[Minutes, Quorum of Twelve] Sunday Dec[embe]r. 18/47 11 A.M. Meeting in Drs. office.
Pres[iden]ts. [Brigham] Young, [Willard] Richards, [Orson] Pratt, [Wilford] Woodruff, [George A.] Smith, [Amasa] Lyman, & [Ezra T.] Benson. Phinehas H. Young, E[rastus] Snow.
Letter from John Smith /Salt Lake City/ to G. A. Smith [was] read-
Epistle to the Saints throughout the world [was] read by T[homas]. B[ullock]. (H[eber]. C. Kimball came in)
[A]lso [a] letter from Coll. Stevenson, Mormon Battalion, to Capt. Jefferson Hunt-
[A]lso [a] letter from Orson Hyde to George A. Smith-
[A]lso [an] Epistle from the Hi[gh] Council, Great Salt Lake City to Pres[ide]n[t]. Young & Council.
[A]lso [a] list of persons who wish to be released from John D Lee-
W Richards[:] "I move that the persons named in that paper be released"-A. Lyman seconded. Carried.
H. C. Kimball[:] I feel to prophesy good concerning bro Lee-[H]e will yet rise & do good.
A. Lyman[:] I feel it will be a blessing to him-
[A]t 10 min[utes] past 2 [the] Council adjourned going to the Hi[gh] Council-in the Council House.
Capt[ai]n. Hosea Stout said some of the Police wanted to have some of their wages off set for tithing-
N]ewell]. K. W[hitney].[: S]ome of them have raised crops-[and] some have not-[T]he qu[estion] is how shall we tithe them-every tenth da[y] or 10th [of the] crop[?]-
G. A. Smith[:] "I motion that Bishop Whitney take the Police Orders for their tithing."
W[illiam]. Major second[ed].
B. Young[: T]he 1st. thing to enquire is shall they pay tithing? I believe in their paying tithing-The next thing is how shall they pay it? The law is every person must pay tithing-if it is only a pound of rue-
H C K[: A]ccording to that, the Church pays the poor s tithing-
B. Young[: F]asting & tithing are two different things-[I]f you have a mind to turn their tithing on the tax of the poor-its all right. [W]e want to take every precaution not to oppress any individual-[T]hat will free the poor from the tax, but exempts no one from tithing-
H. C. K.[:] The more you retrieve a man or woman from duty-the more you may do it-[I]t is better to put the law of tithing in force on every man & woman-
B. Young[: B]ro Sanders case is desperate, he has been worth a deal of money, & the Church now has it-I believe we ought to become Saviors of men, & not ride a man to apostacy-John Taylor abused him on the Stand-
H. C. K.[:] I can reckon up 36,000 dollars that he has let go, most of it, the Church has now-
I got [$]12,000 at one time-
N K W.[:] "I motion that bro Ellis M. Sanders tithing, be allowed on his claim against the Church".
B. Young-[T]he law of God in tithing, is binding on this Church, without any alteration, & the people will be tithed on the coming of Jesus. [L]et the tithing be paid on those tax bills where it ought not to be collected-[B]y & by if a man gets rich & boasts too much, he can be shewn the books that there, his taxes were remitted-
Hosea Stout gave an account of the Stray Yard-& Father Lot s cattle destroying Hyrum s Wes Corn-
Pres[iden]t. Young instructed br. Fielding to prefer a charge against him before this Hi[gh]
Council-
[source: Minutes, Quorum of Twelve]
Mormon History, Dec 12, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Sund. Decr 12th 1847. Went to Council. Scott & Meeks case up. I acted as defendant in this case here in Meeks place. We had a long trial which lasted nearley all day. We gained however & the Council sustained the police in every particular. The Twelve were also present who also sustained us. Emmetts case was also up too about the property taken & I believe laid over
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Dec 12, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 12th Sunday I preached in our ward at Br Pulsiphers & spent the evening at Br W. Richards.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Dec 11, 1847 (Saturday)
Philemon C. Merrill, with fifteen others of the Mormon Battalion, arrived at Winter Quarters; they left G.S.L. City Oct. 8th.
[source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
Mormon History, Dec 11, 1847
William Wines Phelps: Rebaptized 11 December 1847.
[source: 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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[source: 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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
Mormon History, Dec 11, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Sat Dec 11th 1847. Atending to the police affairs. Sixteen of our Brethren who went in the army returned today from the valley.
They had an uncommon hard time. Suffered extreemly with cold and hunger,Was detained ten days at the Loup fork by floating ice. They report more on the way. All was well in the valley.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
They had an uncommon hard time. Suffered extreemly with cold and hunger,Was detained ten days at the Loup fork by floating ice. They report more on the way. All was well in the valley.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Dec 11, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 11th I spent the day at home choping wood.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Dec 10, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Friday Decr 10th 1847. Finished rectifying the police books which was a tedious job. Settling diverse police & guard accounts.
Elias Gardner the police Collector set or deputized A. J. Stout to finish the collecting for the police. Major took another pull at my likeness again today.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Elias Gardner the police Collector set or deputized A. J. Stout to finish the collecting for the police. Major took another pull at my likeness again today.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Dec 10, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 10th I killed A pig weighing about 150 lbs, & finished our stables.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Dec 9, 1847
William Wines Phelps: Excommunicated 9 December 1847.
[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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[source: 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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[source: 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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
Mormon History, Dec 9, 1847
[Minutes, Quorum of Twelve] 9 Decem[be]r 1847
Bro John D Lee said to me that Brigham told him if he would give up Emeline to him he would uphold him in time and in eternity & he never should fall, but that he would sit at his right hand in his kingdom-
Bro Lee also said he had frigged Louisa Free 20 times in one night and I told him I did not believe it, [but] he called God and Angels to witness that he told the truth-I then told him he was a bigger fool than I thought he was if he would allow his arse to run away with his head, [and] he said he believed he had the Devil in him for he could not get satisfied, [and] he went home from here after frigging so often and frigged all the women he had in his house. [He] also told him me that Emeline Woolsey was a dirty little strumpet & if she went of[f] to St Louis or St Joseph where her Bro[ther]: was that she would allow everybody to frigg her & he would not take her when she came back.
G[eorge]. D. Grant
Dec[ember]. 9, 1847. 11 A.M. A Special Council At a meeting of the Council of the Twelve & Presidency of Seventies in the Council House.
Present. Pres[iden]ts. [Willard] Richards, [Ezra T.] Benson, [George A.] Smith, [Wilford] Woodruff, [Brigham] Young, [Orson] Pratt, J[oseph]. Young, Z[era]. Pulsipher, A[lbert]. P. Rockwood, G[eorge]. D. Grant, B[enjamin]. L. Clapp, Bishop Knight, A[aron]. Johnson, W[illia]m. I. Appleby.
J[ohn]. D. Lee appeared to answer to his past misconduct-
Joseph Young opened by prayer (24 min[utes] to 12) & then stated the cause of being called together. [B]ro. J. D. Lee is one of the 70s. [T]here is not a man in this Camp but what has heard of bro Lee & his family. I have turned a deaf ear on acc[oun]t. of the delicate nature of the case-I could not stop any longer-& the enquiry is what shall we do-I must enquire into bro Lee s circ[umstanc]es if I run ag[ain]st. a Snag. [T]his is a Council of enquiry-Documents have been written to me, from Sis Nancy Bean, Martha Berry & I want to know if these things are so-[T]his is a matter of fellowship with me, not [that] a man shall be exonerated from such things-I want to know if we are big enough to reprove bro Lee & save his Soul-& for the Twelve to say if we are right or wrong-
Rob[er]t. Campbell read a document from Nancy Bean., also another Document by G[eorge].
D. Grant-[T]hese things concern a matter of fellowship-& I want bro Lee as know as he is one of the 70s that he is bef[ore]: the proper tribunal-
J. D. Lee [said he] has a charge that he never expected to be on his head-[A]s the God that rules in heaven & before God & Angels the greater part of the statements are false-I did not suppose any man had greater veneration for authorities than me-[T]o the best of my knowledge I never made use of such expressions in regard to Joseph-So help me God-[S]everal attempts were made to remove me from Presiding where I was-I wanted to know what crime I had committed-an enquiry was made. I said I was a Hi[gh] Priest, & never said I was not a 70-[T]he difference was settled between me & the parties who were concerned in my household affairs-[T]he police decided they had nothing to do with it-[T]here were more lies told in this Winter Quarters about me last Summer than wo[ul]d. fill this Council House, if each lie was no bigger than a mustard seed-I made arrangements with Sister Beans Father about Nancy going with me next Spring-[S]he treated me most shameful-she is very high Spirited. I never sent Caroline Williams away from me-[though] she had done enough for me to send her off.-I have been imprudent in some things-I am sorry these things are raked up to destroy my influence-[M]y feelings have been this Summer that I wo[ul]d. be glad if the Earth would open & swallow me up, & I would be glad if it were so now-I have always been obedient to the Council & am now-why I sho[ul]d. be accused in this way I know not-& am sorry to see persons who take pleasure in causing me to suffer. (proceding by Jos[ep]h. Young or questioned)
G[eorge]. D. Grant[:] I had no such idea of persecution altho[ugh] I heard this conversation of shooting one another-I wanted the thing settled-I can find dozens of men in this Court who he has talked to about his frigging his Women-I have heard it from dozens-& things a great deal more ridiculous than that-I like to see things done right. I dont want to see a man walk up bef[ore]. bro. Young full of compassion, & behind his back full of devil-
Jos[ep]h. Young [:] If I understand what decency is-these matters try his salvation. /fellowship./ [F]irst one & then another come down & tell me these things-[B]ro Stewart tells me all manner of stuff about bro Lee. Sister Bean told me these things as being in the presence of God-
I know by the Sp[irit] of the Lord that bro Lee got some of those women by fraud-& I know he ought to be whipt-[M]y Soul is wrung out of me by these things & he ought to feel the smart of it.
[B]r Lee was disgusted at me in Nauvoo when I proposed to him to pick a Quorum of his own & for him to preside-[B]ut he said he wo[ul]d. not be content unless he was in my Councils-[H]e is tyrannical-& no man got the bighead more than he had-[W]ill every man & woman come from the Farm & make complaints without some foundation[?]-Sis Berry says that the language in your house is [the] same as a Common Strumpet House-I know that bro Lee is worthy of reproof-& unless he alters his course he cannot have the fellowship of the Quo[rum]. of the 70s. I dont want any man to cover up the truth-I know that his course is most dastardly, calling every woman bitches, strumpets, & every thing nasty about the privates-[H]e has got to walk up to virtue & chastity & lead his women by a thread, instead of driving them with a cable-[H]e has been too big for his Cloth. I know it O Lord-[blank] (H. C. Kimball came in) [D]oes God love every man [a]like[?]-
[H]e is no respecter of persons-[L]et it go on the Dockets & stand against him-if he is unrighteous he is unrighteous & will be dealt with accord[in]g. to his merits-I have heard testimonies enough about it-& all the Sophistry he can make use of until Sundown can make me bel[iev]e otherwise-
[B]r Lee has not denied those charges, he has threatened to cut one of his women s throats-& drove another out of his house-[W]hat a poor consolation it is to call me daddy, or husband, with hell to look upon in his house-[H]e will have to have his Sp[irit] melted down like Wax-[I]f he throws out braces ag[ain]st. reproof he is bound to be more deserving of reproof than he now is-[Y]our being in bro Brighams family will not save you, unless you do right-[I]t is disgraceful & wicked in the sight of God-Martha Berry told me it was thro[ugh] deception.-I just bel[ieve], if " of the Stories are true that every one of them are liberated from him & he cannot hold them unless it is their own free will to stay-
J. D. Lee[:] I do not put my foot ag[ain]st. reproof. I am not going to say it is not so-it is useless to say any thing in justification-& I will try & be like wax. I want you to hang on to me & not cast me off. I pray God that things will come out as they are-& let every body suffer who deserves it-[E]very thing about Sis Berry is to get her awa[y] from me & to seal her to Amasa Lyman-[P]erhaps I have been too forward-I ask every one pardon. I hope some day all things will be investigated-[A]s to bro Johnson he will run his race short with any one I prophecy that- (B[righam]. Y[oung].[: N]ot while I have any thing to do with him.)
A. P. Rockwood[:] I feel that bro. Joseph has hoed him down pretty severely & not without cause-
B. Y.[: W]hat we do here is for anoth each others good-[W]e must not quench the Sp[irit]. of the L[or]d., if it comes like forked lightning let it come-
J. D. Lee[:] I saw Martha Berry ab[ou]t. 3 weeks ago & talked with her, [and] she said her mother was expecting I would be cut off from the Church & she was told to hold on-
B. L. Clapp[:] Mrs. Berry told me of these same things-[M]y advice to Martha was [to] keep your Covenant with bro Lee-I am sorry of bro Lee s failures & imperfections-he is a passionate man-I would be glad to see him redeem himself-I feel that t
he reproof has been from the Lord-
B Y.[: I] ask J. D. Lee, did you sa[y] to M. Bean what you had done for her was by bro.
Brigham s council[?]-Ans[we].r.[:] I have had a deal of trouble with that woman-she wo[ul]d. curse & swear like a trooper-I told her to go away if she was dissatisfied-[and] she caused Louisa to be dissatisfied-I struck Louisa with a switch-[S]he humbled herself-I was sorry-[and] she acknowledged it was all for her good-
Jos[ep]h. Young[:] Did you whip your old wife[?]-J D Lee[:] No Sir.-I am satisfied we never sho[ul]d. have any trouble-I never threw the brick at her as God is my judge.
J. Young-Wherever a man goes beyond, where is placed, that thing begins to react & falls back on him-[W]here God places a man he can manage that thing even to splitting a hair-If bro Lee had weighed himself in the sight of God he wo[ul]d. have saved himself & this thing wo[ul]d. not have happened-[W]ithout there is a reformation in bro Lee he can not have the fellowship of the 70s. [H]is soul must be chastened bef[ore]. the Lord-[H]e must be reproved, that he may be saved-God is no respecter of persons-Go it. Go it. with the smoothing plane until the Sp[irit] of the L[or]d. comes down & when these are righted-uphold him bef[ore]. all things-I pray God that bro Lee may-I wo[ul]d. wash his feet & anoint him over again.
B. Young. I have heard men talk of these Stories-[S]ome ma[y] have feelings right-others wrong-I have feelings ag[ain]st. conduct-I know bro G[eorge]. D. Grant has no feelings ag[ain]st. bro Lee, for I am a judge of Sp[irit]-I know what bro Joseph has said is spiritually true-I have trembled for bro Lee. I have been afraid of him going so far as to leave the Ch[urch]-[H]e has not got wisdom to manage such big business. I expect he did wrong-I told him how to divide the land-& draw cuts-I understand bro. Lee took 70 acres-& sent Men a great wa[y] to cultivate 2 acres. I know that bro Lee has women who are disgusted with such Language-[M]y Council is not to get so many Women together, it is a ticklish matter-
J. Young[: A]s regards [to] the great no. [number] of bre[thre]n with me, you have got to take a strait course with your men & women-[E]ither release the[m], or have them passive-I feel that a man who has power with the Lord, should quell down this Sp[irit]-[I]f it continues you will be lopt off-[I]f you plead you have done right that s no justification-[C]ry out forgive me & I will try to do good-
B. Young[:] I wo[ul]d. say to every man & woman [that] I am perfectly willing. I will give you a writing-be free, be happy, I say to you-I know bro Lee s course-I have trembled for him, lest he sho[ul]d. soar where he co[ul]d. not keep his balance & fall. [T]here is no o[the]r. course for bro Lee but to let every man & woman be free-[I]f you take 99 men & women out of 100-he will tell you 99 truths to the woman telling 1 truth-[T]he women will cry to think that I should think so-[T]hey will lie in the name of the Lord-& in their own name-[T]hey are dependent on men to save them-I feel that I co[ul]d. say to every man & woman go in peace & the Lord bless you & I bless you-but yet I would lug the load just as long as the Lord helps me-(5 min[utes] past 2)
B. Y.[:] I decide that your remarks to bro Lee have been just & right.
J. Y.[:] I move that bro Lee puts himself in the attitude to his family. that B. Y.[:] /I move that/ The best way is to call a family meeting & talk to them, tell them he is frank & free & wants to do right. & if [there is] any wrong [it] is in them [and] they to bear it-[I]f they want their liberty they are perfectly free-[T]hey have either to turn round & hold their tongues or admit they are in the wrong-
J. D. Lee sec[onde]d. [A]ll said I [aye].
I want bro Lee to take a solemn, calm, judicious course & not speak unbecoming of his women folks-
J. Y.[:] bro Lees send a letter to Nancy Bean & Martha Berry & all you can get together-I thank God my Heavenly Father, for this doing my duty this day & thank bro Brigham for helping me to do my duty-
J. D. Lee [:] I want to do right-
B. Y.[:] If a woman leaves a good man, they can not do better, but they make their bed in sorrow-[I]f they think they can do better, they will find they are in sorrow-& they will learn by what they suffer-
B. Young[:] /[I]n regard to dancing-/ my charge to the Bishop is-[to] let no man within these doors until he has paid his dollar or copple-[T]hey man commence at 10 oclock in the morning but must close at 9 oclock at night-[T]he "th of the proceeds to go to the Bishop for the poor-the question is-Is there any objection to bro Gates keeping a dancing School in the Council house[?]
Answer-No-[H]e may have a dancing School, on the understanding that br Gates pays "th of the proceeds to Bishop Knights for the benefit of the poor-and brother Gates proposes to pay another fourth to bro. Brigham Young-[T]he School must close each night at 9 oclock- 25 min[utes] to 3 seperate-
9 Decem[be]r. 1847 Council house " to 11. A.M. Pursuant to appointment and notice given convened-
[O]f the Twelve.[:] W[illard]. Richards., W[ilford]. Woodruff., E[zra]. T. Benson., B[righam]. Young., O[rson] Pratt.
Seventies[:] J[oseph]. Young., Z[era]. Pulsipher., A[lbert]. P. Rockwood., B[enjamin]. S. Clapp., Geo[rge]. D. Grant., J[ohn]. D. Lee. Aaron Johnson. R[eynolds]. C[ahoon].
B. Y.[:] I will now hold my tongue. I have been invited in by you. (turning to Jos. Young.)
Pres[iden]t. J. Young then opened the Council by prayer [at] 24 /min[utes]/ to 12 /n./ and said, I will introduce the subject of our coming together. [I]t is our privilege to have the 12. & we wished them to day. Br J. D. Lee I suppose is one of the Elders of the Seventies-(J D Lee[:] I don t know anything to the contrary.) I don t like to have anything to do in cases where matters so delicate come before us. [A]s to Bro. Lee s carreer. there is not a man in this Council but knows something of Bro Lee & his family. I have turned a deaf ear to those who have come to me about him. I am Bro Lees friend & he mine. & I have never taken any action. [H]is family [is] connected with mine & my Brothers but things have come to my ear so that I cannot longer hold still, & this is a Council of enquiring-[A] doc[ument is] here written of to me-& to enquire of me. I want to ask Bro Lee some questions-& those things proved are a matter of fellowship. I don t interfere in family arra[ngements] but God will not uphold me or my Council, if we don t rebuke iniquity wherever it presents itself. & I have understood that he has said that he is not amenable to anybody but B. Y. R. C. then read two documents, one signed by Nancy Bean [and] the other the offspring of George D Grant-
J. Y.[:] I want Bro Lee to answer yea or nay to these questions as in the presence of God-& he has asked. Who is Joseph Young[?]-& insinuated he belong[s] somewhere not amenable to me.
J D Lee[:] I rise before you under a charge I never expected to have heaped upon me, [but there is] one thing to cheer me, that if I am charged I will not sink unless guilty-[I will] begin at the first point-who is Joseph Young. I did not think any man had more reverence to the authorities & such an expression I never used, nor such a thought never entered into my mind so help me God.
[T]here is a wicked and cruel influence against me in the S[eventies]. Q[uorum]. Camp., but they would not have reasons brought up against me, & they wanted to put a H[igh] Priest in-& I said I was a H[igh] Priest. [I]f I am not a H[igh] P[riest] I dont understand the p[riesthood. S]ome of my good Brethren [are] /so/ afraid of me doing wrong that they wanted to sacrif[ic]e thro[ugh] jealousies before hand lest I should do wrong-[He] told the story about his accusation by the S.Q. Camp & said [there were] enough lies to fill this Council house if each be not larger than a tobacco seed-[I] had come down here from that Camp-[and] when I heard the statements of Nancy Bean. I was thunderstruck-[F]or I am now writing a letter to her, & she visited me lately when I gave her some things to make her clothing, & I further know that if Nancy had not been put [? to it she never would hav
e said anything-I never sent sister Williams off from me-but she had an invitation to go & went with sister Allen-[S]he had done enough for me to send her off-I never recollect of saying to Bro: Grant that if I should be upheld by Brigh[am]. & sit on his right hand-I have reposed secrets in others bosoms but I have learned better-I will make satisfaction to anybody who comes to me alone-& do anything-I have thought that all men hated me, and wondered what the reason was, but it is said Woe to you when all men love you-[I]n Nauvoo I had friends on every side-[W]hen I wanted money I could get it. & I wondered I was troubl[e]d about that principle-for I thought I did not walk right or it would not be so, but this Summer has given me a fulness-[T]here is Bre[thren]. watching iniquity & would sacrifice me for a word-I am sorry that Bre[thren]. take pleasure in it. I have done the best I could last Sumer, & never tried more to do good & be humble than in S.Q. If I ever did, I hope the Lord will never give me Salvation if I dont spoke the truth.
