Chauncey L. Higby cut off form Church for licentious conduct toward females. (1)
John C. Bennett's fellowship with the Church is withdrawn. (1)
John Cook Bennett: Excommunicated 25 May 1842 for adultery and teaching that illicit intercourse was condoned by Church leaders. While in Nauvoo wrote articles defending Church under pen name of Joab. (2)
[Polygamy] John Bennett disfellow-shipped
John Bennett was disfellowshipped. He then publishes the first expose of polygamy. On 18 June 1842, he is excommunicated. (3)
-- May 25, 1842 - 4 February 1843
[1st Presidency Changes] Joseph Smith, Jr. Hyrum Smith (Assistant President) Sidney Rigdon (never ordained an apostle) William Law (never ordained an apostle) John Smith (never ordained an apostle, Assistant Counselor) John C. Bennett (never ordained an apostle) disfellowshipped (4)
-- 26May42
[Joseph Smith Sermon] In Time of Ezekiel - Man had to Deliver Own Soul
People Must not Base Testimony on Prophet
Avoid Being Overzealous - Gossip
Hold Influence in World - Put Down Evil by Example and Good Will (5)
-- May 26, 1842
John C Bennett: Joseph Smith Jr. prevented Nauvoo Lodge from expelling John C Bennett 26 May 1842 (6)
-- May 26, 1842 (Thursday)
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Location: Upper Room, Red Brick Store, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Nauvoo Relief Society Minutes (Words of Joseph Smith, 120-21)
Prest. Smith rose; read the 14th Chap. of Ezekielâ€"Said the Lord had declared by the prophet that the people should each one stand for himself and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the Jewish Churchâ€"that righteous persons could only deliver their own soulsâ€"applied it to the present state of the church of Latter Day Saintsâ€"Said if the people departed from the Lord, they must fallâ€"that they were depending on the prophet hence were darkened in their minds from neglect of themselvesâ€"envious toward the innocent, while they afflict the virtuous with their shafts of envy.
There is another error which opens a door for the adversary to enter. As females possess refined feelings and sensitiveness; they are also subject to an over much zeal which must ever prove dangerous, and cause them to be rigid in a religious capacityâ€"Should be arm'd with mercy notwithstanding the iniquity among us. Said he had been instrumental in bringing it to lightâ€"melancholy and awful that so many are under the condemnation of the devil & going to perdition With deep feeling said that they are our fellowsâ€"we lov'd them once. Shall we not encourage them to reformation?
We have not forgiven them seventy timesâ€"perhaps we have not forgiven them once. There is nowâ€"a day of salvation to such as repent and reformâ€"they should be cast out from this Society yet we should woo them to return to God lest they escape not the damnation of hell!
When there is a mountain top there is also a valleyâ€"we should act in all things as a proper medium to every immortal spirit. Notwithstanding the unworthy are among us, the virtuous should not from self importance grieve and oppress needlessly those unfortunate ones, even these should be encourag'd to hereafter live to be honored by this Society who are the best portions of community. Said he had two things to recommend to the Society, to put a double watch over the tongue. No organiz'd body can exist without this at all. All organiz'd bodies have their peculiar evils, weaknesses and difficultiesâ€"the object is to make those not so good, equal with the good and ever hold the keys of power which will influence to virtue and goodness. Should chasten and reprove and keep it all in silence, not even mention them again, then you will be established in power, virtue and holiness and the wrath of God will be turn'd away. One request to the Prest. and Society that you search yours
elvesâ€"the
tongue is an unruly memberâ€"hold your tongues about things of no moment, a little tale will set the world on fire. At this time the truth on the guilty should not be told openlyâ€"Strange as this may seem yet this is policy. We must use precaution in bringing sinners to justice lest in exposing their heinous sins, we draw the indignation of a gentile world upon us (and to their imagination justly too)
It is necessary we hold an influence in the world and thus spare ourselves an extermination; and also accomplish our end in spreading the gospel in holiness in the earth.
If we were brought to desolation, the disobedient would find no help. There are some who are obedient yet man cannot steady the arkâ€"my arm cannot do itâ€"God must steady it. To the iniquitous show yourselves merciful. I am advis'd by some of the heads of the church to tell the Relief Society to be virtuousâ€"but to save the Church from desolation and the sword beware, be still, be prudent, Repent, reform but do it in a way to not destroy all around you. I do not want to cloak iniquityâ€"All things contrary to the will of God, should be cast from us, but don't do more hurt than good with your tonguesâ€"be pure in heartâ€"Said Jesus ye shall do the work which ye see me doâ€"Jesus designs to save the people out of their sins. These are the grand key words for the Society to act upon.
If I were not in your midst to aid and council you, the devil would overcome you. I want the innocent to go freeâ€"rather spare ten iniquitous among you than condemn one innocent one. "Fret not thyself because of evil doers," God will see to it. (7)
Footnotes:
1 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
2 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
3 - Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm
4 - Wikipedia, First Presidency (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Presidency_(LDS_Church)#Chronology_of_the_First_Presidency
5 - The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/
6 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47
7 - The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
LDS History Timeline
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