A Revelation given at the , Kirtland Geauga Co, Ohio. in the presence of Joseph Smith Jr, , and . January 12th. 1838. When enquiry was made of the Lord relative to the trial of the First Presidency of the , for transgression, according to the item of law found in the Book of Covenants 3rd. Section 37 verse, whether the decision of such a Council of one , shall be conclusive for and her stakes.
Thus saith the Lord, let the first presidency of my Church, be held in full fellowship in Zion and in all her stakes, until they shall be found transgressors, by such a as is named in the above alluded section, in Zion by three witnesses standing against each member of said presidency, and these witnesses shall be of long and faithful standing, and such also as cannot be impeached by other witnesses, before such Council, and when a decision is had by such a Council in Zion it shall only be for Zion, it shall not answer for her stakes, but if such decision be acknowledged by the Council of her stakes, then it shall answer for her stakes, but if it is not acknowledged by the stakes then such stake may have the priviledge of learning for themselves, or if such decision be acknowledged by a majority of the stakes, then it shall answer for all her stakes. And again,
The presidency of my church may be tried by the voice of the whole body of the church in Zion, and the voice of a majority of all her stakes. And again.
Except a majority is had by the voice of the church of Zion, and a majority of all her stakes, the charges will be considered not sustained. And in order to sustain such charge or charges, before such church of Zion or her stakes such witnesses must be had as is named above, that is the witnesses to each president, who are of long and faithful standing, that cannot be impeached by other witnesses before the church of Zion, or her stakes, and all this saith the Lord because of wicked and aspiring men Let all your doings be in meekness and humility before me, even so Amen.—— [p. 17]