J. Y.[:] You are away from the point. If a man is hemmed up let him admit [it] & that will thro[w] light about him.
G. D. Grant. [A]s to persecuting. I would not do it-I went to fa[ther] Morley & told him that the Bre[thren] were threat[en]ing to shoot one another up at the farm. & I was told by the Council to bring it up. & I have heard those things that he talks off but there are 6 or 7 told me. Bro Campbell has heard him & others. [S]traiten me up if I am wrong. I like to see a man that walks up behind another man, as if he was before him.
J. Y[: L]ast Spring when the stories [had] come down. it went in at one ear & come out at another. [S]ome ask[ed] me is there no salvation but thro[ugh] Bro Lee[?] Bro Levi. Stuart says-
Bro. Lee s mouth is full of all kind of vulgarity. I was invited to Bro. Beans-[but] refused-
[A]fterwards [I] went. & Bro. Campbell wrote as she spoke. Bro. Lee told me that woman to leave him-& I know his things are multiplied & he needs a whipping-[H]e has got some by fraud-
[L]ay every enducement for p[eo]pl[e] to come into my kingdom rather [than] wait till the resurrection & get a kingdom. I want Bro Lee to feel the smart of it. [T]hese things come by a man being too anxious. I offered him ten of the Best men to preside over & a Quorum but he said No, Joseph, he would not accept of any office in this kingdom below the 12 except in your Presid[enc]y-[He had] been a head of the times-[H]e talks of the big head, [and] no man I know has more-[H]e is tyrannical in his family-[W]ill all come from the Camp & say. you are out of the way, and tyrannical. [I]s that all false[?] No. [H]is women say can he save us & the man ask can we have Salvation thro[ugh] anybody else[?] No. says he. Sister Berry says [that] Baudy language has been used as in a strumpet house & she would rather go to Hell than live there. We will cut him off from the 70s Q[u]o[rum, &] if the 12 hold him on he will be held altho not by conviction that it ought to be so.
[H]e says [he] acted like a bad man & used every kind of vulgarity & he gently lead[s] & guide[s] him by a thread-[E]ven the Spirit of the Lord & every man ought to knew this Spirit if he has a kingdom like Lees. [H]e was too officious & dic[tated] the Pres[i]d[enc]y, more than any other man. I knew he had the Big head in Nauvoo. I would just as [soon] le[a]ve go ag[ains]t. any other man as Bro Lee. & Bro Lee as any other man if he is worthy, & the Council of the 70s will deal with Brot Lee & if we deal wrong, then the 12 will deal with us. [I]t is not all Sophistry he can use till night that can reason me out of all I know. It has been th[e] Bre[thre]n, are all those good Bre[thren] lieing about him[? W]hat would I think if I threatened to cut my wife s throat-or send been coaxed into my family[?] I knew Bro Lee started wrong-[U]ntil he is used so he can become like wax & be ready to be moulded into any mould no man need cloak up. [A]s he has these charges. he has not denied them, but [does] try to cover them up. [A]s to who Jos. Young is, Bro Lee, I have no feelings about that-[R]eproof is good for you-you must take it. [A]nd as to this threatening men s lives- & vulgarity, its wrong. [A]re your statements [about] Sister Martha Berry, are they true[? H]ave you been fraudently coaxed into this kingdom, & [if] these things are true you can be liberated-& I doe believe if one half of the stories [are] true that they can all be liberated-I am glad I am in the presence of those who know better than me.
J D Lee-I am not going to deny. [I]t is useless to say anything in justification, & if it is my unfortunate lot to be hewn down & cut up & melted like wax. I will try & become melted & go into any mould you want to me-& I want the Bre[thren] to hold on to me as long as I can & see if I cannot become like clay.-when men [A]ll I want is that things come ought straight-& some where they have the ax will feel differently. Martha Berrys mother sgt. in the first place. I am in your hands-& I have tried to do the best but perhaps doing [I have been doing] wrong all the time. I hope some [good] things will come out. [A]s to Bro Johnson, I will prophecy his race will be short-
B. Y.[:] Not if I keep him he wont. G D Grant[:] I believe that.
J. D. Lee. I believe Bro Snarr [?] [is] as well satisfied as any other man.
B. Y.[:] Are you satisfied you Pres[iden]ts[?] A[lbert]. P. R[ockwood]. I think Bro Joseph has hoed him pretty severly but all for good.
B. Y.[:] We cut & slash each other here, but we have got to learn that this is the place to let it come as it is in us if it should be like the forked lightning-or like the gentle rain & we should not leave here but until we could kiss one another, but out of here it sleeps in eternal oblivion. never to be raked up.-
A. P. R. told a story about Bro Johnsons having told him that Lee said if the Law of God [is] put in execution My head should leave my body-because I did not let him dance the third turn after he had danced the two successive figures of the tre after he came in.
J. D. Lee. told the story for he just came in. I was going away so he wanted to dance- successively. I felt about it very keenly-but we settled it there. [It was] a calculation to conspire ag[ains]t. me.
B. Y.[: A]ll you say about other men-will turn ag[ains]t. you.
J. D. Lee. I want to see sister Martha Berry, [and] talke to her kindly. [I] saw [that] something [was] the matter-[S]he told me her Mo[ther]. said that when B. Y. came back you cut off from the church.
B. L. C.[: O]ld Lady Sister Berry-asked me the same question as Bro Joseph. & I told Martha to keep her covenant-& the time would roll round when I thought Bro Lee would make her happy., at least if he felt as I did he would. Bro Lee, like myself, [is] a passionate man-[I]t would be my joy to see Bro. Lee redeem himself. I have no reprove to give him. Joseph has reproved him.
[S]omething said in Bro Lee s statements as if I or Joseph had used an influence with Nancy Bean to say as she has. [But] it is not so. I took her to Mo. as he says. & I went in there to Beans at the request of Bro Joseph. & I council & advice [advise] Bro Lee to humble [himself] & get the Sp[i]r[it] of the Lord.
B. Y.[: D]id you say to Nancy Bean that what you have done you have done by Bro Brighams council & as he did with his women in flogging[?]
J. D. Lee. Nancy [is] very ungovernable & if p[eo]pl[e] knew how I would be used [they would] feel different. I councilled with her & reasoned with her-[but] she said she would do as she pleased-[It] caused Louisa to be dissatisfied. [I] took a walk with her-[and she] put me at defiance-[I] said to Nancy you have been sealed to me-& you look to me for your salvation-
[S]he said to hell with your Council. [T]hen I picked up a switch & struck her once. [S]he humbled herself-& I took her in my arms. & she did well for a long time.
J. Y.[:] I have heard that you have switched or choked your old wife.
J. D. Lee[:] No I have not. [W]e never would have had a bit of trouble if it had not been for persons interfering with my family. All my family positively say I did not strick
Nancy with the Brick bat-neither did I ever kick her.
J. Y.[:] You go before your calling & it will react back upon you to your condemnation-& if a man has illicit connexion with a woman it will react upon him.
J. Young[:] Bro Lee, got a head of me out of sight he cannot retain his standing unless he is reformed. & he has travelled with me-& he has done those things & I fellowship for him. These feelings in me have been stirring in me for a year-Bre[thre]n. say-Joseph what do you say about these things, [do you] cut off a man for a little offence[?]-[B]ut others go unpunished-[I]s God a respecter of persons[?] Bro Lee is a man inflexible as the marble & is determined & will accomplish as things. [B]ut I will reprove him & admonish him.
J. D. Lee.[:] Thats right Joseph. I could wash his feet if he [was] humble & could anoint him once again. & [I] will never turn a deaf ear to his cries if they are right.
Bro Lee [was] crying out.
E. T. B.[:] Joseph Smith motioned that Jos Young be a Pres[iden]t. of the 70 in time & all eternity. B. Y.[: A]s long as he is faithful. H C K.[:] I knew Joseph would /be/ faithful. B. Y.[:] I knew it too, but I rule take care when I make cov[enan]ts.
B. Y.[:] I want to say a few things. Bro Lee has intimated that some have feelings-Bro Geo has. I can talk of a man & have no private feelings. Bro G[eorge]. D. Grant has no feelings only to do right. & now to Bro Lee. I am a judge of Spirits. I knew what Joseph has said is spiritualy true & Joseph has no feelings-[B]ut what are right & correct[?] I know it is. I have trembled for Bro Lee. & he has not got wisdom to accomplish what he has on his hands, [the] same with his farm. I expect he has done wrong in the division of the Land. & so has f[ath]e[r] morly, but it is a slip. Bro Lee has not been in a situation to receive reproof-it kills him. Bro Lee has taken 70 acres right thro. & the Bre[thren] had to go off to the timber to cultivate 2 acres. [H]is mind grasps more than he can manage. I heard a good deal of Bro Lees family & it puts me in mind of the Connecticut traveller.
Bro Lee has got women there that are disgusted with such vulgarity. I have told Bro Lee to separate his family & I know that women cant live many of them together without making fish of one & flesh of the other. I never have any difficulty-I let every one do as they please & give them sweet cake-
[I]f I would undertake to straiten matters the thread [would] break [and] the garment would not hold.
J. D.Lee,[:] What am I to do Bro Joseph[?]
J. Y.[:] I can only answer qualifiedly as far as concerns me & my fellowship & the 70. [T]hey have got to see a straight course & then p arranged with your family, so that they dont come to me [for] its all the time arrows & death. [T]hey must be liberated, set free, & I feel as tho[ugh] a man like you ought to call on the Lord & get salt. & salt your family. it will [Y]ou have lost the fellowship of 2/3 of the Quo[rum]. [I]t is no way to excuse yourself & say-I ll try to do the right thing,-but you cant get it if you justify yourselve[s]-
B. Y.[:] If they are in a palace & feels bound they are not satisfied-I would say to all sealed to me that I am willing to give you free and at liberty-& give you a writing & I have been out of the way, but set you [at] liberty, & If I can do anything for you I am willing. I just know that the Br love Bro Lee but his course-I have trembled for Bro Lee. [I] knew his disposition & mind., lest he should soar to where he would lose his Balance to rise no more. [There is] no other course for Bro Lee. but to give every liberty to all belonging him then he will feel free-If you get a woman that is so righteous when punched sore she would not lie. It s a miracle. Men & women are n & n. I know of instances in the Ch[urch] [where] 90 tim[es] or 100. he will tell you the truth, 99 times out of a man where /you will get/ once a woman to an[swer]. [T]ake a sister & she will cry and look & live in the name of the Lord. [W]hen a man will tell the truth. Men are honest-but women have to be dependent of men for their Salvation, You get a woman that wont lie when punched hard enough & if she wont lie, she is a miracle. I ll tell you I never love a woman so wel[l] that I cannot say good bye. [W]hen men have their affections placed in a woman then they can put a sting-but if you can give all your women a discharge & feel well-I say I m glad to get a preaching Hallelugh-Glory- & when a man dont feel so he is in bondage & I feel will never put fetter in my life. Happy-thats the matter with John, he has loved his women too much & frigged them too much. [T]o be a good seaman-let him be f[aith]f[u]l, [and] in the time of a storm let a man be true to his friends & in [a] storm then it will go sleek in a calm. I feel as tho I would want an acre for a stand if I could get to preach to the world.
Dr. W. R.[:] 20 & & 5 min[utes]. & "all is undoubtedly well."
J. Y.[:] Whats the decision of this Council.
B. Y.[:] I decide that your saying to Bro Lee is true & just (aye all round).
J. Y.[:] I move that Bro Lee does with his family as B. Y. stays.
J. D. Lee[:] I second that. B. Y.[:] I will tell you, get his (Lees) family to gether, [and] you attend [to] it & I wil[l]. if not interfered with other app[ointmen]ts., & tell them they are free. & the Pres[iden]ts. of the 70s there & sit down & give them liberty-[W]hat have they to say. They will either turn round-& say-we are in the fault & mean to stick to Bro Lee-or else go. & never speak.
J. Y.[:] Bro Lee [do] you second that[?] J D L[:] Yes-(Aye all round).
B. Y.[:] That set[s] all [blank] & I want those who stick to Bro Lee to be treated judiciously, calmly, & uprightly-[In] his family, [there are] some good yet [but] there are some that want to get to hear with their tongues loosened.
J. D. Lee[: S]ome of my family [are] scattered-
J. Y.[:] I thank my God & my heavenly father that I have redeemed my word-& Bro Brig[ham] & his Council have helped me to do it.
J. D. Lee.[:] B. Y. says he has trembled for me-I know its so-I thought what should I do to day, [and] felt as if I wanted to be struck out of existence & then think it is was foolishness-I long to see the day when my work will be accepted. & when I shall not have to get over come?
B. Y.[:] If a man suffers & is poor & his family leaves him because he is poor, they cant come it, & these things-[W]hen they leave John they will lie down in sorrow-& you have got to let them suffer before they can learn-John has done well in some things and what does his women need to kick him to pieces for they will lay down in sorrow.
B. Y.[:] Bishop Knight. I give you [a] charge that you have no dances here but what will be $1 for a /every/ couple that comes in, & you close the doors by 9 P. M. precisely.-By Bishop The question was asked if there was any objection to Bro: H. Gates keeping a dancing school on this side of the river & on the other. Ans[wer:] No.
It was agreed that he give one fourth to Bishop Knight & another to B. Young. Meeting dismissed [at] 20 min[utes] to 3.
[source: Minutes; Minutes; Minutes]
Bro John D Lee said to me that Brigham told him if he would give up Emeline to him he would uphold him in time and in eternity & he never should fall, but that he would sit at his right hand in his kingdom-
Bro Lee also said he had frigged Louisa Free 20 times in one night and I told him I did not believe it, [but] he called God and Angels to witness that he told the truth-I then told him he was a bigger fool than I thought he was if he would allow his arse to run away with his head, [and] he said he believed he had the Devil in him for he could not get satisfied, [and] he went home from here after frigging so often and frigged all the women he had in his house. [He] also told him me that Emeline Woolsey was a dirty little strumpet & if she went of[f] to St Louis or St Joseph where her Bro[ther]: was that she would allow everybody to frigg her & he would not take her when she came back.
G[eorge]. D. Grant
Dec[ember]. 9, 1847. 11 A.M. A Special Council At a meeting of the Council of the Twelve & Presidency of Seventies in the Council House.
Present. Pres[iden]ts. [Willard] Richards, [Ezra T.] Benson, [George A.] Smith, [Wilford] Woodruff, [Brigham] Young, [Orson] Pratt, J[oseph]. Young, Z[era]. Pulsipher, A[lbert]. P. Rockwood, G[eorge]. D. Grant, B[enjamin]. L. Clapp, Bishop Knight, A[aron]. Johnson, W[illia]m. I. Appleby.
J[ohn]. D. Lee appeared to answer to his past misconduct-
Joseph Young opened by prayer (24 min[utes] to 12) & then stated the cause of being called together. [B]ro. J. D. Lee is one of the 70s. [T]here is not a man in this Camp but what has heard of bro Lee & his family. I have turned a deaf ear on acc[oun]t. of the delicate nature of the case-I could not stop any longer-& the enquiry is what shall we do-I must enquire into bro Lee s circ[umstanc]es if I run ag[ain]st. a Snag. [T]his is a Council of enquiry-Documents have been written to me, from Sis Nancy Bean, Martha Berry & I want to know if these things are so-[T]his is a matter of fellowship with me, not [that] a man shall be exonerated from such things-I want to know if we are big enough to reprove bro Lee & save his Soul-& for the Twelve to say if we are right or wrong-
Rob[er]t. Campbell read a document from Nancy Bean., also another Document by G[eorge].
D. Grant-[T]hese things concern a matter of fellowship-& I want bro Lee as know as he is one of the 70s that he is bef[ore]: the proper tribunal-
J. D. Lee [said he] has a charge that he never expected to be on his head-[A]s the God that rules in heaven & before God & Angels the greater part of the statements are false-I did not suppose any man had greater veneration for authorities than me-[T]o the best of my knowledge I never made use of such expressions in regard to Joseph-So help me God-[S]everal attempts were made to remove me from Presiding where I was-I wanted to know what crime I had committed-an enquiry was made. I said I was a Hi[gh] Priest, & never said I was not a 70-[T]he difference was settled between me & the parties who were concerned in my household affairs-[T]he police decided they had nothing to do with it-[T]here were more lies told in this Winter Quarters about me last Summer than wo[ul]d. fill this Council House, if each lie was no bigger than a mustard seed-I made arrangements with Sister Beans Father about Nancy going with me next Spring-[S]he treated me most shameful-she is very high Spirited. I never sent Caroline Williams away from me-[though] she had done enough for me to send her off.-I have been imprudent in some things-I am sorry these things are raked up to destroy my influence-[M]y feelings have been this Summer that I wo[ul]d. be glad if the Earth would open & swallow me up, & I would be glad if it were so now-I have always been obedient to the Council & am now-why I sho[ul]d. be accused in this way I know not-& am sorry to see persons who take pleasure in causing me to suffer. (proceding by Jos[ep]h. Young or questioned)
G[eorge]. D. Grant[:] I had no such idea of persecution altho[ugh] I heard this conversation of shooting one another-I wanted the thing settled-I can find dozens of men in this Court who he has talked to about his frigging his Women-I have heard it from dozens-& things a great deal more ridiculous than that-I like to see things done right. I dont want to see a man walk up bef[ore]. bro. Young full of compassion, & behind his back full of devil-
Jos[ep]h. Young [:] If I understand what decency is-these matters try his salvation. /fellowship./ [F]irst one & then another come down & tell me these things-[B]ro Stewart tells me all manner of stuff about bro Lee. Sister Bean told me these things as being in the presence of God-
I know by the Sp[irit] of the Lord that bro Lee got some of those women by fraud-& I know he ought to be whipt-[M]y Soul is wrung out of me by these things & he ought to feel the smart of it.
[B]r Lee was disgusted at me in Nauvoo when I proposed to him to pick a Quorum of his own & for him to preside-[B]ut he said he wo[ul]d. not be content unless he was in my Councils-[H]e is tyrannical-& no man got the bighead more than he had-[W]ill every man & woman come from the Farm & make complaints without some foundation[?]-Sis Berry says that the language in your house is [the] same as a Common Strumpet House-I know that bro Lee is worthy of reproof-& unless he alters his course he cannot have the fellowship of the Quo[rum]. of the 70s. I dont want any man to cover up the truth-I know that his course is most dastardly, calling every woman bitches, strumpets, & every thing nasty about the privates-[H]e has got to walk up to virtue & chastity & lead his women by a thread, instead of driving them with a cable-[H]e has been too big for his Cloth. I know it O Lord-[blank] (H. C. Kimball came in) [D]oes God love every man [a]like[?]-
[H]e is no respecter of persons-[L]et it go on the Dockets & stand against him-if he is unrighteous he is unrighteous & will be dealt with accord[in]g. to his merits-I have heard testimonies enough about it-& all the Sophistry he can make use of until Sundown can make me bel[iev]e otherwise-
[B]r Lee has not denied those charges, he has threatened to cut one of his women s throats-& drove another out of his house-[W]hat a poor consolation it is to call me daddy, or husband, with hell to look upon in his house-[H]e will have to have his Sp[irit] melted down like Wax-[I]f he throws out braces ag[ain]st. reproof he is bound to be more deserving of reproof than he now is-[Y]our being in bro Brighams family will not save you, unless you do right-[I]t is disgraceful & wicked in the sight of God-Martha Berry told me it was thro[ugh] deception.-I just bel[ieve], if " of the Stories are true that every one of them are liberated from him & he cannot hold them unless it is their own free will to stay-
J. D. Lee[:] I do not put my foot ag[ain]st. reproof. I am not going to say it is not so-it is useless to say any thing in justification-& I will try & be like wax. I want you to hang on to me & not cast me off. I pray God that things will come out as they are-& let every body suffer who deserves it-[E]very thing about Sis Berry is to get her awa[y] from me & to seal her to Amasa Lyman-[P]erhaps I have been too forward-I ask every one pardon. I hope some day all things will be investigated-[A]s to bro Johnson he will run his race short with any one I prophecy that- (B[righam]. Y[oung].[: N]ot while I have any thing to do with him.)
