“President Marsh did not consider that the bishop had done him and his lady justice, for they decided that the strippings were wrongfully saved and that the woman had violated her covenant.” — George A. Smith¹

The Milk Stripping Trial involved Thomas B. Marsh, President of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife Elizabeth. The conflict began when Elizabeth Marsh and Sister Harris agreed to exchange milk and strippings to make cheese. Elizabeth violated the agreement by saving some of the strippings for herself. This led to a series of church trials, starting with the teachers, then the bishop, the high council, and finally the First Presidency, all of which ruled against Elizabeth. The trial deeply affected Thomas Marsh, who defended his wife fiercely, saying he would sustain her even if he went to hell for it. This incident contributed to Marsh's growing discontent with Joseph Smith and the Church, eventually leading him to leave the church and testify against the Saints, claiming they were hostile toward the state of Missouri.² The earliest record of this incident is from an 1856 sermon by George A. Smith.¹

1. George A. Smith, April 6, 1856, Journal of Discourses 3:283-284

2. George A. Smith, April 6, 1856, Journal of Discourses 3:283-284; Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 29, 338-340