“The high council was appointed by revelation for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church or the bishop’s council to the satisfaction of the parties.” — Doctrine and Covenants 102:2¹

The Missouri High Council was a governing body of twelve high priests, established on July 7, 1834, in Clay County, Missouri. The first high council had been organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on February 17, 1834, to settle important church difficulties. Under Joseph Smith’s leadership, the high council made administrative decisions and established policies for the entire church. The council conducted disciplinary proceedings, heard and ruled on disagreements between church members, and had jurisdiction over all the affairs of Zion.² The Missouri High Council consisted of twelve members and a presidency of three additional men: David Whitmer as president, and William W. Phelps and John Whitmer as counselors.³ The Missouri high council expelled many leaders from the Church in 1838, including Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps, John Whitmer, and apostle Lyman E. Johnson.⁴ The first Missouri High Council consisted of Christian Whitmer, Thomas B. Marsh, Newel Knight, Simeon Carter, Lyman Wight, Parley P. Pratt, Calvin Beebe, Orson Pratt, William E. McLellin, John Murdock, Solomon Hancock, and Levi Jackman.⁵

1. Doctrine and Covenants 102:2

2. “High Council,” josephsmithpapers.org; “Church Officers in Zion (Missouri), October 1835–January 1838,” josephsmithpapers.org

3. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 19, 209

4. Minute Book 2, pages 104, 107, 126, 131, josephsmithpapers.org

5. Minutes, Clay Co., MO, 3 July 1834, Minute Book 2, josephsmithpapers.org