Minutes and Discourse, 2 May 1835, as Reported by William E. McLellin–B

Document Transcript

May 2nd, A grand was held in this place [, Ohio,] this day, composed of the following officers of the (viz) Joseph Smith Jun. , , , , and , with their council of twelve men— The travelling high council or (viz) , [p. 5] , , , , , and .—
and his two counsellors and , from Also Bishop and his counsellors and , and also; some of the with their (viz) , , , , , and . ( was absent.)
These Authorities were present together with a great many other of the from different parts. In the midst of this grand assemblage, J Smith Jun arose and made many remarks, among which were the following. “It will be the duty of the when in to take their seats together according to their ages. The oldest to be seated at the head, and preside in the first council, the next oldest in the second; and so on until the youngest has presided”.
The twelve Apostles have no right to go into Zion or any of its where there is a regular established, to regulate any matters pertaining thereunto: But it is their duty to go abroad and regulate and set in order all matters relative to the different of this .
When the twelve are all together or a of them in any church, they have authority to act independently of the church and form decisions and those decisions will be valid; but when there is not a quorum of them together, they must transact business by the common consent of the church.
No standing has authority to go into the churches abroad and regulate the matters thereof, for this belongs to the Twelve. [p. 6]
No standing will ever be established except in or one of its .
When the pass a decision, it is in the name of the , therefore, it is valid.
No of the church has authority to go into any thereof and any minister for the church unless it is by the voice of that branch. No has authority to go into any branch of the church and appoint meetings or attempt to regulate the affairs of the church without the advice and consent of the presiding Elder of that branch.
If the first are all employed and there is a call for more labourers in the vineyard it will be the the duty of the seven presidents of the first seventy to call and ordain other seventy and send them forth to labour until, if need be, they set apart seven times seventy, and even until there are one hundred and forty & four thousand thus set apart to the ministry. The seventy are not to attend the of the Twelve, unless they are called upon or requested so to do by the twelve.
The twelve and the seventy have particula[r]ly to depend upon their ministry for their support and that of their families, and they have a right by virtue of their offices to call upon the churches to assist them.
Resolved in this grand ; That we never give up the struggle for until it is redeemed altho’. we should die in the contest. The vote was unanimous of all that were in the house.
} Clerk [p. 7]

Footnotes

  1. 1

    The “council of twelve men” refers to the Kirtland high council, which, according to the Minute Book 1 record, entered the meeting after a one-hour adjournment following the first session.  

  2. 2

    Orson Pratt stated in his journal that “the greatest part of the 70 disciples” attended the meeting. (Pratt, Diary, 2 May 1835.)  

    Comprehensive Works Cited

    Pratt, Orson. Journal, 1833–1837. Orson Pratt, Autobiography and Journals, 1833–1847. CHL. MS 587, fds. 2–4.

  3. 3

    At this time, high councils were organized only in Missouri (Zion) and in Kirtland, which was the only stake of Zion. (Revised Minutes, 18–19 Feb. 1834 [D&C 102]; Minutes and Discourse, ca. 7 July 1834; Revelation, 26 Apr. 1832 [D&C 82:13].)  

  4. 4

    See Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:33].  

  5. 5

    The Instruction on Priesthood explains that the Twelve Apostles formed “a quorum equal in authority” to the presidency of the high priesthood. (Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:23–24].)  

  6. 6

    See Revelation, 9 Feb. 1831 [D&C 42:11].  

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