The then said he had two more items of business to lay before the council. One is relative to those men going away who are hunted with writs. The other is relative to s mission to , shall he go on his mission or shall he be longer excused.
Coun. , moved that this council think it wisdom for every innocent man when hunted by persecutors with writs to go on a mission, as they shall be councilled by the authorities.
Coun. related the circumstances of ’s arrest and showed that was very active in assisting the officers to get away.
Coun. was favorable to the motion. We know the enemies will get up a thousand ways to drag us away. He is in favor of trying [p. [125]]
Other sources do not clarify the role Marks played in Brackenbury’s arrest. The arrest took place at the Nauvoo Mansion, which Marks had recently leased to John Pack. The circumstances of the arrest may have contributed to the growing animosity between Marks and the leadership of the church. The day after this council meeting, Willard Richards noted that Marks had “left town suddenly.” That Sunday, Brigham Young observed approvingly that “Bro. Marks has gone with[ou]t. being whistled out.” (Clayton, Journal, 10 Mar. 1845; Huntington, History, 96–97; Richards, Journal, 12 Mar. 1845; Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 16 Mar. 1845.)
Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
Huntington, Oliver B. History, 1845–1846. Oliver Boardman Huntington, Papers, 1843– 1932. BYU.