The differences between the original minutes from 1834-02-17 to the revised minutes done from 18-19 shows that section is fraught with error. The changes between the original and the current minutes are significant and on purpose. Below is a quote from the top of the current version of the minutes that is not in the scriptures that admits changes were made. This indicates that there was a lack of understanding of what was covered in the meeting. Therefore this indicates this section is not inspired and not trust worthy and not binding.The differences between the original minutes from 1834-02-17 to the revised minutes done from 18-19 shows that section is fraught with error. The changes between the original and the current minutes are significant and on purpose. Below is a quote from the top of the current version of the minutes that is not in the scriptures that admits changes were made. This indicates that there was a lack of understanding of what was covered in the meeting. Therefore this indicates this section is not inspired and not trust worthy and not binding.
The above items have been corrected according to the resolution passed <in the same>, and the following is the correction.
Revised Minutes, 18–19 February 1834 [D&C 102], [p. 31], Joseph Smith Papers, Backup pdf
Benjamin, from Torah is Eternal, and I, Steven, will add more detailed notes of the problems we see in this section as time permits.
- 1834-02-17 Minutes
- 1834-02-18&19 Revised Minutes [D&C 1835 5 / 1844 5 / LDS 102 / RLDS 99]
1834-02-17 Minutes – Joseph Smith Papers:
This day, Feb. 17 1834, a Conference of High Priests assembled at in Kirtla[n]d at the House of bro. Joseph Smith Jur. They proceeded to organize the Presidents Church Council, Consisting of twelve high priests, and this according to the law of God. The names of those who were chosen as Counsellors, were Joseph Smith Junr. Sidney Rigdon and F[rederick] G. Williams Presidents. Joseph Smith Seigr [Sr.], John Smith, Joseph Coe, John Johnson, Martin Harris, John S Carter, Jared Corter [Carter], Oliver Cowdery, Saml. H. Smith, Orson Hyde, Sylvester Smith, and Luke Johnson, Counsellors. Bro. Joseph opened the Council by solem 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 appointment or nomination of the twelve to Compose the Church Council. It was the unanimous voice of all present that those who had been nominated, as above, should compose a standing Council in Kirtland. It was also voted that when any one <or more> of the standing Counsellors was were absent, their vacancy should be filled by any high priests whom the majority of the Council should nominate or choose,
Provideing that no Council shall be held unless seven of the above named Counsellors are present, or their successors. The above named Counsellors all manifested a willingness to act according to their appointment, the Lord being their helper. Bro Hyrum Smith acted in the place of John Smith. There were nine high priests present and acted in the appointment of the above named Counsellors, also seventeen Elders, and four priests with thirteen private members. Bro Joseph then said he would show the order of Councils in ancient days (see 27 & 28 pages) as shown to [p. 29] him by vision. The law and by which to govern the Council in the Church of Christ. Jerusalem was the seat of the Church Council in ancient days. The apostle, Peter, was the president of the Council in ancient days and held the Keys of the Kingdom of God, <on the Earth> was appointed to this office by the voice of the Saviour and confirmed <acknowledgement acknowledged> in it by the voice of the Church. He had two men appointed as Counsellors with him, and in case Peter was absent, his Counsellors Could transact business. <or either one of them. The President could also transact business alone.> It was not the order of heaven in ancient Councils to plead for and against the guilty as in our judicial Courts (so called) but that if every Counsellor when he arose to speak, should speak precisely according to evidence and according to the teaching of the spirit of the Lord, that no Counsellor should attempt to screen the guilty when his guilt was manifest That the person acused before the high council had a right to one half the memb[e]rs of the council to plead his cause, that is six, in order that his case might be fairly presented before the President that a descission might be rendered according to truth and righteousness. If the case was not a very difficult one to investigate, two of the Counsellors only, spoke, one for the accused and one against <on one side and one on the other> according to evidence. If the case was more difficult, according to the judgment of the Council, two were to speak on each side, and if more difficult, three might speak on each side, and three only. Those who spoke in Council were chosen by the council and that too by casting lots. Those who were thus chosen to speak, took their regular turn, in speaking. Bro Joseph said that this organization was an ensample to the high priests in their Councils abroad, and a copy of their proceedings be transmitted to the seat of the goverment of the Church to be recorded on the general record. In all cases, the accuser and the acused have a perfect right to speak for themselves before the Council. The Councils abroad, have a right and it is their duty to appoint a president for the time being for themselves. If in case the parties are not satisfied with the decission of the Council abroad, they have a right to an appeal to the Bishops Court, and from thence to the presidents Council which is and end of all strife [p. 30]
