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Minutes, 15 March 1838

Source Note

Zion high council and bishopric, Minutes,
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

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, Caldwell Co., MO, 15 Mar. 1838. Featured version copied [between 1 Oct. 1842 and 14 Sept. 1843] in Minute Book 2, pp. 108–109; handwriting of
Hosea Stout

18 Sept. 1810–2 Mar. 1889. Farmer, teacher, carpenter, sawmill operator, lawyer. Born near Pleasant Hill, Mercer Co., Kentucky. Son of Joseph Stout and Anna Smith. Moved to Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, 1819; to Wilmington, Clinton Co., fall 1824; to...

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; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 2.

Historical Introduction

On 15 March 1838, JS met with the
Zion

JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, designated Missouri as “land of Zion” for gathering of Saints and place where “City of Zion” was to be built, with Independence area as “center place” of Zion. Latter-day Saint settlements elsewhere, such as in Kirtland,...

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high council

A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...

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and
bishopric

Initially referred to a bishop’s ecclesiastical jurisdiction, but eventually described the ecclesiastical body comprising the bishop and his assistants, or counselors. John Corrill and Isaac Morley were called as assistants to Bishop Edward Partridge in 1831...

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. Several developments had occurred since November 1837, when they had last met together. Most significantly, the rift between the
presidency

An organized body of leaders over priesthood quorums and other ecclesiastical organizations. A November 1831 revelation first described the office of president over the high priesthood and the church as a whole. By 1832, JS and two counselors constituted ...

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of the church in
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

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and the rest of the church leaders there had widened. By early February 1838, the presidency had been removed from office and replaced by
apostles

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

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Thomas B. Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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and
David W. Patten

14 Nov. 1799–25 Oct. 1838. Farmer. Born in Vermont. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Moved to Theresa, Oneida Co., New York, as a young child. Moved to Dundee, Monroe Co., Michigan Territory, as a youth. Married Phoebe Ann Babcock, 1828, in Dundee. Affiliated...

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.
1

Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838.


On 10 March, former presidency members
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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and
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

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were excommunicated.
2

Minute Book 2, 10 Mar. 1838.


Then, on 14 March JS arrived in
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
, where he intended to take up residence.
3

JS, Journal, Mar.–Sept. 1838, p. 16.


After fleeing
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

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amid dissent and turmoil, he was determined to root dissent out of the church. The day after his arrival, JS met in council with Missouri church leaders to address matters relevant to the problem of dissent. In the first session of the meeting, JS reviewed the minutes of previous council meetings. In the second session, the council members considered the conduct of
John Corrill

17 Sept. 1794–26 Sept. 1842. Surveyor, politician, author. Born at Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Married Margaret Lyndiff, ca. 1830. Lived at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10 Jan. 1831,...

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, who was the
bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

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’s
agent

A specific church office and, more generally, someone “entrusted with the business of another.” Agents in the church assisted other ecclesiastical officers, especially the bishop in his oversight of the church’s temporal affairs. A May 1831 revelation instructed...

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and “keeper of the Lord’s
store House

Both a literal and a figurative repository for goods and land donated to the church. The book of Malachi directed the house of Israel to bring “all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house.” In JS’s revision of the Old Testament...

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.”
4

Minute Book 2, 22 May 1837; Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837.


The clerk for the meeting,
Ebenezer Robinson

25 May 1816–11 Mar. 1891. Printer, editor, publisher. Born at Floyd (near Rome), Oneida Co., New York. Son of Nathan Robinson and Mary Brown. Moved to Utica, Oneida Co., ca. 1831, and learned printing trade at Utica Observer. Moved to Ravenna, Portage Co....

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, produced a brief overview of the proceedings. His original minutes are apparently not extant; the featured version was recorded in Minute Book 2 by
Hosea Stout

18 Sept. 1810–2 Mar. 1889. Farmer, teacher, carpenter, sawmill operator, lawyer. Born near Pleasant Hill, Mercer Co., Kentucky. Son of Joseph Stout and Anna Smith. Moved to Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, 1819; to Wilmington, Clinton Co., fall 1824; to...

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in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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in 1842 or 1843.
5

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1 Oct. 1842.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838.

  2. [2]

    Minute Book 2, 10 Mar. 1838.

  3. [3]

    JS, Journal, Mar.–Sept. 1838, p. 16.

  4. [4]

    Minute Book 2, 22 May 1837; Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837.

  5. [5]

    Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1 Oct. 1842.

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

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Minutes, 15 March 1838 Minute Book 2

Page 109

organized, Joseph Smith jr presiding, when it was opened by prayer by
John Murdock

15 July 1792–23 Dec. 1871. Farmer. Born at Kortright, Delaware Co., New York. Son of John Murdock Sr. and Eleanor Riggs. Joined Lutheran Dutch Church, ca. 1817, then Presbyterian Seceder Church shortly after. Moved to Orange, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ca. 1819....

