Mormon History 1830-1844

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Kirtland High Council Minutes: Contents by Date
This is a chronological index of the Kirtland High Council Minutes. It is designed for those who use Selected Collections DVDs.
The Kirtland High Council Minutes, contains minutes of meetings from October 1832 through November 1837. The original minutes were copied into this book in 1838 by Frederick G. Williams, Orson Hyde, Oliver Cowdery, and others. Other minutes were copied into the Far West Record in 1838–1839 by Ebenezer Robinson and Hosea Stout. The original minutes copied into the Kirtland High Council Minutes and the Far West Record seem to have been destroyed, as none have been located. For a chronological listing of minutes from both sources, see Ohio Minutes.
The scanned images in the Selected Collections are beautifully done, but of course reflect the chronological problems of the original.
* Joseph attends Pages
October 10, 1832 Bishop's council schedules a conference for Bath, Grafton county, New Hampshire for June 8. 1–2
November 16, 1832 * Elders' conference. Joseph ordains John Boynton an elder. 5
December 3, 1832 * Elders' conference. Joseph, Sidney, Frederick, Levi Hancock, others. 1
December 5, 1832 * High priests' council. Joseph, Frederick. Solomon Humphry, Noah Packard mission calls. 1
December 18, 1832 Elders' council. Curtis Hodges, Shadrach Roundy missionaries. 2–3
December 19, 1832 Conference. Lyman Johnson ordains William Smith an elder. 3
December 27, 1832 * High priests' conference. 3–4
December 29, 1832 Calvin Stoddard surrenders license to the bishop, confessing he "had not magnified his office …had transgressed and been out of the way." 4
January 2, 1833 Elders' conference. Mission call for John P. Greene, Philemon Duzette to the east. 4
January 9, 1833 "United Firm of N K Whitney" allows Frederick $300/year for services as assistant scribe.  
January 13–14, 1833 Doctrine and Covenants Section 84 is considered. Joseph's letter of January 11 to W. W. Phelps (about the revelation) is approved. The president of the High Priesthood is to preside at Sunday meetings and in his absence, the bishop. Orson Hyde and Hyrum Smith are assigned to write to the Saints in Zion about it and about "the subject" of letters written by Elders Phelps and Gilbert. On the 14th, the council approves the letter written by Orson and Hyrum. 5–6
January 14, 1833 Sidney ordains Evan Green a priest. 6
January 21, 1833 Hyrum ordains Truman Wait a priest in the translating room. 6
January 22, 1833 6–7
January 23, 1833 7–8
January 29, 1833 8
February 2, 1833 8–9
February 4, 1833 9
February 10, 1833 10
February 13, 1833 Burr Riggs charged with not magnifying his calling and treating counsel with contempt. 10
February 15, 1833  
February 17, 1833 10
February 26, 1833 Burr Riggs is excommunicated for neglecting his duty, not caring how soon he is cut off. 10–11
March 12, 1833 11
March 15, 1833 11–12
March 18, 1833 At Sidney's request, Joseph ordains him and Frederick presidents of the High Priesthood as directed in the revelation of March 8. They are equal with him in the keys of the kingdom and presidency of the High Priesthood. Many see visions of the Savior and concourses of angels. 12 (Hurlbut ordination only followed by meetings where his case is handled), 16–17 (complete)
March 19, 1833 Six missionaries return to Kirtland. Their motives are questioned. One is rebuked for having no special business in Kirtland and not paying board. All to raise funds for Kirtland's poor. 14
March 23, 1833 * After investigating prices of available properties, Ezra Thayer and Joseph Coe are ordained church agents to negotiate purchase of three farms. 15
April 2, 1833 Frederick G. Williams to manager the recently purchased French farm: hire men to work the brickyard and lease the rest of the property. Ezra Thayer to purchase Arnold Mason's tannery. 19
April 30, 1833*  
May 2, 1833 13
May 4, 1833 School house for elders. Reynolds, Jared, and Hyrum to superintend construction.  
