| William Smith acknowledges
that the charges preferred against him by Orson Johnson are true and promises
to make a public confession. He is forgiven. Almon Babbit also confesses
and he is restored to fellowship. |
| Date |
|
January 2, 1836 |
|
Kirtland council, 135–136. |
| Location |
|
Kirtland, Ohio. |
|
|
| Description |
|
High council met in the school Room agreeably
to previous arrangement. |
|
|
| Presidents
|
|
F.
G. Williams, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer [Joseph Smith is present and speaks (see below) but apparently is not considered as presiding, probably because his brother is being tried.] |
|
|
| Clerk |
|
Warren Parrish |
|
|
| Counselors
present |
|
Brigham Young
Thomas B. Marsh (h)
William E. McLellin (h)
Martin Harris
Solomon Hancock
Levi Jackman |
Parley P. Pratt (h)
Heber C. Kimball (h1)
David W. Patten (h)
Simeon Carter
Newel Knight
Calvin Beebe |
|
This council is composed of six
apostles (Brigham, Thomas, William, Parley, Heber, David) and six high
priests (Martin, Solomon, Levi, Simeon, Newel, and Calvin). |
| William
Smith charged |
|
Frederick G. Williams reads Orson
Johnson's charge against William
Smith and comments on the
case. |
|
Orson Johnson's Charge Against William Smith |
| Open |
|
Prayer. |
|
|
| William
confesses |
|
William requests permission to speak: |
|
"… the
council organized and opened by prayer and proceded to buisness, but
before entering on the trial Br. William arose and humbly confessed the
charges prefered against him and asked the forgivness of the council
and the whole congregation a vote was then called to know whether his
confession was satisfactory, and whether the brethren would extend the
hand of fellowship to him again, with cheerfulness the whole congregation
raised their hands to receive him" JS diary 1835–1836,
97. |
|
|
then in the spirit of meekness and
humility confessed [to] the charges [136] preferred against him <by> Elder
Orson Johnson and asked the forgiveness of the Presidency & council
and the whole congregation present, He also covenants to make confession
before the church the same as before this council. |
|
| Council
accepts |
¶ |
The council on the side of justice arose and expressed their entire satisfaction with his confession and
resigned him into the hands of Mercy. |
|
|
|
A vote was then called of the Council and congregation to raise hands if they were satisfied with his confession, which they did with apparent cheerfulness & with united consent. |
|
|
| Ordinations |
|
Joseph proposes
that Vincent [Vinson] Knight and Thomas Grover be ordained elders tomorrow. Approved. |
|
|
| Elder
Babbit confesses, restored |
|
Elder [Almon] Babbit [Babbitt]
confesses that the charges Joseph made against him in a previous council
were true. He is restored to fellowship. |
|
previous council: Minutes of December 28, 1835
"Elder Almon Babbit also confessed his the charges which I prefered
against him in a previous council, and was received into fellowship" JS diary 1835–1836,
97. |
| Ordination |
|
Vote to ordain Hiram Dayton an elder. |
|
"Elijah Fordham,
Hiram Dayton, Samuel James, and John Herot [Herritt] were also appointed by counsel to be ordained Elders under my hands." MH-B, 678. |
| Close |
|
By prayer. |
|
|
|
Minutes of January 6, 1836
Minutes of December 29, 1835
Ohio Minutes
|