A. P. Rockwood[:] I feel that bro. Joseph has hoed him down pretty severely & not without cause-
B. Y.[: W]hat we do here is for anoth each others good-[W]e must not quench the Sp[irit]. of the L[or]d., if it comes like forked lightning let it come-
J. D. Lee[:] I saw Martha Berry ab[ou]t. 3 weeks ago & talked with her, [and] she said her mother was expecting I would be cut off from the Church & she was told to hold on-
B. L. Clapp[:] Mrs. Berry told me of these same things-[M]y advice to Martha was [to] keep your Covenant with bro Lee-I am sorry of bro Lee s failures & imperfections-he is a passionate man-I would be glad to see him redeem himself-I feel that t
he reproof has been from the Lord-
B Y.[: I] ask J. D. Lee, did you sa[y] to M. Bean what you had done for her was by bro.
Brigham s council[?]-Ans[we].r.[:] I have had a deal of trouble with that woman-she wo[ul]d. curse & swear like a trooper-I told her to go away if she was dissatisfied-[and] she caused Louisa to be dissatisfied-I struck Louisa with a switch-[S]he humbled herself-I was sorry-[and] she acknowledged it was all for her good-
Jos[ep]h. Young[:] Did you whip your old wife[?]-J D Lee[:] No Sir.-I am satisfied we never sho[ul]d. have any trouble-I never threw the brick at her as God is my judge.
J. Young-Wherever a man goes beyond, where is placed, that thing begins to react & falls back on him-[W]here God places a man he can manage that thing even to splitting a hair-If bro Lee had weighed himself in the sight of God he wo[ul]d. have saved himself & this thing wo[ul]d. not have happened-[W]ithout there is a reformation in bro Lee he can not have the fellowship of the 70s. [H]is soul must be chastened bef[ore]. the Lord-[H]e must be reproved, that he may be saved-God is no respecter of persons-Go it. Go it. with the smoothing plane until the Sp[irit] of the L[or]d. comes down & when these are righted-uphold him bef[ore]. all things-I pray God that bro Lee may-I wo[ul]d. wash his feet & anoint him over again.
B. Young. I have heard men talk of these Stories-[S]ome ma[y] have feelings right-others wrong-I have feelings ag[ain]st. conduct-I know bro G[eorge]. D. Grant has no feelings ag[ain]st. bro Lee, for I am a judge of Sp[irit]-I know what bro Joseph has said is spiritually true-I have trembled for bro Lee. I have been afraid of him going so far as to leave the Ch[urch]-[H]e has not got wisdom to manage such big business. I expect he did wrong-I told him how to divide the land-& draw cuts-I understand bro. Lee took 70 acres-& sent Men a great wa[y] to cultivate 2 acres. I know that bro Lee has women who are disgusted with such Language-[M]y Council is not to get so many Women together, it is a ticklish matter-
J. Young[: A]s regards [to] the great no. [number] of bre[thre]n with me, you have got to take a strait course with your men & women-[E]ither release the[m], or have them passive-I feel that a man who has power with the Lord, should quell down this Sp[irit]-[I]f it continues you will be lopt off-[I]f you plead you have done right that s no justification-[C]ry out forgive me & I will try to do good-
B. Young[:] I wo[ul]d. say to every man & woman [that] I am perfectly willing. I will give you a writing-be free, be happy, I say to you-I know bro Lee s course-I have trembled for him, lest he sho[ul]d. soar where he co[ul]d. not keep his balance & fall. [T]here is no o[the]r. course for bro Lee but to let every man & woman be free-[I]f you take 99 men & women out of 100-he will tell you 99 truths to the woman telling 1 truth-[T]he women will cry to think that I should think so-[T]hey will lie in the name of the Lord-& in their own name-[T]hey are dependent on men to save them-I feel that I co[ul]d. say to every man & woman go in peace & the Lord bless you & I bless you-but yet I would lug the load just as long as the Lord helps me-(5 min[utes] past 2)
B. Y.[:] I decide that your remarks to bro Lee have been just & right.
J. Y.[:] I move that bro Lee puts himself in the attitude to his family. that B. Y.[:] /I move that/ The best way is to call a family meeting & talk to them, tell them he is frank & free & wants to do right. & if [there is] any wrong [it] is in them [and] they to bear it-[I]f they want their liberty they are perfectly free-[T]hey have either to turn round & hold their tongues or admit they are in the wrong-
J. D. Lee sec[onde]d. [A]ll said I [aye].
I want bro Lee to take a solemn, calm, judicious course & not speak unbecoming of his women folks-
J. Y.[:] bro Lees send a letter to Nancy Bean & Martha Berry & all you can get together-I thank God my Heavenly Father, for this doing my duty this day & thank bro Brigham for helping me to do my duty-
J. D. Lee [:] I want to do right-
B. Y.[:] If a woman leaves a good man, they can not do better, but they make their bed in sorrow-[I]f they think they can do better, they will find they are in sorrow-& they will learn by what they suffer-
B. Young[:] /[I]n regard to dancing-/ my charge to the Bishop is-[to] let no man within these doors until he has paid his dollar or copple-[T]hey man commence at 10 oclock in the morning but must close at 9 oclock at night-[T]he "th of the proceeds to go to the Bishop for the poor-the question is-Is there any objection to bro Gates keeping a dancing School in the Council house[?]
Answer-No-[H]e may have a dancing School, on the understanding that br Gates pays "th of the proceeds to Bishop Knights for the benefit of the poor-and brother Gates proposes to pay another fourth to bro. Brigham Young-[T]he School must close each night at 9 oclock- 25 min[utes] to 3 seperate-
9 Decem[be]r. 1847 Council house " to 11. A.M. Pursuant to appointment and notice given convened-
[O]f the Twelve.[:] W[illard]. Richards., W[ilford]. Woodruff., E[zra]. T. Benson., B[righam]. Young., O[rson] Pratt.
Seventies[:] J[oseph]. Young., Z[era]. Pulsipher., A[lbert]. P. Rockwood., B[enjamin]. S. Clapp., Geo[rge]. D. Grant., J[ohn]. D. Lee. Aaron Johnson. R[eynolds]. C[ahoon].
B. Y.[:] I will now hold my tongue. I have been invited in by you. (turning to Jos. Young.)
Pres[iden]t. J. Young then opened the Council by prayer [at] 24 /min[utes]/ to 12 /n./ and said, I will introduce the subject of our coming together. [I]t is our privilege to have the 12. & we wished them to day. Br J. D. Lee I suppose is one of the Elders of the Seventies-(J D Lee[:] I don t know anything to the contrary.) I don t like to have anything to do in cases where matters so delicate come before us. [A]s to Bro. Lee s carreer. there is not a man in this Council but knows something of Bro Lee & his family. I have turned a deaf ear to those who have come to me about him. I am Bro Lees friend & he mine. & I have never taken any action. [H]is family [is] connected with mine & my Brothers but things have come to my ear so that I cannot longer hold still, & this is a Council of enquiring-[A] doc[ument is] here written of to me-& to enquire of me. I want to ask Bro Lee some questions-& those things proved are a matter of fellowship. I don t interfere in family arra[ngements] but God will not uphold me or my Council, if we don t rebuke iniquity wherever it presents itself. & I have understood that he has said that he is not amenable to anybody but B. Y. R. C. then read two documents, one signed by Nancy Bean [and] the other the offspring of George D Grant-
J. Y.[:] I want Bro Lee to answer yea or nay to these questions as in the presence of God-& he has asked. Who is Joseph Young[?]-& insinuated he belong[s] somewhere not amenable to me.
J D Lee[:] I rise before you under a charge I never expected to have heaped upon me, [but there is] one thing to cheer me, that if I am charged I will not sink unless guilty-[I will] begin at the first point-who is Joseph Young. I did not think any man had more reverence to the authorities & such an expression I never used, nor such a thought never entered into my mind so help me God.
[T]here is a wicked and cruel influence against me in the S[eventies]. Q[uorum]. Camp., but they would not have reasons brought up against me, & they wanted to put a H[igh] Priest in-& I said I was a H[igh] Priest. [I]f I am not a H[igh] P[riest] I dont understand the p[riesthood. S]ome of my good Brethren [are] /so/ afraid of me doing wrong that they wanted to sacrif[ic]e thro[ugh] jealousies before hand lest I should do wrong-[He] told the story about his accusation by the S.Q. Camp & said [there were] enough lies to fill this Council house if each be not larger than a tobacco seed-[I] had come down here from that Camp-[and] when I heard the statements of Nancy Bean. I was thunderstruck-[F]or I am now writing a letter to her, & she visited me lately when I gave her some things to make her clothing, & I further know that if Nancy had not been put [? to it she never would hav
e said anything-I never sent sister Williams off from me-but she had an invitation to go & went with sister Allen-[S]he had done enough for me to send her off-I never recollect of saying to Bro: Grant that if I should be upheld by Brigh[am]. & sit on his right hand-I have reposed secrets in others bosoms but I have learned better-I will make satisfaction to anybody who comes to me alone-& do anything-I have thought that all men hated me, and wondered what the reason was, but it is said Woe to you when all men love you-[I]n Nauvoo I had friends on every side-[W]hen I wanted money I could get it. & I wondered I was troubl[e]d about that principle-for I thought I did not walk right or it would not be so, but this Summer has given me a fulness-[T]here is Bre[thren]. watching iniquity & would sacrifice me for a word-I am sorry that Bre[thren]. take pleasure in it. I have done the best I could last Sumer, & never tried more to do good & be humble than in S.Q. If I ever did, I hope the Lord will never give me Salvation if I dont spoke the truth.
J. Y.[:] You are away from the point. If a man is hemmed up let him admit [it] & that will thro[w] light about him.
G. D. Grant. [A]s to persecuting. I would not do it-I went to fa[ther] Morley & told him that the Bre[thren] were threat[en]ing to shoot one another up at the farm. & I was told by the Council to bring it up. & I have heard those things that he talks off but there are 6 or 7 told me. Bro Campbell has heard him & others. [S]traiten me up if I am wrong. I like to see a man that walks up behind another man, as if he was before him.
J. Y[: L]ast Spring when the stories [had] come down. it went in at one ear & come out at another. [S]ome ask[ed] me is there no salvation but thro[ugh] Bro Lee[?] Bro Levi. Stuart says-
Bro. Lee s mouth is full of all kind of vulgarity. I was invited to Bro. Beans-[but] refused-
[A]fterwards [I] went. & Bro. Campbell wrote as she spoke. Bro. Lee told me that woman to leave him-& I know his things are multiplied & he needs a whipping-[H]e has got some by fraud-
[L]ay every enducement for p[eo]pl[e] to come into my kingdom rather [than] wait till the resurrection & get a kingdom. I want Bro Lee to feel the smart of it. [T]hese things come by a man being too anxious. I offered him ten of the Best men to preside over & a Quorum but he said No, Joseph, he would not accept of any office in this kingdom below the 12 except in your Presid[enc]y-[He had] been a head of the times-[H]e talks of the big head, [and] no man I know has more-[H]e is tyrannical in his family-[W]ill all come from the Camp & say. you are out of the way, and tyrannical. [I]s that all false[?] No. [H]is women say can he save us & the man ask can we have Salvation thro[ugh] anybody else[?] No. says he. Sister Berry says [that] Baudy language has been used as in a strumpet house & she would rather go to Hell than live there. We will cut him off from the 70s Q[u]o[rum, &] if the 12 hold him on he will be held altho not by conviction that it ought to be so.
[H]e says [he] acted like a bad man & used every kind of vulgarity & he gently lead[s] & guide[s] him by a thread-[E]ven the Spirit of the Lord & every man ought to knew this Spirit if he has a kingdom like Lees. [H]e was too officious & dic[tated] the Pres[i]d[enc]y, more than any other man. I knew he had the Big head in Nauvoo. I would just as [soon] le[a]ve go ag[ains]t. any other man as Bro Lee. & Bro Lee as any other man if he is worthy, & the Council of the 70s will deal with Brot Lee & if we deal wrong, then the 12 will deal with us. [I]t is not all Sophistry he can use till night that can reason me out of all I know. It has been th[e] Bre[thre]n, are all those good Bre[thren] lieing about him[? W]hat would I think if I threatened to cut my wife s throat-or send been coaxed into my family[?] I knew Bro Lee started wrong-[U]ntil he is used so he can become like wax & be ready to be moulded into any mould no man need cloak up. [A]s he has these charges. he has not denied them, but [does] try to cover them up. [A]s to who Jos. Young is, Bro Lee, I have no feelings about that-[R]eproof is good for you-you must take it. [A]nd as to this threatening men s lives- & vulgarity, its wrong. [A]re your statements [about] Sister Martha Berry, are they true[? H]ave you been fraudently coaxed into this kingdom, & [if] these things are true you can be liberated-& I doe believe if one half of the stories [are] true that they can all be liberated-I am glad I am in the presence of those who know better than me.
J D Lee-I am not going to deny. [I]t is useless to say anything in justification, & if it is my unfortunate lot to be hewn down & cut up & melted like wax. I will try & become melted & go into any mould you want to me-& I want the Bre[thren] to hold on to me as long as I can & see if I cannot become like clay.-when men [A]ll I want is that things come ought straight-& some where they have the ax will feel differently. Martha Berrys mother sgt. in the first place. I am in your hands-& I have tried to do the best but perhaps doing [I have been doing] wrong all the time. I hope some [good] things will come out. [A]s to Bro Johnson, I will prophecy his race will be short-
B. Y.[:] Not if I keep him he wont. G D Grant[:] I believe that.
J. D. Lee. I believe Bro Snarr [?] [is] as well satisfied as any other man.
B. Y.[:] Are you satisfied you Pres[iden]ts[?] A[lbert]. P. R[ockwood]. I think Bro Joseph has hoed him pretty severly but all for good.
B. Y.[:] We cut & slash each other here, but we have got to learn that this is the place to let it come as it is in us if it should be like the forked lightning-or like the gentle rain & we should not leave here but until we could kiss one another, but out of here it sleeps in eternal oblivion. never to be raked up.-
A. P. R. told a story about Bro Johnsons having told him that Lee said if the Law of God [is] put in execution My head should leave my body-because I did not let him dance the third turn after he had danced the two successive figures of the tre after he came in.
J. D. Lee. told the story for he just came in. I was going away so he wanted to dance- successively. I felt about it very keenly-but we settled it there. [It was] a calculation to conspire ag[ains]t. me.
B. Y.[: A]ll you say about other men-will turn ag[ains]t. you.
J. D. Lee. I want to see sister Martha Berry, [and] talke to her kindly. [I] saw [that] something [was] the matter-[S]he told me her Mo[ther]. said that when B. Y. came back you cut off from the church.
B. L. C.[: O]ld Lady Sister Berry-asked me the same question as Bro Joseph. & I told Martha to keep her covenant-& the time would roll round when I thought Bro Lee would make her happy., at least if he felt as I did he would. Bro Lee, like myself, [is] a passionate man-[I]t would be my joy to see Bro. Lee redeem himself. I have no reprove to give him. Joseph has reproved him.
[S]omething said in Bro Lee s statements as if I or Joseph had used an influence with Nancy Bean to say as she has. [But] it is not so. I took her to Mo. as he says. & I went in there to Beans at the request of Bro Joseph. & I council & advice [advise] Bro Lee to humble [himself] & get the Sp[i]r[it] of the Lord.
B. Y.[: D]id you say to Nancy Bean that what you have done you have done by Bro Brighams council & as he did with his women in flogging[?]
J. D. Lee. Nancy [is] very ungovernable & if p[eo]pl[e] knew how I would be used [they would] feel different. I councilled with her & reasoned with her-[but] she said she would do as she pleased-[It] caused Louisa to be dissatisfied. [I] took a walk with her-[and she] put me at defiance-[I] said to Nancy you have been sealed to me-& you look to me for your salvation-
[S]he said to hell with your Council. [T]hen I picked up a switch & struck her once. [S]he humbled herself-& I took her in my arms. & she did well for a long time.
J. Y.[:] I have heard that you have switched or choked your old wife.
J. D. Lee[:] No I have not. [W]e never would have had a bit of trouble if it had not been for persons interfering with my family. All my family positively say I did not strick
Nancy with the Brick bat-neither did I ever kick her.
J. Y.[:] You go before your calling & it will react back upon you to your condemnation-& if a man has illicit connexion with a woman it will react upon him.
J. Young[:] Bro Lee, got a head of me out of sight he cannot retain his standing unless he is reformed. & he has travelled with me-& he has done those things & I fellowship for him. These feelings in me have been stirring in me for a year-Bre[thre]n. say-Joseph what do you say about these things, [do you] cut off a man for a little offence[?]-[B]ut others go unpunished-[I]s God a respecter of persons[?] Bro Lee is a man inflexible as the marble & is determined & will accomplish as things. [B]ut I will reprove him & admonish him.
J. D. Lee.[:] Thats right Joseph. I could wash his feet if he [was] humble & could anoint him once again. & [I] will never turn a deaf ear to his cries if they are right.
Bro Lee [was] crying out.
E. T. B.[:] Joseph Smith motioned that Jos Young be a Pres[iden]t. of the 70 in time & all eternity. B. Y.[: A]s long as he is faithful. H C K.[:] I knew Joseph would /be/ faithful. B. Y.[:] I knew it too, but I rule take care when I make cov[enan]ts.
B. Y.[:] I want to say a few things. Bro Lee has intimated that some have feelings-Bro Geo has. I can talk of a man & have no private feelings. Bro G[eorge]. D. Grant has no feelings only to do right. & now to Bro Lee. I am a judge of Spirits. I knew what Joseph has said is spiritualy true & Joseph has no feelings-[B]ut what are right & correct[?] I know it is. I have trembled for Bro Lee. & he has not got wisdom to accomplish what he has on his hands, [the] same with his farm. I expect he has done wrong in the division of the Land. & so has f[ath]e[r] morly, but it is a slip. Bro Lee has not been in a situation to receive reproof-it kills him. Bro Lee has taken 70 acres right thro. & the Bre[thren] had to go off to the timber to cultivate 2 acres. [H]is mind grasps more than he can manage. I heard a good deal of Bro Lees family & it puts me in mind of the Connecticut traveller.
Bro Lee has got women there that are disgusted with such vulgarity. I have told Bro Lee to separate his family & I know that women cant live many of them together without making fish of one & flesh of the other. I never have any difficulty-I let every one do as they please & give them sweet cake-
[I]f I would undertake to straiten matters the thread [would] break [and] the garment would not hold.
J. D.Lee,[:] What am I to do Bro Joseph[?]
J. Y.[:] I can only answer qualifiedly as far as concerns me & my fellowship & the 70. [T]hey have got to see a straight course & then p arranged with your family, so that they dont come to me [for] its all the time arrows & death. [T]hey must be liberated, set free, & I feel as tho[ugh] a man like you ought to call on the Lord & get salt. & salt your family. it will [Y]ou have lost the fellowship of 2/3 of the Quo[rum]. [I]t is no way to excuse yourself & say-I ll try to do the right thing,-but you cant get it if you justify yourselve[s]-
B. Y.[:] If they are in a palace & feels bound they are not satisfied-I would say to all sealed to me that I am willing to give you free and at liberty-& give you a writing & I have been out of the way, but set you [at] liberty, & If I can do anything for you I am willing. I just know that the Br love Bro Lee but his course-I have trembled for Bro Lee. [I] knew his disposition & mind., lest he should soar to where he would lose his Balance to rise no more. [There is] no other course for Bro Lee. but to give every liberty to all belonging him then he will feel free-If you get a woman that is so righteous when punched sore she would not lie. It s a miracle. Men & women are n & n. I know of instances in the Ch[urch] [where] 90 tim[es] or 100. he will tell you the truth, 99 times out of a man where /you will get/ once a woman to an[swer]. [T]ake a sister & she will cry and look & live in the name of the Lord. [W]hen a man will tell the truth. Men are honest-but women have to be dependent of men for their Salvation, You get a woman that wont lie when punched hard enough & if she wont lie, she is a miracle. I ll tell you I never love a woman so wel[l] that I cannot say good bye. [W]hen men have their affections placed in a woman then they can put a sting-but if you can give all your women a discharge & feel well-I say I m glad to get a preaching Hallelugh-Glory- & when a man dont feel so he is in bondage & I feel will never put fetter in my life. Happy-thats the matter with John, he has loved his women too much & frigged them too much. [T]o be a good seaman-let him be f[aith]f[u]l, [and] in the time of a storm let a man be true to his friends & in [a] storm then it will go sleek in a calm. I feel as tho I would want an acre for a stand if I could get to preach to the world.
