Mormon History, Feb 9, 1846

John Page Disfellowshipped-- No general message of the Quorum of the Twelve to the Church has been located for the period from October 31, 1845 to February 9, 1846. However, there were a series of letters written during this period. While no available copies of these letters have been located, it is known that letters were written by Brigham Young and the Quorum to Wilford Woodruff on November 19, 1845. This letter is mentioned in DHC 7:530. Letters were written on December 17, 1845, to Honorable William L. Marcy, Secretary of War of the United States; Honorable Stephen A. Douglas; Honorable John Wentworth; and to Wilford Woodruff. The letters to Marcy, Douglas, and Wentworth are mentioned in DHC 7:547. A letter was written on January 1, 1846, to David S. Hollister.
This Message of February 9, 1846, directed "To the Saints of God" announces the action of the Quorum of the Twelve in disfellowshipping one of their own number, John E. Page. He was excommunicated from the Church June 27, 1846. The Message states: "He has been on the background and in the shade ever since he failed to fulfill his mission to Jerusalem in company with Elder Hyde." John E. Page and Orson Hyde had been called to the mission to Palestine at the April Conference in 1840. He therefore had been "on the background and in the shade" for six years before he was disfellowshipped. Again an illustration of the long-suffering and patience of the leadership of the Church with erring members. For additional background see: CHC 2:24, 43-45, 431.
JOHN E. PAGE of the Council of the Twelve Disfellowshipped Nauvoo, Feb. 9, 1846. To the Saints of God. Dear Brethren and Sisters: We take this opportunity to say to you that we have no fellowship with Elder John E. Page, in consequence of his murmuring disposition, and choosing to absent himself from our councils, and then saying that he is made a servant and slave of by his quorum, and has had no privileges in the Temple, when the plain truth is, he has chosen to stand aside from us, and because we would let him do so, he has murmured about it. He has been on the background and in the shade ever since he failed to fulfill his mission to Jerusalem in company with Elder Hyde.
Now, beloved brethren, you are not bound to look to him as one of the Twelve Apostles, for he has yielded himself up to temptation, and he cannot resist the spirit of apostasy which inspired him to find fault with the organization of the church.
We, therefore, your brethren in solemn council, being grieved at his murmurings and dissension, and also at his yielding himself up to temptation willingly and without cause, have withdrawn the hand of fellowship from him until he comes to us and gives satisfaction for his dissension; and the saints are released from all covenants and obligations to abide his counsel.
Done in council the day and date above written. [Signed] BRIGHAM YOUNG, President, HEBER C. KIMBALL, PARLEY P. PRATT, GEORGE A. SMITH, ORSON PRATT, JOHN TAYLOR, WILLARD RICHARDS. Orson Hyde, Clerk. {1846-February 9-DHC 7:582-583}

[Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]