Conference of September 3, 1837

Conference of September 3, 1837

Two primary sources of this important conference are compared—the official minutes, and the section of a letter from Joseph to the church in Zion which appears to be based on the minutes.

Joseph is sustained as president of the whole church, with Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams as counselors, and Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Smith Sr., and Hyrum Smith as assistant counselors. The Kirtland bishopric is sustained.

Apostles Luke Johnson, Lyman Johnson, and John F Boynton are rejected (and, according to the letter, "cut off").

John Boynton confesses that he erred but tries to justify himself with the claim that the failed bank was supposed to be successful no matter what. Brigham angrily denounces Boynton, followed by Thomas Marsh, who concurrs with Brigham.

Sidney (according to the minutes) makes a long speech, explaining the source of the problems and urging the brethren to tend to their church callings rather than pursuing other interests.

Finally, Joseph rises and states that no one was authorized to say that the bank would succeed no matter what. His statements were always conditonal. The congregation is invited to vote on Boynton's confession. The members reject it. Presumably this constitutes excommunication.

In the afternoon, nine are dropped from the high council (including John Johnson and Martin Harris) and replaced by nine others (including William Marks, Asahel Smith, and Phineas Richards).

Levi Hancock, who had been mistakenly released as one of the seven presidents of the Seventy in April, is returned to that quorum. Seventies who had been returned to high priests quorums are to cease attending seventy meetings and attend high priest meetings instead—or, according to Joseph's letter, face excommunication.

Is the omission of reference to Sidney's speech intentional in Joseph's letter? In Joseph's letter, apostles are "cut off" (excommunicated) while in the minutes they are only "rejected from serving in that office." Is Joseph expanding the ramifications of official actions after the fact? Note it is "the church" or "the congregation" that disposes of these matters, not any quorum.

The original spelling of names has been retained. Paragraphing has been provided.

