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Minutes and Discourse, 6 March 1840

Source Note

Iowa high council, Minutes, and JS, Discourse,
Montrose Township

Located in southern part of county on western shore of Mississippi River. Area settled by Captain James White, 1832, following Black Hawk War. Federal government purchased land from White to create Fort Des Moines, 1834. Fort abandoned; remaining settlement...

More Info
, Lee Co., Iowa Territory, 6 Mar. 1840. Featured version copied [between ca. 12 July 1840 and ca. Aug. 1841] in Iowa Stake Record, fair copy, pp. 88–90; handwriting of
Elias Smith

6 Sept. 1804–24 June 1888. Teacher, printer, postmaster, bookkeeper, probate judge, newspaper editor. Born in Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Asahel Smith and Elizabeth Schellenger. Moved to Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1809. Baptized into...

View Full Bio
; CHL.
The Iowa Stake Record is a large, commercially produced record book, measuring 12 × 7⅞ × 1 inches (30 × 20 × 3 cm). The book consists of ten gatherings, each gathering containing approximately twelve leaves. The paper, which is ruled with light blue lines that are now faded, measures 12 × 7½ inches (30 × 19 cm). The book has hard covers, the outside of which are adorned in shell marbled paper with a brown body and veins of blue and red. The spine is bound in brown leather and is titled “Baptism for the Dea[d] B Lee Coun[ty] Iowa Records”. Inside both the front and back covers, the book contains four blank pages of dark brown paper, as opposed to the lighter and now yellowed pages used for the volume record.
The volume begins with a title page that reads “Church Record” and a brief index. The book is then divided into two sections. Both sections are paginated, although a different scribe paginated the second section. The first section contains the minutes of the
Iowa

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

More Info
branch

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
in
Montrose

Located in southern part of county on western shore of Mississippi River. Area settled by Captain James White, 1832, following Black Hawk War. Federal government purchased land from White to create Fort Des Moines, 1834. Fort abandoned; remaining settlement...

More Info
and
Zarahemla

Located about one mile west of Mississippi River; area settled, by May 1839. Site for town selected by JS, 2 July 1839, and later confirmed by revelation, Mar. 1841. Iowa stake of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized by JS, by Oct. 1839. ...

More Info
, Iowa Territory. These minutes are written in black and blue ink, with the majority of the entries written in blue. A substantial gap in the recording of minutes occurs between pages 18 and 85. In that gap, pages 19–47 include a list of members in the Iowa branch; pages 48–85 are blank except for the page numbers. Following the last recorded minutes on page 104, the book includes a second title page, which reads “Record of the Names of those who are baptised for their Dead—1841—And also the Names of their Dead”. Clerks then recorded baptisms for the dead performed in 1841.
A number of scribes recorded minutes in the volume.
George W. Gee

13 Aug. 1815–20 Jan. 1842. Schoolteacher, farmer, clerk. Born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Son of Salmon Gee and Sarah (Sally) Watson Crane. Moved to Richfield, Ashtabula Co., by 1820; to Geauga Co., Ohio, 1828; and to Madison, Geauga Co., by 1830. Baptized into...

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and
Elias Smith

6 Sept. 1804–24 June 1888. Teacher, printer, postmaster, bookkeeper, probate judge, newspaper editor. Born in Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Asahel Smith and Elizabeth Schellenger. Moved to Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1809. Baptized into...

View Full Bio
inscribed the most entries, but
John Patten

14 Apr. 1787–12 Mar. 1847. Physician, farmer. Born in New Hampshire. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Married first Abigail Stiles, 5 May 1810, in Vermont. Wife died, 19 Sept. 1821. Married second Hannah Ingersol, 25 Apr. 1824, in Greene Co., Indiana....

