Kirtland high council, Minutes, , Geauga Co., OH, 16 June 1836. Featured version copied [ca. 16 June 1836] in Minute Book 1, pp. 212–218; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 1.
Historical Introduction
On 16 June 1836, JS met with members of the of , Ohio, to consider accusations he had made against two members, and , for “a want of benevolence to the poor and charity to the church.” Since he himself had brought the charges, JS may have recused himself from presiding at this meeting, though he actively participated. The council first considered Harris’s case and then, after adjourning for an hour, returned and considered McWithy’s case.
The cases heard on 16 June highlight two concerns church leaders had at the time: providing for the destitute Saints in and supporting the church in —that is, . testified in both cases that the men had contributed very little to the poor, and he concluded that neither had borne an appropriate portion of the financial burden of caring for impoverished Kirtland church members. and were also tried for their reluctance to financially support church endeavors, including construction of the in Kirtland and purchasing land in Zion. In the trials, JS specifically mentioned Harris’s and McWithy’s refusals to send money or move to Zion; stated that such unwillingness had forced church leaders into debt. reminded those present of the need to consecrate all they had to building Zion, adding that if they refused, they were “unworthy of the fellowship of the Saints.”
During the meeting, the charges against were deemed fully sustained and he was disfellowshipped. defended himself against the accusations, claiming he had acted charitably, and asked the council for forgiveness. No verdict was recorded in the minutes for McWithy’s case. Harris appears to have been unwilling to change his conduct; he accepted the council’s decision and left the church. Although the extant minutes do not officially disfellowship McWithy, he also seems to have distanced himself from the church after this trial.
Throughout summer and fall 1836, JS and his fellow church leaders grappled with the competing priorities of providing for the poor Saints in while raising money and support for . Both concerns would again be addressed in December 1836, when a conference was held for the church leadership in Kirtland to consider the difficulties of additional impoverished church members moving there.
Unfortunately, the minutes featured here are the last entries in the Kirtlandhigh council records until May 1837. The handwriting of Warren A. Cowdery, who had acted as the scribe recording Minute Book 1 in 1836, ends with this entry, and Marcellus Cowdery’s handwriting begins with the next entry, dated 11 May 1837. The entry for the 16 June 1836 meeting featured here is followed by a blank half page, possibly indicating room was left to record additional information on the case. (Minute Book 1, 16 June 1836–29 May 1837.)
if she would come to this place, he would settle down and not remove again, & therefore he could not help us as we wished in building up . Whe[n] he P. Smith had closed his remarks. The arose and spoke for himself. says he has a considerable property in his hand has helped the poor some, got his property by hard work, Some that are liberal with others property, do not labor to get much to give to the poor themselves: he may have failed in some things, but has done as he felt before God.
The case was then submitted.
P. arose and said the case before us is an important one. The poor, Zion to be built and we have not means to do it unless the rich assist. & because the rich have not assisted, the heads of the church have to suffer and are now suffering under severe embarrassments and are much in debt. In regard to the charge preferred against brother by P. J. S. Junr. it is my opinion they are fully sustained to the satisfaction of the .
arose and said many things concerning the law of God upon the subject of property, showing clearly that it is the duty of the saints to offer their all to the will of God for the building up of the Kingdom & for the sustenance of the poor, of property, life & all that he possesses, & he that is not willing to make this sacrifice cannot be considered a saint of the most High God & unworthy of the fellowship of the Saints, Christ suffered the loss of all things, that he might save all, We must follow him and be made perfect through sufferings also, or lose all. As to the charges preferred against it is the decision of this council that they are fully sustained and that the hand of fellowship is with [p. 214]