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,
15

Council meetings were often begun with a prayer by the moderator or by a presiding authority. As the oldest member of the Zion high council, Murdock was designated its president in 1836, although the Zion presidency presided over high councils when present, just as the church presidency had presided over Kirtland high council meetings when present. (See Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837; Minutes, 10 Nov. 1837; Minute Book 2, 6–7 Dec. 1837; and Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838.)


after which Br
John Carrill [Corrill]

17 Sept. 1794–26 Sept. 1842. Surveyor, politician, author. Born at Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Married Margaret Lyndiff, ca. 1830. Lived at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10 Jan. 1831,...

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made some remarks respecting his former conduct, by way of confession, but not to the satisfaction of the
Council

A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...

View Glossary
, after which
Thomas B. Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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made a few remarks, followed by
George M. Hinkle

13 Nov. 1801–Nov. 1861. Merchant, physician, publisher, minister, farmer. Born in Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Son of Michael Hinkle and Nancy Higgins. Married first Sarah Ann Starkey. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1832. Moved to ...

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and others, when
Br Carrill

17 Sept. 1794–26 Sept. 1842. Surveyor, politician, author. Born at Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Married Margaret Lyndiff, ca. 1830. Lived at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10 Jan. 1831,...

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made perfect satisfaction.
16

Marsh took the lead in the 5 February trial to remove the Zion presidency from office. Hinkle and several other members of the high council spoke against the Zion presidency during the meeting. Some, like Edward Partridge, “spake against the proceedings of the meeting, as being hasty and illegal,” but only Corrill “spake against the High Council.” In a letter that Marsh sent to JS with the minutes of the 5–9 and 10 February meetings, he wrote, “We believe that brother Corrill intends to be [united] with you and us; although he was not with us in the meetings.” (Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838.)


The Council adjourned untill tomorrow at 1 o’clock. Benediction by President Joseph Smith jr
17

The council apparently did not reconvene until 17 March 1838, and the minutes of that meeting do not mention JS attending. (Minute Book 2, 17 Mar. 1838.)


Ebenezer Robinson

25 May 1816–11 Mar. 1891. Printer, editor, publisher. Born at Floyd (near Rome), Oneida Co., New York. Son of Nathan Robinson and Mary Brown. Moved to Utica, Oneida Co., ca. 1831, and learned printing trade at Utica Observer. Moved to Ravenna, Portage Co....

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Clk
18

On 6 December 1837, Oliver Cowdery was appointed standing clerk of the high council, although he only recorded minutes for the meeting held the following day. Soon thereafter, Cowdery fell severely ill and remained so for several weeks, during which time John Whitmer served as clerk for a December meeting. After the members of the Zion presidency were removed from office and excommunicated, the deposed presidency sent a letter protesting their removal and Cowdery attested the letter as clerk of the high council. He was never officially removed from his position as high council clerk, but he did not function as such thereafter. Presumably for this reason, Robinson acted as clerk for this 15 March meeting as well as for council meetings earlier that month. Three weeks later, Robinson was officially appointed as the clerk of the high council. (Minute Book 2, 6–7 and 23 Dec. 1837; 20 Jan. 1838; 3 and 10 Mar. 1838; Letter from Oliver Cowdery, 21 Jan. 1838; Minutes, 6 Apr. 1838.)


[p. 109]
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Page 109

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes, 15 March 1838
ID #
8605
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D6:39–43
Handwriting on This Page
  • Hosea Stout

Footnotes

  1. [15]

    Council meetings were often begun with a prayer by the moderator or by a presiding authority. As the oldest member of the Zion high council, Murdock was designated its president in 1836, although the Zion presidency presided over high councils when present, just as the church presidency had presided over Kirtland high council meetings when present. (See Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837; Minutes, 10 Nov. 1837; Minute Book 2, 6–7 Dec. 1837; and Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838.)

  2. [16]

    Marsh took the lead in the 5 February trial to remove the Zion presidency from office. Hinkle and several other members of the high council spoke against the Zion presidency during the meeting. Some, like Edward Partridge, “spake against the proceedings of the meeting, as being hasty and illegal,” but only Corrill “spake against the High Council.” In a letter that Marsh sent to JS with the minutes of the 5–9 and 10 February meetings, he wrote, “We believe that brother Corrill intends to be [united] with you and us; although he was not with us in the meetings.” (Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838.)

  3. [17]

    The council apparently did not reconvene until 17 March 1838, and the minutes of that meeting do not mention JS attending. (Minute Book 2, 17 Mar. 1838.)

  4. [18]

    On 6 December 1837, Oliver Cowdery was appointed standing clerk of the high council, although he only recorded minutes for the meeting held the following day. Soon thereafter, Cowdery fell severely ill and remained so for several weeks, during which time John Whitmer served as clerk for a December meeting. After the members of the Zion presidency were removed from office and excommunicated, the deposed presidency sent a letter protesting their removal and Cowdery attested the letter as clerk of the high council. He was never officially removed from his position as high council clerk, but he did not function as such thereafter. Presumably for this reason, Robinson acted as clerk for this 15 March meeting as well as for council meetings earlier that month. Three weeks later, Robinson was officially appointed as the clerk of the high council. (Minute Book 2, 6–7 and 23 Dec. 1837; 20 Jan. 1838; 3 and 10 Mar. 1838; Letter from Oliver Cowdery, 21 Jan. 1838; Minutes, 6 Apr. 1838.)

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