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.)
Never saw him give any thing for the help of the poor. thinks he is in good temporal circumstances.
says he heard the say that he did not believe that a Saint ever accused his enemies. Witness labored to show him his error, he said he did not believing believe in this kind of interpreting scripture. A Brown says he called on the for help for a poor brother and could get none but observed that the manifested a kind of angry spirit rather than a spirit of love; he frequently heard complaints against him for not assisting the poor, he is considerable rich, he once gave Eld Green about six dollars considered him to be a covetous man. The testimony here closed and the counsellors were here called upon to speak. 1.st. considered the case clearly proven according to the nature of the charges. 2d. considered that he was liberal in some things but still the case was clear and the charges fully sustained. thought the case a clear one. thought the case clear. , clear, also concurred in opinion with his brother counsellors. The accusor arose and spoke as he felt stating that he in company with Prest. called upon the for money to send up to but, could get none, afterwards saw him and asked him if he would sell his farm. He at first seemed willing, he wished to build up Zion He plead excuse in consequence of his liberality to the poor. We offered him $.3000. for his farm. would give him $.400. or 500. to take him to Zion and settle him there and obligation for the remainder with good security, and interest. He went & [p. 217]