Minutes, , Caldwell Co., MO, 7 Nov. 1837. Featured version copied [between ca. 6 Apr. and 19 June 1838] in Minute Book 2, pp. 82–85; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 2.
Historical Introduction
On 7 November 1837 members in , Missouri, gathered to vote on church leaders and conduct other matters of church business. A similar meeting had been held in , Ohio, on 3 September 1837, during which several men were removed and replaced as church leaders. In his remarks on 7 November, discussed the 3 September reorganization of the church, after which moderator read the minutes of that meeting to the congregation.
In a departure from earlier church voting practices, which usually included only men who had been to the , all those in attendance were asked to vote, including women and unordained men. Some members of the assembled congregation objected to several individuals, including , , , and , who held leadership positions within the church. Ultimately, however, only Williams was removed from his position, as a counselor to JS in the ; was unanimously approved to replace him. Despite some objections raised against two members of the , other church leaders were unanimously chosen to retain their current positions, including the members of the who had been objected to in on 3 September.
Strict adherence to the church’s dietary code known as the “Word of Wisdom” was not universally practiced at this time. In undated minutes, possibly circa May 1837, the Far Westhigh council had resolved to withdraw fellowship from “any ordained member who will or does not observe the word of Wisdomaccordingtoitslitteralreading.” In June 1837 the high council resolved not to uphold any man associated with the business of selling alcohol in Far West, but it did not limit personal use. Failure to observe the Word of Wisdom was one of the charges brought against David Whitmer when he was tried and excommunicated in 1838. (Historical Introduction to Revelation, 27 Feb. 1833; Minute Book 2, p. 71, underlining in original; 11 June 1837; 13 Apr. 1838; JS History, vol. B-1, 761–762; Synopsis of David Whitmer Trial, 13 Apr. 1838.)