Nauvoo high council, Minutes, , Hancock Co., IL, 3 July 1840. Featured version copied [between 14 Feb. 1842 and 1 Jan. 1843] in Nauvoo High Council Minutes, fair copy, pp. 64–66; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minutes, 27 Oct. 1839.
Historical Introduction
On 3 July 1840, the met to reconsider a memorial from JS requesting that he be relieved from his active involvement in the ’s temporal affairs, especially those related to land sales in Nauvoo, Illinois. At its 20 June meeting, the high council passed resolutions aimed at granting JS’s request, but JS vetoed the council’s decisions. Although the high council passed additional resolutions at this 3 July meeting, the decisions were essentially the same as those made on 20 June. The 3 July minutes do not specify if JS attended, but it is probable he was there to ensure that the high council addressed his concerns in a way that met his approbation.
As clerk pro tem of the meeting, took the minutes. At some point after 14 February 1842 and likely before the end of that year, Stout recorded the minutes into the high council record book.
Stout indicated that he recorded minutes of earlier meetings on 14 February 1842. He originally misdated these minutes, indicating that he copied the minutes in 1842. (Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 19 Apr. 1840, 56.)
Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.
order that he may devote his time more particularly to the spiritualities of the same, believeing by so doing we shall promote the good of the whole . But as he (Joseph Smith jr) is held responsible for the payment of the City <Plot> and knowing no way to relieve him from that responsibility at present, we would request of him to act as treasurer for the City Plot and to whom those persons whom we may appoint to make sales of Lots and attend to the buisness affairs of the Church may at all times be responsible and make true and correct returns of all their proceedings as well as to account for all monies, properties &c which may come into their hands.
Therefore Resolved. That act as clerk for the same. That be appointed to provide for the wants of the and make such appropriations to them and to their Clerk or Clerks which they may require.
Resolved. that the funds of the City Plot shall [p. 65]
In his 18 June 1840 memorial, JS specified that his spiritual work included “translating the Ejyptian Records— the Bible— and wait upon the Lord for Such revelations as may be suited to the condition and circumstances of the church.” (Memorial to Nauvoo High Council, 18 June 1840.)
JS and his counselors in the First Presidency obligated themselves either directly to individuals from whom they purchased land in 1839 or to agents who purchased the land on their behalf. The debts for these land sales exceeded $150,000. (Agreement with George W. Robinson, 30 Apr. 1839; Bonds from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A and B; Hancock Co., IL, Deed Records, 1817–1917, vol. 12-G, p. 247, 30 Apr. 1839, microfilm 954,195; Hancock Co., IL, Bonds and Mortgages, 1840–1904, vol. 1, pp. 31–32, 30 Apr. 1839, microfilm 954,776; Lee Co., IA, Land Records, 1836–1961, Deeds [South, Keokuk], vol. 1, pp. 507–509, microfilm 959,238; vol. 2, pp. 3–6, 13–16, microfilm 959,239, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; Cook, “Isaac Galland,” 270–275; Leonard, Nauvoo, 58.)