&C 109].)


that requested security of him and Eld. Lyon
12

Probably Aaron C. Lyon, who received an elder’s license on 3 June 1836. Aaron Lyon and Leonard Rich preached and proselytized together in Warsaw, Genesee County, New York, in the winter of 1832–1833. (“Conference,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, June 1836, 2:336.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

for about $,.20. whe [which?] he obtained of him for the expenses which they bore in taking care of Eld. Coltrin who had the small pox at Eld. Lyon’s The Elders frequently complaned of his want of liberality. Brother Joel Haskins says, that his circumstances are pretty low, has one cow & works for bread. A brother lent a horse & waggon to him to go to
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
. The
accused

1778–4 May 1851. Farmer. Born in New York. Married Hannah Taylor of Vermont. Moved to Covington, Genesee Co., New York, by 1820. Lived at Bennington, Genesee Co., with family of five, 1830. Ordained an elder, 15 Feb. 1833. Lived at Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio...

View Full Bio
has never given him any bread or other things necessary. he lives in a small cabin on his farm and occupy a little yard for vines, he knows not whether he will charge him for it or not. It is less than a quarter of an acre. He expects to pay him for pasturing a cow.
Accused

1778–4 May 1851. Farmer. Born in New York. Married Hannah Taylor of Vermont. Moved to Covington, Genesee Co., New York, by 1820. Lived at Bennington, Genesee Co., with family of five, 1830. Ordained an elder, 15 Feb. 1833. Lived at Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio...

View Full Bio
said he wished to be a a
steward

One who managed property and goods under the law of consecration; also someone given a specific ecclesiastical responsibility. According to the “Laws of the Church of Christ,” members of the church were to make donations to the bishop, who would record the...

View Glossary
over his own and rather felt indignant <​repugnant​> at the idea of giving all for the good of the church [p. 216]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 216

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes, 16 June 1836
ID #
8389
Total Pages
7
Print Volume Location
JSP, D5:247–253
Handwriting on This Page
  • Warren A. Cowdery

Footnotes

  1. [10]

    Patriarch Joseph Smith Sr. was to be paid ten dollars a week by the church for the time he spent giving patriarchal blessings. Recipients of patriarchal blessings paid a fee to have them written in Patriarchal Blessing Book 1, and they may have also been charged for personal copies of the blessing. Here Joseph Smith Sr. suggests that he often received donations for the poor from church members when he gave patriarchal blessings; no other extant records mention this. (Minutes, 14 Sept. 1835.)

  2. [11]

    Likely a reference to the dedication of the House of the Lord in Kirtland on 27 March 1836. (See Minutes and Prayer of Dedication, 27 Mar. 1836 [D&C 109].)

  3. [12]

    Probably Aaron C. Lyon, who received an elder’s license on 3 June 1836. Aaron Lyon and Leonard Rich preached and proselytized together in Warsaw, Genesee County, New York, in the winter of 1832–1833. (“Conference,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, June 1836, 2:336.)

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

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