View Full Bio
and Johnston F. Lane likewise made entries. Gee likely began the volume sometime around 12 July 1840, the day he was appointed clerk of the
Iowa

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

More Info
branch. After the initial inclusion of the minutes detailing the establishment of the branch on 5 October 1839, Gee recorded the minutes for 12 July 1840. Following the 12 July 1840 minutes, clerks then filled in the minutes between October 1839 and July 1840, apparently drawing upon loose minutes kept by Elias Smith that are no longer extant. Because the volume was also used to record the 1841 baptisms for the dead, it is likely that clerks finished recording the Iowa branch minutes around August 1841.
A notation on page 1 states that the volume was “returned to the office of General Church Recorder 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
” on 21 February 1844. The notation also indicates that the volume was in the possession of
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

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for a time before it was loaned to an unnamed individual and subsequently returned to Richards’s custody.
John Smith

16 July 1781–23 May 1854. Farmer. Born at Derryfield (later Manchester), Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Member of Congregational church. Appointed overseer of highways at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1810. Married...

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had access to the book on 28 January 1845 and made a notation regarding some of the previously recorded 1841 baptisms for the dead. The volume is listed as “Iowa Church Record” in the inventory of church records made in Nauvoo in 1846 prior to the Saints’ migration to the Salt Lake Valley.
1

“Schedule of Church Records. Nauvoo 1846,” [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.

Subsequent inventories list the item under a variety of names, including “Lee Co Iowa [records and journal],” “Lee Co Ioway. Records,” and “[Baptisms for the Dead record]–Lee Co. Iowa records.” These inventories demonstrate that the Church Historian’s Office maintained the volume continuously through 1878.
2

“Inventory. Historian’s Office. 4th April 1855,” [1]; “Historian’s Office Catalogue Book March 1858,” [13]; “Contents of the Historian and Recorder’s Office. G. S. L. City July 1858,” 8; “Index of Records and Journals in Historian’s Office 1878,” [7], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Toward the end of the nineteenth century, the volume was transferred to the custody of the Salt Lake Temple because of its records relating to baptisms for the dead. It remained housed in the Salt Lake Temple Vault until October 2012, when the First Presidency transferred the volume to the custody of the Church History Library.
3

See the full bibliographic entry for Nauvoo Temple, Baptisms for the Dead, 1840–1845, in the CHL catalog.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    “Schedule of Church Records. Nauvoo 1846,” [1], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

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

  2. [2]

    “Inventory. Historian’s Office. 4th April 1855,” [1]; “Historian’s Office Catalogue Book March 1858,” [13]; “Contents of the Historian and Recorder’s Office. G. S. L. City July 1858,” 8; “Index of Records and Journals in Historian’s Office 1878,” [7], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

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

  3. [3]

    See the full bibliographic entry for Nauvoo Temple, Baptisms for the Dead, 1840–1845, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

On 6 March 1840, JS met with the
Iowa

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

More Info
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
in
Montrose

Located in southern part of county on western shore of Mississippi River. Area settled by Captain James White, 1832, following Black Hawk War. Federal government purchased land from White to create Fort Des Moines, 1834. Fort abandoned; remaining settlement...

More Info
, Iowa Territory, to discuss several items of business, including the high council’s desire to have the
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
in Iowa Territory live the law of
consecration

The dedicating of money, lands, goods, or one’s own life for sacred purposes. Both the New Testament and Book of Mormon referred to some groups having “all things common” economically; the Book of Mormon also referred to individuals who consecrated or dedicated...

View Glossary
so that their poor would be cared for. Under this law, members donated money, goods, and land to the church and received back an “
inheritance

Generally referred to land promised by or received from God for the church and its members. A January 1831 revelation promised church members a land of inheritance. In March and May 1831, JS dictated revelations commanding members “to purchase lands for an...

View Glossary
,” or property, based on their circumstances, needs, and wants. Whatever donated property remained would be used to benefit the poor.
1

Revelation, 9 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:30–36].


The high council voted to implement the law in Montrose at a meeting held on 6 December 1839. At that meeting,
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
Alanson Ripley

8 Jan. 1798–before 1860. Surveyor, lawyer. Born at New York. Son of Asa Ripley and Polly Deforest. Married Sarah Finkle. Resided in Massachusetts, 1827. Member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ohio. Participated in Camp of Israel expedition...

