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Church Officers in Commerce (later Nauvoo), Illinois, September 1839–January 1841

On 6 May 1839, a conference of the church appointed a and a president to preside over church members in the , Illinois, area. These two positions were essential for the organization of a at Commerce, which formally took place on 5 October 1839 during a general conference of the church. A January 1841 revelation designated as a “corner stone of Zion.”
 
Presidency
On 6 May 1839, a conference of the church appointed to preside over the church members in , Illinois. On 5 October 1839, a general conference of the church approved the creation of a in Commerce and appointed William Marks as president. Marks served in that capacity without counselors throughout the period between September 1839 and January 1841.
1 September 1839–31 January 1841
, president
 
High Council
On 5 October 1839, a general conference of the church appointed twelve men to serve as members of the newly created . When individual members could not attend, alternates (or members pro tempore) were appointed to participate in council meetings. These temporary appointments are not reflected in the chart below. High council member died on 10 August 1840, and was appointed to assume his place on the council on 5 September 1840. A 19 January 1841 revelation designated to replace Cowles.
5 October 1839 31 January 1841
 
Bishops
On 6 May 1839, a conference of the church appointed as in . On 5 October 1839, a general conference of the church designated three men, including Whitney, to serve as bishops in Commerce, assigning each to be responsible for a specific jurisdiction, or ward, in the city.
1 September 1839 31 January 1841
Commerce Upper Ward
Middle Ward
Lower Ward
  1. 1

    Minutes, 6 May 1839.  

  2. 2

    Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:2].  

  3. 3

    Minutes, 6 May 1839.  

  4. 4

    Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.  

  5. 5

    Counselors in the Nauvoo stake presidency were first appointed on 30 March 1841. (Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 30 Mar. 1841, 26–27.)  

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

  6. 6

    Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.  

  7. 7

    See, for example, the pro tempore appointment of Elias Higbee to preside over the Nauvoo high council in Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 83.  

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

  8. 8

    Times and Seasons, Sept. 1840, 1:176.  

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  9. 9

    Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 76.  

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

  10. 10

    Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124]; Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 25.  

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

  11. 11

    Minutes, 6 May 1839.  

  12. 12

    Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.  

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