| George F. James explains
he couldn't fill mission because he lacked the funds, denies he missed meetings
or spoke lightly of a brother. Joseph and council are satisfied. |
| Date |
|
April 4, 1834 |
|
Kirtland council,
48 // HC 2:47. |
| Location |
|
Kirtland, Joseph's house |
|
|
| Description |
|
This evening a council of High Priests
assembled … |
|
|
| Presiding |
|
Joseph Smith Jr. |
|
|
| Clerk |
|
Oliver Cowdery |
|
Original:
Cowdry |
| Revisit
George F. James case |
|
The council meets "to reconsider"
the case of George F. James. |
|
I
have found no minutes of original hearing. |
| George
explains why he didn't go n mission |
|
George says he has "often promised
to take up his cross & magnify his calling, but had failed." He
admits he should have written Joseph earlier and informed him that "pecuniary
affairs" called him home, so he couldn't fulfill his promise to go
out and proclaim the gospel. |
|
| Apologizes |
|
He "sincerely asked pardon
of the Lord and of his brethren," especially Joseph, and is willing
to ask for forgiveness from the church. |
|
| Attended
meetings, did not speak lightly of brethren |
|
As for charges that
he had not attended meetings and had "treated lightly some of the weak
&c.," he says that he generally attended meetings and denies "speaking
or treating lightly any brother because of his weakness." He never
did such things "nor could ever find such principles in his bosome."
|
|
|
| Joseph:
no hard feelings |
|
Joseph says he has "no hardness,
he only wished bro. George to consider this as a chastisement." The
council was duty-bound to notice his previous conduct, but if is willing
to "walk according to the new covenant, he should have his hand of
fellowship." |
|
|
| Council
satisfied |
|
Council express satisfaction
with "bro. George's" confession.
|
|
|
|
|
Minutes of April 20–21, 1834
Minutes of March 17, 1834
Ohio Minutes
|