| An elder with independent
views of Word of Wisdom, authority of the high council regarding revelations,
errs in spirit, but does not merit punishment. |
| Date |
|
April 14 1838 |
|
FWR,
179–181. |
| Location |
|
[Far West] |
|
|
| Description |
|
The High Council of Zion met agreeable
to adjournment … |
|
Minutes
of April 13, 1838 |
| Presiding |
|
Joseph Smith Jr., Thomas B. Marsh (h),
Brigham Young |
|
|
| Clerk |
|
Ebenezer Robinson |
|
|
| Present |
|
Simeon Carter
Jared Carter
Thomas Grover
Isaac Higbee
Levi Jackman
Solomon Hancock
George Morey
Newel Knight
George M. Hinkle
George W. Harris
Elias Higbee
John Murdock |
|
Listed in order of numbers drawn. |
| Open |
|
Prayer by John
Murdock |
|
|
| Appeal |
|
Truman Wait appeals Elders quorum
decision of March 27, reiterating his charges against Nathan West: |
|
|
| Nathan
West does not believe in boycott |
|
A spirit of dissension, in that
he declared publickly that he did not believe in the vote of the General
Assembly, last Nov. 7th, "not to support stores and shops selling spiritous
liquors, tea, cofee, and tobacco." … |
|
Word of
Wisdom |
| Or
that Word of Wisdom effects salvation |
|
And also, … Teaching incorrect
doctrine in that he said the word of wisdom did not concern our Spiritual
Salvation. |
|
|
| Counselors
assigned to speak |
|
George Morey is assigned
to speak for the Church, Newel Knight for the defendant. |
|
|
|
|
Nathan West acknowledges "part
of the first charge." |
|
|
| Nathan
won't accept high council decision that does not concur with D&C. |
|
Darwin Chase testifies
he heard Nathan say "that he would not believe the decision of the
High Council if it did not coincide with the Book of Covenants." |
|
The
1835 D&C consisted of two parts: Theology [Lectures on Faith], and Covenants
and Commandments of the Lord [the sections now known as the Doctrine and
Covenants]. |
| Did
not vote for boycott |
|
He also heard him say
that he did not vote for the boycott of stores that sold liquor, tea, coffee,
and tobacco: |
|
| Those
who did should keep covenant |
|
because he had already made as many
covenants as he kept &c but if any persons had made any such covenants,
he would say to them "for God's sake to keep them." |
|
|
|
|
William Hulet testifies he heard
Nathan say: |
|
|
| High
council must prove him wrong about revelations |
|
that if he had his mind made up
on {any} a certain item of Revelation and the High Council should decide
contrary his mind upon that item, he would not believe the decision except
they would bring proof to substantiate it. |
|
|
| Joseph
the prophet |
|
Also that he never heard Nathan
say anything against Joseph, but did hear him say that "he considered
him the Prophet as much as ever." |
|
|
|
|
Council adjourns for an hour. |
|
|
| Second
session |
|
Council convenes. |
|
|
| Nathan
voted for W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer |
|
Silas Maynard heard Nathan say
last winter that "he did not acquiece in the proceedings of the High
Council and Church in cutting off W. W. Phelps & John
Whitmer from the Presidents office." Thomas Grover testifies that
at general conference, Nathan voted for their continuation in office. |
|
Presidents of the Church |
| Nathan
admits error |
|
Nathan admits that at the time he
thought the action was "too hasty and did not coincide" with the
council's action, but now sees it differently and does coincide. |
|
|
| Does
not consider Wor of Wisdom a commandment |
|
Elder Wait: In a conference of elders,
Nathan said "he did not consider the word of Wisdom given by Commandment
or Constraint." |
|
|
| Decision:
erred in spirit, but nothing serious |
|
After remarks from the counselors,
defendant, and accusor, the President (Joseph) decides that "Br. West
had erred in spirit, therefore, feel to admonish him, but do not find anything
in him worthy of death or bonds." |
|
Joseph's
humor? |
| Adjourn |
|
Adjourn to next Saturday at 9 a.m. |
|
|
| Close |
|
Prayer by George W. Harris |
|
|
|
|
Minutes of April 21, 1838
Minutes of April 13, 1838
Far West Minutes
|