Dr. W. R.[:] 20 & & 5 min[utes]. & "all is undoubtedly well."
J. Y.[:] Whats the decision of this Council.
B. Y.[:] I decide that your saying to Bro Lee is true & just (aye all round).
J. Y.[:] I move that Bro Lee does with his family as B. Y. stays.
J. D. Lee[:] I second that. B. Y.[:] I will tell you, get his (Lees) family to gether, [and] you attend [to] it & I wil[l]. if not interfered with other app[ointmen]ts., & tell them they are free. & the Pres[iden]ts. of the 70s there & sit down & give them liberty-[W]hat have they to say. They will either turn round-& say-we are in the fault & mean to stick to Bro Lee-or else go. & never speak.
J. Y.[:] Bro Lee [do] you second that[?] J D L[:] Yes-(Aye all round).
B. Y.[:] That set[s] all [blank] & I want those who stick to Bro Lee to be treated judiciously, calmly, & uprightly-[In] his family, [there are] some good yet [but] there are some that want to get to hear with their tongues loosened.
J. D. Lee[: S]ome of my family [are] scattered-
J. Y.[:] I thank my God & my heavenly father that I have redeemed my word-& Bro Brig[ham] & his Council have helped me to do it.
J. D. Lee.[:] B. Y. says he has trembled for me-I know its so-I thought what should I do to day, [and] felt as if I wanted to be struck out of existence & then think it is was foolishness-I long to see the day when my work will be accepted. & when I shall not have to get over come?
B. Y.[:] If a man suffers & is poor & his family leaves him because he is poor, they cant come it, & these things-[W]hen they leave John they will lie down in sorrow-& you have got to let them suffer before they can learn-John has done well in some things and what does his women need to kick him to pieces for they will lay down in sorrow.
B. Y.[:] Bishop Knight. I give you [a] charge that you have no dances here but what will be $1 for a /every/ couple that comes in, & you close the doors by 9 P. M. precisely.-By Bishop The question was asked if there was any objection to Bro: H. Gates keeping a dancing school on this side of the river & on the other. Ans[wer:] No.
It was agreed that he give one fourth to Bishop Knight & another to B. Young. Meeting dismissed [at] 20 min[utes] to 3.
[source: Minutes; Minutes; Minutes]
Mormon History, Dec 9, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Thursday Dec 9th 1847. Warm morning. Heavey damp snow falling fast in the fore noon. I went over the river to attach some property in the hands of Simpson Emmett Son of James Emmett to satisfy a demand against him for property taken away from one Coons, while he was in the wilderness with Emmett. Coons becoming dissatisfied was not willing to stay with them any longer so he was striped of all he had and sent away with his wife & children bare. Simpson Emmett had a cow belonging to Coons or one taken away from him at that time. I siezed on a horse & cart and some other articles of small value and brought them over to Winter Quarters
There was a Council today at which W. W. Phelps was formally cut off from the Church & John D. Lees case up[.] Most of his wives & adopted children were dissatisfied with him & I believe it was so managed to let all go free who chose when 2 wives & almost all of his adopted children stept out.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
There was a Council today at which W. W. Phelps was formally cut off from the Church & John D. Lees case up[.] Most of his wives & adopted children were dissatisfied with him & I believe it was so managed to let all go free who chose when 2 wives & almost all of his adopted children stept out.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Dec 9, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 9th I met in council with the Twelve & the presidency of the seventies. John D Lee was brought up for trial for improper conduct with his family. After Hearing the testimonie upon the subject President Young reproved Br Lee vary sharply for trying to cover his faults & Justify himself in his errors for it was evident he had done wrong. President Brigham Young backed up Br Joseph Youngs reproof, & reproved Br Lee himself & required him to call his family together And to settle his difficulties. +
I was in council with Br Young in the evening And part of the evening I spent at his house.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I was in council with Br Young in the evening And part of the evening I spent at his house.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Dec 8, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Wed Dec 8th 1847. Tax Booking yet. Went around town saw some Councillors about police affairs.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Dec 8, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 8th I went into the woods with Br Benbow & got A load of willows. I spent the evening at the Dr office Hearing letters read.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Dec 7, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Tuesd Dec 7th 1847. Rectifying tax books yet.
*Meeks V. S. Scott was this evening & not yesterday.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
*Meeks V. S. Scott was this evening & not yesterday.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Dec 7, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 7th We rode [to] Br Dailys. 3 miles. It rained, Hailed & froze, which made bad travling. We found the brethren building the meeting House. In the Afternoon in company with B Young H C Kimball W. Richards I rode through a cold Hail storm to the ferry & Had some difficulty in getting across the river. 16 mile. I spent the night at home.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Dec 6, 1847. Monday.
[William Clayton Journal] Wrote a letter to father informing him of the death of James, and requesting John to come.
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
Mormon History, Dec 6, 1847 (Morning)
[Brigham Young Sermon] We have power to beget children with flesh bones and blood - When bodies are celestialized our power is increased - why not get spirit without bodies '- Spirits are susceptible of spirit as body with body - we will have powers to beget spirits - and tell them to take tabernacles - then you put in the inclination into man and woman to beget bodies - God is the father of our spirits yet not the father of our bodies - We shall beget spirits and send these spirits into the world. -- Kanesville, Iowa [Thomas Bullock Minutes, LJA; Thomas Bullock—LDS Church Reporter, 1844-56.C, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.; GCM, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah..; Leonard J. Arrington Papers, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.. (A reference reading LJA 12-55-5, 10, means LJA Series 12, Box 55, Folder 5, page 10.) 9-12-3, 173]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
Mormon History, Dec 6, 1847
W W. Phelps is excommunicated for marrying three plural wives without Brigham Young's authorization.
[Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
[Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
Mormon History, Dec 6, 1847
[Minutes, Quorum of Twelve] [At] " to 11-Pres[iden]ts. Young, Richards, [Orson] Hyde, [Orson] Pratt, [George A.]
Smith, Woodruff, [Amasa] Lyman, & [Ezra T.] Benson met in the small house conversing on "the Standard" [of] building the Temple in the Valley-[the] order in building same-[W]e want to fill up all the good vallies & places & keep out the Gentiles. [We] mean to spread ourselves-the top room will be for sealing-that is the highest degree that can be attained-
B. Y.[: "T]he rule of abstraction" [is to] take one from two [and it] leaves three-(laugh) We have power to beget children with flesh, bones, & blood-When bodies are celestialized our power is increased-[W]hy not get [a] Sp[irit] without bodies[?]-Sp[irits] are susceptible of Sp[irit] as body with body-[W]e will have powers to beget Sp[irits]-& tell them to take tabernacles-[T]hen you put the inclinat[io]n. into man & woman to beget bodies-God is the Fat[her]. of our Sp[irit] yet not the Fat[her]. of our bodies-We shall beget Sp[irits] & send these Sp[irits] into the world.
Prayer by Ezra T. Benson-Council sung "Come ye that love in the Lord."
O. Hyde suggested that we commence Settlements on Keg Creek, & continue North-to fill up Timbers spots-
B. Y. handed in [$]6.50 [-] the proceeds of the plates of Kirtland Safety money.
O. Hyde[:] "I motion that bro Brigham take the money & do what he likes with it"-O. Pratt second[ed]-Carried.
G. A. Smith [said he] feels stung at the conduct of the Old Judge (Phelps)-] he who has been so much in Council-
H. C. K.-If he will go & do what he was told to-it will do, or it must be made public-
[H]e is no better than any of the 12 nor so good-[T]here has been mercy shewn him-cut him off- baptize him & again ordain him-
O. H.[:] I wo[ul]d. not let him have his Women.
H. C. K.[:] If you rip them up you will destroy them.
A. Lyman. "I move that William W. Phelps be cut off from the Church for misconduct violating the Laws of the Priesthood in taking women women that do not belong to him & committing Adultery with them"-H. C. Kimball second[ed]-All hands up-
G. A. Smith spoke of Orson Spencer-his wife died-& he has married another-[I]s that right[?]-
B. Y.[:] Yes-
G. A. S.[: S]uppose I am in ano[the]r. part of the world & hear of a Wife being dead. [C]an I take ano[the]r.
B. Y.[: M]y opinion is any thing that you do in righteousness-there is no harm in it-[I]f a man is faithful & can get a Wife without injuring the cause all is right-
O. P.[:] If one of [the] Council take a Wife under same circ[umstanc]es as W. W. P[helps]. he wo[ul]d. be in same transgression-
O. H.[:] I reasoned with bro Parley & bro Taylor on this very thing-
B. Y.[:] They rec[eive]d. instr[ucti]ons not to meddle with women-
B. Y.[:] There never ought to be any laws to trammel a judge s feelings, but to judge according to the merits of [the] case-Have a Post Office right strait-& bro Babbitt for county judge-James Allred-W[illia]m. Perkins or such like men-Have Counties enough laid off & swallow up the officers-Alpheus Green of Watertown NY has influence with [the] Gov[ernmen]t.
[and] P.O. Department-
O. H.[:] "I motion that Dr. Richards write to Col Kane respecting the establishing of all necessary P. Offices on the Pottowatomie Lands"-E. T. Benson second[ed]-carried-
E T B.[:] I propose Evan M. Green to be the Postmaster-A. Lyman sec[onde]d. Carried.
B. Y.[:] It is our right & we owe to put our hands on his head to be Patriarch of the /over the whole/ Church., [the] same as Bro Hyrum-or Fat[her]. Smith-
E. T. B.[:] I motion that it is done, O Hyde[:] I second it-Carried-
H. C. K.[:] "I motion that Uncle John Smith be the Patriarch over the whole Church." W. Woodruff seconded-all hands up-
B. Y.[:] "I motion that brother Orson Hyde go to the East & get us /10,000 or 100,000/ some help. & take bro. Appleby with him.["]
H. C. Kimball[:] I second it-
O. H.[:] Brethren, I am ready to go-& If I go there I will use every thing I can use-
W R[:] I [k]no[w] you can get & shall get 100,000.
B. Y.[:] You can get & shall get it, & be back by 6 April-Bro Hyde stay here-& keep sending Companys over the mountains every Spring-Bro. O. Pratt take his family into the Eastern States [and] Raise oceans of Wheat, Calves, Pigs, Sheep, [and] Chickens-
W R[:] What kind of a council shall we have in the Valley-a Hi[gh] Council or City Council[?]-
B. Y.[:] I cant begin to dictate laws to any p[eo]pl[e], till I know their circumstances-
G. A. S.[:] "I motion that bro E. T. Benson go to the East with bro Hyde, provided he has a mind to"-W Richards sec[onde]d. Carried.
O. P.[:] I motion that some Instrument by way of Gentile Fashion, by way of resolves, be drawn out & take[n] to the East.
O. H.[:] To whom it may concern[:] Persons from Pisgah under O. H. autho[rit]y. from Head Quarters [blank] write private letter to friends-
O. P.[:] The Council have decided with me exactly as I wished-to stay here till Spring- then go to the Eastern States-
W W[:] I am on hand to go just where the Lord wants me to go.
B. Y. Inquired what shall we do about filling up the Quorum of the 12-[S]hall we do it now, or what?
Several[:] Let it remain until 6 April-20 min[utes] to 4
E T B[:] I motion that we adjourn to tomorrow at 9 oclock at bro Daley s-W Richards sec[onde]d.-[A]ll hands up.
H. C. K.[:] I motion that Luke Johnson be ordained an Elder-W Richards[:] I second-all hands up-
G. A. Smith[:] "I motion that brother Orson Pratt go to England & take charge of the affairs of the Church." E. T Benson second[ed]-carried-
E. T Benson[:] "I motion that bro Amasa Lyman go to the South & get help.["] G. A. Smith sec[onde]d.-Carried.
[T]he Council then went to sup on the blessings of God which were bestowed by El[der]
Hyde. [A]fter supper [we] parted with the brethren when Pres[iden]ts. Young, Kimball, Richards, [and] Lyman-with T[homas] B[ullock] were driven in the two Carriages starting at dusk over the Prairies to Ezra Chases where we arrived at dark finding all well-Thawing in the eve[ning]-
W Richards dictated [a] long letter to Col. Kane. Elder Hyde s Introduction. letter to Rob[er]t. Campbell & Dana. Copied by T. B.
[Minutes, Quorum of Twelve]
[source: Minutes, Quorum of Twelve]
Smith, Woodruff, [Amasa] Lyman, & [Ezra T.] Benson met in the small house conversing on "the Standard" [of] building the Temple in the Valley-[the] order in building same-[W]e want to fill up all the good vallies & places & keep out the Gentiles. [We] mean to spread ourselves-the top room will be for sealing-that is the highest degree that can be attained-
B. Y.[: "T]he rule of abstraction" [is to] take one from two [and it] leaves three-(laugh) We have power to beget children with flesh, bones, & blood-When bodies are celestialized our power is increased-[W]hy not get [a] Sp[irit] without bodies[?]-Sp[irits] are susceptible of Sp[irit] as body with body-[W]e will have powers to beget Sp[irits]-& tell them to take tabernacles-[T]hen you put the inclinat[io]n. into man & woman to beget bodies-God is the Fat[her]. of our Sp[irit] yet not the Fat[her]. of our bodies-We shall beget Sp[irits] & send these Sp[irits] into the world.
Prayer by Ezra T. Benson-Council sung "Come ye that love in the Lord."
O. Hyde suggested that we commence Settlements on Keg Creek, & continue North-to fill up Timbers spots-
B. Y. handed in [$]6.50 [-] the proceeds of the plates of Kirtland Safety money.
O. Hyde[:] "I motion that bro Brigham take the money & do what he likes with it"-O. Pratt second[ed]-Carried.
G. A. Smith [said he] feels stung at the conduct of the Old Judge (Phelps)-] he who has been so much in Council-
H. C. K.-If he will go & do what he was told to-it will do, or it must be made public-
[H]e is no better than any of the 12 nor so good-[T]here has been mercy shewn him-cut him off- baptize him & again ordain him-
O. H.[:] I wo[ul]d. not let him have his Women.
H. C. K.[:] If you rip them up you will destroy them.
A. Lyman. "I move that William W. Phelps be cut off from the Church for misconduct violating the Laws of the Priesthood in taking women women that do not belong to him & committing Adultery with them"-H. C. Kimball second[ed]-All hands up-
G. A. Smith spoke of Orson Spencer-his wife died-& he has married another-[I]s that right[?]-
B. Y.[:] Yes-
G. A. S.[: S]uppose I am in ano[the]r. part of the world & hear of a Wife being dead. [C]an I take ano[the]r.
B. Y.[: M]y opinion is any thing that you do in righteousness-there is no harm in it-[I]f a man is faithful & can get a Wife without injuring the cause all is right-
O. P.[:] If one of [the] Council take a Wife under same circ[umstanc]es as W. W. P[helps]. he wo[ul]d. be in same transgression-
O. H.[:] I reasoned with bro Parley & bro Taylor on this very thing-
B. Y.[:] They rec[eive]d. instr[ucti]ons not to meddle with women-
B. Y.[:] There never ought to be any laws to trammel a judge s feelings, but to judge according to the merits of [the] case-Have a Post Office right strait-& bro Babbitt for county judge-James Allred-W[illia]m. Perkins or such like men-Have Counties enough laid off & swallow up the officers-Alpheus Green of Watertown NY has influence with [the] Gov[ernmen]t.
[and] P.O. Department-
O. H.[:] "I motion that Dr. Richards write to Col Kane respecting the establishing of all necessary P. Offices on the Pottowatomie Lands"-E. T. Benson second[ed]-carried-
E T B.[:] I propose Evan M. Green to be the Postmaster-A. Lyman sec[onde]d. Carried.
B. Y.[:] It is our right & we owe to put our hands on his head to be Patriarch of the /over the whole/ Church., [the] same as Bro Hyrum-or Fat[her]. Smith-
E. T. B.[:] I motion that it is done, O Hyde[:] I second it-Carried-
H. C. K.[:] "I motion that Uncle John Smith be the Patriarch over the whole Church." W. Woodruff seconded-all hands up-
B. Y.[:] "I motion that brother Orson Hyde go to the East & get us /10,000 or 100,000/ some help. & take bro. Appleby with him.["]
H. C. Kimball[:] I second it-
O. H.[:] Brethren, I am ready to go-& If I go there I will use every thing I can use-
W R[:] I [k]no[w] you can get & shall get 100,000.
B. Y.[:] You can get & shall get it, & be back by 6 April-Bro Hyde stay here-& keep sending Companys over the mountains every Spring-Bro. O. Pratt take his family into the Eastern States [and] Raise oceans of Wheat, Calves, Pigs, Sheep, [and] Chickens-
W R[:] What kind of a council shall we have in the Valley-a Hi[gh] Council or City Council[?]-
B. Y.[:] I cant begin to dictate laws to any p[eo]pl[e], till I know their circumstances-
G. A. S.[:] "I motion that bro E. T. Benson go to the East with bro Hyde, provided he has a mind to"-W Richards sec[onde]d. Carried.
O. P.[:] I motion that some Instrument by way of Gentile Fashion, by way of resolves, be drawn out & take[n] to the East.
O. H.[:] To whom it may concern[:] Persons from Pisgah under O. H. autho[rit]y. from Head Quarters [blank] write private letter to friends-
O. P.[:] The Council have decided with me exactly as I wished-to stay here till Spring- then go to the Eastern States-
W W[:] I am on hand to go just where the Lord wants me to go.
B. Y. Inquired what shall we do about filling up the Quorum of the 12-[S]hall we do it now, or what?
Several[:] Let it remain until 6 April-20 min[utes] to 4
E T B[:] I motion that we adjourn to tomorrow at 9 oclock at bro Daley s-W Richards sec[onde]d.-[A]ll hands up.
H. C. K.[:] I motion that Luke Johnson be ordained an Elder-W Richards[:] I second-all hands up-
G. A. Smith[:] "I motion that brother Orson Pratt go to England & take charge of the affairs of the Church." E. T Benson second[ed]-carried-
E. T Benson[:] "I motion that bro Amasa Lyman go to the South & get help.["] G. A. Smith sec[onde]d.-Carried.
[T]he Council then went to sup on the blessings of God which were bestowed by El[der]
Hyde. [A]fter supper [we] parted with the brethren when Pres[iden]ts. Young, Kimball, Richards, [and] Lyman-with T[homas] B[ullock] were driven in the two Carriages starting at dusk over the Prairies to Ezra Chases where we arrived at dark finding all well-Thawing in the eve[ning]-
W Richards dictated [a] long letter to Col. Kane. Elder Hyde s Introduction. letter to Rob[er]t. Campbell & Dana. Copied by T. B.
[Minutes, Quorum of Twelve]
[source: Minutes, Quorum of Twelve]
Mormon History, Dec 6, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Mond Dec 6th 1847. Rectifying the tax books today*W. Meeks & J. Scott had a trial this evening before Bp Clark[.] Meeks V. S. Scott for stray pen account & gained it Scott appealed. Trial ended both sides had warm feeling when it was over
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Dec 6, 1847
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 6th We went into council this morning. Several subjects were conversed upon. One was our posterity in this world & the osprings of immortal Celestial & Resurrected beings in the world to come. President Young remarked that our children in this life did not look just like their parents but was A variety in looks &c & the ospring of Celestial beings were spiritual Bodies.
Wm. W. Phelps was cut off from the church for Breaking the laws of God. It was decided in Council that if a man lost his wife He was at liberty to marry again whare He pleased and was Justifyed.
Father John Smith was Appointed by the quorum of the Twelve As the first patriarch over the whole Church.
President Young said the Twelve were at liberty to publish papers in any part of the world whare they should be or take the best course to spread the work. The twelve should superintend the printing wharever they were. And If the Twelve were going abroad it would be well to ordain Elders out of new members that were baptized & take with them to preach & there should ownly one of the Twelve go to one place & Call seventies to their assistance. Our counsel adjourned.
E T Benson & myself rode to Elder Greens Branch & attended meeting. B Clapp & Joseph Young Preached. W Woodruff & E T Benson followed them. We had a good meeting. We spent the night at Br Carters. 10 m.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Wm. W. Phelps was cut off from the church for Breaking the laws of God. It was decided in Council that if a man lost his wife He was at liberty to marry again whare He pleased and was Justifyed.
Father John Smith was Appointed by the quorum of the Twelve As the first patriarch over the whole Church.
President Young said the Twelve were at liberty to publish papers in any part of the world whare they should be or take the best course to spread the work. The twelve should superintend the printing wharever they were. And If the Twelve were going abroad it would be well to ordain Elders out of new members that were baptized & take with them to preach & there should ownly one of the Twelve go to one place & Call seventies to their assistance. Our counsel adjourned.
