According to Clayton’s diary, as he was “writing and copying the records of the kingdom” on 10 March 1845, this sentence brought to his mind a comparison between the Council of Fifty and the Mormon belief in a pre-earthly council where “the organization of this world was contemplated and . . . the laws of government were all made and sanctioned by all present and all the ordinances and ceremonies decreed upon,” and where Lucifer lost his standing. As Clayton reflected on this teaching and the theological importance of the Council of Fifty, he reasoned that there was “a similarity between this grand council & the council which sat previous to the organization of this world.” (Clayton, Journal, 10 Mar. 1845.)
Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
See Council of Fifty, “Record,” 4 and 27 Feb. 1845.