“A Record of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Nauvoo, Handcock County, State of Illinois, Commencing A.D. 1841”; handwriting of , , , and ; 432 pages, including one inserted leaf; CHL. Includes insertions, notes, tables, redactions, and use marks.
The minutes were inscribed in a commercially produced blank book measuring 13 × 8¼ × 1½ inches (33 × 21 × 4 cm). The volume contains 216 leaves measuring 12¾ × 7½ inches (32 × 19 cm) and consists of nineteen gatherings of leaves. The first and last gatherings consist of six ruled leaves and two flyleaves, while the other gatherings are each composed of twelve ruled leaves. The book contains three front flyleaves and three back flyleaves. The volume is covered in brown leather, with a dark brown pattern decorating both the front and back covers as well as the spine. At some point, an unknown scribe inscribed “Records | OF THE | City Council | of the | City of Nauvoo | commencing AD. 1841” on the front cover in black ink, and “Sermons | by | Joseph Smit[h] | and others.” on the back cover. The spine is divided into five segments. The second and fourth segments are black with gold designs; the word “RECORDS” is printed in gold on the second segment. At an unknown time, white labels inscribed with black ink were placed upon the first and fifth segments of the spine to identify the two purposes of the book. “NAUVOO | CITY COUNCIL” was written on the label on the first segment, while an inverted label reading “SERMONS” was placed on the fifth segment of the spine. The second back flyleaf is inscribed with an index for a compilation of sermons inscribed in the book. Each page has thirty-six horizontal blue lines. At some point, a clerk used a pencil to rule pages 1–189 with a single vertical line running the length of each page on the left side. The same side of pages 190–261 was also vertically ruled in black ink with either a single or double line. An unknown clerk numbered the pages with blue ink on the top outside corner of each page. Following page 403, the remaining pages of the book were misnumbered 304–332.
Pages 1–239 were used to record minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and other matters pertaining to the meetings of the Nauvoo City Council between 1841 and 1845. The city council items are inscribed in blue and black ink. A loose sheet containing minutes inscribed in black ink was inserted into the volume between pages 238 and 239. Pages 240–362 were left blank. Although the volume contains some minutes, its main function was to record the decisions of the city council rather than to give a detailed exposition of the minutes. The volume accordingly corresponds with the Nauvoo City Council rough books. The rough books capture the discussions and debates of the council, while this volume includes the decisions and resolutions following those debates. At some point after 1843, a clerk turned the volume upside down and began inscribing sermons given by JS and others during 1843 and 1844, beginning at the end of the volume and continuing through page 363. These pages were renumbered 1–70 in their upside-down state. The sermons are inscribed in black ink with occasional insertions and other redactions written in graphite.
The inside cover of the book includes an insertion from the Niles National Register for 21 March 1840; a loose copy of the Times and Seasons for 15 January 1841; and an index of ordinances, resolutions, and other Nauvoo City Council matters discussed within the volume. The index consists of eight leaves, with each page measuring 13¼ × 4¼ inches (34 × 11 cm). The entries were inscribed in blue and black ink. It is ruled with forty-one horizontal black lines and a single blue line that runs vertically along the right side of each page.
The contents of the book suggest that clerks made entries in the volume as early as 3 February 1841 and finished sometime after 8 February 1845. An inventory of church records indicates that the volume came into the possession of by 1846. The volume was included in the 1846 inventory of church records prior to the exodus and was taken to Utah Territory with other church records. Subsequent inventories indicate that it has remained in continuous institutional custody since that time.
Section 2 That the Capital Stock of said association shall amount to $10,000 which may be increased to any amount by a vote of a majority of the Stockholders present, at a meeting called for that purpose by the President of the association, who shall give at least one month’s notice thereof; which Capital Stock shall be divided into shares of five dollars each.
Section 3. That the books of the Association shall be opened for subscription on the 20th. day of December A. D. 1844; and when two hundred dollars shall have been subscribed, the Stockholders shall elect a board of seven Trustees, who shall elect one of their number President of the Association, to hold their office during good behavior, said board of Trustees shall constitute the law making department of said Association, with full power and authority to make ordain establish and execute all such laws and ordinances, as they may deem necessary for the benefit, government and regulation of said association, not repugnant to the Constitution of the , or the Constitution of this .
Section 4 That the Board of Trustees shall have power to appoint a Librarian Registrar and such other officers as may be necessary, to prescribe their duties, and remove them from office at pleasure.
Section 5. That the board of Trustees shall have power to require of all officers appointed in pursuance of this act, Bonds with such penalty and security as may be deemed expedient, for the faithful performance of their respective duties; and also to require of all officers appointed as aforesaid to take an oath for the faithful performance of the duties of their respective offices
Section 6 That the President of the Association, shall have power to fill all vacancies in the board of Trustees, that may occur from the absence of any member by appointment; a Majority of whom shall form a Quorum to do business—
Section 7 That in case of the death, removal, resignation, or neglect to serve, of any one or more of the Trustees, their place shall be filled by vote of a majority of the Stockholders present, at a meeting called for that purpose, upon a notice of at least four weeks by the President of the Association; and in case of the neglect or refusal of the President to give such notice, the duty of giving notice shall devolve upon a majority of the Trustees.
Section 8 That it shall be the duty of the Librarian, under the direction of the President, to receive in payment for Stock, all useful Books, Maps, Charts, Globes, Models, and Scientific Instruments, also paintings, engravings, sculptures, and all other useful and curious specimens of the arts and sciences, also all kinds of Natural [p. 225]