[Nauvoo Temple] The last of the capital sunstones were placed on the temple walls. There were problems in raising the stone, causing a delay of an hour and a half, when it was finally placed at 10:30 a.m., which closed the construction season for 1844. The last stone had been cut by Harvey Stanley. Twelve of the capitals were still lacking their trumpet stones, which would not be placed until the following spring. The Saints viewed the late arrival of winter as divine assistance in their labors; the season's first snow storm commenced just two hours after the last sunstone was placed. By morning there was four inches of snow on the ground. (1)
-- Dec 6, 1844, Wednesday
[William Clayton Writings] The workmen continued raising the capitals until December, when, on the 6th of that month, the last one was safely deposited in its place; which was a source of great joy to the Saints. Many fears had been entertained that Brother Player would not be able to finish them before Winter set in, but it seemed as though the Lord held up the weather until this important piece of work was accomplished. About two hours after the capital was set it commenced snowing very briskly, and at night the ground was covered about four inches, and it froze very keenly.
There were then twelve of the capitals without the trumpet stones; and they remained in this state until the following Spring.
The cost of each of the capitals was about $300. The first and last of the capitals were cut by Charles Lambert and Harvey Stanley.
I will further say that when the hands were raising the last capital, and had got it about half-way up, one of the block shives in the tacklw broke an rendered it impossible in the situation to either raise or lower the stone. This circumstance presented a great difficulty, but after some consultation the hands fastened the rope below the tackle, so that it could not slip, and left the stone suspended while they took down the blocks, put in a new shive and fixed the blocks again.
The stone was then raised without further difficulty, and was set precisely at twenty minutes before one o'clock. This was the heaviest stone among the whole number. (2)
-- Dec 7, 1844
[High Council Minutes]
The High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints met in the Seventie's Hall as one o'clock P.M. pursuant to adjournment and opened by prayer from Elder George W. Harris.
Counsellors Present
Samuel Bent James Allred.
Lewis D. Wilson Alpheus Cutler
David Fulmer George W. Harris
Thomas Grover Aaron Johnson
Newel Knight William Huntington
Phineas Richards, in place of Ezra T. Benson Henry G. Sherwood
Also present, of First Presidency, George A. Smith, and Amasa Lyman.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
President Bent arose and stated to the Council that during the present week he had presented a written article from the "Twelve," to Elder Wm Marks, to sign, thereby confirming to them his declarations on last Saturday before the Councillors to acknowledge and uphold the Twelve and all the Quorums of the Church of Jesus Christ in in its present organization, and thereby show to all, his renunciation of Sidney Rigdon and his claims; but his full belief in he would not sign it. He then returned the paper to Prest Orson Hyde who struck off, or drew up an other article leaving out the most objectionable clause to him; (viz the acknowledgeing the authority of the Twelve,) and again presented it to Elder Marks but he utterly refused to sign it, and said he would sign no paper and did not want his name to go abroad.
Pres. A Lyman then remarked, that as Elder Marks had been sustained in fellowship by [the] High Council by his acknowledgements; the Twelve also wished to be satisfied of his present feelings; and thought it proper to write a manifesto to present to Elder Marks to sign, that he might show or acknowledge that he had been deceived by by Sidney Rigdon, and that in so doing his name and influence abroad should not be used against this Church.
Prest Geo. A Smith confirmed Elder Lyman's statements, and said that as Elder Marks had had more influence aborad than Elder Rigdon and his name was used to the injury of this Church; they wished his acknowledgements to uphold the Twelve and all the authorities of this Church in its present organization, and his renunciation of S. Rigdon, to be published, that his name might cease to wield an influence against us. After much deliberation, Unanimously Voted that Elder Marks be cited for trial before this Council, in the Seventie's Hall on Mon. the 9th inst at ten o'clock AM. for refusing to comply with the Covenant made by him to said Council on last Saturday, viz to sustain the Twelve and all the Quorums of the Church; and also Voted that his wife be notified to attend with him, said inteligince to be given by the clerk.
Voted that Sister Hannah Ells be notified by the clerk to attend the Council at the time and place above specified, as evidence in the case for trial witness in matters to come before the Council.
Voted to adjourn till Monday next at ten o'clock A.M. to meet in the Seventie's Hall,
C.C. Pendleton Clk (3)
-- Dec. 9th 1844
[High Council Minutes]
The High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints met in the Seventie's Hall pursuant to adjournment, and opened, by prayer from Brother Thos Grover.
Presidents Orson Hyde, John Smith & Chas C. Rich sat with the council.
Councellors Present.
Saml Bent Jas. Allred
Lewis D. Wilson Alpheus Cutler
David Fulmer Geo. W. Harris
Thos Grover Aaron Johnson
Newel Knight Wm Huntington
Phineas Richards in place of E. T. Benson H. G. Sherwood
1stly Voted by the Council that Elder Samuel C. Brown deliver up his licence, which he refused to do.
2dly Voted that the said Saml C. Brown be cut off from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and for refusing to comply with the requitions of said Council, and notice of the same be given in the "Times and Seasons."
Elder Wm Marks was present, who after some consultation, signed the following article from the Twelve.
After mature and candid deliberation, I am fully and satisfactorily convinced that Mr Sidney Rigdon's claim to the presidency of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are not founded in truth. I have been deceived by his specious pretences, and now feel to warn every one over whom I may have any influence to beware of him and his pretended visions and revelations. The Twelve are the proper authorities persons to lead the church.*
Nauvoo Dec. 9th 1844. William Marks
Council voted to adjourn till next Saturday at one o'clock P.M.
C.C. Pendleton Clk
*Note This clause acknowledgeing the authority of the "Twelve," was a voluntary addition of Elder Marks.
C.C.P. (3)
Footnotes:
1 - Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple
2 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
3 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
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