Doctrine and Covenants 102

Mormon History 1830-1844

Doctrine and Covenants 102

February 17, 1834, Kirtland, Ohio.

High council: presidents and twelve counselors. Settle important difficulties §. Presidents (First Presidency) §. Church president is president of council §. Counselors casts lots §. Rights of accused §. President renders decision §. Council majority can override §. Councils abroad §. Appeals §. No appeal from the traveling high council (the Twelve) except to general authorities §. Council members §.

Several changes were made in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants to reflect the addition of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to church administration. Of the changes noted below, only those in vss. 10, 11 were made after 1835. They were made after the 1876 edition. For a comparison of the original and revised minutes, see Minutes of February 17, 1834.
1835 Doctrine and Covenants 5 heading:

	Original Kirtland Council Minutes (February 17, 1834)	Revised Kirtland Council Minutes February 19, (1834)			Doctrine and Covenants 102 (1835)
					Minutes of the organization of the High Council of the church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, Kirtland, February 17, 1834.
	[29] This day, Feb. 17, 1834, a conference of High Priests assembled in Kirtland at the House of bro. Joseph Smith Jun. They proceeded to organize the Presidents church Council, consisting of twelve high priests, and this according to the law of God.	[32] This day a <general council> of <24> high Priests assembled at the house of Joseph Smith Junr. <by revelation> and proceeded to organize the high council of the Church of Christ's, which is <was> to consist of twelve high priests, and one, or three presidents, as the case ~~may~~ <might> require.		1	This day a general council of twenty-four high priests assembled at the house of Joseph Smith, Jun., 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> is <was> appointed by revelation, for the purpose of settling important difficulties which ~~may~~ <might> arise in the Church, which ca <could> not be settled by the Church, or the bishop's council to the satisfaction of the parties		2	The 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.
	Those chosen are Joseph Smith Jun. Sidney Rigdon and F. G. Williams Presidents,	Joseph Smith Junr. Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G Williams were acknowledged presidents, by the voice of the council; and		3	Joseph Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams were acknowledged presidents by the voice of the council; and
	Joseph Smith Sr. 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, counsellors.	Joseph Smith Seign John Smith Joseph Coe John Johnson Martin Harris John S. Carter Jared Carter Oliver Cowdery Samuel H. Smith Orson Hyde Sylvester Smith Luke Johnson, were chosen to be a standing council for the Church, by the unanimous voice of the council.			Joseph Smith, Sen., 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.
	Joseph opens the council with prayer.
	He then arose and called upon the high priests, Elders, priests, teachers, and deacons that were present who had not been nominated as counsellors to pass their vote whether they were satisfied with the appointments or nomination of the twelve to Compose the Church Council.	The above named counsellors were then asked whether they accepted their appointment, and whether they would act in that office according to the law of Heaven: to which they all answered, that they accepted their several appointments, and would fill their offices according to the grace of God bestowed upon them.		4	The above-named councilors 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.
	It was the unanimous voice of all present that those who had been nominated, as above, should compose a Standing Council in Kirtland.	The numbers composeing the council, who voted in the name [same], and for the church in appointing the above named counsellors, were forty three: As follows: Nine high priests, Seventeen elders, four priests, and thirteen members.		5	The number composing the council, who voted in the name and for the church in appointing the above-named councilors were forty-three, as follows: nine high priests, seventeen elders, four priests, and thirteen members.
	It was also voted that any one <or more> of the standing counsellors were absent, their vacancy Should be filled by any high priest, whom the council Should nominate or choose,
		Voted, that ~~this~~ <the high> council cannot have power to act without seven of the above named counsellors, or their regularly appointed successors, are present;		6	Voted: that the high council cannot have power to act without seven of the above-named councilors, or their regularly appointed successors are present.
		these seven shall have power to appoint other high priests whom they may consider worthy and capable to act in the place of absent counsellors		7	These seven shall have power to appoint other high priests, whom they may consider worthy and capable to act in the place of absent councilors.
		[33] Voted, that whenever any vacancy shall occur by the death, removeal from office for transgression, or or removal from the bounds of this church government of any one of the above named counsellors, it shall be filled by the nomination of the president, or presidents and sanctioned by the voice of a general ~~Conference~~ <council of high priests> convened for that purpose to act in the name of the church.		8	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 councilors, 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 the voice of the Saviour and acknowledged in his administration by the voice of the church;		9	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 high council of the church; and it is his privilege to be assisted by two other presidents, appointed after the same manner that he himself was appointed,		10	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 that he himself was appointed.
		and in case of the absences 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.		11	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 he himself is absent, the other presidents have power to preside in his stead, both or either of them.
