-- Jan 20, 1843
Amasa Mason Lyman: Appointed member of First Presidency 20 January 1843. (1)
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Jan 20, 21, I spent the time in the Printing office. (2)
Orson Pratt confessed his sins, he and Sarah Marinda Pratt re-instated and re-baptized [per Brigham Young]. (3)
Orson Pratt: Rebaptized and reinstated to Quorum of Twelve 20 Jan. 1843 q(1)
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith attended a meeting of the Council of the Twelve, where he told them of a possible future mission throughout the United States, England, and other countries. (5)
[Joseph Smith] Rebaptizes Orson Pratt after reconciliation regarding polygamy. (6)
Joseph Smith tells the Quorum of Twelve that Orson Pratt "had not legally been cut off," then rebaptizes him and reinstates him to the quorum, resulting in the first occasion where there are more than twelve men in the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. (7)
[Orson Pratt] When Orson later received a letter from one of Joseph Smith's detractors seeking to enlist his support, Pratt took the letter to Smith. This show of loyalty restored their friendship, and on 20 January 1843 church leaders declared Pratt's excommunication illegal, reinstated him in the church, and reappointed him as an apostle. (8)
Orson Pratt: Rebaptized and reordained to apostleship 20 January 1843. (1)
[Quorum of Twelve] Nauvoo January 20th 1843 The Quorum of the Twelve assembled at the house of Elder Brigham Young present (viz) B[righram] Young, H[eber] C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, W. Woodruff, John Taylor, Geo[rge] A. Smith [and] W. Richards, also President Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith of the first presidency also Orson Pratt. The meeting having been called to investigate his case.--
President Joseph Smith remarked that as there was not a quorum when Orson Pratt's case came up before that he was still a member. He had not been legally cut off.
O. Pratt remarked that he had[?] rather[?] die then go to preach in any other standing than he 2 [sic] had before. Joseph— Let him have the same calling that Paul had. Let him have the keys to the Jews. First unto the Gentiles then unto the Jews.
Paul held the keys of transfer— that is when the Gentiles have heard all they will it shall be given to the Jews.
J[oseph] — Orson by transgression laid himself liable to have another ordained in his stead. — & [?] Jacob & Esau were [?] for [an?] example. Young said there was about 3 [present?] when [Amassa?] was ordained — Joseph said that was legal when no more could be had. —
Young — and all he had against Orson was when he came home he loved his wife better than Paul.
Joseph — she lied about me. — I never made the offer which she said I did.
I will not advise you to break up your family — unless it were asked of me. I would council you to get a bill from your wife and marry a virtuous woman and raise a new family but if you do not do it still never through it in your [teeth?1] [i.e., "but if you don't divorce your wife. I will not throw it back at you"]. Joseph Orson I prophesy in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that it will not be 6 month before you learn things [which?] will make you [?] not [?] us [probably "glad you have not left us"].
Pres[iden]t Joseph said to Orson Hyde I can make a swap with Amasa Lyman and let him have the office we were going to give you.
Orson the latter part of your life shall be more joyful than the former.
3 o'clock adjourned to President Josephs. 4 o'clock Orson Pratt, Sarah Marinda Pratt & Lydia Granger were baptized in the basin by [?] Pst [?] Joseph Smith — & confirmed in the court [?] room — Orson received the priesthood & the same power & authority as in former days.
W. Richards B. Young (9)
[Quorum of the Twelve] Orson Pratt rebaptized and restored to former office in the Quorum. Amasa M. Lyman replaced. (10)
-- Jan 20, 1843. Friday.
[William Clayton Journal] President Joseph Preached in the Temple on the Prodigal Son and showed that it did not refer to any nation, but was me[re]ly an answer to the remark "he receiveth the sinners and eateth with them." The Temple was crowded with people. (11)
-- 1843 January 20
Friday, January 20th Visited President Marks. Returned at 10 o'clock and gave some instructions about [W. W.] Phelps and Richards uniting in writing the history of the church. Bro[ther] Phelps presented some po[e]try to Joseph Smith the Prophet—"Will you go with me in."
Joseph told his dream in council[:] I dreamed this morning that I was in the Lobby of the Representative House at Springfield when some of the members who did not like my being there began to mar and cut and pound my shins with pieces of Iron. I bore it as long as I could, then Jumped over the rail into the hall, caught a rod of Iron and went at them cursing and swearing at them in the most awful manner and drove them all out of the house. I went to the door and told them to send me a clerk and I will /would/ make some laws that would do good. There was quite a collection around the /State/ house trying to raise an army to take me and there were many horses tied around the square. I thought they would not have the privilege of getting me so I took a rod of Iron and mowed my way through their way /ranks/, looking after their best race horrse thinking they might catch me when the[y] could find me when I was awoke.
