| Minutes of May 1837 |
| Though the exact date of this conference is unknown, it may be the meeting described in ¶ Thomas B. Marsh's letter, which provides more details about the arrangement between the council, its presidents, and the bishop's council regarding the disposition of land. Priesthood bearers who do not observe the literal interpretation of the Word of Wisdom are not to be fellowshipped. The three presidents of the high council are to preside over all branches in Caldwell county. The presidency and bishop's council are authorized to sell Far West lots for the church. | |||||
| Date | [May 1837] | FWR, 106–107. | |||
| Location | Far West | ||||
| Description | … a meeting pursuant to notice by the Presidency the following quorums met … | See Present below. | |||
| Presiding | [The Presidency: David Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, John Whitmer] | ||||
| Clerk | John Corrill | ||||
| Present | … the high council, two of the Apostles and about 10 of the seventies and the Bishop and one of his councilors together with a numerous body of members. | ||||
| Open | Prayer by President John Whitmer | ||||
| Resolutions | The following resolutions are adopted: | ||||
| Disfellowship James Emmett | Withdraw fellowship from James Emmett "for unwise conduct until he returns and makes satisfaction." | James will be restored later. ¶ Minutes of May 22, 1837. | |||
| Enforce
Word of Wisdom Ordained members |
… that we will not fellowship any ordained member who will or does not observe the Word of Wisdom according to its litteral reading. |
D&C
89 (February 27, 1833) |
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| Literary Firm | Support the Literary Firm per D&C 70 (November 12, 1831). | ||||
| Sacrament wine | John Corrill to furnish bread and wine for the sacrament each Sunday and be reimbursed "out of donations for that purpose." | Wine was used throughout the 19th century. John Henry Smith found it noteworthy that when the sacrament was prepared for general authorities on July 5, 1906, "Water and not wine was used." Church, State, 570. | |||
| Sale of Far West land | John Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, Edward Partridge, Isaac Morley, and John Corrill are authorized "to sell the town plott and manage the affair of the same." | The first two are counselors to stake president David Whitmer, who is in Kirtland; the last three are the Far West bishopric. | |||
| John Whitmer is to receive the proceeds "from the land sale of the lots of the town Far West." | |||||
| Presidency to preside over entire county | … the heads of the Church or in other words, that those who have been annointed and set apart to [107] regulate the preaching in the County of Caldwell, and the regions roundabout. and all other matters that concerns the management of the said Church [sic]. | ||||
| Close | Sing "This earth was once a garden place." Benediction by John Whitmer. | ||||