The remaining six Counsellors who do not speak in Council, are to hear patiently the reasoning of the other and correct all errors which they may discover, and after decission is rendered by the president, if these remaining counsellors can throw any farther light upon the subject, so as to correct the decissin [decision] of the president, they have the liberty so to do, otherwise it stands and the majority of the Council must rule. It was then voted by all present that they desired to come under the present order of things which they all considered to be the will of God. Many questions have been asked during the time of the organization of this Council and doubtless some errors have been committed, it was, therefore, voted by all present that Bro Joseph should make all necessary corrections by the spirit of inspiration hereafter Oliver Cowdery drew no. one by lot. Joseph Coe drew No 2. Samuel H Smith drew No 3. Luke Johnson drew No 4. John S Carter drew No 5. Sylvester Smith drew No 6. Oliver Cowdery, Samuel H Smith and John S Carter speak for and on the part of the accuser. Joseph Coe, Luke Johnson and Sylvester Smith, speak for and on the part of the accused. The remaining six counsellors are to sit and hear patiently and correct errors if they discover them. The Council John Johnson drew No 7. Orson Hyde drew No 8, Jared Carter drew No 9, Joseph Smith Seignr drew No 10, John Smith drew No 11, Martin Harris drew No 12, The Council adjourned then, until wednesday at 10 oclk A.M.——
Orson Hyde Clk [p. 31]
1834-02-18&19 Revised Minutes [D&C 1835 5 / 1844 5 / LDS 102 / RLDS 99] – Joseph Smith Papers:
The above items have been corrected according to the resolution passed <in the same>, and the following is the correction.—— [p. 31]
Kirtland Feb 17. 1834.
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, which is <was> to consist of twelve high priests, and one, or three presidents, as the case may <might> require. This <high> council is <was> appointed by revelation, for the purpose of settleing important difficulties which may <might> arise in the church, which cannot <could not> be settled by the Church, or the bishop’s council to the satisfaction of the parties
Joseph Smith Junr.
Sidney Rigdon and
Frederick G Williams were acknowledged presidents, by the voice of the council; and
Joseph Smith Seign, John Smith, Joseph Coe, John Johnson, Martin Harris, John S Carter
Jared Carter, Oliver Cowdery, Saml. 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.
The above named counsellors 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 several appointments, and would fill their offices according to the grace of God bestowed upon them.
The numbers composeing the council, who voted in the name, 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.
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; 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. [p. 32]
Voted, that whenever any vacancy shall occur by the death, removeal from office, for transgression, or removal from the bounds of this church goverment 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.
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; 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; and in case of the abscence 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 abscent, 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, commenceing 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; but if it is thought to be more <a> difficult, <one> four shall be appointed, and if still more difficult, six: but in no case not over that number shall <shall be more than six be> be appointed to speak. 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 [p. 33] 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.
In all cases the accuser and the accused shall have a privilege of speaking for themselves before the council, after the evidences are heared, and the Counsellors who are appointed to speak on the case, have finished their remarks.
After the evidences are heared; 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.
But should the remaining Counsellors who have not spoken*, or any one of them, after hearing the evidences and pleadings impartially, discover an error in the descision 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; but in case no additional light is given, the first decision shall stand; the majority of the Council haveing power to determine the same.
In cases of difficulty respecting doctrine, or principle; if there is not a sufficiency 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.
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, <and the said council of high priests shall have power to appoint one of their own number to preside over such council> by appointing or chooseing one of their number to preside over the 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 [p. 34] at the seat of the government 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 the former pattern written, as though no such descision had been passed <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. The travelling or located high priests abroad, have the power to say whether it is necessary to call such a Council or not.
*The twelve counsellors then proceeded to cast lots or ballot, to ascertain who should speak first, and the following was the result, viz:
Oliver Cowdery drew No. 1, Joseph Coe—— ” ” 2, Saml. 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 sen ” 10, John Smith ” ” 11, Martin Harris ” ” 12
Council then adjourned to meet on wednesday the 19th. Inst. at 10 Oclk A.M.
Orson Hyde Clk——
*Resolved, that the presidents or presidents at 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 examineing the appeal and the evidences and statements accompanying it. [p. 35]
Seeking YHWH 