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1838

January 20, 1838

January 20th 1838 Far West

At a social meeting held at the house of Thos B. Marsh. Two of the apostles T. B. Marsh and David W. Patten also High Councellors John Murdock, Simeon Carter Elias Higbee G M. Hinkle Thos Grover Levi Jackman and George Morey were present.

We took into consideration the proceeding of the Presidents in this place viz David Whitmer W. W. Phelps John Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery and we being grieved at their doings after varie various discussions appointed a committee to visit them and enquire into their feelings and determinations viz G. M. Hinkle Thos Grover and George Morey

Resolved that Thomas B. Marsh and John Corril draft a petition, to hand in at the next term of court, for the alteration and regulation of the Town Plot of Far-West. Adjourned meeting till the 26th inst. at 10 o'clock A. M.

January 26, 1838

Far West, January 26, 1838-

Agreeable to adjournment the above named Apostles and High Councilors and Lyman Wight in Company with Samuel Bent, High Priest, and some others met at the house of Br. John Anderson.

John Murdock being the most aged in Council presided and Samuel Bent was chosen clerk of the meeting. The meeting being organized proceeded to business and heard the report of the Committee as follows viz. Respecting their selling their lands in Jackson County, they, the Presidents, declared they had not broken revelation or law or Law of God in so doing and further if they were deprived of that privilege they would sell their possessions in Far-West and move out of the place and W. W. Phelps said he would move out of the accursed place and further they declared they would not be controlled by an ecclesiastical power or revelation whatever in their temporal concerns. And respecting the word of wisdom, W. W. Phelps said he had not broken it but had kept it. O Cowdery said he had drank tea three times a day this winter on account of his ill health. David and John Whitmer said they did use tea and coffee but they did not consider them to come under the head of hot drinks.

The Council Resolved as follows:

1st That under existing circumstances we no longer recieve them as Presidents.

2nd That the case be laid before the Church at different meetings held for that purpose by seven of the High Councellors viz. John Murdock, Simeon Carter, Elias Higbee, Levi Jackman, G. M. Hinkle, George Morey, and Lyman Wight but as it was inconsistent for Elias Higbee and Levi Jackman to leave home it was afterward voted that Thomas B. Marsh should take the place of E. Higbee and Thos. Grover that of L. Jackman.

3rd That Elias Higbee and G. M. Hinkle write to the several neighbourhoods and give notice of the times and places of holding meetings.