Granger acted as an agent for JS and Rigdon in September 1837, and after the two men departed Kirtland in January 1838, Granger worked with William Marks to manage and settle outstanding debts. In July 1838, Granger was officially appointed to be an agent for the church and to resolve the church’s financial obligations in Ohio. He oversaw the sale of various properties and succeeded in paying off some of the church’s debt. This 4 May 1839 resolution gave Granger additional responsibilities over the church in Kirtland, and on 6 May, JS provided Granger with a signed certificate to take with him to Kirtland to indicate his position and authority there. (Authorization for Oliver Granger, 6 May 1839; see also JS History, vol. B-1, 837; and Geauga Co., OH, Deed Record, 1795–1921, vol. 25, pp. 552–553, 2 Sept. 1837; pp. 661–665, 28 and 29 Mar. 1838; 26 and 30 Apr. 1838; vol. 26, p. 477, 16 Oct. 1838, microfilm 20,241; vol. 30, p. 175, 24 Feb. 1838, microfilm 20,242, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

Writing in January 1838, John Smith and Don Carlos Smith referenced Kirtland as a stopping point for Saints migrating from the eastern United States. When conflict in Missouri intensified in fall 1838, Kirtland may have become a place for Saints who were migrating from the East to settle instead of traveling on to Missouri. In a January 1839 letter to apostles Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young, JS suggested that before church members arrived from England, agents should “buy out Kirtland, and the regions round about. or they may settle whare they can till things may alter.” (John Smith and Don Carlos Smith, Kirtland Mills, OH, to George A. Smith, Shinnston, VA, 15–18 Jan. 1838, George Albert Smith, Papers, CHL; Letter to Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young, 16 Jan. 1839; see also Authorization for Oliver Granger, 6 May 1839.)

Smith, George Albert. Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322.

This advice to settle Kirtland was included, nearly verbatim, in a certificate JS provided to Granger to take with him to Kirtland. (See Authorization for Oliver Granger, 6 May 1839.)

Marsh withdrew from the church in October 1838 after months of disagreement with JS and other Saints. JS appointed George A. Smith on 16 January 1839 to fill this position, and he was ordained at the 26 April 1839 meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in Far West, Missouri; the resolution mentioned here in the minutes constituted a ratification of the earlier appointment and ordination. (Letter to Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young, 16 Jan. 1839; Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 26 Apr. 1839; Revelation, 8 July 1838–A [D&C 118:6].)

Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL

On 26 April 1839, twelve men, including five of the twelve apostles, gathered at the temple lot in Far West. In addition to ordaining Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith as apostles, the men recommenced “laying the foundation” of the temple, as directed in a revelation JS dictated 26 April 1838. They also symbolically began their mission to Europe, as instructed in a revelation dictated 8 July 1838. (Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 26 Apr. 1839; Revelation, 26 Apr. 1838 [D&C 115:11]; Revelation, 8 July 1838–A [D&C 118:4–5].)

Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL

Before the 26 April 1839 meeting at the temple lot in Far West, the apostles and other priesthood officers held a meeting in the home of Samuel Clark, during which they excommunicated thirty-one people. (Kimball, “History,” 102; Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 26 Apr. 1839.)

Kimball, Heber C. “History of Heber Chase Kimball by His Own Dictation,” ca. 1842–1856. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 2.

Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL