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[February 19, 1837] Joseph silences his critics. |
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Minutes of February 19, 1837 |
| Charges: W.
W. Phelps, John Whitmer |
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[April 3, 1837] Far West High Council prepares charges against William
W. Phelps and John Whitmer. |
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Minutes
of April 3, 1837 |
| Far West investigation |
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[April 5–6, 1837] Far West High Council, Bishop Edward Partridge and counselors, and apostles
Thomas B. Marsh (h) and David W. Patten
(h) begin an investigation of the charges. |
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Minutes
of April 5–6, 1837 |
| Reconciliation |
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[April 7, 1837] parties reconcile. |
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Minutes
of April 7, 1837 |
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| Joseph prevails |
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[May 28, 1837] Kirtland dissenters continue their efforts to overthrow Joseph Smith, but the Lord is with him in convincing the honest in heart. Sidney Rigdon and others speak in his favor. Warren Parrish has fallen. |
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Minutes
of May 28, 1837 |
| High Council unable to indict |
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[May 29, 1837] (Kirtland) Frederick G. Williams, David Whitmer, Parley P.
Pratt, Lyman E. Johnson, and Warren Parrish are accused of conduct "unworthy
of their high calling." Council decides it has no jurisdiction to try
a president of the church (Frederick and David). Sidney and Oliver recuse
themselves. Frederick withdraws and the council ends in confusion. (Joseph
is not present.) |
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Minutes
of May 29, 1837 |
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Three
apostles, four high counselors, and a president of the Seventy |
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[September 3, 1837] conference drops apostles Luke and Lyman
Johnson, John F. Boynton (h); high
counselors Martin Harris, John Johnson, Joseph
Coe, Joseph Kingsbury; and president of the Seventy, John
Gould. |
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Minutes
of September 3, 1837 |
| Warning to W.
W. Phelps, John Whitmer |
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[September 4, 1837] John Whitmer and William
W. Phelps must repent or be removed. |
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Revelation
of September 4, 1837 |
| Warning to Zion about Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Leonard Rich |
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[September 1837] Oliver Cowdery is now an assistant president in the First Presidency, but he has transgressed and should be excommunicated if he doesn't repent. There is hope for David Whitmer and Leonard Rich. Beware dissenters. Do not accept any changes not authorized by the First Presidency or their representatives (Thomas B. Marsh and David W. Patten). |
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Joseph to Zion ([September] 1837) |
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Ouster of Frederick
G. Williams
Far West retains David Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, John Whitmer, Luke and
Lyman Johnson, John F. Boynton |
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November Frederick G. Williams is removed from the First Presidency.
Opposition is expressed to David Whitmer as "first President of this
branch of the Church" and to his "assistant" presidents,
W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer, but they are re-elected "nearly unanimously."
Apostles Luke and Lyman Johnson and John F. Boynton, who had been rejected
in Kirtland conference are also retained. |
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Minutes
of November 7, 1837 |
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| David Whitmer, W.
W. Phelps, John Whitmer targeted |
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January at a Far West social, Apostles Thomas B. Marsh, David W.
Patten, and seven high counselors plan the removal of Presidents David
Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, and John
Whitmer. |
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Minutes
of January 20, 1838 |
| High
council ouster: David Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, John Whitmer |
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Led by Marsh and Patten, the eight high counselors present
and others reject the three presidents. |
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Minutes
of January 26, 1838 |
| Missouri churches ouster of
David Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, John Whitmer |
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February over the objections of Bishop Edward
Partridge, both of his
counselors, and at least one senior high council member, a general assembly
of the church in Missouri rejects David Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, and John
Whitmer as presidents of the church in Zion. |
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Minutes
of February 5–9, 1838 |
| Temporary presidents |
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Apostles Thomas B. Marsh and David B. Patten are designated
"Presidents, pro. tempor" until Joseph and Sidney arrive. |
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Minutes
of February 10, 1838 |
Report of ouster to Joseph
Oliver's admission regarding Fanny Alger |
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Ouster of Zion presidents supported by the people. Joseph
and Sidney needed in Zion. Critics stop when Joseph is present. Oliver
admitted Joseph did not say he was guilty of the crime he is charged with
(Fanny Alger affair). |
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Thomas B.
Marsh to Joseph, February 1838 |
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| Excommunicate W.
W. Phelps, John Whitmer |
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[March 10, 1838] excommunication of W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer for profiteering,
breaking the Word of Wisdom, and unchristian-like conduct. They are delivered
over to the buffetings of Satan "until they learn to blaspheme no more
against the authorities of God, nor fleece the flock of Christ." |
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Minutes
of March 10, 1838 |
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| Not recommended: William
Smith, William E. McLellin, Luke Johnson, Lyman Johnson, John F. Boynton
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[April 7, 1838] at the first quarterly conference of the church in Zion,
David W. Patten reporting on the condition of the Twelve, states he has
some questions about William Smith, and cannot recommend William E. McLellin, Luke S. Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson, and John F. Boynton. |
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Minutes
of April 7, 1838 |
| Excommunicate Oliver Cowdery |
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[April 12, 1838] Oliver Cowdery is excommunicated
by the First Presidency, and the high council and bishopric of Zion in
Far West for urging vexatious lawsuits, insinuating
adultery against the Prophet, not attending meeting, leaving his calling
and turning to the practice of law, dishonestly retaining paid notes, disgracing
the Church by being connected in the 'Bogus' [counterfeit] business. |
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Minutes
of April 12, 1838 |
| Excommunicate David Whitmer,
Lyman E. Johnson |
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[April 14, 1838] David Whitmer and Lyman E. Johnson are accused of supporting Kirtland dissenters, not observing
the Word of Wisdom, not attending church meetings, and neglecting duties.
Lyman is also charged with vexatious law suits, lying, stuealing, speaking
against Joseph and the Smith family, etc. Neither attends but sends a letter
withdrawing from the church. |
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Minutes
of April 13, 1838 |
| Accusations against Joseph and Sidney |
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[April 14, 1838] Stephen Burnett writes Lyman E. Johnson: Joseph and Sidney lied, stole from innocents. Book of Mormon witnesses only saw plates in vision. |
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Stephen Burnett Letter |
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| May repent: Frederick G. Williams, W. W.
Phelps |
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[July 8, 1838] Frederick G. Williams and William W. Phelps may be ordained Elders and
serve missions abroad to regain their salvation. |
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Revelation
of July 8, 1838 |
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| Excommunicate: Frederick G. Williams, W.
W. Phelps, John Corrill, George M. Hinkle, Thomas B. Marsh |
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March 1839 Frederick G. Williams, W.
W. Phelps, John Corrill, George
M. Hinkle, Reed Peck, Sampson Avard, and Thomas B.
Marsh are excommunicated in absentia in Quincy, Illinois. |
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Minutes of March 17, 1839 |
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Far West
Kirtland Apostasy
Chronology: 1837
Chronology; 1838
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