View Full Bio
2

Ripley was appointed as the bishop in Iowa Territory in October 1839. (Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.)


requested that the council appoint an
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
to obtain “funds to relieve him from debts” he had contracted to support the poor.
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
—who was a counselor to
John Smith

16 July 1781–23 May 1854. Farmer. Born at Derryfield (later Manchester), Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Member of Congregational church. Appointed overseer of highways at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1810. Married...

View Full Bio
, the presiding officer over the church in Iowa—then declared that God had directed that the law of consecration be the method to help the impoverished and that the church should implement that law rather than any other system. After Wight spoke, the high council resolved “that they would come up to the law of consecration and observe to keep it.”
3

Iowa Stake Record, 6 Dec. 1839, 9–10.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.

A little over a week later,
First Presidency

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
member
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
as well as
Oliver Granger

7 Feb. 1794–23/25 Aug. 1841. Sheriff, church agent. Born at Phelps, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Pierce Granger and Clarissa Trumble. Married Lydia Dibble, 8 Sept. 1813, at Phelps. Member of Methodist church and licensed exhorter. Sheriff of Ontario Co. ...

View Full Bio
, who had been appointed “to receive donations for the poor” in November 1839,
4

Recommendation for Oliver Granger, 1 Nov. 1839.


informed
John Smith

16 July 1781–23 May 1854. Farmer. Born at Derryfield (later Manchester), Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Member of Congregational church. Appointed overseer of highways at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1810. Married...

View Full Bio
that it was “not expedient to go into the law of consecration under Existing circumstances.”
5

John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 14 Dec. 1839, [48].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Smith, John (1781-1854). Journal, 1833–1841. John Smith, Papers, 1833-1854. CHL. MS 1326, box 1.

Indeed, Hyrum told John it was “folly” to try to live the law of consecration “untill
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
is redeemed”—meaning until the Saints had regained their lands 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
.
6

John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 15 Dec. 1839, [49].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Smith, John (1781-1854). Journal, 1833–1841. John Smith, Papers, 1833-1854. CHL. MS 1326, box 1.

On 4 January 1840, John Smith notified the
Iowa

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

More Info
high council of these statements, but the high council refused to rescind its resolution. According to John Smith, Hyrum Smith and Granger then began to “operate against all” of the proceedings of the high council, including, evidently, their efforts to implement the law of consecration in Iowa.
7

Iowa Stake Record, 4 Jan. 1840, 15–16; John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 7 Jan. 1840, [54]–[55].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.

Smith, John (1781-1854). Journal, 1833–1841. John Smith, Papers, 1833-1854. CHL. MS 1326, box 1.

JS was in
Washington DC

Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ...

More Info
when these discussions occurred and did not return to
Commerce

Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...

More Info
, Illinois, until late February 1840.
8

John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 29 Feb. 1840, [58].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Smith, John (1781-1854). Journal, 1833–1841. John Smith, Papers, 1833-1854. CHL. MS 1326, box 1.

At this 6 March meeting, he shared his belief that God did not require church members to live the law of consecration at that time and that the Saints should focus on obtaining redress from the federal government for the wrongs committed against them in Missouri.
9

John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 6 Mar. 1840, [60].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Smith, John (1781-1854). Journal, 1833–1841. John Smith, Papers, 1833-1854. CHL. MS 1326, box 1.

In addition to discussing consecration, the high council considered a difficulty between three of its members, deliberated on land matters in
Iowa Territory

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

More Info
that had previously been presented to the council, and passed resolutions pertaining to the church’s efforts to gain redress from the federal government. As clerk of the meeting,
Elias Smith

6 Sept. 1804–24 June 1888. Teacher, printer, postmaster, bookkeeper, probate judge, newspaper editor. Born in Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Asahel Smith and Elizabeth Schellenger. Moved to Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1809. Baptized into...

