In the meeting described in these 13 July 1833 minutes, JS, , and other deliberated whether recent convert should remain in , Ohio, or move to . In 1832, Lake and his family had “received the Gospel” in after being taught by “old friends” , , and , as well as Eleazer Miller. Lake initially remained in Canada after his conversion. The following year, however, Brigham Young served another mission to Canada and returned that summer to Kirtland “accompanied by some 20 or 30 of the Brethren,” which included James and his wife, Philomelia Smith Lake, and their children, including son , who is listed in the following minutes. The 13 July meeting may have been called at the behest of Brigham Young, who later wrote that after arriving at Kirtland he stayed for a time to help James Lake and his family settle. After the council decided that Lake should remain in Kirtland, he aided in building the there.

These minutes are unique in Minute Book 1 because JS was initially listed as clerk pro tempore. , who inscribed this entry in the minute book, later crossed out JS’s name and signed his own name as clerk pro tempore. It is possible that JS recorded the minutes of the meeting on loose paper and then gave them to Williams, who was not listed among the conference attendees, to copy into the minute book.