Minutes of May 14, 1836

Mormon History 1830-1844

Minutes of May 14, 1836

Oliver Cowdery charges Jenkins Salisbury and Charles Kellogg with unchristian-like conduct. Both are excommunicated. Jenkins is the husband of Katharine (or Catherine) Smith (1813–1900), Joseph Smith's younger sister. William E. McLellin told Joseph that Jenkins told him he had "been intimate with every woman he could" since joining the church. John Johnson says Jenkins had some hard liquor once or twice a month. Hyrum accuses him of deserting his family in the winter. Jenkins confesses he is guilty of "tale-bearing" but denies cheating on his wife. In another case, two sisters admit telling falsehoods and are forgiven.

Date		May 16, 1836		Kirtland council, 205–207.
Location		Kirtland, Ohio.
Description		… high council met in the house of the Lord.
Presiding		Sidney Rigdon
Clerk		Warren A. Cowdery
Council members		Jared Carter John Murdock Samuel H. Smith <Prest.> David Whitmer Josiah Butterfield James Foster	Noah Packard Joseph Kingsbury Joseph Coe John Gould Isaac H. Bishop Truman Angel
Oliver Cowdery charge		President Sidney Rigdon reads Oliver Cowdery's charge of May 14:
Unchristian-like conduct	¶	To the presedincy of the high Council of the Church of Latter Day Saints: I prefer a charge of unchristian like conduct against <Elders> Jenkins Salisbury and Charles Kellogg.
One counselor per side		It is decided that one counselor will speak for each side.
Open		Prayer and some remarks were made by S. Rigdon, relative to the importance of the case now defending.
		Accusor states "what he expected to prove and then called on J. Smith Junr. to testify."
Joseph Smith testimony		… stated that said Salisbury has not walked orderly, but has pursued such a course, as to bring unnecessary persecution on him. that he neglected his family, [206] left them in a starving ~~them~~ condition and without Wood just before the solemn Assembly, when he ought to have been home.		solemn Assembly: dedication of the House of the Lord, beginning March 27, 1836. ¶ Heber C. Kimball (3)
		Complainant asks about his use of "tobacco <~~and~~ liquor> &c. &c."
John Johnson: occasional liquor		John Johnson testifies, regarding "String liquor," that "the defendant had taken some once or twice in a few months past."
Hyrum Smith: deserted family		Hyrum Smith testifies that he left his family without sufficient wood to last more than two days, and no provision of any consequence in the house. He gave his family no intimation where he was going or when he should return, he also states that it is his full belief that when he went away he never intended to return.
Joseph Smith: hearsay that he is a rake		J. Smith Junr. Stated that Elder Wm. E. McLelin had learned from defendant that he had been intimate with every woman he could since he belonged to the church.		William E. McLellin
David Elliot: hasn't heard any complaints		David Elliot testifies he has not heard any complaints against J. Salisbury since he became a Seventy.		David Elliot (1799-1855), blacksmith; 1831 convert from Ithaca, New York; member, Zion's Camp and first quorum of seventy; died, Salt Lake City.
	¶	Testimony closed.
Counselors speak	¶	[Jared Carter:] spoke at some length touching the evidence setting it in a clear light, and pointing out the criminality before the court.
		[Joseph Coe:] Spoke on the other part and touched the case but lightly.
Oliver's summation	¶	Oliver Cowdery speaks for the prosecution, "setting the whole case in a clear light before the court according to the evidence addressed."
Jenkins admits drinking and tale-bearing, denies infidelity	¶	Jenkins Salisbury admits "his strong propensity to talebearing and drinking strong liquor, but denies the charge of unchastity to his wife, ~~stated~~ suggested by J. Smith Junr. as stated by Wm. E. McLellin.
	¶	President Sidney Rigdon renders decision:
No longer elder, excommunicated		He expressed his deep regret to have to act in this case. Guilt he said was fixed on the head of the defendant and not rebutted. [207] He therefore decided that Jenkins Salisbury can be no longer an Elder or a member in this church until there be a thorough reformation.
		Council concurs.
Adourn	¶	Adjourn for one hour.
Hannah Brown and Lusenia Elliot	¶	When council reconvenes in the afternoon, Sidney Rigdon reads Oliver Cowdery's complaint addressed to "the Presidency of the High priesthood of the church of Latter Day Saints" against Hannah Brown and Lusenia Elliot, charging them with "unchristianlike conduct."
Council members	¶	Jared Carter John Murdock S. H. Smith John Johnson Josiah Butterfield Giles Cook	Noah Packard Joseph Kingsbury Joseph Coe George Morey Isaac H. Bishop Truman Angel	John Johnson replaces David Whitmer, Giles Cook replaces James Foster, George Morey replaces John Gould.
Confess to falsehoods	¶	Defendants confessed [to] having been guilty of telling a number of falsehoods.
Council accepts	¶	Counsel called on to give their assent to the confession and the Sisters retain their Standing in the church.
	¶	They are reproved but retain their memberships.
Excommunication of Charles Kellogg	¶	Counsel then withdrew their fellowship from Charles Kellogg an Elder in this Church by a unanimous vote.
	¶	dismissed by Prayer of Brother Coe
		Minutes of June 16, 1836 Minutes of April 2, 1836 Ohio Minutes Home