Bishop’s court

Official church proceedings convened to handle disputes or allegations of misconduct. The officers of the court were a bishop, his assistants or counselors, and additional high priests or elders assembled on an ad hoc basis. Until high councils were established in 1834, matters that could not be settled satisfactorily by the bishop’s council were referred to a court, or council, of twelve high priests over which the president of the church presided. Thereafter, appeals of bishop’s court decisions were directed to high councils or, if necessary, to the church’s presidency. Allegations of misconduct against a president of the church were to be considered by a council consisting of a bishop and twelve high priests.