Doctrine and Covenants 102 “The Constitution of the High Council” On 17 February 1834 approximately sixty members of the Church gathered at the home of Joseph Smith in a special meeting to call twelve high priests to serve as members of the high council in what was the first stake organized in this dispensation.

First Stake Presidency: President: Joseph Smith 1 st Counselor: Sidney Rigdon 2 nd Counselor: Frederick G. Williams Second Stake Presidency in Far West: President: David Whitmer 1 st Counselor: W.W. Phelps 2 nd Counselor: John Whitmer

In a meeting held five days earlier the Prophet had observed: “In ancient days councils were conducted with such strict propriety, that no one was allowed to whisper, be weary, leave the room, or get uneasy in the least, until the voice of the Lord, by revelation, or the voice of the council by the Spirit, was obtained, which has not been observed in this Church to the present time. It was understood in ancient days, that if one man could stay in council, another could; and if the president could spend his time, the members could also; but in our councils, generally, one will be uneasy, another sleep; one praying, another not; one’s mind on the business of the council, and another thinking on something else. The First Presidency served as the stake presidency of the “standing” high council. Later the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was formed as a ‘traveling’ high council.

The Constitution of the High Council What Repentant Sinners Must confess to Church Leaders: President Marion G. Romney stated that we need only to confess those sins to our Church leaders that may affect our standing in the Church. He explained: Where one’s transgressions are of such a nature as would, un-repented of, put in jeopardy his right to membership or fellowship in the Church of Jesus Christ, full and effective confession would, in my judgment, require confession by the repentant sinner to his bishop or other proper presiding Church officer – not that the Church officer could forgive the sin (this power rests in the Lord himself and those only to whom he specifically delegates it) but rather that the Church, acting through its duly appointed officers, might with full knowledge of the facts take such action with respect to Church discipline as the circumstances merit.

President Brigham Young stated: I believe in coming out and being plain and honest, with that which should be made public, and in keeping to yourselves that which should be kept… If you have sinned against the people, confess to them. If you have sinned against a family or a neighborhood, go to them and confess. If you have sinned against your Ward, confess to your Ward. If you have sinned against one individual, take that person by yourselves and make your confession to him. And if you have sinned against your God, or against yourselves, confess to God, and keep the matter to yourselves, for I do not want to know anything about it…

For the sins you commit against yourselves and your God, unless repented of and forgiven, the Lord will hold his private council and judge you according to the degree of guilt that is upon you; and if you sin against others, he will make that public, and you will have to hear it… Keep your follies that do not concern others to yourselves, and keep your private wickedness as still as possible… We wish to see people honestly confess as they should and what they should (JD 8:362).

Joseph Smith declared that Church councils or courts were to be conducted according to an ancient pattern which had been “shown to him by vision.” “Jerusalem was the seat of the Church Council in ancient days,” said the Prophet, “the apostle, Peter, was the president of the council and held the keys of the Kingdom of God on earth.” To clarify the matter of guilt, the Prophet added; It was not the order of heaven in ancient councils to plead for and against the guilty as in our judicial courts (so called) but that every counselor when he arose to speak, should speak precisely according to evidence and according to the teaching of the Spirit of the Lord, that no counselor should attempt to screen the guilty when his guilt was manifest (Kirtland Council Minute Book, 30).

If the member in question holds the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Stake President must determine whether the bishopric or the Stake Presidency will proceed with the disciplinary council. In general, the Bishopric will proceed, unless excommunication appears to be a likely decision.

Doctrine and Covenants 102:2 “Why Church Discipline?” 1. To preserve the good name of the Church. 2. To help the sinner repent so that they can continue to progress. 3. To restore blessings, it is an act of love!

Grounds for Church Discipline: A.Deliberate disobedience to the rule of the Church. B. Moral transgressions 1. Murder 2. Adultery 3. Fornication 4. Homosexuality 5. Incest 6. Child molestation 7. Plural Marriage 8. Embezzling of church funds 9. Cruelty to spouse or children

Not Grounds: 1. Inactivity 2. Membership in another Church. 3. Name removed from church records. 4. Breaking the Word of Wisdom Types of Courts: 1. Bishops 2. High Council 3. First Presidency 4. Twelve Apostles Types of Decisions: 1. No action 2. Formal probation 3. Dis-fellowship 4. Excommunication

Doctrine and Covenants 102:5 “These 43 people” These forty-three people, chosen from the sixty who attended the meeting held at the home of the Prophet on 17 February, in turn nominated the twelve men who were called to serve as the first high council in the church.