June 3, 1833* Doctor P. Hurlbut excommunicated. Dimensions for the house of worship and school of the prophets. 12
June 4, 1833* Disposition of the French farm. Newel K. Whitney to take charge. John Johnson ordained to the High Priesthood in order to be admitted to the United Firm. 13
June 6, 1833 Orson Hyde clerk to the presidency of the High Priesthood. Begin construction of the House of the Lord immediately. 21
June 21, 1833 Doctor Hurlbut's case reheard. Guilty of indiscretions with "the female sex." Restored thanks to "liberal confession." One excommunicated for refusing to fulfill a mission. 21–22
June 23, 1833 General Council excommunicates Doctor Hurlbut for fraudulent confession. 22
June 24, 1833 Excommunication in New York for circulating "false and slanderous reports, and not observing the order of the gospel." 22–23
July 13, 1833 23
September 11, 1833 24
September 28, 1833 24
December 26, 1833 25–26
December 27, 1833 27
January 2, 1834 27
February 12, 1834 Joseph's first allusion to conferral of office by an angel. Before translation, Martin Harris says, Joseph drank too much. Martin admits his mind has been darkened, promises to do better. 27–29
February 14, 1834  
February 15, 1835 Ordination blessings of the Twelve, Seventies. 146–164
February 17, 1834 High council of the Church of Christ organized. Church court procedures. 29–35
February 19, 1834 Ratification of the constitution of the high council. Organization of the council "according to the ancient order." 36–39
February 20, 1834 Non-compliance with Word of Wisdom renders members unworthy of office. Missionaries assigned to Canada, others to raise funds in the East. 39–41
February 24, 1834 Origin of Zion's Camp. 41–42
March 17, 1834 Zion fund raising in New York. 42–43
April 4, 1834 Elder unable fill mission, innocent of other charges. 48
April 20–21, 1834 Oliver to prepare church covenants. 43–47
May 5, 1834 Name change to the Church of the Latter Day Saints.  
August 4, 1834 72
August 11, 1834 Joseph exonerated re: Zion's Camp. Sylvester Smith confesses. 52–55
August 23, 1834 Article vindicating Joseph to be published in the Star and circulated as a broadside is approved. 55–58
August 27, 1834 59
August 28, 1834 * Bishop Whitney convenes high council to try Sylvester Smith for his accusations against Joseph Smith. The prophet's conduct in Zion's Camp is upheld and Sylvester Smith is rebuked. 58–59, 59–63
August 29, 1834 Concluding testimony in the Sylvester Smith case—he is blamed for confrontations with Joseph Smith during Zion's Camp: insubordination, threatening Joseph's dog, arguing with him, refusing to share bread. Joseph didn't steal a quilt, it was given to him. Sylvester to publish confession. Detailed terms dictated. Sylvester signs statement under duress. 63–72, 73
September 8, 1834 Uses of the gift of tongues. One disfellowshipped. 49–51, 73–74
September 24, 1834 Sylvester Smith dropped from high council, Hyrum added. Book of Covenants proceeds. Newel K. Whitney store. 74–76 *
November 28, 1834 77–80
December 28, 1834 81–82
January 18, 1835 Bolton, New York, Saints to move to Kirtland, not Missouri. 82–83
February 14, 1835 Zion's Camp veterans acknowledged, ordained. In fifty-six years (1896) it will all be over. Three Witnesses select Twelve Apostles. Lyman, Brigham, and Heber are blessed.
February 15, 1835 Ordination blessings of Orson Hyde, David W. Patten, Luke Johnson, William E. McLellin, John F. Boynton, and William Smith.
February 27, 1835 86–88
February 28, 1835 Ordination blessings of seventies. 164–168
March 1, 1835 Ordination blessings of seventies. 169–180
Ordination blessings of Ezra Thayer, Harrison Burgess, Alden Burdick; William F. Cahoon, Harpen Riggs; Nathan B. Baldwin, Benjamin Winchester Burr Riggs; Lewis Robbins, Darwin Richardson; Joseph Young, Hiram Winters, Elias Hutchins, Henry Shibley; Hyrum Smith, Frederick G. Williams. 181–187
March 7–8, 1835 Blessing meetings, mostly seventies. House of the Lord builders and donors (listed) "own and control it." Blessings, ordinations, mission calls. 192–197 *
March 16, 1835 Asa Lyman and Alpheus Cutler rebuked for tarnishing Reynolds Cahoon's reputation without cause. Alpheus to publicly confess that he has complained about his pay for working on the House of the Lord. 84–85 *
March 28, 1835 The Twelve confess their faults, ask for forgiveness and a revelation for their mission. 198
May 2, 1835 Responsibilities, prerogatives of the Twelve, Seven Presidents of the Seventies. Redeem Zion or die. 187–192
May 2, 1835 Priesthood domains. The Twelve: seated by age, rotate presiding responsibilities, regulate church affairs abroad. Ordinations require vote of the church membership. Visiting elders must obtain consent of local authority. Twelve call seven presidents of the Seventy on missions. Seven presidents call and ordain new seventies. Redeem Zion or die.
