Minutes of April 14, 1838

Mormon History: 1830 to 1839

Minutes of April 14, 1838

An elder with independent views of Word of Wisdom, authority of the high council regarding revelations, errs in spirit, but does not merit punishment.
Date	April 14 1838	FWR Far West Record: Minutes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-1844, edited by Donald Q. Cannon and Lyndon W. Cook (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1983). , 179–181.
Location	[Far West]
Description	The High Council of Zion met agreeable to adjournment …	Minutes of April 13, 1838
Presiding	Joseph Smith Jr., Thomas B. Marsh (h), Brigham Young
Clerk	Ebenezer Robinson
Present	Simeon Carter Jared Carter Thomas Grover Isaac Higbee Levi Jackman Solomon Hancock George Morey Newel Knight George M. Hinkle George W. Harris Elias Higbee John Murdock	Listed in order of numbers drawn.
Open	Prayer by John Murdock
Appeal	Truman Wait appeals Elders quorum decision of March 27, reiterating his charges against Nathan West:
Nathan West does not believe in boycott	A spirit of dissension, in that he declared publickly that he did not believe in the vote of the General Assembly, last Nov. 7th, "not to support stores and shops selling spiritous liquors, tea, cofee, and tobacco." …	Word of Wisdom
Or that Word of Wisdom effects salvation	And also, … Teaching incorrect doctrine in that he said the word of wisdom did not concern our Spiritual Salvation.
Counselors assigned to speak	George Morey is assigned to speak for the Church, Newel Knight for the defendant.
	Nathan West acknowledges "part of the first charge."
Nathan won't accept high council decision that does not concur with D&C.	Darwin Chase testifies he heard Nathan say "that he would not believe the decision of the High Council if it did not coincide with the Book of Covenants."	The 1835 D&C consisted of two parts: Theology [Lectures on Faith], and Covenants and Commandments of the Lord [the sections now known as the Doctrine and Covenants].
Did not vote for boycott	He also heard him say that he did not vote for the boycott of stores that sold liquor, tea, coffee, and tobacco:
Those who did should keep covenant	because he had already made as many covenants as he kept &c but if any persons had made any such covenants, he would say to them "for God's sake to keep them."
	William Hulet testifies he heard Nathan say:
High council must prove him wrong about revelations	that if he had his mind made up on {any} a certain item of Revelation and the High Council should decide contrary his mind upon that item, he would not believe the decision except they would bring proof to substantiate it.
Joseph the prophet	Also that he never heard Nathan say anything against Joseph, but did hear him say that "he considered him the Prophet as much as ever."
	Council adjourns for an hour.
Second session	Council convenes.
Nathan voted for W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer	Silas Maynard heard Nathan say last winter that "he did not acquiece in the proceedings of the High Council and Church in cutting off W. W. Phelps & John Whitmer from the Presidents office." Thomas Grover testifies that at general conference, Nathan voted for their continuation in office.	Presidents of the Church
Nathan admits error	Nathan admits that at the time he thought the action was "too hasty and did not coincide" with the council's action, but now sees it differently and does coincide.
Does not consider Wor of Wisdom a commandment	Elder Wait: In a conference of elders, Nathan said "he did not consider the word of Wisdom given by Commandment or Constraint."
Decision: erred in spirit, but nothing serious	After remarks from the counselors, defendant, and accusor, the President (Joseph) decides that "Br. West had erred in spirit, therefore, feel to admonish him, but do not find anything in him worthy of death or bonds."	Joseph's humor?
Adjourn	Adjourn to next Saturday at 9 a.m.
Close	Prayer by George W. Harris
	Minutes of April 21, 1838 Minutes of April 13, 1838 Far West Minutes