To dream of flying signifies prosperity and deliverence from Enemies. Swimming in deep water signifies success among Many people. The word will be accompanied with power. Told Elder Hyde when he spoke in the name of the Lord, it should prove true, but do not curse the people.
Prophecy in the name of the Lord God. [Joseph said,] "As soon as we get the temple built so that we will not be obliged to exhaust our means. Thereon we will have means to gather the saints by thousands and tens of thousands."
Elder Hyde told of the excellent white wine he drank in the east [Palestine]. Joseph prophesied in the name of the Lord that he would drink wine with him in that country. Joseph [said], "From the 6th day of April next, I go in for preparing with all present for a Mission through the United States and when we arrive at Maine we will take ship for England and so on to all countries where we are a mind for to go." P[r]e[se]nt: H[yrum] Smith, B[righam] Young, H[eber] C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, W[ilford] Woodruff, Geo[rge] A. Smith, [and] W[illard] Richards.
[Joseph said,] "We must write for John E. Page. We must love the whole Quorum. We must send Kings and Queens to Nauvoo and we will do it. We must all start from this place. Let the 12 [Apostles] be called in on the 6th of April and a notice be given for a special conference on the platform on [the] House of the Lord. We are sure to go as we live till spring. If I live I [will] take these b[r]ethren through these United States and through the world. I will make just as big a wake as God Almighty will let me."
/4 P.M./ Baptized Orson Pratt and wife and Lydia Granger and confirmed them. Ordained Orson to all the authority of his former office. *
-- 1843 January 21
Saturday, January 21st Went out in the city with Elder Hyde to look at some Lots. [six lines left blank]
Sunday, January 22d Preached at the Temple on the setting up of the Kingdom [of God]. [rest of page blank] *
-- Jan 21st 1843
[High Council Minutes]
Council met according to adjournment. Hyrum Smith William Marks & Charles C. Rich, Presidents. The Council was organized as, follows:
Samuel Bent No 1 James Allred No. 2
Lewis D. Wilson " 3 A Cutler " 4
David Fulmer " 5 G.W. Harris " 6
Thomas Grover No 7 Aaron Johnson No 8
Zebidee Coultrin " 9 W. Huntington " 10
Leonard Soby " 11 Joshua Smith pro tem 12
Prayer by President Marks.
Henry H. Wilson appeared before the Council and desired to know, whether, in his present condition, it would be wisdom, and also if it would be justifiable by the laws of God and man, for him to unite himself in matrimony, or not, as he had a living wife
It appeared from evidence adduced that his wife was a very contentious, disobedent and ungovernable woman and that she would not submit to good order, or abide his council and altogether refused to live with and that they had been apart for the last five years and many other things which was unbecoming &c.
After which it was decided by President Hyrum Smith and William Marks, that if he feels himself justified and can sustain himself against the laws of the land, that he is clear as far as they were concerned ((ie) the jurisdiction of the High Council) and was at liberty to marry again on the aforesaid conditions
The following charge was then presented.
"Nauvoo January 16th 1843.
You Enoch King and Mary your wife are hereby notified to appear before the High Council of this Stake on next Saturday, the 21st inst. at 9 o'clock in the morning, to answer to charges prefered against you, for living in adultery; and unchristian-like conduct
Done by order of William Marks, President of the High Council."
The trial of the above case was adjourned till one O'clock P.M. for the want of the proper evidence as neither party was ready for trial.
Henry G. Sherwood took his seat in Council
The following charge was then read,
"Nauvoo January 17th 1843.
You, Henry Cook, are requested to appear before the High Council of this Stake, on Saturday next, at 9 o'clock, on said day, at Hyrum Smith's office, to answer, as far as fellowship is concerned, to a charge for unchristianlike conduct, for selling your wife &c. &c.
Done by order of President Marks, President of the High Council"
Defendant said he was innocent of the charge
Two were appointed to speak on the case, Viz: Samuel Bent and James Allred. Upon examination of the case, it appeared from evidence, that Cook had lost his wife not long since and was left with three children and being in destitute circumstances, and not in a condition to keep house, thought that he had best get married again and advised with some of his friends who also thought it best if he could get a suitable companion, not long afterwards, upon a short accquaintance, and the recommendation of some of his friends he got married to Mary ******* not long after this he found that she was in the habit of traveling about at night when there was no need of it &c. and that she was would shamefully misuse his children & set bad examples before them, use very indecent language to them &c also would abuse him & insult him without a cause and entirely refuse to be subject to him or be under his controll, boasting that she would be governed by no man and threaten to use violence on
him and his children and that she would go off and say she would leave him, but come back again and many such like improprieties, and that he had use remonstrated against such proceedings with as much patience as could be expected under such circumstances and used every method to bring her to her duty that he thought would avail anything with her and afterwards that he had whiped her pretty sevearly (which was his own testimony) thinking that might bring her to her duty; that he did not sell her but something had been said about it which was understood as a joke by himself and the witnesses but the party making the offer held it as a bargain & so did she. it also appeared that he had formerly been a civil upright man who desired to live in peace and good order, all of which was abundantly proven.
President Hyrum Smith spoke at some length on the subject, and, after giving Cook a very appropriate and severe reprimand for using the rod whipping his wife, he thought Cook had acted as well as could be expected under his circumstances and decided that he should be acquited. The vote was then put to the council by Prest Mark[s] and carried unanimously
The Council adjourned a few minutes and again met, after which the charge against Enoch King and wife was adjourned till next Saturday at 9 o'clock A.M.
The following charge was then read,
"Nauvoo January 17th 1843
You John Thorp and widow, Sarah Miller, said now to be the wife of John Thorp, are each of you hereby notified to appear before the High Council of this Stake, on Saturday next at 9 o'clock in the morning at Hyrum Smith's office to answer, as far as fellowship is concerned, to a charge prefered against you for living in adultery and unchristian-like conduct.
Done by order of President Marks.
President of the High Council"
Two were appointed to speak on the case viz (3) L.D. Wilson and (4) A Cutler.
Upon examination of the case it appeared that Thorp and Sarah Miller had got married on the 6th of Dec last and that Thorp had another living wife now in this City, who was also at the trial, but he did not appear and sent word that he asked the Council no odds, another reason which he had given for not coming was that he was afraid that he would be arrested by the civil law and sent to the penetentiary for Bigamy, which was a proff of his guilt.
As for Sarah Miller, she plead ignorance saying she did not know but she had a right to marry him that Thorp used many arguments to induce her to have him and finely convinced her that it was right and also that Dr. Foster & others had used their influence to bring it about &c. &c. Much was said on the subject and the charge being sustained in the fullest sense it was decided by Prest H. Smith & Marks that they both be cut off from the church which decision was sanctioned unanimously by the Council.
Charge against John C Annis
For performing the matrimonial cerimony between John Wells Taylor and Mary Cook wife of Henry Cook, who was living.
It appeared that Mary Cook had left her husband and her and Wells got married under the plea that he had bought her of Cook for her weight in cat- fish and that Annis had married them which thing he frankly confessed, and stated that he had found out since he had no right to do it, and his reasons for it &c he manifested a spirit of deep repentance and remorse for what he had done and was willing to make any satisfaction which would be required &c which
President Hyrum Smith spoke at some length on the subject and reprimanded Annis for what he had done, without understanding his duty &c and then decided that he should be acquited which was sanctioned by the Council unanimously.
The following charge was then read.
"Nauvoo January 21st 1843.
Charge against Thomas Prouse and Charity Thorp, now the wife living with said Prouse, for the crime of adultery and other unchristian-like conduct.
Done by order of the High Council
Upon examination of the case it appeared that Prouse and Mrs Thorp was married on the 22nd day Dec. last. That she had previously to this came to his house to work for him, as he had lost his wife, and he had ascertain[ed] that she had some difficulty with her husband and that they did not live together and that he did not provide for her as he should &c and that he became more & more attached to her the more he became a[c]quainted, and also his children became acquainted attached to her and did not want her to leave their house and often solicited him to marry her which at last he did.
His reasons in justification of himself was that Thorp abused her and did not provide for her and because of the attachment of his children to her and more especially after Thorp got married to Sarah Miller &c all this was the statement of the parties and strengthened by other testimony.
President Hyrum Smith spoke at [length] upon the subject showing the iniquity of their conduct that they were living in adultery and that the only way for them to He then decided that they both be disfellowshiped, which was sanctioned by the Council unanimously
Council then adjourned till next Saturday at 9 o'clock at this place when the other buisness now before the Council would be taken up.
Hosea Stout, Clerk (12)
Footnotes:
1 - 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
2 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
3 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
4 - 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
5 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
6 - Scott H. Faulring, An American Prophet's Record, 'A Joseph Smith Chronology'
7 - 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"
8 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Orson Pratt,
http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/p/PRATT%2CORSON.html
9 - Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Minutes of Meetings and Other Documents--Excerpts, 1835-1896
10 - Wikipedia, Chronology of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church),
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_the_Quorum_of_the_Twelve_Apostles_(LDS_Church)
11 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995
12 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois
* Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1842-43
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