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

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 783
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to try a person for any offence, by an illegal tribunal, or by men prejudiced against <​March 10. Letter continued​> him, or by authority that has given an opinion, or decision before hand, or in his absence. Very Respectfully we have the honor to be, , , , Presidents of the church of Christ in . ‘To , one of the travelling counsellors. Attest, , Clerk of the High Council of the church of Christ in . I certify the foregoing to be a true copy from the original. Clerk of the High Council.”
All the effect the above letter had upon the council, was, to convince them some still and more of the wickedness of those men, by endeavoring to palm themselves upon the church as her Presidents, after the church had, by a united voice. removed them from their Presidential office, for their ungodly conduct, and the letter was considered no more, nor less than a direct insult; or contempt, cast upon the authorities of God, and the church of Jesus Christ, therefore the council proceeded to business.
A number of charges were sustained against these men, the principal of which, was, for claiming $2,000 church funds, which they had subscribed for building an in this place when they held in their possession the city plot, and were sitting in the Presidential chair, which subscription they were intending to pay from the avails of the town Lots: but when the town plot was transferred into the hands of the , for the benefit of the Church, it was agreed that the church should take this subscription from off the hands of and , but in the transaction of the business, they bound the in a heavy Mortgage, to pay them the above $2,000, in two years from the date thereof, a part of which they have already received. and claim the remainder.
The six counsillors made a few appropriate remarks, none of whom felt to [HC 3:7] plead for mercy, as it had not been asked on the part of the accused; but all with one consent, declared that Justice ought to have his demands
After some remarks by Presidents and , Setting forth the iniquity of those men, in claiming the $2000 spoken of, which did not belong to them any more than any other person in the church: It was decided that , and be no longer membe[r]s of the Church of Christ, of Latter Day Saints, and be given over to the buffetings of satan until they learn to blaspheme no more against the authorities of God, nor fleece the flock of Christ.
The Council were then asked, if they concurred with the decision; if so to Manifest it, by rising, when they all arose. The vote was then put to the Congregation which was carried unanimously. The negative was called, but no one voted.
Bro Marcellus Cowdery arose and said he wished to have it understood that he did not vote either way because he did not consider it a legal tribunal; he also offered insult to the High Council, and to the church by reading a letter belonging to before giving it to him, and in speaking against the authorities of the church.
A motion was then made by , that fellowship be withdrawn from Marcellus <​F​> Cowdery, until he make satisfaction, which was seconded and carried unanimously.
.— Presidents”
, Clerk of High Council.
March 1838
<​Joseph’s travels​> When I had arrived within 120 miles of , the brethren met me with teams and money to help me forward, and when 8 miles from the city we were met by an escort viz. , and others who received us [p. 783]
to try a person for an offence, by an illegal tribunal, or by men prejudiced against March 10. Letter continued him, or by authority that has given an opinion, or decision before hand, or in his absence. Very Respectfully we have the honor to be, , , , Presidents of the church of Christ in . ‘To , one of the travelling counsellors. Attest, , Clerk of the High Council of the church of Christ in . I certify the foregoing to be a true copy from the original. Clerk of the High Council.”
All the effect the above letter had upon the council, was, to convince them still more of the wickedness of those men, by endeavoring to palm themselves upon the church as her Presidents, after the church had, by a united voice. removed them from their Presidential office, for their ungodly conduct, and the letter was considered no more, nor less than a direct insult; or contempt, cast upon the authorities of God, and the church of Jesus Christ, therefore the council proceeded to business.
A number of charges were sustained against these men, the principal of which, was, for claiming $2,000 church funds, which they had subscribed for building an in this place when they held in their possession the city plot, and were sitting in the Presidential chair, which subscription they were intending to pay from the avails of the town Lots: but when the town plot was transferred into the hands of the , for the benefit of the Church, it was agreed that the church should take this subscription from off the hands of and , but in the transaction of the business, they bound the in a heavy Mortgage, to pay them the above $2,000, in two years from the date thereof, a part of which they have already received. and claim the remainder.
The six counsillors made a few appropriate remarks, none of whom felt to [HC 3:7] plead for mercy, as it had not been asked on the part of the accused; but all with one consent, declared that Justice ought to have his demands
After some remarks by Presidents and , Setting forth the iniquity of those men, in claiming the $2000 spoken of, which did not belong to them any more than any other person in the church: It was decided that , and be no longer members of the Church of Christ, of Latter Day Saints, and be given over to the buffetings of satan until they learn to blaspheme no more against the authorities of God, nor fleece the flock of Christ.
The Council were then asked, if they concurred with the decision; if so to Manifest it, by rising, when they all arose. The vote was then put to the Congregation which was carried unanimously. The negative was called, but no one voted.
Bro Marcellus Cowdery arose and said he wished to have it understood that he did not vote either way because he did not consider it a legal tribunal; he also offered insult to the High Council, and to the church by reading a letter belonging to before giving it to him, and in speaking against the authorities of the church.
A motion was then made by , that fellowship be withdrawn from Marcellus F Cowdery, until he make satisfaction, which was seconded and carried unanimously.
.— Presidents”
, Clerk of High Council.
March 1838
Joseph’s travels When I had arrived within 120 miles of , the brethren met me with teams and money to help me forward, and when 8 miles from the city we were met by an escort viz. , and others who received us [p. 783]
Page 783