| 1109 with all men, and equal rights is all we ask. We wish to become permanent citizens of this state, and wish to bear our proportion in support of the government and to be protected by its laws. If the above propositions are complied with, we are willing to give security on our part: and we shall want the same of the people of Jackson county for the performance of this agreement. We do not wish to settle down in a body, except where we can purchase the land with money; for to take possession by conquest of the shedding of blood, is entirely foreign to our feelings. The shedding of blood we shall not be guilty of, until all just and honorable means among men prove insufficient to restore peace."
Signed JOSEPH SMITH, Jun.
F. G. WILLIAMS,
LYMAN WIGHT,
RODGER ORTON,
ORSON HYDE,
JOHN S. CARTER,
To John Lincoln, John Sconce, Geo. R. Morehead, Jas. H. Long, James Collins.
On the third of July, the High Priests of Zion assembled in Clay county, and I proceeded to organize a High Council, agreeably to revelation given at Kirtland, for the purpose of settling important business that might come before them, which could not be settled by the bishop and his council. David Whitmer was elected president, and W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer, assistant presidents. The following High priests, viz, Christian Whitmer, Newel Knight, Lyman Wight, Calvin Beebe, Wm. E. McLellin, Solomon Hancock, Thomas B. Marsh, Simeon Carter, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, John Murdoch, Levi Jackman, were appointed councillors [councilors] and the council adjourned to Monday.
Frederick G. Williams was clerk to the meeting.
From this time I continued of [to?] give instruction to the members of the High council, Elders, those who had travelled [traveled] in the camp with me, and such others as desired information, until the 7th, when the council assembled according to adjournment, at the house of Elder Lyman Wight, present fifteen High priests, eight elders, four priests, eight teachers, three deacons, and members.
After singing and prayer I gave the council such instruction in relation to their high calling, as would enable them to proceed to minister in their office agreeably to the pattern heretofore given; read the revelation on the subject; and told them that if I should now be taken away, I had accomplished the great work the Lord had laid before me, and that which I had desired of the Lord; and that I had done my duty in organizing the High council, through which council the will of the Lord might be known on all important occasions, in the building up of Zion, and establishing truth in the earth.
It was voted that those who were appointed on the third should be confirmed in their appointments. I then ordained David Whitmer, president, and W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer assistants; and their twelve councillors [councilors]; the twelve councillors [councilors] then proceeded to cast lots, to know who should speak first, and the order of speaking, which resulted as follows: viz
Simeon Carter, 1 Parley P. Pratt, 2
Wm E. Me Lellin, [Mc Lellin] 3 Calvin Beebe 4
Levi Jackman, 5 Solomon Hancock 6
Christian Whitmer 7 Newel Knight 8
Orson Pratt 9 Lyman Wight 10
Thomas B. Marsh 11 John Murdoch 12
Father Whitmer came forward and blessed his three sons, David, John and Christian Whitmer, in the name of the Lord. Also Father Knight blessed his son, Newel. Bishop Partridge stated to the council that a greater responsibility rested upon him than before their organization, as it was not his privilege to counsel with any of them except the president, and his own councillors [councilors], and desired their prayers that he might be enabled to act in righteousness.
I next presented the case of W. W. Phelps, to the council, to have their decision whether he should take his family to Kirtland, and if so, when he shall start; as it had been deemed necessary for him to assist in the Printing establishment, it was motioned and carried that four of the councillors [councilors] speak on the subject, two on each side, viz. Simeon Carter, and Wm. E. Mc Lellin, for the plaintiff; and Parley P. Pratt and Calvin Beebe for the church, after hearing the pleas, the president decided that it was the duty of W. W. Phelps to go to Kirtland to assist in printing, and that his family remain in the region where they were, and that he have an honorable discharge from his station in Zion for a season, (as soon as he can accomplish his business.) Signed by the President and clerk.
It was then proposed by W. W. Phelps, that David Whitmer, the president of the church in Zion, should go to Kirtland, and assist in promoting the cause of Christ, as being one of the three witnesses. This case was argued by Levi Jackman and Christian Whitmer on behalf of the plaintiffs, and Solomon Hancock and Newel Knight for the church; after which it was decided, as before, that Br. David Whitmer
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