Date	September 3, 1837, 9 a.m.		Papers 2:217–219. ¶ 1837 Chronology
Location	Kirtland		Papers 2:217–219. ¶ 1837 Chronology
Officiating	George W. Robinson, clerk
	From Joseph's September 4, 1837 letter to John Corrill and the church in Zion	Kirtland Council Minute Book	A copy of the letter is in Joseph's Missouri Journal (March to September) in Papers 2:216–219; Kirtland Council Minute Book
Church sustains Joseph	… S Rigdon then presented presented Joseph Smith Jr to the Church to know if if they still looked upon & would still receive & uphold him, as the Prest. of the whole Church And the vote was unanymous in the affirmative:	… The meeting was opened by prayer by S. Rigdon who then introduced Joseph Smith Jr to the congregation to know if he should still act as their Pres. as the presiding officer of the church, was chosen by a unanimous vois of the same.
The three first presidents	Prest Smith then presented S. Rigdon & F. G. Williams for his counselors, the three constituting three first Prest of the Church. Vote unanymous in the affirmative.	Pres. Smith then introduced Sidney Rigdon & Frederick G. Williams for councillors to Pres. Smith and together with him to constitute the three first presidents of the church, carried by a unanimous vote.
The heads of the church	Prest. Smith then introdused O. Cowdery, J. Smith Sen.—Hyrum Smith & John Smith for assistant Councilors. These last four together with the three fi<r>st are to be concidred the heads of the Church, Carried unanymously.	Pres. Smith then introduced O Cowdery J. Smith Sen. Hyrum Smith, & John Smith for assistant councillors & carried by a unanimous voice of the church these last four are allso, together with the first three to be concidered the heads of the Church	John Smith is Joseph's uncle (brother of Joseph Sr. and father of George A. Smith), born July 16, 1781. He beame stake president of Adam-ondi-Ahman (1838) and Lee County, Iowa (1839), then the branch in Macedonia, Illinois (1843). Presided over the church in Utah (1847–1848) in Brigham's absence, Patriarch to the Church (1849–1854).
Kirtland bishopric	Voted that N. K. Whitney hold his office as [218] Bishop & continue to act as such in Kirtland & that R Cahoon & V Knight continue to act as councilors to the Bishop	Voted that N K Whitney continue to act as Bishop of this Church in Kirtland. Voted that R Cahoon & Vincon Knight be councillors to the Bishop.
Nine of the Twelve	The Twelve Apostles were then presented one by one When T. B. Marsh, D. W. Patten, B. Young, H. C. Kimball, O. Hyde, P. P. Pratt, O. Prat Wm Smith Wm E McLellin, were received unanumously in their Apostleship;	The question was then asked the church if the Twelve apostles should hold their office of Apostleship They were named by the President individually Voted that Thomas B. Marsh, David W. Patten Brigham Young Heber C. Kimble Orson Hyde P. P. Pratt Orson Pratt William Smith Wm E. McLellin should retain their office of apostleship.	History of Thomas B. Marsh History of Orson Pratt History of Heber C. Kimball History of William E. McLellin
The Johnsons and John Boynton are rejected and cut off	Luke & Lyman Johnson & J. F. Boynton were rejected & cut off though privileged with conffesing and making sattisfaction,	Luke Johnson, Lyman Johnson John F Boyngton, were rejected from serving in that office. Privilege was given to those that were rejected of making their confession if they had any to make.	History of Luke S. Johnson History of Lyman E. Johnson History of John Boynton At the ¶ General Assembly of November 7, 1837 in Far West they will be retained as apostles.
Boynton response	Elder Boynton (which was the only one present at the time) arose and endeavoured to confess, Justifying himself in his former conduct by reason of the failure of the Bank &c.	Elder Boyngton (which was the onley one present at the time) arose and parsially confessed his sins and partly justifying his conduct by reason of the failure of the bank.
Brigham rejects Boynton	his conduct was strongly protested by Elder Brigham Young in a plain and energetic manner, Stating various reasons why he would or could not receive him into fellowship until a hearty conffession and repentance was manifested,	His acknowledgments appeared not to be satisfactory, his conduct was strongly protested against, by Elder Brigham Young in a plain and energetick manner stating various reasons why he could not receive him into fellowship untill a hearty repentance was manifested.
	He was followed by Elder Marsh who acquiesed in testimony & resolution	the Elder Young was followed by Elder Marsh who acquiesed in testimony, and allso disfellowshiped the conduct of Elder Boyngton
Boynton: Understood it could not fail	Elder Boynton again arose & still attributed his difficulties to the failure of the Bank Stating that he had understood the Bank was instituted by the will of God, and he had been told that it never should fail let men do what they would.	Elder Boyngton then arose and still attributed his difficulties & conduct to the failure of the bank, stating that the bank he understood was instituted by the will & revilations of God, & he had been told that it never would fail let men do what they pleased.
		President Rigdon then arose, & made an address of conciderable length, Showing the starting point or cause of all the difficulty of Elders Boyngton & Johnson, he allso cautioned all the Elders, concerning leaving their calling to persue any occupation derogatory to that calling, assuring them that if persued, God would let them run themselves into difficulties, that he may stop them in their corces, that Salvation may come unto them.
