Minutes and Testimonies, 12–29 November 1838, Copy [State of Missouri v. Gates et al. for Treason]
Source Note
Minutes and Testimonies, , Ray Co., MO, 12–29 Nov. 1838, State of MO v. Gates et al. for Treason (Fifth Judicial Circuit of MO 1838). Copied ca. late 1838–ca. early 1839; unidentified handwriting; fifty-seven pages; Mormon War Papers, MSA.
colonels of the society By them all laws shall be made regulating the society—
Article 4th
The society reserves the power of electing all its officers with the exceptions All offices shall be during life, and good behaviour, or to be regulated by the Law of God.
Article 5th
The society reserves the power of electing all its officers, with the exception of the aids and clerks which the officers may need in their various stations— The nomination to go from the presidency to his second, & from the second to the third in rank, and so down through all the various grades, each branch or department retains the power of electing its own particular officers—
Article 6th
Punishments shall be administered to the guilty in accordance to the offence, and no members shall be punished without law. or by any others than those appointed by law for that purpose— The Legislature shall have power to make laws regulating punishments, as in their judgments shall be wisdom and righteousness—
Article 7th
There shall be a secretary whos business it shall be to keep all the legislative records of the society, and also to keep a register of the names of every member of the society, also the rank of the officers. He shall also communicate the laws to the generals, as directed by laws made for the regulation of such business by the legislature
Article 8th.
All officers shall be subject to the commands of the Captain General, given through the secretary of war, and so all officers shall be subject to their superiors in rank, according to laws made for that purpose”—
In connection with the grand scheme of the prophet his preache[r]s and apostles were instructed to preach to and to instruct their followers, (who are estimated in Europe & at about 40,000) that it was their duty to come up to the stake called and to possess the kingdom, that it was the will of God that they should do so, & that the Lord would give [p. [11]]