E T Benson & myself rode to Elder Greens Branch & attended meeting. B Clapp & Joseph Young Preached. W Woodruff & E T Benson followed them. We had a good meeting. We spent the night at Br Carters. 10 m.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Dec 5, 1847
[Minutes, Quorum of Twelve] 5 P.M. All of the Council assembled in a small house, & opened with singing "Come all ye Sons of Zion" very delightfully & prayer by Amasa Lyman-when the Council sung "O happy are souls who pray."
B. Young[: A]s we are now as many of the Qu[orum] of the 12 as can be gathered tog[e]t[her]. I feel disposed to open my mind and feelings in regard to a question we have talked over, & I want to have a decision-1st on the death of Jos[eph]. [T]he 12 had to step forw[a]rd. to lead the Ch[urch] & I felt then as now as when duty prompts me I mean to do it, let consequences be what they ma[y]-[C]onsequently I acted as I did, & so did those of this Co[unci]l. of 12-thus far they have been conducted satisfactorily-[A]t [the] time 12 stept forw[ar]d. & follow[ed] in [the] steps of [the] prophet. [A]t that time & since Ive had but one mind to the whole affair & I thot. I knew what ought to be done, & do now, [and] we stept forw[ar]d. in [the] midst of opposit[io]n., calamity, & trial of every kind & was sure God wo[ul]d. bear us off Conqueror over all our Sp[iritual] foes-[A]t the time I had some understand[in]gs. as to organ[izatio]n. of its perfect[io].n.
I never mouthed it till lately [as] it was not time to broach the subject until I felt it duty-& I knew the Sp[irit]. wo[ul]d. not let me do it-[F]rom [that] time I have been in [the] G[rea]t. Sa[lt] Lake City till now, [and] the tap[pin]gs. of [the] Sp[irit]. to me is the Ch[urch] ou[gh]t. to be now org[anize]d.-& it proves to the Ch[urch] if there is a God in Mormonism-that is in 12 we have proven to [the] L[or]d. & Devil & men that we are just willing to do what [the] L[or]d. wants us to do-[N]ow is [the] time this quest[io]n. is to be [in] settl[men]t.-[I]f all are going into [the] Valley let it be there-[I]f that qu[estion] can be settled by 9 of 12 then it can be carr[ie]d. bef[ore] auth[or]s. of Ch[urch] & it can be settled in their own minds & then-the feeling that I have & the Sp[irit] that guides leads & protects me is-if this is not right, right it-[B]ut [the] Sp[irit] prompts me to obe[y] those Steps-If [the] Ch[urch] continues to stand as now-if 12 stand as [the]
Pres[idenc]y., the Ch[urch] may judge whe[the]r. its ri[gh]t. [is] to keep 12 at home to preside, & if I dont not if [the] L[or]d. requires & manifests that it be wisdom to have [the] 1st Pres[idenc]y. & liberate 12-& 12 to stand as now & not sep[arate]-but stay with [the] Ch[urch] & preside over [the] Ch[urch] as say I hold pre[ro]gotive-I am going to roll that responsibility of[f] my Shoulders & roll it on these my bre[thre]n-[W]e can organize [a] 1st Pres[idenc]y. its ru/le/ [is] if they are disposed to do it well & good, if not, the responsibility is on you-I feel I dont [k]no[w] much-
[T]here s a [w]rong concep[tio]n. regard[in]g. organizing [the] 1st pres[idenc]y.-as theres nobody here but 12 & our Clerk. Im going tell you-we have had talk-& bro O[rson]. P[ratt-] his arguments were singular to me talk[in]g. of divid[in]g. 12. I dont understand-if one man is taken as Pres[iden]t. & his 2 Co[unci]l[or]s.-I understand the 12 stand as now-[T]he o[the]r. of 12 can be foot loose & can carry the K[ingdom] to [the] world-[W]hen all 12 sit toge[the]r. they sit as now-
[I]f we are not 1 we cant suppose we are the L[or]ds. or his Serv[an]ts. [Othe]rs will not take our places. Jos[ep]h. always wanted 12 to transact with him. as 1 Co[unci]l[or].-[T]his wo[ul]d. not sep[arate]. us. but wo[ul]d, give us an org[anizatio]n. filling up [the] D.&C.-& [an] org[anizatio]n. of Ch[rist].-& wo[ul]d. be no more than does this Ch[urch] now.-J[oseph]. S[mith]. be 1st.
Pres[idenc]y. sec[on]d. cou[nselor]-thats [blank] thats all the ord[inatio]n.-election & [blank]-
[H]e was an Apostle, thats all we can sa[y] ab[ou]t it-Wherever his lot is cast, there act & in all faithfulness.-[T]he question ought to be decided-the future acts of the 12 will be accord[in]g to [a] decision of this Council in this respect, whet[her]. going to [the] mountains, E[ast]., or England-
[M]y conversat[io]n. has hitherto been independent to rouse his feelings-[I]f [the] 1st Pres[idenc]y. is to be it falls on me [and] it cant fall on any one else, [though] I wo[ul]d. be glad if it did-[A]s to going fow[ar]d. to be trammelled I would do it, I mean to do right-riter & rightest-[I]f we dont do it we are down-I want every man to go with [the] curr/ent/ of L[or]d. [-] just learn which wa[y] that goes & go with that-[T]hat will carry out [the] designs of [the] Al[mighty]. in giving [the]
P[riesthood]. unto us. [A]n El[der] who meets current of Sp[irit] will spit in his own face. I dont want any of you to grieve the Sp[irit]. I want it decided that we ma[y] [k]no[w] our future movements-I mean to be here & justified bef[ore the] L[or]d. in the matter-[W]hen Sidney [Rigdon] came back I walked up to the meet[in]g. alone. I asked S. White if he w[oul]d. go. [but] he said no-A man that wo[ul]d. follow S[idney] R[igdon]. I dont care a damn-I did not ask the p[eo]pl[e] if I might speak [-] I just spoke as I did-[I]n my days God knows I wo[ul]d. not consent to any such meanness, if a man does wrong we can correct him.
W. R.[:] A council was ap[pointe]d. at my Office at 9 oclock, & instead of your coming to [the] Council you went to [a] meeting-[Y]ou expected to meet us in Council.
B. Y.[:] I dont own to that & if such an item goes into the history Id tear it out if written in [a] book of Gold-
W. R.[:] It was simply this[:] we expected to meet tog[ethe]r.-[and] we tho[ugh]t. something had happened & went to stand & found you there.
B. Y.[:] Does any of you know of my making an app[oi]nt[ment]. & not being there[?]-
G. A. S.[:] You are sometimes in council to an hour or two (laf)-
B. Y.[:] Sid[ney Rigdon] & [Thomas] Marsh told us [the] meeting was not going to be-& I saw the bre[thre]n gathering & went-
W. R.[:] Theres nothing in [the] history to shew you are defective.
B. Y.[:] Now by talking ab[ou]t. it-I begin to recollect it.
H. C. K.[:] I [k]no[w] you was at stand but a very few minutes-
B. Y.[:] In some instances things are penned up in too hi[gh] colors, & some [are] very defective-
O. P.[:] I [k]no[w] Warren Parish [w]rote things, [how] that I was very rebellious-but afterwards [he] decided as I had it-[S]ome things are considered written that blacken the char[acter]s. of the 12 & o[the]rs.-I always tho[ugh]t. if I had any influence with God I sho[ul]d. petition God ag[ain]st. its being published.
H. C. K.[: B]ro O. that history is corrected by the 12.-[W]e took a great deal of pains to correct it-[and] I dont want any thing handed down of any man who holds the office o[f] 12-that future generations sho[ul]d. see.-I hate the principle-
O H.[:] There s some things in that history I wish were blotted out-
H. C. K.[:] I read in [the] old history that those, where things are said ab[ou]t. them, are tho[ugh]t. the most of them-
O. P.[: A] mans faults if they are written ought to have carried out their whole meaning-or else it is despicable in my eyes. [T]hat thing that Warren Parrish wrote "O Pratt manifested a rebellious Sp[irit]"-it was all ab[ou]t. the prounounciation of a Hebrew word. [W]hen it was decided in my favor-future generat[i]ons. wo[ul]d. think I had done some great fault-
O. H.[:] I dont think this Council wo[ul]d. let any thing go that wo[ul]d. oppress any one unjustly-
B. Y[:] You may hasten your remarks or deliberate on them. I want you to manifest your feelings in regular order-
H C K.[:] I suppose the matter bef[ore the] house is /ab[ou]t./ appoint[in]g. [a First]
Pres[iden]cy.-I am perfectly satisfied concerning such a matter. I have no hesitation nor or not had a long time-I feel its right-I am satisfied it wo[ul]d. be accord[in]g. to [the] will & mind of God & wo[ul]d. furt[he]r. [the] cause instead of checking of it., & I dont consider it wo[ul]d give any more power than they have now. I have all the power I can handle & [that] God is willing to give me-I bel[ieve] the heavens will be rent some day & will behold [the] L[or]d. I am subject & intend to be from this time forth inasmuch as I can.
O. H.[: I] feel perfectly to accord with [t
he] views of bro Y.& R. [W]e have fought the battle disorganized-& now we have wipt the enemy in a disorganized state what can we do when org[anize]d-& now go to work & org[anize]: hit[her].-[W]hat his p[eo]pl[e] do under [is that] the influence of the Sp[irit] of [the] L[or]d. is [the] voice of God-I claim from the cong[regatio]n. if theyd give me all power in heaven & earth to do good. & they gave it [to] me [that] 3 men can manage the Ch[urch] & K[ingdom] of God & the quicker it is brought to bear-I am in favor of it. I feel Bro Y. is the man [and] it is his natural ri[gh]t.-[I]t is his priv[ilege]: to nominate his Councillors-[W]e ma[y] as well commence work & do it up to night as any o[the]r. time.
H C. K.[:] There is no o[the]r. man than him with me-I want it as it is & no o[the]r.-
B. Y.[:] I urge you to go with the Sp[irit]. of the L[or]d. & w[he]n we get to that we are of one Sp[irit]. & one mind.
O. Pratt[: T]his is [the] 1st. time that the subj[ec]t. of [the] 1st. Pres[idenc]y. is bro[ugh]t. bef[ore]. [the] Co[unci]l.-[I]t has been thrown in incidentally in conversat[io]n.-both out of Co[unci]l. & in our Co[unci]l.-[T]here were some ob[ser]v[ati]ons in relation to [the] subj[ec]t.-
[I]ts a subject I have for some few weeks reflected on-I have meditated on it considerably-When I did hear of it some 2 or 3 y[ea]rs ago that there wo[ul]d. be a priv[ilege]. to have a 1st Presidency-I have thot. the time wo[ul]d. soon be, that it was necessary for me as well as the rest of this Quo[rum]. to get all the li[gh]t. upon the subject-I dont dispute the ri[gh]t. of the Ch[urch] to app[oin]t. a 1st. Pres[idenc]y.-the only question in my mind is the expediency of the thing, not whe[the]r. the Ch[urch] has power-but what is rightest, that is what we want-[U]nder the Council of this Quo[rum] the Ch[urch] has prospered-the Ch[urch] has been led & instructed right-[T]he question is, is it not more expedient to continue this Quo[rum] as it is-instead of making 2 sep[arate] Quo[rums?]-[I]t wo[ul]d. make 2 sep[arate] Quo[rum] out of this Quo[rum]. [T]he decision of 3 wo[ul]d. be equal to the decision of 9.-I question the decision of the Ch[urch]., whet[he]r. the dec[isio]n. of 3 sho[ul]d. be equal to 9-for this wo[ul]d. be the case accord[in]g. to the D&C-[I]f 6 of this Quo[rum] sho[ul]d. be abroad & decide on a subject-& the o[the]r. 3 at home, it wo[ul]d. be in their power to decide diff[eren]t[ly]. with d[ou]ble the No. if 3 are app[ointe]d. [I]t will be by election-there needs no additional ordination-& consequently our decisions are now all equal-[B]ut it is the Pres[idenc]y. right to Preside by virtue of his age & to decide any little ma[tte]r-[B]ut if the Pres[idenc]y. & 5 men decide one thing-& 7 decide the o[the]r., the 7 wo[ul]d. carry. I feel the Ch[urch] will app[oi]nt a 1st. Pres[idenc]y. but I want to express my mind-I feel following the current of the Sp[irit] is for me to decide accord[in]g. to the li[gh]t. I have upon it-that I wo[ul]d. term deciding by the Sp[irit]-[I]f I give up my judg[men]t. & views that wo[ul]d, not decide bec[ause] the Ch[urch] ma[y] have diff[eren]t views-I dont think we sho[ul]d. act right in the sight of God with[ou]t. we [having] exercised our judgment-[I]n all matters I intend to act as independently as if there was no Quo[rum]. [I]f this is not right there is no necessity for Councillors-I [k]no[w] we have often been whipt by bro Joseph, & urged by bro Young if we have any views to let them out-Ill bear the foolishness-I will not harbor the feelings in my bosom but express them freely in council-I do verily bel[ieve] from the bottom of my heart that there is no occasion for 3 first Pres[i]d[enc]y by appointt[in]g. 3 first Pres[idenc]y.-[W]e sho[ul]d. be just as disorganized as we are now unless the vacancies are filled out-[A]ccording to [the] D&C., 3 first Pres[iden]cy. are a sep[arate] Quo[rum].-[and] the 12 ano[the]r.-[I]f the 3 1st. pres[idenc]y. are a part of the Quo[rum]-its no pattern to us-[I]n ancient days Peter had Ja[me]s. & John but we have nothing to do with [the] Ancient organizat[io]n.-Ancient times they had no Hi[gh] councils & we have-[I]f we organize according to the D&C. the Quo[rum] wo[ul]d. have to be filled up or there wo[ul]d. be a lack-[C]annot we say as a Quo[rum]. to 3 men-you go over into the Valley [and] take charge of the affairs in that reg[io]n., does not that liberate 9[?]-[C]ertainly it does-[C]ant we say to 1 man go & act-but when we return we act with you[? I]f there is a 3 first Pres[idenc]y, they act whe[the]r. we are present or absent-[S]ince the days of Joseph 3 men went to England, [and] we gave them power to do it-[W]e backed them up & the L[or]d. blest them to as great an extent as if we had conferred on the the 3 first Pres[idenc]y. [T]his Quo[rum] can all decide that we stay here & delegate 1 2 3 or 4 men & set them apart to go into the valley & preside that the blessing of heaven wo[ul]d. be with them as much as if he had delegated to them the 3 first Pres[idenc]y.-[I]f we app[oin]t[e]d. a 3 first Pres[idenc]y. we dont hold an equal right with them, [and] I have an idea there will be a 3 first Pres[idenc]y. app[oin]t[e]d. I dont think the L[or]d. will bless this Ch[urch] if it is done as much as if they cont[inue]d. the 12 first Pres[idenc]y.-& in the midst of a number of Councillors there is safety-I will say if there is a decision on the subject are the Ch[urch] decides there shall be a 3 first Presty., I shall be obl[igated]. to them. I will acquiesce in the decisions-I remember that in ancient days they requested a King-& the L[or]d. gave them a King, & Samuel says in order to convince of you the wickedness of this thing the L[or]d. will send thunder & lightning in harvest time-[H]ere the whole Ch[urch] went wrong-yet Samuel was convinced it was wrong-[T]his Ch[urch] have no restraints on them, [and] there is nothing to prohibit a 3 first Pres[idenc]y. but according to my present light I sho[ul]d. say it is not expedient-
B.Y.[:] I was precise to follow the current of the Sp[irit] of the L[or]d. & not of the current of the p[eo]pl[e]-
O. P.[:] I have remarked we have hitherto acted too much as machines heretofore-instead of as councillors-[A]s to following the Sp[irit] that is what I believe in-[H]e sho[ul]d. decide upon the best wisdom & judg[men]t. he has got-I will confess to my own shame I have decided contrary to my own feelings many times-I have been too much a machine-but I mean hereafter not to bemean myself as to let my feelings run counter to my own judg[men]t. [I]f I am wrong am I not willing to be corrected by this Council[?] I wo[ul]d. be an hypocrite to say it-[I]t wo[ul]d. be so much beneath my feelings that I dont intend to do it-
O. H.[:] My feelings wo[ul]d. be to fill up the Quo[rum] of the 12.
B. Y.[:] That will be for me to speak hereafter that is my if we have not a mind to fill up the Quo[rum]-[T]hats none of their bus[iness]. if there s a 1st. Pres[idenc]y. [-] who has any bus[iness] with it[?]-[W]e have met the defect of a 1st. Pres[idenc]y. & we can meet the defect of not hav[in]g. a full Quo[rum] of 12.
H. C. K.[:] I have my doubts if we co[ul]d. get 3 or 4 more horses to draw the 12 as we have done-
W. R.[:] I dont [k]no[w] that is necessary to sa[y] much. I concur fully with the 1st 3 that have Spoken-[I]n regard to bro Pratt he thinks it best to let 7 have the power-[I]f that, princ[iple]. is good now I cant see why it did not always be so-I cant see why our Heavenly Fat[her]. saw best to have a Pres[idenc]y. of 3 instead of 7-[M]y feelings are those that have originated from a Sp[irit] to me & which are manifested to me bef[ore]. it-is mouthed to me-[T]his is manifest to me clearly & that is an end of all controversy & that is the end of the law to me-I act by that Sp[irit]-it is ri[gh]t. [that] there sho[ul]d. be a 1st. Pres[idenc]y.-[T]he individual who has the ri[gh]t. I have no doubt-the necessity of it I have no doubt-& if we dont organize this Ch[urch] from this time I feel we shall see a waning in this Ch[urch]-[I]f we go forward we shall prosper as hitherto & more abundantly-[T]here are o[the]r. things that might
be spoken of but it is not necessary now-[I]n regard to filling up the Quo[rum]. I am also prepared to act upon that subject but I do not think there is the occ[asio]n. as there is the 1st. [blank] of the subject.
W. Woodruff[:] I view it to be of great importance to us as a p[eo]pl[e]-in regard to all matters of this kind-[I]f they come without reasons are given they come in a different view to what they ar[e] after the reasons are given-[M]y feelings are now whatever the will of God is that is my will, let it come in what shape it may-[I]n the 1st. place a query came[:] will the Quo[rum] be filled up[?]-[I]f 3 are taken out to form a 1st pres[idenc]y. it seemed like severing a body in two. [T]here were no reasons given me & I desired the Quo[rum] sho[ul]d. continue as it was-I felt if the Quo[rum] of 12 were to surrender their power unto 3 I sho[ul]d. be totally opposed to it-tho there are some things are brought up ag[ain]st. it. [M]y feelings are /our/ Pres[iden]t. who stands at our head has said he was moved upon by the Sp[irit] to speak to us-[O]ur Pres[iden]t seems to be moved upon by the Sp[irit]-[H]e stands bet[wee]n. us & God & I for one dont want to tie his hands.
I dont care what the Al[mighty]. wants-his will is my will-I am perfectly willing that sh[oul]d. be the case-with reg[ar]d. to [the] Quo[rum] remaining as it is-3 men holding the keys can ordain any man in the Church-Bro Y[oung]. [may] go forw[ar]d. & anoint whom they please-[I]f the 3 first Pres[idenc]y. hold their station among the Quo[rum] of the 12 I am agreed-I dont want to stand in their way & tie up in his hands [as] he is nearer God than I am & I wo[ul]d. rat[her]. untie his hands-[I]f the 3 first Pres[idenc]y. were set from us I v[e] had some feelings, [and] p[e]r[h]aps they ma[y] be a selfish feeling-As the Pres[idenc]y. seem to be moved on by the Sp[irit] I m reconciled to it-If I had the disposit[io]n. to hedge up his wa[y] I co[ul]d. not do it-but I sa[y] God speed him.
B Y to W. W.[: T]hank you for your submissive feelings-[S]hould you feel contracted- then feel ag[ai]n. [W]e [wi]ll go thro the world & preach the gospel to every creature-[H]ow do you feel bro Am[asa?]-(right) [W]ill you tie me up[?]-I feel as If I wo[ul]d. pull up mountains-I sa[y] bro O[rson]. P[ratt]. if you tie me up you seek your own downfall-[W]eve fought the battles & you cant get awa[y] from me if you [wil]l only keep the Sp[irit]-you cant get rid of me-I
[k]no[w] what God wants with this p[eo]pl[e]-[I]f you dont sa[y] Go ahead & preach the Gospel I ll thro[w] the Load on you & it will sink you to hell-thats the wa[y] I feel-(full of Spirit & Shout) I feel right all the time[!]-[S]et O Pratt at the head of this Ch[urch] & he [will] lead them to hell-[Y]ou cant give me any power [because] Ive got it myself-[Y]ou cant get rid of me Orson (P[ratt]).
O. P.[:] I dont intend to-
B. Y.[:] I see some things run to a point & ag[ai]n. I see Glory Hallelujah (Shout) I foresee things-Ive stood up & say Death is no difference to me-[B]ro Orson I dont attach any blame to you, but I know where Spirits lead to-
O P.[:] If I had the priv[ilege] of roaring I co[ul]d. roar too-I feel every man who stands as a Councillor sho[ul]d. not express one thing out of doors & ano[the]r. in-I dont consider it a narrow contracted Sp[irit]-I want the Quo[rum] to know it-
G. A. Smith-I ve chatted with O[rson]. P[ratt]. on this subject-[I]n a matter of importance that comes bef[ore]. me-I go to pray upon it until I see it-but blast the thing, I feel too tormented [and] bad about it to talk. I dont want to be pulled apart-& pulled locomotive fashion-I dreamed some dreams ab[ou]t. it & understood it all-I want to do the thing that wo[ul]d. build up the K[ingdom] of God the most-[I]f there was 3 of the Quo[rum], good heavens theres an end of the matter-I want to stick together as we have done-I have felt as tho[ugh] I co[ul]d. fly-& if I wo[ul]d. blow I wo[ul]d. let off the Steam with a good grace-I calculate to keep at it-I dont want to see this Quo[rum]: divided-[W]e are good fellows & better [?] [and] if 3 are picked out there might be jealousies-[W]e have acted under the 1st Pres[idenc]y. [and] I dont want the opp[ositio]n. on my necks-[M]y head aches most blastardly & I wo[ul]d. like to sleep on it-I am such an intolerant gabbler I wont make any pledges-[T]his K[ingdom] will roll ahead, just take what course you please-if its the will of the L[or]d. that this course sho[ul]d. be taken. Ill twist myself to it but its not my will tonight. Im not prepared ab[ou]t. it, on acc[oun]t. of my health-
B. Y.[: M]y feelings are precisely like yours-I wo[ul]d. not be div[ide]d. in our feelings or sep[arate]d. no more than you wo[ul]d. [I]t is in me like 7 thunders rolling-I wo[ul]d. not have [h]ollord tonight but its in me-I love this Quo[rum] as I love my eyes-but if you contract this K[ingdom] you will throw us out-but the K[ingdom] will roll on-I [k]no[w] what it is to have a 1st. Pres[idenc]y.-God has brought us where we are & we have got to do it & if the Devil can get us to decide that we will not have a 1st. Pres[idenc]y.-if you throw the K[ingdom] into the Quo[rum] of 50 they cant manage it & the 70 cant do it.
O. H.[:] If there ever was a propriety in hav[in]g. a 1st Pres[idenc]y. that time is now-
B. Y.[:] If we fill up the organ[izatio]n.-in reg[ar]d. to filling up the 12 it dont matter now-
G. A. S.[:] Im perfectly satisfied with Pres[iden]t. Young s course. I have no objections, only my private feelings-[T]his K[ingdom] will roll-even if it rolls us out. I cant find I am perfectly ready to act in any place as one of the 12 or any thing that ma[y] be necessary-
O H[:] When Jos[ep]h. was alive our feelings were not divided from his nor his from ours-
A. L.[:] I will state my present feelings & views in relation to the Apostleship-[I]f my notions are incorrect I want the Pres[iden]t. to put light on me. I expect some time or other to exercise the duties of an Apostle a great wa[y] from here or the Council-I am not going to say what ma[y] be the feelings if & if & if 3 were a first Pres[idenc]y. I am satisfied what they will be if they are as they have been-[W]e will be glad to get together again (B[righam] Y[oung].[:] & fall on each o[the]rs. necks) [T]he door for the wider spread of the word upon a larger scale is opening in the E[ast], W[est], N[orth], & S[outh]. The time for a man to go on an 18 mo[nth]s. mission is about to be toed off-[T]he int[erests] of Zion are to be watched over in the Valley, States, Europe, & all or parts of the world-& now it is nec[essar]y. to see what has to be done, [whether] the Quo[rum] has to be spread abroad [as] the Pres[idenc]y. has not fully id[ea]. what is the nature in reg[ar]d. to a sep[aratio]n. by 3 of the Quo[rum] being taken to preside & whose residence is to be at Head Quarters-[I]f they [blank] me into any shape or form to hinder Pres[iden]t. Young bearing the same relation to us-here s a business to be done here. [T]his is to carry out a work that has already been begun by ano[the]r. [I]f one man is not to stand in any mans place he wo[ul]d. stand as Pres[ident] of [the] Quo[rum] of 12-[H]ow much Fa[r]t[her]. will they be sep[a]r[ate]d. from [the] Quo[rum] of 12 than I sh[oul]d be if I was sent as an Apostle to England. Scotland &c. I am the rep[resentative] of the Quo[rum] of 12 & in doing my duty as an Apostle my work is as good & as strong as if all the 12 were there-[I]f I am wrong I am where I can be corrected-I go if with the faith of the Quo[rum] & the Ch[urch] & Im an almighty great man-[B]ut here the work is not here for us to do-[S]upp[ose] here are 3 of the 12-they have already got all the Power that God ever gave & that man is the head of the body-[W]hen the Pres[iden]t. gets up to hew he can hew off the Church according to the order of the P[riesthood]. [E]very quo[rum] of the Ch[urch] is a body-& to every body there is a head-& the head is the biggest member bec[ause] it knows the most & has the most responsibility-[I]f you see my arm it is as perfect a member of my body as my head-[A]int the head accountable where my arm is not accountable[?]-[T]ha
t is true-/even/ when you carry it down to any individual member-[T]hen my view in relation to the responsibility of the head is the power & right to dictate that the head has over the member & the power & admonition is in the head & not the body-the head who made it-[D]id the body? [T]hen I say the body has no right to dictate the head-[A] bigger body made the head & was placed above the body & is accountable for all-then who can reproach me[?] I dont feel that I am dishonored in my Station-[I]f I was the head I co[ul]d. see as far as him-[W]hen the head sees a thing & tells me to do it, I go & do it-[I]f I am wrong I can be corrected that I may tell somebody what is right & the truth-[T]here are my reasons that the head of this Ch[urch], is, has more responsibility than any member of the Quo[rum]. [I]f not I wo[ul]d. like to have one that did-(Brig[:] Amen (Hyde Amen) If I not [blank] the hand or the foot they are all pretty much intelligent & I want my head /Pres[iden]t./ to know as much more as my head does know than my toe & try to prevent it being mashed up-[W]hen the head says to the arm go & do so & so, go & exercise yonder in the power of Apostleship in disseminating truth or bringing Saints-then I m a big man, as big as the 12. I am plenty big enough & as big as any o[the]r Apostle-(B[righam] Y[oung:] I wish you had " day to preach). I let you know what my feelings are-if my head says I am wrong tell me-[I]ts enough to know what my feelings are in regard to what member bears to the head-& the prin[ciple]: that the int[eres]ts. of the p[eo]pl[e] wo[ul]d. be safer in the hands of 7 men than 3-[I]t does not appear so to me in a [illegible] rel[atio]n. [as] it takes 7 men to comprehend as much as 3 in ano[the]r. relation-[I]t appears to me in the nature of circumstances that [the] Quo[rum] of 12 cant reasonably entertain the exp[ectatio]n of being together as they have been since the death of Jos[ep]h.-[S]omebody has to preside-I presume I will go to valley there they [blank] & watch over the int[erests]: of Zion & they may send me to preside over Gentiles & S[ain]ts. I sho[ul]d. preside over Gentiles whe[the]r. they acknowledge me or not-[T]he 3 apostles co[ul]d. not get any bigger power. I suppose God ord[aine]d. that Pres[iden]t. Young sho[ul]d. be born so many years bef[ore] me-at any rate I dont remember it-I have got to act in my place & I dont bel[ieve] as to the matter of what will happen to the Quo[rum] of 12-[T]hats not a matter of business for to night-[W]hen I think of our 12 & 2 being taken out-my mind is what bearing will that be to the Quo[rum] of 12-I ve supposed a sep[aratio]n. of 3 or they co[ul]d not belong to the Quo[rum] of 12. they [wil]l either belong to it-or not-
B. Y.[: T]hey [wil]l either belong to [the] Quo[rum] of 12-or 12 [will] belong to them-
If we get all our pay here I consider it the poorest kind of pay, by & by I expect a rew[ar]d. for our past labors & endure the changes that may be made here will not have a bearing to sep[arate] us any more than if the subject had not been agitated. [I]t wont make a bit of difference-[S]up[pose]
[from the] Quo[rum] bro Amasa go[es] to England-Ezra to ano[the]r., Hyde to ano[the]r., [and] all are sent, all are 12 s in relation to the bus[iness]: sent to do-& they are just the men to do it-
[T]here is no load as big but they can grapple it-[S]uppose the Ch[urch] say[s] bro B[righam] shall preside over the affairs of the Ch[urch]-[I]f we stay 15 y[ea]rs-we ll have an Almighty big [?]-& they ma[y] be an enormous big drove or army-[A]s to the Presidency I feel ab[ou]t. it as when the 12 assumed the responsibility of the Ch[urch]-I felt then & now-that when the circumstances of the p[eo]pl[e] require it-then is the time to be concerned ab[ou]t. it-whenever it come to the time for me to know when I sho[ul]d. feel I have always been perfectly satisfied-I expect the Pres[iden]t. will tell all ab[ou]t. the particulars. [T]he end of the law was with me when he said the whisperings of the Sp[irit] told him to do this-[W]hen the Sp[irit] taps him it is right-if I was awa[y] the Sp[irit] wo[ul]d. tap me (25 min[utes] past 8).
E. T. Benson[:] I can offer my feelings whe[the]r right or wrong [that] thats a course I have always taken-I only know how to dispose of matters then as [the] Sp[irit] guides me from da[y] to da[y]-I have not exchanged a word with bro Brigham on the matter-I feel now as the o[the]r. day when some things were talked over that every thing is right & its hard to get it [w]rong, & if any help is wanted I wo[ul]d. help to pull down a mountain [if] I am not tramelled & I am satisfied our Pres[iden]t. can tell us what is wanted-I have an testimony that he is called of God-[M]y conscience is perfectly clear & my feelings are the same as they ever have been & am willing to lift him up a peg-[T]hats my private & public feelings. [T]he arguments that have been used are gone-[T]he time is come that it may as well be done now as any o[the]r. time. I can act as well tonight as any o[the]r. time, as the rev[elatio]n. says "it is of necessity"-I have thought more about it-[T]o understand the order of God, it is as plain to me as the nose on my face-I have as much power as I can feel wish-I will not carry any burden that grinds in here (bosom) [-] the K[ingdom] of God is a K[ingdom] of light & power & we have enough-[T]heres crowns & kingdoms & people enough in the world, I want to act as I wish to-[T]he L[or]d. says it is of necessity-[W]ill that take away my power[?]-[N]o, it will give me Almighty power-[W]herever the head is, let the power be-[I]f my head tells my hand to murder a man-my head suffers for it-[I]f my head is cut off, theres a possibility of some of the members sprouting-I want a chance to spread myself & I want to be about it-[B]ro Orson, the Valley is not big enough for us 12-I wanted to [k]no[w] of the L[or]d. concerning the autho[rit]y. of the Holy P[riesthood].-I came in not from the testimony of man-I came in like Abram going from his home not knowing what I came-I was tapped on the head like a shock of electricity-[I]f I did not keep watch ahead as J[ohn]. E. Page said, its hell & damnation all round-I am in torment all the while if I do not do right-I am not concerned but that the L[or]d. will carry on the work & that all will be right-I co[ul]d. not get it into my mind that God wo[ul]d. send an angel [and] call on his servants & then suffer an ignoramus to lead awa[y] the p[eo]pl[e] to the devil. I wo[ul]d. not worship such a God & I bel[ieve] God wo[ul]d. remove our head out of his place-I am here & am willing to act-I am a machine in the mill-& if the L[or]d. throws a belt over me I will be a drum-I will be propelled-and am like powdr /clay/ in the hands of the Potter. I want to keep with the Quo[rum] of the 12 & I mean to stick to bro B[righam]. I love him as well as I do any o[the]r. man-I am perfectly willing you sho[ul]d. take 3 & they govern & control me as the L[or]d. wo[ul]d. have it, for I consider they have some burdens & have feelings for us & may God call out the honest of the heart & gather his elect from the four corners of the Earth- (Several Amen)-
Orson Pratt rose to correct some ideas & to state wherein he differs from them-wherein the Ch[urch] of God has a head for its Gov[ernmen]t.-[N]o one of this Quo[rum] wo[ul]d. sa[y] that the Ch[urch] needed no head-I have too much confidence in the good sense of this Quo[rum] to maintain any such thing-[A]ltho[ugh] the head is governed as well as the arm & I intend to expose my follies before this Quo[rum] in all subjects-I cannot with my present light view all things in the same light with Bro Amasa & bro Benson-[I]f we were to act as machines there is no need of this Council-We acknowledge that bro Young has more in & superior wisdom to any one single individual of this Quo[rum]-[N]ow to say tha /go/ when he says that the Sp[irit] of the Lord says thus & so-I dont consider we sho[ul]d. act as machines-[A]ll we sho[ul]d. have to do is to say let it be so-[I]f we are to be governed in all cases in that way-we have no room in the least degree to look at a thing in this light. I do co
nsider the head of this Ch[urch] lays in the Apostleship united together-Paul says Apostles are set in the Church-not one individual of the Apostles, without councilling on the subject, [for] if all acquiesced where wo[ul]d. be the use of Councilling[?]-[I]f a man suppposes he has the Sp[irit] of God-& the o[the]rs. unitedly think he is mistaken I bel[ieve] they overrule the first-I do not acquiesce with the sentiments of bro Amasa-[I]n another thing-I misunderstand, [for] the D&C points out that the 1st. Pres[idenc]y. with the 12 shall do so & so & there is where I consider the highest power lies in the bosoms of the apostles-[Y]et if the Pres[iden]t. told me to do thousands of things I wo[ul]d. go & do it but I do not consider it in the light of the Quo[rum] doing it-[T]he necessity of having a Pres[iden]t. is seen in thousands of instances where it is not expedient that all should have to decide-[E]ven the Gentiles do not act as a body-the majority of the House of representatives decide[s] & not the Speaker who sits as a Pres[iden]t.-& I consider that our Pres[iden]t. does not control the Quorum.
B. Y.[: I] say again Orson, start a point & see where it carries you too-Shit on Congress I wont pattern after such a thing-
O. P.[:] I brought that up to shew what the D&C says that it requires 7 to control.
B. Y. O. H. & H C K[: Y]ou do not touch the premises.
B. Y.[:] Orson you have feet, arms, legs, eyes-[W]hat puts them in motion[?]-
O. P.[:] The Spirit that is in that part-
B. Y.[:] Every particle of the body is moved by the principle of Will-[Y]ou admit all the time that Joseph is still the 1st. Pres[idenc]y. of the Ch[urch?]-Who stands next to (Benson & K[imball] you)
[F]or any man to teach me is an imposition on me-[W]hen you undertake to dictate & council me it insults me. [W]hen I want a man to go to nauvoo-or send 40 Elders to preach-then is the time for you to assist me & you wont do it. [B]ut you want to get between me & Joseph-
[Y]ou cant get there-[H]ere is business going nearer to the Celestial K[ingdom-[I]ts of importance now to organize the Ch[urch]-that this Quo[rum] may do as bro Amasa says-[T]here ought to be 1 in England, ano[the]r. in Germany-ano[the]r. in France-2 in Canada-&c. [E]very man ought to be distributed all over the world-but your Sp[irit] now wants to say you are Apostles & you can never be any bigger-[W]e are to grow-[W]hy, because it is of necessity-I must either stop following my file leader or I must follow him-[T]he premises you would give me is no more than you give any one-[Y]ou cant make me Pres[iden]t. bec[ause] I am Pres[iden]t. [Y]ou cant give me power because I have it-[Y]ou wont even give us the power that you have got yourself-I want to advance-[Y]ou want your mind to expand [as] wide as Eternity-[W]e must either ascend or descend-[N]ow is the time to take another stride-[H]ere s the nations of the earth to be gathered-
[C]ut your heart strings and let them expand-let a man put his hand on the history. [W]here I have snubbed a man I have scolded a man but no more-[H]ave I ever manifested any thing that wo[ul]d. cause the bre[thre]n to lose confidence in me[?]-[I]f I dont grow you cant-[J]ust let human nature rule & what does it lead to[?]-I see where one thing leads to & where the o[the]r thing leads to-
We are now commencing a bigger thing than ever you did before. What we have done is a mere patching to what we have to do-[I]f you tie us up we cant do any thing-but only go out with the word of life & be gathered up a Th[ing]. bigger than we have now.
H C K made a simile of a currant bush being planted in a cluster-& spread out-[I]f we are hampered up to gather, the less chance there is to spread.
O. H.[: S]uppose we decide a thing-Bro B[righam]. puts his vote upon it-& we carry it bef[ore] the p[eo]pl[e] with the veto bef[ore] our face-[W]e sho[ul]d. be thrown-[H]e has the power now & why not concede to it[?]-
H C K.-The rev[elatio]n. says I give unto you Brigham Young-
B. Y.[:] I dreamed the o[the]r. night a personage came to me & told me I had contemplated the planets == [T]his char[acter]. said he co[ul]d. shew me in 2 min[utes]: that the system is correct & if they knew what we knew they wo[ul]d. do in 2 min[utes]: what now takes days & weeks-[H]e showed me the rule & shewed me how simple it is-I bel[ieve] the L[or]d. God will give me revelations as plain as he ever told Joseph, & when it comes to you, you will see just as plain.
O H "I move that bro /Brigham/ Young be acknowledged by us as Pres[iden]t. not only of the Quo[rum] /of the 12/ but of the whole Ch[urch] & that he have the privilege of selecting /nominating/ his two councillors /to form/ as the First Presidency of the Church"-W. Woodruff sec[onde]d.
O Hyde[:] I move that bro Brigham Young be the President of the Church of J[esus]. C[hrist]. of L[atter] D[ay] S[aints]. & that he nominate his /two/ Councillors who will constitute a First Presidency.
W. Woodruff seconded-all hands up-B. Young-H. C. Kimball-O Hyde-O Pratt, W
Richards-G. A. Smith-A. Lyman, W. Woodruff, & E T Benson-& T Bullock-(20 min[utes] to 10)
O. Pratt[:] I suggest that bro Young appoint his two Councillors to night.
B. Y.[:] I should nominate bro. Heber /C. Kimball/ as my first councillor. O. Pratt[:] I second it. All hands up again.
B. Y.[:] I nominate brother Willard Richards as my other councillor. O. Hyde[:] I second it-
All hands up again-(5 min[utes] to 10)
[T]hen adjourned to bro Hydes [and] partook of Supper & followed by rich Wines-[We] sat up till " past 11 &c then retired to bed [and] sang the Pioneer song &c drank of Jerusalem Wine & delightful Strawberry Wine, our souls all rejoicing in the Lord for his mercy [he] endures towards his Saints continually.
[source: Minutes, Quorum of Twelve]
B. Young[: A]s we are now as many of the Qu[orum] of the 12 as can be gathered tog[e]t[her]. I feel disposed to open my mind and feelings in regard to a question we have talked over, & I want to have a decision-1st on the death of Jos[eph]. [T]he 12 had to step forw[a]rd. to lead the Ch[urch] & I felt then as now as when duty prompts me I mean to do it, let consequences be what they ma[y]-[C]onsequently I acted as I did, & so did those of this Co[unci]l. of 12-thus far they have been conducted satisfactorily-[A]t [the] time 12 stept forw[ar]d. & follow[ed] in [the] steps of [the] prophet. [A]t that time & since Ive had but one mind to the whole affair & I thot. I knew what ought to be done, & do now, [and] we stept forw[ar]d. in [the] midst of opposit[io]n., calamity, & trial of every kind & was sure God wo[ul]d. bear us off Conqueror over all our Sp[iritual] foes-[A]t the time I had some understand[in]gs. as to organ[izatio]n. of its perfect[io].n.
I never mouthed it till lately [as] it was not time to broach the subject until I felt it duty-& I knew the Sp[irit]. wo[ul]d. not let me do it-[F]rom [that] time I have been in [the] G[rea]t. Sa[lt] Lake City till now, [and] the tap[pin]gs. of [the] Sp[irit]. to me is the Ch[urch] ou[gh]t. to be now org[anize]d.-& it proves to the Ch[urch] if there is a God in Mormonism-that is in 12 we have proven to [the] L[or]d. & Devil & men that we are just willing to do what [the] L[or]d. wants us to do-[N]ow is [the] time this quest[io]n. is to be [in] settl[men]t.-[I]f all are going into [the] Valley let it be there-[I]f that qu[estion] can be settled by 9 of 12 then it can be carr[ie]d. bef[ore] auth[or]s. of Ch[urch] & it can be settled in their own minds & then-the feeling that I have & the Sp[irit] that guides leads & protects me is-if this is not right, right it-[B]ut [the] Sp[irit] prompts me to obe[y] those Steps-If [the] Ch[urch] continues to stand as now-if 12 stand as [the]
Pres[idenc]y., the Ch[urch] may judge whe[the]r. its ri[gh]t. [is] to keep 12 at home to preside, & if I dont not if [the] L[or]d. requires & manifests that it be wisdom to have [the] 1st Pres[idenc]y. & liberate 12-& 12 to stand as now & not sep[arate]-but stay with [the] Ch[urch] & preside over [the] Ch[urch] as say I hold pre[ro]gotive-I am going to roll that responsibility of[f] my Shoulders & roll it on these my bre[thre]n-[W]e can organize [a] 1st Pres[idenc]y. its ru/le/ [is] if they are disposed to do it well & good, if not, the responsibility is on you-I feel I dont [k]no[w] much-
[T]here s a [w]rong concep[tio]n. regard[in]g. organizing [the] 1st pres[idenc]y.-as theres nobody here but 12 & our Clerk. Im going tell you-we have had talk-& bro O[rson]. P[ratt-] his arguments were singular to me talk[in]g. of divid[in]g. 12. I dont understand-if one man is taken as Pres[iden]t. & his 2 Co[unci]l[or]s.-I understand the 12 stand as now-[T]he o[the]r. of 12 can be foot loose & can carry the K[ingdom] to [the] world-[W]hen all 12 sit toge[the]r. they sit as now-
[I]f we are not 1 we cant suppose we are the L[or]ds. or his Serv[an]ts. [Othe]rs will not take our places. Jos[ep]h. always wanted 12 to transact with him. as 1 Co[unci]l[or].-[T]his wo[ul]d. not sep[arate]. us. but wo[ul]d, give us an org[anizatio]n. filling up [the] D.&C.-& [an] org[anizatio]n. of Ch[rist].-& wo[ul]d. be no more than does this Ch[urch] now.-J[oseph]. S[mith]. be 1st.
Pres[idenc]y. sec[on]d. cou[nselor]-thats [blank] thats all the ord[inatio]n.-election & [blank]-
[H]e was an Apostle, thats all we can sa[y] ab[ou]t it-Wherever his lot is cast, there act & in all faithfulness.-[T]he question ought to be decided-the future acts of the 12 will be accord[in]g to [a] decision of this Council in this respect, whet[her]. going to [the] mountains, E[ast]., or England-
[M]y conversat[io]n. has hitherto been independent to rouse his feelings-[I]f [the] 1st Pres[idenc]y. is to be it falls on me [and] it cant fall on any one else, [though] I wo[ul]d. be glad if it did-[A]s to going fow[ar]d. to be trammelled I would do it, I mean to do right-riter & rightest-[I]f we dont do it we are down-I want every man to go with [the] curr/ent/ of L[or]d. [-] just learn which wa[y] that goes & go with that-[T]hat will carry out [the] designs of [the] Al[mighty]. in giving [the]
P[riesthood]. unto us. [A]n El[der] who meets current of Sp[irit] will spit in his own face. I dont want any of you to grieve the Sp[irit]. I want it decided that we ma[y] [k]no[w] our future movements-I mean to be here & justified bef[ore the] L[or]d. in the matter-[W]hen Sidney [Rigdon] came back I walked up to the meet[in]g. alone. I asked S. White if he w[oul]d. go. [but] he said no-A man that wo[ul]d. follow S[idney] R[igdon]. I dont care a damn-I did not ask the p[eo]pl[e] if I might speak [-] I just spoke as I did-[I]n my days God knows I wo[ul]d. not consent to any such meanness, if a man does wrong we can correct him.
W. R.[:] A council was ap[pointe]d. at my Office at 9 oclock, & instead of your coming to [the] Council you went to [a] meeting-[Y]ou expected to meet us in Council.
B. Y.[:] I dont own to that & if such an item goes into the history Id tear it out if written in [a] book of Gold-
W. R.[:] It was simply this[:] we expected to meet tog[ethe]r.-[and] we tho[ugh]t. something had happened & went to stand & found you there.
B. Y.[:] Does any of you know of my making an app[oi]nt[ment]. & not being there[?]-
G. A. S.[:] You are sometimes in council to an hour or two (laf)-
B. Y.[:] Sid[ney Rigdon] & [Thomas] Marsh told us [the] meeting was not going to be-& I saw the bre[thre]n gathering & went-
W. R.[:] Theres nothing in [the] history to shew you are defective.
B. Y.[:] Now by talking ab[ou]t. it-I begin to recollect it.
H. C. K.[:] I [k]no[w] you was at stand but a very few minutes-
B. Y.[:] In some instances things are penned up in too hi[gh] colors, & some [are] very defective-
O. P.[:] I [k]no[w] Warren Parish [w]rote things, [how] that I was very rebellious-but afterwards [he] decided as I had it-[S]ome things are considered written that blacken the char[acter]s. of the 12 & o[the]rs.-I always tho[ugh]t. if I had any influence with God I sho[ul]d. petition God ag[ain]st. its being published.
H. C. K.[: B]ro O. that history is corrected by the 12.-[W]e took a great deal of pains to correct it-[and] I dont want any thing handed down of any man who holds the office o[f] 12-that future generations sho[ul]d. see.-I hate the principle-
O H.[:] There s some things in that history I wish were blotted out-
H. C. K.[:] I read in [the] old history that those, where things are said ab[ou]t. them, are tho[ugh]t. the most of them-
O. P.[: A] mans faults if they are written ought to have carried out their whole meaning-or else it is despicable in my eyes. [T]hat thing that Warren Parrish wrote "O Pratt manifested a rebellious Sp[irit]"-it was all ab[ou]t. the prounounciation of a Hebrew word. [W]hen it was decided in my favor-future generat[i]ons. wo[ul]d. think I had done some great fault-
O. H.[:] I dont think this Council wo[ul]d. let any thing go that wo[ul]d. oppress any one unjustly-
B. Y[:] You may hasten your remarks or deliberate on them. I want you to manifest your feelings in regular order-
H C K.[:] I suppose the matter bef[ore the] house is /ab[ou]t./ appoint[in]g. [a First]
Pres[iden]cy.-I am perfectly satisfied concerning such a matter. I have no hesitation nor or not had a long time-I feel its right-I am satisfied it wo[ul]d. be accord[in]g. to [the] will & mind of God & wo[ul]d. furt[he]r. [the] cause instead of checking of it., & I dont consider it wo[ul]d give any more power than they have now. I have all the power I can handle & [that] God is willing to give me-I bel[ieve] the heavens will be rent some day & will behold [the] L[or]d. I am subject & intend to be from this time forth inasmuch as I can.
O. H.[: I] feel perfectly to accord with [t
he] views of bro Y.& R. [W]e have fought the battle disorganized-& now we have wipt the enemy in a disorganized state what can we do when org[anize]d-& now go to work & org[anize]: hit[her].-[W]hat his p[eo]pl[e] do under [is that] the influence of the Sp[irit] of [the] L[or]d. is [the] voice of God-I claim from the cong[regatio]n. if theyd give me all power in heaven & earth to do good. & they gave it [to] me [that] 3 men can manage the Ch[urch] & K[ingdom] of God & the quicker it is brought to bear-I am in favor of it. I feel Bro Y. is the man [and] it is his natural ri[gh]t.-[I]t is his priv[ilege]: to nominate his Councillors-[W]e ma[y] as well commence work & do it up to night as any o[the]r. time.
H C. K.[:] There is no o[the]r. man than him with me-I want it as it is & no o[the]r.-
B. Y.[:] I urge you to go with the Sp[irit]. of the L[or]d. & w[he]n we get to that we are of one Sp[irit]. & one mind.
O. Pratt[: T]his is [the] 1st. time that the subj[ec]t. of [the] 1st. Pres[idenc]y. is bro[ugh]t. bef[ore]. [the] Co[unci]l.-[I]t has been thrown in incidentally in conversat[io]n.-both out of Co[unci]l. & in our Co[unci]l.-[T]here were some ob[ser]v[ati]ons in relation to [the] subj[ec]t.-
[I]ts a subject I have for some few weeks reflected on-I have meditated on it considerably-When I did hear of it some 2 or 3 y[ea]rs ago that there wo[ul]d. be a priv[ilege]. to have a 1st Presidency-I have thot. the time wo[ul]d. soon be, that it was necessary for me as well as the rest of this Quo[rum]. to get all the li[gh]t. upon the subject-I dont dispute the ri[gh]t. of the Ch[urch] to app[oin]t. a 1st. Pres[idenc]y.-the only question in my mind is the expediency of the thing, not whe[the]r. the Ch[urch] has power-but what is rightest, that is what we want-[U]nder the Council of this Quo[rum] the Ch[urch] has prospered-the Ch[urch] has been led & instructed right-[T]he question is, is it not more expedient to continue this Quo[rum] as it is-instead of making 2 sep[arate] Quo[rums?]-[I]t wo[ul]d. make 2 sep[arate] Quo[rum] out of this Quo[rum]. [T]he decision of 3 wo[ul]d. be equal to the decision of 9.-I question the decision of the Ch[urch]., whet[he]r. the dec[isio]n. of 3 sho[ul]d. be equal to 9-for this wo[ul]d. be the case accord[in]g. to the D&C-[I]f 6 of this Quo[rum] sho[ul]d. be abroad & decide on a subject-& the o[the]r. 3 at home, it wo[ul]d. be in their power to decide diff[eren]t[ly]. with d[ou]ble the No. if 3 are app[ointe]d. [I]t will be by election-there needs no additional ordination-& consequently our decisions are now all equal-[B]ut it is the Pres[idenc]y. right to Preside by virtue of his age & to decide any little ma[tte]r-[B]ut if the Pres[idenc]y. & 5 men decide one thing-& 7 decide the o[the]r., the 7 wo[ul]d. carry. I feel the Ch[urch] will app[oi]nt a 1st. Pres[idenc]y. but I want to express my mind-I feel following the current of the Sp[irit] is for me to decide accord[in]g. to the li[gh]t. I have upon it-that I wo[ul]d. term deciding by the Sp[irit]-[I]f I give up my judg[men]t. & views that wo[ul]d, not decide bec[ause] the Ch[urch] ma[y] have diff[eren]t views-I dont think we sho[ul]d. act right in the sight of God with[ou]t. we [having] exercised our judgment-[I]n all matters I intend to act as independently as if there was no Quo[rum]. [I]f this is not right there is no necessity for Councillors-I [k]no[w] we have often been whipt by bro Joseph, & urged by bro Young if we have any views to let them out-Ill bear the foolishness-I will not harbor the feelings in my bosom but express them freely in council-I do verily bel[ieve] from the bottom of my heart that there is no occasion for 3 first Pres[i]d[enc]y by appointt[in]g. 3 first Pres[idenc]y.-[W]e sho[ul]d. be just as disorganized as we are now unless the vacancies are filled out-[A]ccording to [the] D&C., 3 first Pres[iden]cy. are a sep[arate] Quo[rum].-[and] the 12 ano[the]r.-[I]f the 3 1st. pres[idenc]y. are a part of the Quo[rum]-its no pattern to us-[I]n ancient days Peter had Ja[me]s. & John but we have nothing to do with [the] Ancient organizat[io]n.-Ancient times they had no Hi[gh] councils & we have-[I]f we organize according to the D&C. the Quo[rum] wo[ul]d. have to be filled up or there wo[ul]d. be a lack-[C]annot we say as a Quo[rum]. to 3 men-you go over into the Valley [and] take charge of the affairs in that reg[io]n., does not that liberate 9[?]-[C]ertainly it does-[C]ant we say to 1 man go & act-but when we return we act with you[? I]f there is a 3 first Pres[idenc]y, they act whe[the]r. we are present or absent-[S]ince the days of Joseph 3 men went to England, [and] we gave them power to do it-[W]e backed them up & the L[or]d. blest them to as great an extent as if we had conferred on the the 3 first Pres[idenc]y. [T]his Quo[rum] can all decide that we stay here & delegate 1 2 3 or 4 men & set them apart to go into the valley & preside that the blessing of heaven wo[ul]d. be with them as much as if he had delegated to them the 3 first Pres[idenc]y.-[I]f we app[oin]t[e]d. a 3 first Pres[idenc]y. we dont hold an equal right with them, [and] I have an idea there will be a 3 first Pres[idenc]y. app[oin]t[e]d. I dont think the L[or]d. will bless this Ch[urch] if it is done as much as if they cont[inue]d. the 12 first Pres[idenc]y.-& in the midst of a number of Councillors there is safety-I will say if there is a decision on the subject are the Ch[urch] decides there shall be a 3 first Presty., I shall be obl[igated]. to them. I will acquiesce in the decisions-I remember that in ancient days they requested a King-& the L[or]d. gave them a King, & Samuel says in order to convince of you the wickedness of this thing the L[or]d. will send thunder & lightning in harvest time-[H]ere the whole Ch[urch] went wrong-yet Samuel was convinced it was wrong-[T]his Ch[urch] have no restraints on them, [and] there is nothing to prohibit a 3 first Pres[idenc]y. but according to my present light I sho[ul]d. say it is not expedient-
B.Y.[:] I was precise to follow the current of the Sp[irit] of the L[or]d. & not of the current of the p[eo]pl[e]-
O. P.[:] I have remarked we have hitherto acted too much as machines heretofore-instead of as councillors-[A]s to following the Sp[irit] that is what I believe in-[H]e sho[ul]d. decide upon the best wisdom & judg[men]t. he has got-I will confess to my own shame I have decided contrary to my own feelings many times-I have been too much a machine-but I mean hereafter not to bemean myself as to let my feelings run counter to my own judg[men]t. [I]f I am wrong am I not willing to be corrected by this Council[?] I wo[ul]d. be an hypocrite to say it-[I]t wo[ul]d. be so much beneath my feelings that I dont intend to do it-
O. H.[:] My feelings wo[ul]d. be to fill up the Quo[rum] of the 12.
B. Y.[:] That will be for me to speak hereafter that is my if we have not a mind to fill up the Quo[rum]-[T]hats none of their bus[iness]. if there s a 1st. Pres[idenc]y. [-] who has any bus[iness] with it[?]-[W]e have met the defect of a 1st. Pres[idenc]y. & we can meet the defect of not hav[in]g. a full Quo[rum] of 12.
H. C. K.[:] I have my doubts if we co[ul]d. get 3 or 4 more horses to draw the 12 as we have done-
W. R.[:] I dont [k]no[w] that is necessary to sa[y] much. I concur fully with the 1st 3 that have Spoken-[I]n regard to bro Pratt he thinks it best to let 7 have the power-[I]f that, princ[iple]. is good now I cant see why it did not always be so-I cant see why our Heavenly Fat[her]. saw best to have a Pres[idenc]y. of 3 instead of 7-[M]y feelings are those that have originated from a Sp[irit] to me & which are manifested to me bef[ore]. it-is mouthed to me-[T]his is manifest to me clearly & that is an end of all controversy & that is the end of the law to me-I act by that Sp[irit]-it is ri[gh]t. [that] there sho[ul]d. be a 1st. Pres[idenc]y.-[T]he individual who has the ri[gh]t. I have no doubt-the necessity of it I have no doubt-& if we dont organize this Ch[urch] from this time I feel we shall see a waning in this Ch[urch]-[I]f we go forward we shall prosper as hitherto & more abundantly-[T]here are o[the]r. things that might
be spoken of but it is not necessary now-[I]n regard to filling up the Quo[rum]. I am also prepared to act upon that subject but I do not think there is the occ[asio]n. as there is the 1st. [blank] of the subject.
W. Woodruff[:] I view it to be of great importance to us as a p[eo]pl[e]-in regard to all matters of this kind-[I]f they come without reasons are given they come in a different view to what they ar[e] after the reasons are given-[M]y feelings are now whatever the will of God is that is my will, let it come in what shape it may-[I]n the 1st. place a query came[:] will the Quo[rum] be filled up[?]-[I]f 3 are taken out to form a 1st pres[idenc]y. it seemed like severing a body in two. [T]here were no reasons given me & I desired the Quo[rum] sho[ul]d. continue as it was-I felt if the Quo[rum] of 12 were to surrender their power unto 3 I sho[ul]d. be totally opposed to it-tho there are some things are brought up ag[ain]st. it. [M]y feelings are /our/ Pres[iden]t. who stands at our head has said he was moved upon by the Sp[irit] to speak to us-[O]ur Pres[iden]t seems to be moved upon by the Sp[irit]-[H]e stands bet[wee]n. us & God & I for one dont want to tie his hands.
I dont care what the Al[mighty]. wants-his will is my will-I am perfectly willing that sh[oul]d. be the case-with reg[ar]d. to [the] Quo[rum] remaining as it is-3 men holding the keys can ordain any man in the Church-Bro Y[oung]. [may] go forw[ar]d. & anoint whom they please-[I]f the 3 first Pres[idenc]y. hold their station among the Quo[rum] of the 12 I am agreed-I dont want to stand in their way & tie up in his hands [as] he is nearer God than I am & I wo[ul]d. rat[her]. untie his hands-[I]f the 3 first Pres[idenc]y. were set from us I v[e] had some feelings, [and] p[e]r[h]aps they ma[y] be a selfish feeling-As the Pres[idenc]y. seem to be moved on by the Sp[irit] I m reconciled to it-If I had the disposit[io]n. to hedge up his wa[y] I co[ul]d. not do it-but I sa[y] God speed him.
B Y to W. W.[: T]hank you for your submissive feelings-[S]hould you feel contracted- then feel ag[ai]n. [W]e [wi]ll go thro the world & preach the gospel to every creature-[H]ow do you feel bro Am[asa?]-(right) [W]ill you tie me up[?]-I feel as If I wo[ul]d. pull up mountains-I sa[y] bro O[rson]. P[ratt]. if you tie me up you seek your own downfall-[W]eve fought the battles & you cant get awa[y] from me if you [wil]l only keep the Sp[irit]-you cant get rid of me-I
[k]no[w] what God wants with this p[eo]pl[e]-[I]f you dont sa[y] Go ahead & preach the Gospel I ll thro[w] the Load on you & it will sink you to hell-thats the wa[y] I feel-(full of Spirit & Shout) I feel right all the time[!]-[S]et O Pratt at the head of this Ch[urch] & he [will] lead them to hell-[Y]ou cant give me any power [because] Ive got it myself-[Y]ou cant get rid of me Orson (P[ratt]).
O. P.[:] I dont intend to-
B. Y.[:] I see some things run to a point & ag[ai]n. I see Glory Hallelujah (Shout) I foresee things-Ive stood up & say Death is no difference to me-[B]ro Orson I dont attach any blame to you, but I know where Spirits lead to-
O P.[:] If I had the priv[ilege] of roaring I co[ul]d. roar too-I feel every man who stands as a Councillor sho[ul]d. not express one thing out of doors & ano[the]r. in-I dont consider it a narrow contracted Sp[irit]-I want the Quo[rum] to know it-
G. A. Smith-I ve chatted with O[rson]. P[ratt]. on this subject-[I]n a matter of importance that comes bef[ore]. me-I go to pray upon it until I see it-but blast the thing, I feel too tormented [and] bad about it to talk. I dont want to be pulled apart-& pulled locomotive fashion-I dreamed some dreams ab[ou]t. it & understood it all-I want to do the thing that wo[ul]d. build up the K[ingdom] of God the most-[I]f there was 3 of the Quo[rum], good heavens theres an end of the matter-I want to stick together as we have done-I have felt as tho[ugh] I co[ul]d. fly-& if I wo[ul]d. blow I wo[ul]d. let off the Steam with a good grace-I calculate to keep at it-I dont want to see this Quo[rum]: divided-[W]e are good fellows & better [?] [and] if 3 are picked out there might be jealousies-[W]e have acted under the 1st Pres[idenc]y. [and] I dont want the opp[ositio]n. on my necks-[M]y head aches most blastardly & I wo[ul]d. like to sleep on it-I am such an intolerant gabbler I wont make any pledges-[T]his K[ingdom] will roll ahead, just take what course you please-if its the will of the L[or]d. that this course sho[ul]d. be taken. Ill twist myself to it but its not my will tonight. Im not prepared ab[ou]t. it, on acc[oun]t. of my health-
B. Y.[: M]y feelings are precisely like yours-I wo[ul]d. not be div[ide]d. in our feelings or sep[arate]d. no more than you wo[ul]d. [I]t is in me like 7 thunders rolling-I wo[ul]d. not have [h]ollord tonight but its in me-I love this Quo[rum] as I love my eyes-but if you contract this K[ingdom] you will throw us out-but the K[ingdom] will roll on-I [k]no[w] what it is to have a 1st. Pres[idenc]y.-God has brought us where we are & we have got to do it & if the Devil can get us to decide that we will not have a 1st. Pres[idenc]y.-if you throw the K[ingdom] into the Quo[rum] of 50 they cant manage it & the 70 cant do it.