View Full Bio
kept the minutes, which he entered into the official record of the Iowa high council sometime between July 1840 and August 1841.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Revelation, 9 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:30–36].

  2. [2]

    Ripley was appointed as the bishop in Iowa Territory in October 1839. (Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.)

  3. [3]

    Iowa Stake Record, 6 Dec. 1839, 9–10.

    Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.

  4. [4]

    Recommendation for Oliver Granger, 1 Nov. 1839.

  5. [5]

    John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 14 Dec. 1839, [48].

    Smith, John (1781-1854). Journal, 1833–1841. John Smith, Papers, 1833-1854. CHL. MS 1326, box 1.

  6. [6]

    John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 15 Dec. 1839, [49].

    Smith, John (1781-1854). Journal, 1833–1841. John Smith, Papers, 1833-1854. CHL. MS 1326, box 1.

  7. [7]

    Iowa Stake Record, 4 Jan. 1840, 15–16; John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 7 Jan. 1840, [54]–[55].

    Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.

    Smith, John (1781-1854). Journal, 1833–1841. John Smith, Papers, 1833-1854. CHL. MS 1326, box 1.

  8. [8]

    John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 29 Feb. 1840, [58].

    Smith, John (1781-1854). Journal, 1833–1841. John Smith, Papers, 1833-1854. CHL. MS 1326, box 1.

  9. [9]

    John Smith, Journal, 1836–1840, 6 Mar. 1840, [60].

    Smith, John (1781-1854). Journal, 1833–1841. John Smith, Papers, 1833-1854. CHL. MS 1326, box 1.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Minutes and Discourse, 6 March 1840 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 89

expression was to support
Doct. [Isaac] Galland

15 May 1791–27 Sept. 1858. Merchant, postmaster, land speculator, doctor. Born at Somerset Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Matthew Galland and Hannah Fenno. Married first Nancy Harris, 22 Mar. 1811, in Madison Co., Ohio. Married second Margaret Knight, by 1816....

View Full Bio
’s title to the
half breed lands

Tract consisted of 119,000 acres located in southeastern Iowa between Des Moines and Mississippi rivers. In 1824, U.S. Congress set aside tract for offspring of American Indian mothers and white fathers. Subsequent act passed, 1834, relinquishing Congress...

More Info
, & his right to deed described portions thereof.
6

Acting on behalf of the church in May and June 1839, Knight and Oliver Granger purchased nearly eighteen thousand acres from Galland in what was known as the Half-Breed Tract. At a 6 December 1839 high council meeting, Knight wondered whether the lands that he held in Lee County should be transferred to Alanson Ripley, the bishop in Iowa. The following day, the high council accepted Knight’s proposal to transfer the lands. By 21 February 1840, however, no transfer had occurred, leading the high council to request that Knight attend the next meeting and explain why he still held the lands. The council also wanted Knight to explain an ambiguous statement he had made about ownership of the Half-Breed Tract. (Lee Co., IA, Land Records, 1836–1961, Deeds [South, Keokuk], vol. 1, pp. 507–509, microfilm 959,238; vol. 2, pp. 3–6, 13–16, microfilm 959,239, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; Iowa Stake Record, 6–7 Dec. 1839 and 21 Feb. 1840, 9–10, 13, 86–88.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.

President

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
Joseph Smith Jun. then addressed the
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
on various subjects, &, in particular, the
Consecration Law

The dedicating of money, lands, goods, or one’s own life for sacred purposes. Both the New Testament and Book of Mormon referred to some groups having “all things common” economically; the Book of Mormon also referred to individuals who consecrated or dedicated...

