SECTION
99
[Kirtland
D&C 5, LDS D&C 102]
This
is not a revelation, although it states that the High Council was
“appointed by revelation”; it is the minutes of the organization
of the Council at Kirtland, February 17, 1834. The day after the
Council was organized, President Smith reviewed and corrected the
minutes of the initial meeting. On February 19 the Council
reassembled, the minutes were read three times, and were then
unanimously adopted as a form and constitution of the High Council of
the church.
1a.
This day a general council of twenty-four high priests assembled at
the house of Joseph Smith, Jr., 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.
1b.
This 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.
2a.
Joseph Smith, Jr., 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, high priests, were chosen to be a
standing council for the church, by the unanimous voice of the
council.
2b.
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;
2c. to
which they all answered, that they accepted their appointments, and
would fill their offices according to the grace of God bestowed upon
them.
3. 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.
4a.
Voted: that the high council can not have power to act without seven
of the above-named councilors, or their regularly appointed
successors, are present.
4b.
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.
5a.
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 of the above-named councilors,
5b. 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.
6a.
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;
6b.
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;
6c.
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 that he himself is absent, the other
presidents have power to preside in his stead, both or either of
them.
7.
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 1; and so in succession to number 12.
8a.
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.
8b.
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.
8c.
The accused, in all cases, has a right to one half of the council, to
prevent insult or injustice; 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.
8d.
Those councilors 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.
9a. 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.
9b.
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.
9c.
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 rehearing;
9d.
and if, after a careful rehearing, any additional light is shown upon
the case, the decision shall be altered accordingly; but in case no
additional light is given, the first decision shall stand, the
majority of the council having power to determine the same.
10. In
cases of difficulty respecting doctrine, or principle (if there is
not a sufficiency written to make a case clear to the minds of the
council), the president may inquire and obtain the mind of the Lord
by revelation.
11a.
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;
11b.
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.
11c.
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.
11d.
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 rehearing,
which case shall there be conducted, according to the former pattern
written, as though no such decision had been made.
12a.
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.
12b.
The traveling or located high priests abroad, have power to say
whether it is necessary to call such a council or not.
13a.
There is a distinction between the high council of traveling high
priests abroad, and the traveling high council composed of the twelve
apostles, in their decisions: from the decision of the former there
can be an appeal, but from the decision of the latter there cannot.
13b.
The latter can only be called in question by the general authorities
of the church in case of transgression.
14.
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 rehearing,
after examining the appeal and the evidences and statements
accompanying it.
15a.
The twelve councilors then proceeded to cast lots, or ballot, to
ascertain who should speak first, and the following was the result,
namely:
15b.
Oliver Cowdery, No. 1 John Johnson, No. 7 Joseph Coe, No. 2 Orson
Hyde, No. 8 Samuel H. Smith, No. 3 Jared Carter, No. 9 Luke Johnson,
No. 4 Joseph Smith, Sr., No. 10 John S. Carter, No. 5 John Smith, No.
11 Sylvester Smith, No. 6 Martin Harris, No. 12
15c.
After prayer the conference adjourned.
Oliver
Cowdery,
Orson
Hyde,
Clerks
