Kirtland Council Minute Book Collier, Fred C. (Editor); William S. Harwell (Editor) Utah & The Mormons

223pp. Octavo [22 cm] Brown spine and boards with gold lettering. From the introduction: "The 'Kirtland Council Minute Book' is the official record which was kept by the clerks of the Kirtland High Council. Its minutes span most of the Kirtland period, commencing in October 1832 and ending in November 1837. "The Kirtland High Council was the first High Council of the Church. It was composed of fifteen men -- twelve High Priests and three Presidents, who were to be taken from the First Presidency of the Church with the Prophet Joseph Smith standing at its head as President of the Council (see D&C 102). Being thus constituted, in its day the Kirtland High Council was the highest tribunal of the Church. "Certainly there is no other historical record which more clearly elucidates the personal problems of early converts, and the difficulties with which the Restored Church was confronted by its members. Through all of this, the Character and Personality of the Prophet Joseph Smith is laid bare, as he establishes a judicial system in the Church and personally stands in judgment over the Saints and the Church which he founded"