View Glossary
; Stating, that the affair now before Congress
7

That is, the Saints’ memorial to Congress seeking redress for the church’s expulsion from and losses of property in Missouri. (Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, ca. 30 Oct. 1839–27 Jan. 1840.)


was the only thing that ought to interest the saints at present. & till it was ascertained how it would terminate no person ought to be brought to account before the constituted authorities of 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
for any offence whatever, & was determined that no man should be brought before the Council 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
till that time &c. &c.
8

When JS left Washington DC for the Commerce area, the church’s memorial was still being considered by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. On 26 February 1840, Elias Higbee wrote a letter to JS stating the committee had decided that the Saints needed to seek redress in Missouri, not from Congress. JS had evidently not yet received Higbee’s letter. (Letter from Elias Higbee, 26 Feb. 1840.)


He said that the Law of consecration could not be kept here, & that it was the will of the Lord that we should desist from trying to keep it, & if persisted in it would produce a perfect abortion, & that he assumed the whole responsibility of not keeping it untill proposed by himself. He requested every exertion to be made to forward affidavits to
Washington

Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ...

More Info
, & also letters to members of Congress.
9

On 7 December 1839, JS and Higbee instructed the Nauvoo high council to send to them affidavits “specifying the particulars” of the actions of non-Mormons against Mormons in 1838 and 1839. (Letter to Seymour Brunson and Nauvoo High Council, 7 Dec. 1839.)


The following votes were then passed.
1st. that this Council will coincide with Pr. Joseph Smith jr. decission concerning the consecration Law, on the principle of its being the will of the Lord, & of Pr. Smith’s taking the responsibility on himself.
2nd. that a committee of three be appointed Consisting of
Wheeler Baldwin

7 Mar. 1793–11 May 1887. Farmer, cobbler, clergyman. Born in New York. Married first Mary Porter, 12 Jan. 1812, in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., New York. Served in War of 1812. Lived in Broome, Schoharie Co., New York, 1820. Moved to Strongsville, Cuyahoga Co...

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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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& Abra[ha]m O. Smoot
10

Smoot was designated as a member of the Iowa high council at the October 1839 general conference of the church. (Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.)


to obtains affid[a]vits & [p. 89]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 89

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes and Discourse, 6 March 1840
ID #
8982
Total Pages
3
Print Volume Location
JSP, D7:211–216
Handwriting on This Page
  • Elias Smith

Footnotes

  1. [6]

    Acting on behalf of the church in May and June 1839, Knight and Oliver Granger purchased nearly eighteen thousand acres from Galland in what was known as the Half-Breed Tract. At a 6 December 1839 high council meeting, Knight wondered whether the lands that he held in Lee County should be transferred to Alanson Ripley, the bishop in Iowa. The following day, the high council accepted Knight’s proposal to transfer the lands. By 21 February 1840, however, no transfer had occurred, leading the high council to request that Knight attend the next meeting and explain why he still held the lands. The council also wanted Knight to explain an ambiguous statement he had made about ownership of the Half-Breed Tract. (Lee Co., IA, Land Records, 1836–1961, Deeds [South, Keokuk], vol. 1, pp. 507–509, microfilm 959,238; vol. 2, pp. 3–6, 13–16, microfilm 959,239, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; Iowa Stake Record, 6–7 Dec. 1839 and 21 Feb. 1840, 9–10, 13, 86–88.)

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

    Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.

  2. [7]

    That is, the Saints’ memorial to Congress seeking redress for the church’s expulsion from and losses of property in Missouri. (Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, ca. 30 Oct. 1839–27 Jan. 1840.)

  3. [8]

    When JS left Washington DC for the Commerce area, the church’s memorial was still being considered by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. On 26 February 1840, Elias Higbee wrote a letter to JS stating the committee had decided that the Saints needed to seek redress in Missouri, not from Congress. JS had evidently not yet received Higbee’s letter. (Letter from Elias Higbee, 26 Feb. 1840.)

  4. [9]

    On 7 December 1839, JS and Higbee instructed the Nauvoo high council to send to them affidavits “specifying the particulars” of the actions of non-Mormons against Mormons in 1838 and 1839. (Letter to Seymour Brunson and Nauvoo High Council, 7 Dec. 1839.)

  5. [10]

    Smoot was designated as a member of the Iowa high council at the October 1839 general conference of the church. (Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.)

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