		Whenever a high council of the church of Christ, is regularly organized according to the foregoing pattern, it shall be the duty of the twelve counsellors 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.		12	Whenever a high council of the church of Christ is regularly organized, according to the foregoing pattern, it shall be the duty of the twelve councilors 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, ~~in the church~~ the twelve counsellors shall consider whether it is a difficult one or not. If it is not, two only of the counsellors shall speak upon it according to the form above written;		13	Whenever this council convenes to act upon any case, the twelve councilors shall consider whether it is a difficult one or not; if it is not, two only of the councilors shall speak upon it, according to the form above written.
		but if it is thought to be a ~~more~~ difficult ~~one~~, four shall be appointed, and if more difficult, six: but in no case ~~not more than six members shall~~ shall more than six be appointed to speak.		14	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;		15	The accused, in all cases, has a right to one-half of the council, to prevent insult or injustice.
		and the counsellors appointed to speak before the council, are to present the case after the evidence is examined, in its true light before the council, and every man is to speak according to equity [34] and justice.		16	And the councilors appointed to speak before the council are to present the case, after the evidence is examined, in its true light before the council; and every man is to speak according to equity and justice.
		Those counsellors who draw even numbers, that is, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12, are the individuals who are to stand up in the behalf of the accused and prevent insult or injustice.		17	Those councilors who draw even numbers, that is, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, are the individuals who are to stand up in behalf of the accused, and prevent insult and 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 who are appointed to speak on the case, have finished their remarks.		18	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 councilors who are appointed to speak on the case have finished their remarks.
		After the evidences are heard; the counsellors, accuser and the 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 to sanction the same by their voices.		19	After the evidences are heard, the councilors, 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 councilors to sanction the same by their vote.
		But should the remaining Counsellors who have not spoken*, or any one of them, after hearing the evidence and pleadings impartially, discover an error in the decision of the president, they can manifest it, and the case shall have a re-hearing;		20	But should the remaining councilors, who have not spoken, or any one of them, after hearing the evidences and pleadings 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 rehearing, any additional light is thrown upon the case, the descision shall be altered accordingly;		21	And if, after a careful re-hearing, any additional light is shown upon the case, the decision shall be altered accordingly.
		but in case no additional light it given, the first decision shall stand; the majority of the council haveing power to determine the same.		22	But in case 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 sufficency written to make the case clear to the mind of the council, the president may inquire and obtain the mind of the Lord by revelation.		23	In case 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		24	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.
		~~by appointing or chooseing one of their number to preside over the council~~ <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.		25	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, ~~with~~ <accompanying> their decision, to the high council [35] at the seat of the government of the Church.		26	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 at the seat of the general government of the church, and have a re-hearing, which case shall there be conducted according to former pattern written, as though no such descision had been ~~passed~~ <made>.		27	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 there 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 councils.		28	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 or located high priests abroad, have the power to say whether it is necessary to call such a council or not.		29	The traveling or located high priests abroad have power to say whether it is necessary to call such a council or not.
				30	There is a distinction between the high council or traveling high priests abroad, and the traveling high council composed of the twelve apostles, in their decisions.
				31	From the decision of the former there can be an appeal; but from the decision of the latter there cannot.
				32	The latter can only be called in question by the general authorities of the church in case of transgression.
				33	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 then proceeded to cast lots or ballot, to ascertain who should speak first, and the following was the result, viz:		34	The twelve councilors then proceeded to cast lots or ballot, to ascertain who should speak first, and the following was the result, namely:
		Oliver Cowdery drew No. 1 Joseph Coe " " 2 Samuel H. Smith " " 3 Luke Johnson " " 4 John S. Carter " " 5 Sylvester Smith " " 6	John Johnson drew No 7 Orson Hyde " " 8 Jared Carter " " 9 Joseph Smith Sr. " " 10 John Smith " " 11 Martin Harris " " 12		1, Oliver Cowdery; 2, Joseph Coe; 3, Samuel H. Smith; 4, Luke Johnson; 5, John S. Carter; 6, Sylvester Smith; 7, John Johnson; 8, Orson Hyde; 9, Jared Carter; 10, Joseph Smith, Sen.; 11, John Smith; 12, Martin Harris.
		Council then adjourned to meet on wednesday the 19th Inst. at 10 oclk A.M.			After prayer the conference adjourned.
		Orson Hyde Clk —			OLIVER COWDERY, ORSON HYDE, Clerks
		* Resolved, that the president or presidents of the seat of general church government, 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.
						D&C 103 D&C 101 Minutes of February 17, 1834 Presidents of the Church Ohio Revelations