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January 12, 1838

On January 12, 1838, Joseph Smith received three revelations relating to the First Presidency of the Church, none of which were ever formally canonized. These three revelations were received during a time of crisis for the Prophet and the Church. The failure of the Kirtland Safety Society in the spring of 1837 resulted in, among other things, widespread dissention and apostasy in Kirtland and opposition against the Prophet specifically, with one historian deeming 1837–38 “probably the two toughest years of Joseph Smith’s life and ministry.”[1]

The first of these three revelations answered questions about procedures related to Church discipline. What is now section 107 of the Doctrine and Covenants—a revelation compiled in 1835, but parts of which were received as early as 1831—gives instruction on the how to try “a President of the High Priesthood” (that is, a member of the First Presidency) for transgression (Doctrine and Covenants 107:82–84). According to this text, a member of the First Presidency was to be tried before a “common council of the church” by “twelve counselors of the High Priesthood” (verse 82).[2] This appears to have been interpreted in the early church to mean a bishop’s court consisting of “a bishop, his assistants or counselors, and additional high priests or elders assembled on an ad hoc basis.” When charges were brought against a church president, “a council consisting of a bishop and twelve high priests” was to be assembled.[3] On May 29, 1837, for example, charges of “lying and misrepresentation” and “extortion” were brought by Lyman E. Johnson and Orson Pratt (two apostles) against Joseph Smith in a bishop’s council “in Kirtland, the stake of Zion,”[4] although it is unknown if Bishop Newel K. Whitney ever convened a council to try the case.

By early 1838, swelling apostasy in Kirtland brought more accusations against members of the First Presidency. “As unrest increased, additional church members became disaffected and questioned the actions of the First Presidency; the dissenters may have demanded that the First Presidency be tried in a disciplinary hearing for their actions.”[5] The first of the three revelations received by Joseph Smith on January 12 addressed lingering concerns and questions about the nature of church discipline. The need for additional clarification from the Lord was urgent in an atmosphere that had turned overtly hostile against the Prophet and his counselors. For example, would the verdict of a council made in one stake, such as Kirtland, extend to other stakes of the church, such as one in Missouri? The answer Joseph received was that “after the initial disciplinary hearing, a stake of Zion could hold its own disciplinary hearing for the First Presidency, but the decision of that stake’s council would not apply to other stakes of the church without a majority approval.”[6] The revelation addresses other procedural questions, such as the need for at least three witnesses to bring charges against the member of the First Presidency and a majority vote to sustain the decision of the council (clearly intended to help ensure a fair trial for the accused).

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Kirtland, Ohio. January 12, 1838. In the presence of Joseph Smith Jr., Sidney Rigdon, Vinson Knight, and George W. Robinson at the French Farm, the following inquiry was made of the Lord.

A question asked of the Lord concerning the trying of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for transgression, according to the item of law found in third section of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, thirty-seventh verse, whether the decision of such a council of one stake shall be conclusive for Zion and all the stakes. Answer: thus saith the Lord—the time has now come when a decision of such a council would not answer for Zion and all her stakes.

What will answer for Zion and all her stakes? Answer: thus saith the Lord—let the First Presidency of my church be held in full fellowship in Zion and all her stakes until they shall be found transgressors by such a high council as is named in the third section, thirty-seventh verse of the book of Doctrine and Covenants; in Zion, by three witnesses standing against each member of said presidency. And said witnesses shall be of long and faithful standing, and such also as cannot be impeached by other witnesses before said 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 said 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 stakes may have the privilege of hearing for themselves; or, if said decision shall be acknowledged by a majority of her stakes, then it shall answer for all her stakes.

And again, the presidency of said church may be tried by the voice of the whole body of the church of 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 the majority of her stakes, the charges will be considered not sustained, and in order to sustain such charge or charges before said church of Zion or her stakes, such witnesses must be had as is named above—that is, three witnesses. Each president that is of long and faithful standing 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 doing be in meekness and humility before me. Even so. Amen.

Notes

[1] See Ronald K. Esplin, “Joseph Smith and the Kirtland Crisis,” in Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer, ed. Richard Neitzel Holzapfel and Kent P. Jackson (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2010), 261–90, quote at 261.

[2] Compare JSP, R2:397–98.

[3] See “Bishop’s court,” Glossary, The Joseph Smith Papers, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/topic/bishops-court.

[4] JSP, D5:397.

[5] JSP, D5:496.

[6] JSP, D5:496.