--- title: Times and Seasons description: Issues of 1845 to 1846. authors: - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints editors: - Ebenezer Robinson - Don Carlos Smith - Smith, Joseph, Jr. - Taylor, John collections: - periodicals tags: - newspaper - times-and-seasons - nauvoo - nineteenth-century periodical: Times and Seasons volume: 6 number: 15 published: 1845-08-15 publisher: E. Robinson and D. C. Smith; later John Taylor publisher_place: Commerce and Nauvoo, Illinois language: en type: article reference: "“Minutes of the organization of the High Council of the Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kirtland, February 17, 1834,” *Times and Seasons* 6, no. 15 (August 15, 1845): 993–995." printed_title: Minutes of the organization of the High Council of the Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kirtland, February 17, 1834. source: url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1845-08-15_6_15 transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v6n15.htm), with its page breaks; this Internet Archive scan is the reference copy (its OCR was used only as a witness for OCR repair) identifier: per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1845-08-15_6_15 start_page: 993 end_page: 995 curator_note: A Mormon newspaper published by the church in Nauvoo; included for historical study. Inclusion does not imply endorsement. rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1845 (Nauvoo, Illinois); published before 1931, so public domain in the United States source: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1845-08-15_6_15 publication_year: 1845 --- # Minutes of the organization of the High Council of the Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kirtland, February 17, 1834 This day a general council of twenty-four high priests assembled at the house of Joseph Smith, jr. by revelation, and proceeded to organize the high council of the church of Christ, which was to consist of twelve high priests, and one or three presidents, as the case might require. This high council was appointed by revelation for the purpose of settling important difficulties, which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop's council, to the satisfaction of the parties. Joseph Smith, jr., Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams, were acknowledged presidents by the voice of the council; and Joseph Smith, senior, John Smith, Joseph Coe, John Johnson, Martin Harris, John S. Carter, Jared Carter, Oliver Cowdery, Samuel H. Smith, Orson Hyde, Sylvester Smith, and Luke Johnson, high priests, were chosen to be a standing council for the church, by the unanimous voice of the council. The above named counsellors [counselors] were then asked whether they accepted their appointments, and whether they would act in that office according to the law of heaven; to which they all answered, that they accepted their appointments, and would fill their offices according to the grace of God bestowed upon them. The number composing the council, who voted in the name and for the church in appointing the above named counsellors [counselors], were forty three, as follows: nine high priests, seventeen elders, four priests, and thirteen members. Voted, that the high council cannot have power to act without seven of the above named counsellors [counselors], or their regularly appointed successors are present. These seven shall have power to appoint other high priest, whom they may consider worthy and capable, to act in the place of absent counsellors [counselors]. Voted, that whenever any vacancy shall occur by the death, removal from office for transgression, or removal from the bounds of this church government, of any one of the above named counsellors [counselors], it shall be filled by the nomination of the president or presidents, and sanctioned by the voice of a general council of high priests, convened for that purpose, to act in the name of the church. The president of the church, who is also the president of the council, is appointed by revelation, and acknowledged, in his administration by the voice of the church; and it is according to the dignity of his office, that he should preside over the council of the church; and it is his privilege to be assisted by two other presidents, appointed after the same manner as he himself was appointed; and in case of the absence of one or both of those who are appointed to assist him, he has power to preside over the council without an assistant; and in case that he himself is absent, the other presidents have power to preside in his stead, both or either of them. Whenever an high council of the church of Christ is regularly organized, according to the foregoing pattern, it shall be the duty of the twelve counsellors [counselors] to cast lots by numbers, and thereby ascertain who, of the twelve, shall speak first, commencing with number one; and so in succession to number twelve. Whenever this council convenes to act upon any case, the twelve counsellors [counselors] shall consider whether it is a difficult one or not; if it is not, two only of the counsellors [counselors] shall speak upon it, according to the form above written. But if it is thought to be difficult, four shall be appointed; and if more difficult, six: but in no case shall more than six be appointed to speak.-The accused, in all cases, has a right to one half of the council, to prevent insult or injustice; and the counsellors [counselors] appointed to speak before the council; and every man is to speak according to equity and justice. Those counsellors [counselors] who draw even numbers, that is, two, four, six, eight, ten and twelve, are the individuals who are to stand up in the behalf of the accused, and prevent insult or injustice. In all cases the accuser and the accused shall have a privilege of speaking for themselves, before the council, after the evidences are heard: and the counsellors [counselors] who are appointed to speak on the case, have finished their remarks. After the evidences are heard, the counsellors [counselors], accuser and accused have spoken, the president shall give a decision according to the understanding which he shall have of the case, and call upon the twelve counsellors [counselors] to sanction the same by their vote. But should the remaining counsellors [counselors], who have not spoken, or any one of them, after hearing the evidences and pleading impartially, discover an error in the decision of the president, they can manifest it, and the case shall have a re-hearing, and if, after a careful re-hearing, any additional light is shown upon the case, the decision shall be altered accordingly: but if no additional light is given, the first decision shall stand, the majority of the council having power to determine the same. In cases of difficulty respecting doctrine, or principle, (if there is not a sufficiency written to make the case clear to the minds of the council,) the president may inquire and obtain the mind of the Lord by revelation. The high priests, when abroad, have power to call and organize a council after the manner of the foregoing, to settle difficulties when the parties, or either of them, shall request it: and the said council of high priests shall have power to appoint one of their own number, to preside over such council for the time being. It shall be the duty of said council to transmit, immediately, a copy of their proceedings, with a full statement of the testimony accompanying their decision, to the high council of the seat of the first presidency of the church.