June 6, 1835 New Portage, Ohio conference. New Portage branch 100 members, Strongsville 15. David Matthews and Israel W. Barlow reconcile. Matthews restored to fellowship. J. B. Bosworth charges A. Palmer with assisting another brother abscond with debt money. Palmer used money to assist widow and orphans to whom he believed the money rightfully belonged. Acquitted. Elder Barkdall claims Elder Keeler owes him for services rendered 8 or 9 years before. Both rebuked. Salmon Warner and Micah B. Welton charge Bosworth with using harsh like language, unchristianlike conduct toward Brother and Sister Meads; injured reputation of Mary Ann Point. Guilty. Confess to injured and to church. Aaron Smith charges Milo Hays with not obeying Word of Wisdom and covenant breaking. Hays excommunicated. 89–91
June 14, 1835 Copy of W. W. Phelps letter to Rev. Mr. Hewitt: Oliver went to Fairport but unable to find you. 92
June 14, 1835 Oliver's report to high council of unsuccessful effort to find Rev. Hewitt [an Irvingite missionary], who had expressed interest in the church. 92–93
July 14, 1835 Council of Presidents O. Cowdery, D. Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, F. G. Williams, and J. Smith Jr. excommunicates Edmund Bosley for covenant breaking. Isaac Bishop directed to make public confession of "having spoken evil of dignities." 93–95
August 8, 1835 95
August 10, 1835 Reynolds Cahoon has failed to teach " in the way of truth & righteousness." 96
August 17, 1835 General Assembly authorizes publication of the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants. (Joseph is in Wisconsin.) Oliver presents two articles that are approved and printed as Sections 101 and 102—an article on marriage (monogamous) and an article on government. 98–106
August 18, 1835 Phinehas H. Young is disfellowshipped for unchristian-like behavior on Burr Riggs testimony. 96–97
August 19, 1835 Almon Babbitt defense for breaking the Word of Wisdom: Joseph and others don't observe it. He is admonished to keep it anyway. Don't take wife on proselyting missions. 97
August 24, 1835 107
September 14, 1835 Laborer worthy of hire. Salaries for Joseph Sr., Frederick G. Williams, Oliver Cowdery. Emma select hymns and W. W. Phelps revise. 107–108
September 16, 1835 David Whitmer and Samuel H. Smith named Literary Firm agents. Harvey Green excommunicated for the "hienous crime" of standing up for an elderly brother Joseph and Hyrum had rebuked. 108–113
September 19, 1835 Jared Carter admonished for commanding congregation to pray for committee, implying it was above the brethren, and for resisting counsel. 113–118
September 24, 1835 Redemption of Zion. Revelation: petition governor, fight to the death. David Whitmer to lead, Frederick and Sidney assistants. Joseph stands at the head, assisted by Hyrum and Oliver.  
September 26, 1835 "Council of the Presidency of the Church" meets on letters William E. McLellin and Orson Hyde have written about Sidney's school. The two confess and are forgiven. 119
September 28, 1835 119–122
Undated Excommunication of Loyd L. Lewis for adultery 122–124
Undated—Tuesday Charges against Allen Avery, P. H. Young 124–125
September 29, 1835 Phinehas Young is cleared of wrong doing with Book of Mormon inventory. Lorenzo Young apologizes for saying: poor ought not have children, sex is nevertheless permitted, does not intend to have more children.  