O. H.[:] If there ever was a propriety in hav[in]g. a 1st Pres[idenc]y. that time is now-
B. Y.[:] If we fill up the organ[izatio]n.-in reg[ar]d. to filling up the 12 it dont matter now-
G. A. S.[:] Im perfectly satisfied with Pres[iden]t. Young s course. I have no objections, only my private feelings-[T]his K[ingdom] will roll-even if it rolls us out. I cant find I am perfectly ready to act in any place as one of the 12 or any thing that ma[y] be necessary-
O H[:] When Jos[ep]h. was alive our feelings were not divided from his nor his from ours-
A. L.[:] I will state my present feelings & views in relation to the Apostleship-[I]f my notions are incorrect I want the Pres[iden]t. to put light on me. I expect some time or other to exercise the duties of an Apostle a great wa[y] from here or the Council-I am not going to say what ma[y] be the feelings if & if & if 3 were a first Pres[idenc]y. I am satisfied what they will be if they are as they have been-[W]e will be glad to get together again (B[righam] Y[oung].[:] & fall on each o[the]rs. necks) [T]he door for the wider spread of the word upon a larger scale is opening in the E[ast], W[est], N[orth], & S[outh]. The time for a man to go on an 18 mo[nth]s. mission is about to be toed off-[T]he int[erests] of Zion are to be watched over in the Valley, States, Europe, & all or parts of the world-& now it is nec[essar]y. to see what has to be done, [whether] the Quo[rum] has to be spread abroad [as] the Pres[idenc]y. has not fully id[ea]. what is the nature in reg[ar]d. to a sep[aratio]n. by 3 of the Quo[rum] being taken to preside & whose residence is to be at Head Quarters-[I]f they [blank] me into any shape or form to hinder Pres[iden]t. Young bearing the same relation to us-here s a business to be done here. [T]his is to carry out a work that has already been begun by ano[the]r. [I]f one man is not to stand in any mans place he wo[ul]d. stand as Pres[ident] of [the] Quo[rum] of 12-[H]ow much Fa[r]t[her]. will they be sep[a]r[ate]d. from [the] Quo[rum] of 12 than I sh[oul]d be if I was sent as an Apostle to England. Scotland &c. I am the rep[resentative] of the Quo[rum] of 12 & in doing my duty as an Apostle my work is as good & as strong as if all the 12 were there-[I]f I am wrong I am where I can be corrected-I go if with the faith of the Quo[rum] & the Ch[urch] & Im an almighty great man-[B]ut here the work is not here for us to do-[S]upp[ose] here are 3 of the 12-they have already got all the Power that God ever gave & that man is the head of the body-[W]hen the Pres[iden]t. gets up to hew he can hew off the Church according to the order of the P[riesthood]. [E]very quo[rum] of the Ch[urch] is a body-& to every body there is a head-& the head is the biggest member bec[ause] it knows the most & has the most responsibility-[I]f you see my arm it is as perfect a member of my body as my head-[A]int the head accountable where my arm is not accountable[?]-[T]ha
t is true-/even/ when you carry it down to any individual member-[T]hen my view in relation to the responsibility of the head is the power & right to dictate that the head has over the member & the power & admonition is in the head & not the body-the head who made it-[D]id the body? [T]hen I say the body has no right to dictate the head-[A] bigger body made the head & was placed above the body & is accountable for all-then who can reproach me[?] I dont feel that I am dishonored in my Station-[I]f I was the head I co[ul]d. see as far as him-[W]hen the head sees a thing & tells me to do it, I go & do it-[I]f I am wrong I can be corrected that I may tell somebody what is right & the truth-[T]here are my reasons that the head of this Ch[urch], is, has more responsibility than any member of the Quo[rum]. [I]f not I wo[ul]d. like to have one that did-(Brig[:] Amen (Hyde Amen) If I not [blank] the hand or the foot they are all pretty much intelligent & I want my head /Pres[iden]t./ to know as much more as my head does know than my toe & try to prevent it being mashed up-[W]hen the head says to the arm go & do so & so, go & exercise yonder in the power of Apostleship in disseminating truth or bringing Saints-then I m a big man, as big as the 12. I am plenty big enough & as big as any o[the]r Apostle-(B[righam] Y[oung:] I wish you had " day to preach). I let you know what my feelings are-if my head says I am wrong tell me-[I]ts enough to know what my feelings are in regard to what member bears to the head-& the prin[ciple]: that the int[eres]ts. of the p[eo]pl[e] wo[ul]d. be safer in the hands of 7 men than 3-[I]t does not appear so to me in a [illegible] rel[atio]n. [as] it takes 7 men to comprehend as much as 3 in ano[the]r. relation-[I]t appears to me in the nature of circumstances that [the] Quo[rum] of 12 cant reasonably entertain the exp[ectatio]n of being together as they have been since the death of Jos[ep]h.-[S]omebody has to preside-I presume I will go to valley there they [blank] & watch over the int[erests]: of Zion & they may send me to preside over Gentiles & S[ain]ts. I sho[ul]d. preside over Gentiles whe[the]r. they acknowledge me or not-[T]he 3 apostles co[ul]d. not get any bigger power. I suppose God ord[aine]d. that Pres[iden]t. Young sho[ul]d. be born so many years bef[ore] me-at any rate I dont remember it-I have got to act in my place & I dont bel[ieve] as to the matter of what will happen to the Quo[rum] of 12-[T]hats not a matter of business for to night-[W]hen I think of our 12 & 2 being taken out-my mind is what bearing will that be to the Quo[rum] of 12-I ve supposed a sep[aratio]n. of 3 or they co[ul]d not belong to the Quo[rum] of 12. they [wil]l either belong to it-or not-
B. Y.[: T]hey [wil]l either belong to [the] Quo[rum] of 12-or 12 [will] belong to them-
If we get all our pay here I consider it the poorest kind of pay, by & by I expect a rew[ar]d. for our past labors & endure the changes that may be made here will not have a bearing to sep[arate] us any more than if the subject had not been agitated. [I]t wont make a bit of difference-[S]up[pose]
[from the] Quo[rum] bro Amasa go[es] to England-Ezra to ano[the]r., Hyde to ano[the]r., [and] all are sent, all are 12 s in relation to the bus[iness]: sent to do-& they are just the men to do it-
[T]here is no load as big but they can grapple it-[S]uppose the Ch[urch] say[s] bro B[righam] shall preside over the affairs of the Ch[urch]-[I]f we stay 15 y[ea]rs-we ll have an Almighty big [?]-& they ma[y] be an enormous big drove or army-[A]s to the Presidency I feel ab[ou]t. it as when the 12 assumed the responsibility of the Ch[urch]-I felt then & now-that when the circumstances of the p[eo]pl[e] require it-then is the time to be concerned ab[ou]t. it-whenever it come to the time for me to know when I sho[ul]d. feel I have always been perfectly satisfied-I expect the Pres[iden]t. will tell all ab[ou]t. the particulars. [T]he end of the law was with me when he said the whisperings of the Sp[irit] told him to do this-[W]hen the Sp[irit] taps him it is right-if I was awa[y] the Sp[irit] wo[ul]d. tap me (25 min[utes] past 8).
E. T. Benson[:] I can offer my feelings whe[the]r right or wrong [that] thats a course I have always taken-I only know how to dispose of matters then as [the] Sp[irit] guides me from da[y] to da[y]-I have not exchanged a word with bro Brigham on the matter-I feel now as the o[the]r. day when some things were talked over that every thing is right & its hard to get it [w]rong, & if any help is wanted I wo[ul]d. help to pull down a mountain [if] I am not tramelled & I am satisfied our Pres[iden]t. can tell us what is wanted-I have an testimony that he is called of God-[M]y conscience is perfectly clear & my feelings are the same as they ever have been & am willing to lift him up a peg-[T]hats my private & public feelings. [T]he arguments that have been used are gone-[T]he time is come that it may as well be done now as any o[the]r. time. I can act as well tonight as any o[the]r. time, as the rev[elatio]n. says "it is of necessity"-I have thought more about it-[T]o understand the order of God, it is as plain to me as the nose on my face-I have as much power as I can feel wish-I will not carry any burden that grinds in here (bosom) [-] the K[ingdom] of God is a K[ingdom] of light & power & we have enough-[T]heres crowns & kingdoms & people enough in the world, I want to act as I wish to-[T]he L[or]d. says it is of necessity-[W]ill that take away my power[?]-[N]o, it will give me Almighty power-[W]herever the head is, let the power be-[I]f my head tells my hand to murder a man-my head suffers for it-[I]f my head is cut off, theres a possibility of some of the members sprouting-I want a chance to spread myself & I want to be about it-[B]ro Orson, the Valley is not big enough for us 12-I wanted to [k]no[w] of the L[or]d. concerning the autho[rit]y. of the Holy P[riesthood].-I came in not from the testimony of man-I came in like Abram going from his home not knowing what I came-I was tapped on the head like a shock of electricity-[I]f I did not keep watch ahead as J[ohn]. E. Page said, its hell & damnation all round-I am in torment all the while if I do not do right-I am not concerned but that the L[or]d. will carry on the work & that all will be right-I co[ul]d. not get it into my mind that God wo[ul]d. send an angel [and] call on his servants & then suffer an ignoramus to lead awa[y] the p[eo]pl[e] to the devil. I wo[ul]d. not worship such a God & I bel[ieve] God wo[ul]d. remove our head out of his place-I am here & am willing to act-I am a machine in the mill-& if the L[or]d. throws a belt over me I will be a drum-I will be propelled-and am like powdr /clay/ in the hands of the Potter. I want to keep with the Quo[rum] of the 12 & I mean to stick to bro B[righam]. I love him as well as I do any o[the]r. man-I am perfectly willing you sho[ul]d. take 3 & they govern & control me as the L[or]d. wo[ul]d. have it, for I consider they have some burdens & have feelings for us & may God call out the honest of the heart & gather his elect from the four corners of the Earth- (Several Amen)-
Orson Pratt rose to correct some ideas & to state wherein he differs from them-wherein the Ch[urch] of God has a head for its Gov[ernmen]t.-[N]o one of this Quo[rum] wo[ul]d. sa[y] that the Ch[urch] needed no head-I have too much confidence in the good sense of this Quo[rum] to maintain any such thing-[A]ltho[ugh] the head is governed as well as the arm & I intend to expose my follies before this Quo[rum] in all subjects-I cannot with my present light view all things in the same light with Bro Amasa & bro Benson-[I]f we were to act as machines there is no need of this Council-We acknowledge that bro Young has more in & superior wisdom to any one single individual of this Quo[rum]-[N]ow to say tha /go/ when he says that the Sp[irit] of the Lord says thus & so-I dont consider we sho[ul]d. act as machines-[A]ll we sho[ul]d. have to do is to say let it be so-[I]f we are to be governed in all cases in that way-we have no room in the least degree to look at a thing in this light. I do co
nsider the head of this Ch[urch] lays in the Apostleship united together-Paul says Apostles are set in the Church-not one individual of the Apostles, without councilling on the subject, [for] if all acquiesced where wo[ul]d. be the use of Councilling[?]-[I]f a man suppposes he has the Sp[irit] of God-& the o[the]rs. unitedly think he is mistaken I bel[ieve] they overrule the first-I do not acquiesce with the sentiments of bro Amasa-[I]n another thing-I misunderstand, [for] the D&C points out that the 1st. Pres[idenc]y. with the 12 shall do so & so & there is where I consider the highest power lies in the bosoms of the apostles-[Y]et if the Pres[iden]t. told me to do thousands of things I wo[ul]d. go & do it but I do not consider it in the light of the Quo[rum] doing it-[T]he necessity of having a Pres[iden]t. is seen in thousands of instances where it is not expedient that all should have to decide-[E]ven the Gentiles do not act as a body-the majority of the House of representatives decide[s] & not the Speaker who sits as a Pres[iden]t.-& I consider that our Pres[iden]t. does not control the Quorum.
B. Y.[: I] say again Orson, start a point & see where it carries you too-Shit on Congress I wont pattern after such a thing-
O. P.[:] I brought that up to shew what the D&C says that it requires 7 to control.
B. Y. O. H. & H C K[: Y]ou do not touch the premises.
B. Y.[:] Orson you have feet, arms, legs, eyes-[W]hat puts them in motion[?]-
O. P.[:] The Spirit that is in that part-
B. Y.[:] Every particle of the body is moved by the principle of Will-[Y]ou admit all the time that Joseph is still the 1st. Pres[idenc]y. of the Ch[urch?]-Who stands next to (Benson & K[imball] you)
[F]or any man to teach me is an imposition on me-[W]hen you undertake to dictate & council me it insults me. [W]hen I want a man to go to nauvoo-or send 40 Elders to preach-then is the time for you to assist me & you wont do it. [B]ut you want to get between me & Joseph-
[Y]ou cant get there-[H]ere is business going nearer to the Celestial K[ingdom-[I]ts of importance now to organize the Ch[urch]-that this Quo[rum] may do as bro Amasa says-[T]here ought to be 1 in England, ano[the]r. in Germany-ano[the]r. in France-2 in Canada-&c. [E]very man ought to be distributed all over the world-but your Sp[irit] now wants to say you are Apostles & you can never be any bigger-[W]e are to grow-[W]hy, because it is of necessity-I must either stop following my file leader or I must follow him-[T]he premises you would give me is no more than you give any one-[Y]ou cant make me Pres[iden]t. bec[ause] I am Pres[iden]t. [Y]ou cant give me power because I have it-[Y]ou wont even give us the power that you have got yourself-I want to advance-[Y]ou want your mind to expand [as] wide as Eternity-[W]e must either ascend or descend-[N]ow is the time to take another stride-[H]ere s the nations of the earth to be gathered-
[C]ut your heart strings and let them expand-let a man put his hand on the history. [W]here I have snubbed a man I have scolded a man but no more-[H]ave I ever manifested any thing that wo[ul]d. cause the bre[thre]n to lose confidence in me[?]-[I]f I dont grow you cant-[J]ust let human nature rule & what does it lead to[?]-I see where one thing leads to & where the o[the]r thing leads to-
We are now commencing a bigger thing than ever you did before. What we have done is a mere patching to what we have to do-[I]f you tie us up we cant do any thing-but only go out with the word of life & be gathered up a Th[ing]. bigger than we have now.
H C K made a simile of a currant bush being planted in a cluster-& spread out-[I]f we are hampered up to gather, the less chance there is to spread.
O. H.[: S]uppose we decide a thing-Bro B[righam]. puts his vote upon it-& we carry it bef[ore] the p[eo]pl[e] with the veto bef[ore] our face-[W]e sho[ul]d. be thrown-[H]e has the power now & why not concede to it[?]-
H C K.-The rev[elatio]n. says I give unto you Brigham Young-
B. Y.[:] I dreamed the o[the]r. night a personage came to me & told me I had contemplated the planets == [T]his char[acter]. said he co[ul]d. shew me in 2 min[utes]: that the system is correct & if they knew what we knew they wo[ul]d. do in 2 min[utes]: what now takes days & weeks-[H]e showed me the rule & shewed me how simple it is-I bel[ieve] the L[or]d. God will give me revelations as plain as he ever told Joseph, & when it comes to you, you will see just as plain.
O H "I move that bro /Brigham/ Young be acknowledged by us as Pres[iden]t. not only of the Quo[rum] /of the 12/ but of the whole Ch[urch] & that he have the privilege of selecting /nominating/ his two councillors /to form/ as the First Presidency of the Church"-W. Woodruff sec[onde]d.
O Hyde[:] I move that bro Brigham Young be the President of the Church of J[esus]. C[hrist]. of L[atter] D[ay] S[aints]. & that he nominate his /two/ Councillors who will constitute a First Presidency.
W. Woodruff seconded-all hands up-B. Young-H. C. Kimball-O Hyde-O Pratt, W
Richards-G. A. Smith-A. Lyman, W. Woodruff, & E T Benson-& T Bullock-(20 min[utes] to 10)
O. Pratt[:] I suggest that bro Young appoint his two Councillors to night.
B. Y.[:] I should nominate bro. Heber /C. Kimball/ as my first councillor. O. Pratt[:] I second it. All hands up again.
B. Y.[:] I nominate brother Willard Richards as my other councillor. O. Hyde[:] I second it-
All hands up again-(5 min[utes] to 10)
[T]hen adjourned to bro Hydes [and] partook of Supper & followed by rich Wines-[We] sat up till " past 11 &c then retired to bed [and] sang the Pioneer song &c drank of Jerusalem Wine & delightful Strawberry Wine, our souls all rejoicing in the Lord for his mercy [he] endures towards his Saints continually.
[source: Minutes, Quorum of Twelve]
Mormon History, Dec 5, 1847
Parley P Pratt: Brigham Young accused by Parley P Pratt and John Taylor 16 Nov. and 5 Dec. 1847 of having "committed an insult on the Holy Priesthood" for defying instructions "not to meddle with womenÂ….committing adultery" by marrying without Brigham Young 's authorization in Nauvoo temple after it closed 1846 then again at Winter Quarters 1847, but no disciplinary action taken
[source: 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, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[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, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[source: 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, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[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, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
Mormon History, Dec 5, 1847
After five hours of debate, the Quorum of Twelve votes unanimously to form a new First Presidency composed of apostles Young, Kimball, and Richards. The three are not ordained or set apart.
[source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
Mormon History, Dec 5, 1847
Brigham Young: Ordained President of Church at Kanesville, Iowa, 5 December 1847.
[source: 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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[source: 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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
Mormon History, 1847. December 5
(Brigham Young) : Sustained as President of the Church by the Quorum of the Twelve "with authority to nominate his two counselors," Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards. December 24: The First Presidency was formally sustained by a general conference in Kanesville, Iowa.
[source: Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[source: Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mormon History, Dec 4, 1847
John Taylor: Sealed to Harriet Whitaker (born 1825 in England) 4 December 1847 in Salt Lake Valley. Three children: Sophia Elizabeth, William Whitaker, and John.
[source: 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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[source: 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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
Mormon History, Dec 4, 1847
[Hosea Stout Diary] Sat Dec 4th 1847. At the tax books yet[.] Omahas are now passing up again this evening.
Went to council[.] Nothing of any importance up today[.] Major the painter took a pull at me for my likeness today[.] Big Elk & some 8 or 10 more here again.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Went to council[.] Nothing of any importance up today[.] Major the painter took a pull at me for my likeness today[.] Big Elk & some 8 or 10 more here again.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Mormon History, Dec 4, 1847
[Brigham Young Sermon] Keep still and I want you to hear - we want to look upon you and you upon us - since the rise of the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS never was a time of greater events and consequences than at this present moment, if you will open you eyes you may see the importance, the items that are to be laid before the conference are indispensable - we cant talk that you call all hear - we will show you the propriety of those tarrying here who are here - a many will go from this side - it must not be done to forsake the poor and needy - or we shall find a tide against us that will cause us to sink - we must recommend ourselves as a people to the Lord, we will show you the propriety - all voices exclaim we will do as you advise us to do - if we cant prove what we ask we will yield the point - but we require it in the name of the Lord God Almighty - or we shall cleanse our garments of your blood some as we have done of the nation that has driven you out - give us a chance and we will give you understanding but not according to the mind of men that is contracted - we don't expect to convince them - but we can enlighten the saints - if you will stop here Brother Pratt was going to give you a synopsis of our journey but it is so inconvenient and miserable that I would rather go and cut down a big tree and haul it myself. -- Winter Quarters, Nebraska [Thomas Bullock Minutes, LJA; Thomas Bullock—LDS Church Reporter, 1844-56.C, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.; GCM, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah..; Leonard J. Arrington Papers, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.. (A reference reading LJA 12-55-5, 10, means LJA Series 12, Box 55, Folder 5, page 10.) 9-12-3, 155-156]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
Mormon History, Dec 4, 1847
[Brigham Young Sermon] I attended conference and proposed building a big log house in the hollow, for temporary use, telling the congregation not to be surprised if a city should be built there. The conference voted that Henry W. Miller be a committee of one to superintend the building, under the dictation of the Twelve. I told the conference that we must recommend ourselves as a people by our good works, to the Lord God Almighty. The conference was adjourned till December 24th to meet in the new house to be built. -- Winter Quarters, Nebraska [History of the Church. 7 Vols. B. H. Roberts, ed. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, Co., 1902. 7:620]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)