-Should the parties, or either of them, be dissatisfied with the decision of said council, they may appeal to the high council of the seat of the first presidency of the church, and have a re-hearing, which case shall then be conducted, according to the former pattern written, as though no such decision had been made. This council of high priests abroad, is only to be called on the most difficult cases of church matters: and no common or ordinary case is to be sufficient to call such council.-The travelling [traveling] or located high priest abroad, have power to say whether it is necessary to call such a council or not. There is a distinction between the high council of travelling [traveling] high priest abroad, and the travelling [traveling] high council composed of the twelve apostles, in their decisions: From the decision of the former there can be an appeal, but from the decision of the latter there cannot. The latter can only be called in question by the general authorities of the church in case of transgression. Resolved, that the president, or presidents of the seat of the first presidency of the church, shall have power to determine whether any such case, as may be appealed, is justly entitled to a re-hearing, after examining the appeal and the evidences and statements accompanying it. The twelve counsellors [counselors] then proceeded to cast lots, or ballot, to ascertain who should speak first, and the following was the result; namely:- Oliver Cowdery, No. 1 John Johnson, No. 7 Joseph Coe " 2 Orson Hyde " 8 Samuel H. Smith " 3 Jared Carter " 9 Luke Johnson " 4 Joseph Smith, sen. " 10 John S. Carter " 5 John Smith " 11 Sylvester Smith " 6 Martin Harris " 12 After prayer the conference adjourned. OLIVER COWDERY, ORSON HYDE, Clerks On the 18th, I reviewed and corrected the minutes of the organization of the high council: and on the 19th of February the council assembled, according to adjournment from the 17th, when the revised minutes were presented and read to the council; I urged the necessity of prayer, that the spirit might be given, that the things of the spirit might be judged thereby, because the carnal mind cannot discern the things of God, &c. The minutes were read three times, and unanimously adopted and received for a form and constitution of the high council of the church of Christ hereafter; with this provision, that if the president should hereafter discover any lack in the same he should be privileged to fill it up. The number present, who received the above named documents was twenty six high priests, eighteen elders, three priests, one teacher, and fourteen private members, making in all sixty two. After giving such instruction as the spirit dictated, I laid my hands severally upon the heads of the two assistant presidents and blessed them, that they might have wisdom to magnify their offices, and power over all the power of the adversary. I also laid my hands upon the twelve counsellors [counselors], and commanded a blessing to rest upon them, that they might have wisdom and power to council in righteousness, upon all subjects that might be laid before them. I also prayed that they might be delivered from those evils to which they were most exposed, and that their lives might be prolonged on the earth. My father Joseph then laid his hands upon my head and said, "Joseph, I lay my hands upon thy head and pronounce the blessing of thy progenitors upon thee, that thou mayest hold the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven until the coming of the Lord: Amen." He also laid his hands upon the head of his son Samuel and said, "Samuel, I lay my hands upon thy head, and pronounce the blessing of thy progenitors upon thee, that thou mayest remain a priest of the Most High God, and like Samuel of old, hear his voice, saying, Samuel, Samuel; Amen." John Johnson, also, laid his hand upon the head of his son Luke and said, "My father in heaven, I ask thee to bless this my son, according to the blessings of his forefathers, that he may be strengthened in his ministry, according to his holy calling; Amen." I then gave the assistant presidents a solemn charge, to do their duty in righteousness, and in the fear of God, I also charged the twelve counsellors [counselors] in a similar manner, all in the name of Jesus Christ. We all raised our hands to heaven in token of the everlasting covenant, and the Lord blessed us with his spirit. I then declared the council organized according to the ancient order, and also according to the mind of the Lord. The following complaint was then presented before the council, by a high priest: Kirtland, February 19th, 1834. To the President of the High Council of the Church of Christ: The following charges I prefer against Elder Curtis Hodges, Sen. of this church: First, an error in spirit; Secondly, an error in address or communication, which was in loud speaking, and a want of clearness in articulation which was calculated to do injury to the cause of God; and also, of contending or persisting, that that was a good or proper spirit which actuated him thus to speak, all of which I consider unbecoming an elder in this church, and request a hearing before the high council. Signed, EZRA THAYER. Elder Hodges plead "not guilty" of the above charges. Father Lyon's was called on to substantiate the above charges, and his testimony was pointed against Brother Hodges. Brother Story testified that Elder Hodges talked so loud at a prayer meeting that the neighbors came out to see if some one was not hurt. At another meeting, he said that Elder Thayer rebuked him for his error, but he did not receive the rebuke; that he raised his voice so high that he could not articulate so as to be understood; and that his teaching brought a damp upon the meeting, and was not edifying. Brother E. Babbitt was then called upon, who testified that Elder Hodges was guilty of hallooing so loud that in a measure he lost his voice, and uttered but little else distinctly, "Glory to heaven's king." His testimony was pointed against Brother Hodges, and Brother T. Wait testified much the same, Counsellor [Counselor] O. Cowdery stood up on the part of the accuser, and opened the case handsomely and clearly. Counsellor [Counselor] J. Coe stood up on the part of the accused, but could say but a few words. The accuser and accused then spoke for themselves, after which, the president arose and laid open the case still more plain, and gave his decision, which was, that the charges in the declaration had been fairly sustained by good witnesses; also, that Elder Hodges ought to have confessed when rebuked by Elder Thayer; also, if he had the spirit of the Lord at the meetings, where he hallooed, he must have abused it, and grieved it away. All the council agreed with the decision. Elder Hodges then rose and said, he then saw his wrong, but never saw it before, and appeared to feel thankful that he saw it. He said he had learned more during this trial, than he had since he came into the church-confessed freely his error, and said he would attend to overcoming that evil, the Lord being his helper. The council forgave him and adjourned to the evening of the 20th. O. COWDERY, ORSON HYDE, Clerks. From the N. Y. Messenger.