The council were unanimous in sanctioning the decision, and appointed Amasa Lyman and Simeon Carter to go and labor with Brother Hulet and Sister Crandall, and others of like faith, and set the truth in order before them.
I have been thus particular in giving the history of this council, as the gift of tongues is so often made use of by Satan to deceive the Saints.
Elders Sent Forth to Preach.
The council adjourned to the 7th, when about twenty Elders were sent forth to preach the Gospel to the world, but not in Jackson or Clay counties or their vicinity.
The Case of William Batson.
President David Whitmer testified to the council that William Batson was not capable of filling his office of Elder, because he had not discretion and understanding sufficient to act wisely in that capacity, whereupon the council voted unanimously, that his office and license be taken from him; to which he consented, and gave up his license.
Elias and Isaac Higbee, and Jesse Hitchcock, were ordained to the High Priesthood, and council adjourned to the 21st of August.
Footnotes
1. Vol. 1, p. 491.
2. The closing words in the decision signed by David Whitmer and W. W. Phelps as moderators and John Whitmer, clerk, are: "Therefore Brother Brown stands as a private member in this Church—all this by the voice of the councilors." (Far west Record of High council (Ms.), p. 57.)
CHAPTER X.
Charges Against the Prophet on his Return from Zion's Camp Expedition—Trial of Elder Sylvester Smith.
Minutes of a Council held at Kirtland, August 11, 1834.
This day a number of High Priests and Elders of the Church of the Latter-day Saints, assembled in the new school house, for the purpose of investigating a matter of difficulty growing out of certain reports, or statements, made by Elder Sylvester Smith, one of the High Councilors of this Church, accusing President Joseph Smith, Jun., with criminal conduct during his journey to and from Missouri this spring and summer.
After calling the meeting to order, President Joseph Smith spoke at considerable length upon the circumstances of their journey to and from Missouri, and very minutely laid open the causes out of which the jealousies of Brother Sylvester Smith and others had grown. He made a satisfactory statement concerning his rebukes and chastisements upon Sylvester Smith and others, and also concerning the distribution of monies and other properties, calling on brethren present who accompanied him, to attest the same, all of which was satisfactory to the brethren present, as appeared by their own remarks afterwards.
After President Joseph Smith had closed his lengthy remarks, Brother Sylvester Smith made some observations relative to the subject of their difficulties, and began to make a partial confession for his previous conduct, asking forgiveness for accusing Brother Joseph publicly, on the Saturday previous, of prophesying lies in the name of the Lord; and for abusing (as he had said) his (Sylvester's) character before the brethren, while journeying to the west.
Elder Rigdon made some remarks, by way of reproof, upon the conduct of Sylvester Smith.
Elder John P. Greene spoke: others also, followed by the clerk (Oliver Cowdery): after which, on motion of Elder Rigdon, the assembly arranged itself into a council, Bishop Newel K. Whitney presiding, and proceeded to discuss how this difficulty should be disposed of.
Elder John Smith thought that for Brother Sylvester to make a public confession in the Star, would be the way to heal the wound.
Elder Cahoon followed with nearly the same remarks.
Elder Isaac Hill thought it ought to be quashed and go no further: followed with the same from Elder I. Bishop.
Samuel H. Smith said that it was his opinion that Brother Sylvester ought to make a more public confession, and send by letter, to those who are in the same transgression with himself, and inform them of this decision; and then, if necessary, make it public in the Star.
Elder Orson Hyde thought the confession ought to be as liberal as the accusation, or that it ought to be written and published.
Elder John P. Greene said, that if Brother Sylvester would view this thing in its proper light, he would be willing to make a public confession, and send it forth; and he advised him to do this for the salvation of the churches abroad.
Elder Isaac Story said, that it was his opinion, that the plaster ought to be as large as the wound; that a proper statement ought to be published abroad.
The clerk (Oliver Cowdery) then proposed that the council send a certificate of resolution, informing the churches abroad, that the conduct of President Joseph Smith has been investigated, and that he has acted in a proper manner, and in every respect has conducted himself to the satisfaction of the Church in Kirtland; and also let Brother Sylvester make a proper confession, following the same minutes.
Elders Amasa Lyman, Peter Shirts, Truman Wait, Roswell Evans, Alpheus Cutler, and Thomas Burdick, made remarks to the same effect.
Elder Sidney Rigdon made a few remarks upon the attitude in which Sylvester stood before the world, in endeavoring to preach the Gospel.
Elder Orson Hyde moved for a decision relative to the first question, viz., What is to be done to arrest the evil.
The moderator (Bishop Newel K. Whitney) then proceeded, after a few remarks, to give a decision according to a motion previously made, viz., that an article be published in the Evening and Morning Star, by the direction of the Council, that the Church in Kirtland has investigated the conduct of President Joseph Smith, Jun., while journeying to the west, and returning; and that we find that he has acted in every respect in an honorable and proper manner with all monies and other properties entrusted to his charge; after which a vote was taken and carried to the above effect.
A motion was then made by Orson Hyde, and seconded by Sidney Rigdon, that a committee of three be appointed to write the article for the Star, agreeable to the decision.
Oliver Cowdery, Thomas Burdick and Orson Hyde, were nominated and appointed a committee by unanimous vote.
Brother Sylvester then said that he was willing to publish a confession in the Star.
OLIVER COWDERY, Clerk.
The Prophet Reports His Vindication to the Elders in Missouri.
I wrote to Lyman Wight, Edward Partridge, John Corrill, Isaac Morley, and others of the High Council of Zion, from Kirtland, August 16, 1834, as follows:
DEAR BRETHREN—After so long a time, I dictate a few lines to you, to let you know that I am in Kirtland, and that I found all well when I arrived, as pertaining to health; but our common adversary had taken the advantage of our Brother Sylvester Smith, and others, who gave a false coloring to almost every transaction, from the time we left Kirtland, until we returned, and thereby stirred up a great difficulty in the Church against me. Accordingly I was met in the face and eyes, as soon as I had got home, with a catalogue of charges as black as the author of lies himself, and the cry was Tyrant—Pope—King—Usurper—Abuser of men—Angel—False Prophet—Prophesying lies in the name of the Lord—Taking consecrated monies—and every other lie to fill up and complete the catalogue. Such experiences may be necessary to perfect the Church, and render our traducers mete for the devourer, and the shaft of the destroying angel. In consequence of having to combat all these, I have not been able to regulate