History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838]

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 778
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lands will take such a price for the same, as the above apprizers <​November 10​> shall think worth, and that the same bet be then disposed of as is voted above. A call was then made for those whose circumstances were such as to permit, to go out to preach, to present themselves. There were twenty three who arose. Sylvester H. Earl, , , and John W. Clark, were ordained Elders, and William J. Levans was ordained a Priest. then closed the meeting by Prayer.
,
Moderator.
Attest. Clerk.
November 1837
<​Joseph left ​> About this time I left on my return to .
20 November 1837 • Monday
<​20​> “ November 20th The High council met in the . Sen Presiding. preferred the following charge against Z<​enos​> H. Brewster, Jane Brewster, [James] Collin Brewster, D. H. Dustin and wife, Moses R. Norris and wife, Eliza Norris, Samuel Barnet, Jemima Butler, O. Duel—— Butler and Roxana Repsher; for giving heed to Revelations said to be translated from the Book of Moroni by Collins Brewster, and for entering into a written covenant different from the articles and covenants of the church of latter Day saints, and following a vain and delusive spirit. Two were appointed to speak on each side. The writings and revelations kept and received by the accused were presented, and read by the clerk of the council. The accused plead not guilty. Brother Felshaw was called forward by the Plaintiff, who stated that [HC 2:525] he had visited the accused and labored with them according to the law of the church; that the accused Justified themselves, seeing the church had not lived according to the former revelations, and that they considered the High Council and others were in transgression; and that most of the accused appeared to be determined to pursue their own way whether right or wrong. Bro Allen said the accused appeared to manifest a hard spirit against the presidents of the Church and the High Council. Bro Dunn concurred. Bro Sawyer stated that he heard brother Norris say, that those in authority were against him, and if he could not establish an order of things here to his mind, he would go out among the gentiles and do it. Bro. Knights confirmed the foregoing testimony. The accused called bror Freeman who stated that he had attended a number of the meetings of the accused, and saw nothing out of the way. Bro confirmed bro Freeman’s statement, but did not know, when he attended the meetings that they received Revelations for themselves. Bro L. Foster agreed with the last two witnesses. Bro Preston was called by the accuser, who testified that the accused refuse to admit him into their meeting, and that others were rejected. Several witnesses testified they had attended their meetings and saw nothing wrong. Others testified they had heard them speak against the heads of the church, and that Bro Joseph had many things to repent of. and one of them said he thought some put too much stress on the priesthood, and that he was informed that brother Norris laid his hands on Collins and ordained him a prophet and that one of the accused said he was determined to pursue his own course whether it suited the High counsel or not. “After the pleas of the counsellors, the accused spoke in justification. of their course generally, when the council decided that the charge had been fully sustained, and withdrew fellowship from those who persisted in their course of conduct as before mentioned.” Clk. [p. 778]
lands will take such a price for the same, as the above apprizers November 10 shall think worth, and that the same be then disposed of as is voted above. A call was then made for those whose circumstances were such as to permit, to go out to preach, to present themselves. There were twenty three who arose. Sylvester H. Earl, , , and John W. Clark, were ordained Elders, and William J. Levans was ordained a Priest. then closed the meeting by Prayer.
,
Moderator.
Attest. Clerk.
November 1837
Joseph left About this time I left on my return to .
20 November 1837 • Monday
20 “ November 20th The High council met in the . Presiding. preferred the following charge against Zenos H. Brewster, Jane Brewster, [James] Collin Brewster, D. H. Dustin and wife, Moses R. Norris and wife, Eliza Norris, Samuel Barnet, Jemima Butler, O. Duel—— Butler and Roxana Repsher; for giving heed to Revelations said to be translated from the Book of Moroni by Collins Brewster, and for entering into a written covenant different from the articles and covenants of the church of latter Day saints, and following a vain and delusive spirit. Two were appointed to speak on each side. The writings and revelations kept and received by the accused were presented, and read by the clerk of the council. The accused plead not guilty. Brother Felshaw was called forward by the Plaintiff, who stated that [HC 2:525] he had visited the accused and labored with them according to the law of the church; that the accused Justified themselves, seeing the church had not lived according to the former revelations, and that they considered the High Council and others were in transgression; and that most of the accused appeared to be determined to pursue their own way whether right or wrong. Bro Allen said the accused appeared to manifest a hard spirit against the presidents of the Church and the High Council. Bro Dunn concurred. Bro Sawyer stated that he heard brother Norris say, that those in authority were against him, and if he could not establish an order of things here to his mind, he would go out among the gentiles and do it. Bro. Knights confirmed the foregoing testimony. The accused called bror Freeman who stated that he had attended a number of the meetings of the accused, and saw nothing out of the way. Bro confirmed bro Freeman’s statement, but did not know, when he attended the meetings that they received Revelations for themselves. Bro L. Foster agreed with the last two witnesses. Bro Preston was called by the accuser, who testified that the accused refuse to admit him into their meeting, and that others were rejected. Several witnesses testified they had attended their meetings and saw nothing wrong. Others testified they had heard them speak against the heads of the church, and that Bro Joseph had many things to repent of. and one of them said he thought some put too much stress on the priesthood, and that he was informed that brother Norris laid his hands on Collins and ordained him a prophet and that one of the accused said he was determined to pursue his own course whether it suited the High counsel or not. “After the pleas of the counsellors, the accused spoke in justification. of their course generally, when the council decided that the charge had been fully sustained, and withdrew fellowship from those who persisted in their course of conduct as before mentioned.” Clk. [p. 778]
Page 778