Joseph's promise was always conditional	Prest Smith then arose and stated that if this had been declared, no one had authority from him for so doing, For he had allways said unless the institution was conducted on richeous principals it would not stand.	Pres. Smith then arose, and stated that if this had been published, it was without authority, at least from him, he stated that he allways said that unless the institution was conducted upon righteous principles it could not stand.
Boynton's confession rejected	A Vote was then taken to know if the congregation was sattisfied with Boyntons confession Voted in the negative	The church was then called upon to know whether they were Sattisfied with the confession of Elder Boyngton. Voted in the negative
	Conf—Adjourned for one hour—	Adjourned for one hour.
Afternoon session	Conference assembled at 2 O Clock P M. Opened by reading singing & prayer,	Congregation assembled at 2 O clock P.M. & called to order by the Pres. & meeting opened by prayer by Elder Sherwood.
High counselors rejected	The Prest then arose & said he would call upon the Church to know if they were sattisfied with their High Council and should proceed to name them individualy	The Pres. then arose and said he should next call upon the church to know if they were Satisfied with the high Council & next proceeded to name them individually
	John Johnson Joseph Coe Joseph Kingsbury & Martin Harris were objected to, also John P Green but this case put over put over [219] untill he should be present,	John Johnson, Joseph Coe, Martin Harris, & Joseph Kingsbury, were objected to, allso John P. Green, but his case was put over till he should be present.
High counselors retained	Noah Packard Jared Carter Samuel H Smith, these were voted retain their office	Noah Packard Jared Carter & Samuel H. Smith were voted to stand in their office previously confered upon them.
		Samuel James was dropped from the council in consequence of his being absent and his situation such that he could not attend to the duties of the office.
New high counselors	Oliver Granger Henry G Atwood Wm Marks Mahew Hillman Harlow Redfield Asahel Smith Phineas Richards David Dort were chosen to fill the place of those objected to,	Oliver Granger Henry G Sherwood, William Marks Mahew Hillman Harlow Redfield, Asahel Smith, Phineas Richards, & David Dort were chosen to fill the place of those objected to and the seats in the Council which were vacated by reason of Thomas Grover having moved to the west John Smith having been chosen one of the Presidents of the church, & Orson Johnson being excluded from the Church, all having belonged to the high council.	Asahel Smith Jr. is Joseph's uncle (his father's brother) and father of Elias Smith. He was born May 21, 1773 in Windham, Rockingham county, New Hampshire. Baptized June 26, 1835 by Lyman E. Johnson. Served on high councils in Kirtland and Iowa. Ordained a patriarch in 1844. Died in Iowa in July 1848.
Presidents of seventies	The Prest. then called upon the congregaton to know if the recent appointed presidents of the Seventies Should Stand in their calling Voted that John Gaylord James Foster Salmon Gee Daniel S Mile, Joseph Young Josiah Butterfield & Levi Hancock Should retain thir office as Prests of the Seventies.	Pres. then called upon the church to know if the new Presidents of the Seventies should stand in their calling. Voted that John Gaylord, James Foster, Salmon Gee, Daniel S. Miles, Joseph Young, Josiah Butterfield should retain their office.
	John Gould was objected.	John Gould was objected to and on learning that Levi Hancock one of the former presidents of the Seventies was not an high priest, he was chosen in the place of John Gould.	John Gould, b. May 11, 1808, d. May 9, 1851. Baptized June 1833. Member, Zion's Camp. Ordained a seventy and one of the first seven presidents, April 6, 1837 by Sidney and Hyrum. Levi Hancock had been released on that date due to the mistaken idea that he had been ordained a high priest.
Joseph comments on the callings of the presidents of seventies	The Pres then arose and made some remarks concerning the former Prests of the Seventies, the callings and authorities of their Priesthood &c. &c.	The Pres then arose & made some remarks concerning the former presidents of the Seventies, their calling the authority of the priesthood &c.
Presidents of seventies to return to high priests quorum	Voted that the old Presidents of the Seventies be refered to the quorum of High Priests, And also that if any of the members of the quorum of the Seventies Should be disattisfied & would not submit to the Present order, and receive these last Presidents that they Should have power to demand their Lisence & they should no longer be concidered members of the church.	Voted that the old or former presidents of Seventies, be refered to the quorum of high priests, those which were previously ordained to the high priesthood.	D&C 107:93 (March 28, 1835) stipulated that the seventy "should have seven presidents to preside over them, chosen out of the number of the seventy." The "old Presidents" had been ordained high priests prior to their callings as presidents of seventies. They had been released as presidents of presidents of seventies on April 6, 1837, but continued to affiliate with the seventies rather than the high priests.
Close	Conference Closed by Prayer by the President	Closed by Singing an hymn & a short prayer by Pres. Smith
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