| 994 and the counsellors [counselors] who are appointed to speak on the case, have finished their remarks. After the evidences are heard, the counsellors [counselors], accuser and accused have spoken, the president shall give a decision according to the understanding which he shall have of the case, and call upon the twelve counsellors [counselors] to sanction the same by their vote. But should the remaining counsellors [counselors], who have not spoken, or any one of them, after hearing the evidences and pleading impartially, discover an error in the decision of the president, they can manifest it, and the case shall have a re-hearing, and if, after a careful re-hearing, any additional light is shown upon the case, the decision shall be altered accordingly: but if no additional light is given, the first decision shall stand, the majority of the council having power to determine the same.
In cases of difficulty respecting doctrine, or principle, (if there is not a sufficiency written to make the case clear to the minds of the council,) the president may inquire and obtain the mind of the Lord by revelation.
The high priests, when abroad, have power to call and organize a council after the manner of the foregoing, to settle difficulties when the parties, or either of them, shall request it: and the said council of high priests shall have power to appoint one of their own number, to preside over such council for the time being. It shall be the duty of said council to transmit, immediately, a copy of their proceedings, with a full statement of the testimony accompanying their decision, to the high council of the seat of the first presidency of the church.-Should the parties, or either of them, be dissatisfied with the decision of said council, they may appeal to the high council of the seat of the first presidency of the church, and have a re-hearing, which case shall then be conducted, according to the former pattern written, as though no such decision had been made.
This council of high priests abroad, is only to be called on the most difficult cases of church matters: and no common or ordinary case is to be sufficient to call such council.-The travelling [traveling] or located high priest abroad, have power to say whether it is necessary to call such a council or not.
There is a distinction between the high council of travelling [traveling] high priest abroad, and the travelling [traveling] high council composed of the twelve apostles, in their decisions: From the decision of the former there can be an appeal, but from the decision of the latter there cannot. The latter can only be called in question by the general authorities of the church in case of transgression.
Resolved, that the president, or presidents of the seat of the first presidency of the church, shall have power to determine whether any such case, as may be appealed, is justly entitled to a re-hearing, after examining the appeal and the evidences and statements accompanying it.
The twelve counsellors [counselors] then proceeded to cast lots, or ballot, to ascertain who should speak first, and the following was the result; namely:-
Oliver Cowdery, No. 1 John Johnson, No. 7
Joseph Coe " 2 Orson Hyde " 8
Samuel H. Smith " 3 Jared Carter " 9
Luke Johnson " 4 Joseph Smith, sen. " 10
John S. Carter " 5 John Smith " 11
Sylvester Smith " 6 Martin Harris " 12
After prayer the conference adjourned.
OLIVER COWDERY,
ORSON HYDE, Clerks
On the 18th, I reviewed and corrected the minutes of the organization of the high council: and on the 19th of February the council assembled, according to adjournment from the 17th, when the revised minutes were presented and read to the council; I urged the necessity of prayer, that the spirit might be given, that the things of the spirit might be judged thereby, because the carnal mind cannot discern the things of God, &c. The minutes were read three times, and unanimously adopted and received for a form and constitution of the high council of the church of Christ hereafter; with this provision, that if the president should hereafter discover any lack in the same he should be privileged to fill it up.
The number present, who received the above named documents was twenty six high priests, eighteen elders, three priests, one teacher, and fourteen private members, making in all sixty two.
After giving such instruction as the spirit dictated, I laid my hands severally upon the heads of the two assistant presidents and blessed them, that they might have wisdom to magnify their offices, and power over all the power of the adversary.
I also laid my hands upon the twelve counsellors [counselors], and commanded a blessing to rest upon them, that they might have wisdom and power to council in righteousness, upon all subjects that might be laid before them. I also prayed that they might be delivered from those evils to which they were most exposed, and that their lives might be prolonged on the earth.
My father Joseph then laid his hands upon my head and said, "Joseph, I lay my hands upon thy head and pronounce the blessing of thy progenitors upon thee, that thou mayest hold
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