October 3, 1835 A father and son acknowledge their error in criticizing the presidency and are forgiven. 126
October 5, 1835 Joseph instructs the Twelve: attend the organization of the School of the Prophets, washing of the feet, endowment from on high, move to Missouri next spring.  
October 29, 1835 Parents whip daughter. Neighbors call it child abuse. Daughter threatens suicide. Joseph faults her. Parents should have raised her better. They promise to do better and are restored to fellowship. 127–129 *
November 12, 1835 Joseph to apostles: dark time. Believed church was complete when the Missouri high council was organized, but lived to introduce the washing of feet. An endowment of power. Destroying angel follows. Saints to gather to meet the bridegroom. Those who are prepared will see the Savior in the solemn assembly.  
November 18, 1835 (New Portage) 129–130
November 22, 1835 130–131
December 28, 1835 Joseph charges Almon Babbitt with misrepresenting him in the matter of the debating school incident. Testimony on both sides. Almon confesses to doing harm, but not to lying. 131–134
December 29, 1835 Orson Johnson charges William Smith with speaking against Joseph and the revelations. 135 *
January 2, 1836 William Smith confesses. Accepted by council and congregation. 135–136 *
January 6, 1836 Five new members of the high council of Zion.  
January 12?, 1836 231–233
January 13, 1836 "Grand council" meets. Vinson Knight counselor to Bishop Newel K. Whitney. Five new members of the high council of Kirtland. House of the Lord rules when used for worship. 200–203
January 15, 1836 Rules for the House of the Lord. Presidents are elected and ordained for priesthood quorums. John Corrill to enforce the rules of the House of the Lord. 203–205, 233–234
January 30, 1836 First Presidency requires ordinations be approved by all quorums. Harvey Whitlock restored. 137
February 6, 1836 Quorums elect committee to draft license regulations and recording clerk.  
February 12, 1836 First Presidency submits two resolutions: (1) none be ordained in the Kirtland stake without the unanimous vote of the presidency of the church and high council in Kirtland, the presidency of the church and high council in Zion, the Twelve, the bishoprics in Kirtland and Zion, and the seven presidents of seventies; and (2) none be ordained abroad without recommendation of the church and conference they belong to. 137–138
February 13, 1836 The Twelve concur with the first resolution but offer an amendment to the second, asserting their authority over churches abroad. 138
February 17, 1836 Kirtland high council rejects the Twelve's amendment. 139
February 18, 1836 Kirtland high council rejects the Twelve's amendment for the second time. 139
February 22, 1836 First Presidency rejects the Twelve's amendment. 139–140
February 24, 1836 Ordinations. Oliver Cowdery, Orson Hyde, and Sylvester Smith to draft license rules. The Twelve and presidency of the Seventy to call for preaching in the area. 144–145
March 3, 1836 Quorum presidencies meet, approve resolutions for regulating licenses of "official members." 140–143
March 17, 1836 Ordinations. 146
March 19, 1836 John Boynton, Orson Pratt, Lyman Johnson, meet with church presidency, withdraw objections to regulation of ordinations. 144
March 28, 1836 198
April 2, 1836 199
April 4, 1836 Letter of recommendation for Lyman Wight. 200
May 16, 1836 Jenkins Salisbury excommunicated. Hannah Brown and Lusenia Elliot confess, retain standing. Charles Kellog, fellowship withdrawn. 205–207
May 23, 1836 208–209
June 10, 1836 209–210
June 16, 1836 One disfellowshipped for inadequate donations. 210–218
May 11, 1837 219–220
May 29, 1837 226–230
September 3, 1837 234–238
September 9, 1837 238–239
September 10, 1837 240–241
September 17, 1837 242–245
September 23, 1837 245–246
October 1, 1837 246
October 2, 1837 246–248
October 7, 1837 248–249
October 8, 1837 249
October 10, 1837 250
October 15, 1837 250
October 18, 1837 251
October 22, 1837 251–252
October 23, 1837 252–253
October 27, 1837 253
October 29, 1837 254
October 30, 1837 255–256
November 1, 1837 256–258
November 2, 1837 258
November 5, 1837 259
November 6, 1837 259–260
November 7, 1837 260–261
November 20, 1837 261–264
November 27, 1837 265
November 30, 1837 264–265


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