Ecclesiastical Officers and Church Appointees

The following charts show the general leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as local ecclesiastical officers in , Illinois, between 1839 and June 1844. The charts also identify several positions within the church’s organization which individuals were appointed to fill, including the temple recorder, the Nauvoo , and .

First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve, and Patriarch

The following chart shows the members of the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the church patriarch, with their dates of service. By 1839 the titles and offices of the First Presidency, which had varied in earlier years, were relatively stable, consisting of a president and two counselors; flexibility in its organization is evident, however, in positions held by , , and . The responsibilities of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, whose duties had been proselytizing and overseeing scattered branches of the church, expanded in as they took on significant administrative tasks. After the deaths of JS and on 27 June 1844, the First Presidency dissolved and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided over the church until was sustained as church president in December 1847. For more information on the following individuals and their terms of service, see the Biographical Directory on the Joseph Smith Papers website.

Church Patriarch
Joseph Smith Sr. 12 July 1771–14 Sept. 1840. Cooper, farmer, teacher, merchant. Born at Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Nominal member of Congregationalist church at Topsfield. Married to Lucy Mack by Seth Austin, 24 Jan. 1796, at Tunbridge... View Full Bio	6 Dec. 1834 55 JS History, 1834–1836, 20; Patriarchal Blessings, 1:8–9. Comprehensive Works Cited JS History, 1834–1836 / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1834–1836. In Joseph Smith et al., History, 1838–1856, vol. A-1, back of book (earliest numbering), 9–20, 46–187. Historian's Office, History of the Church, 1839–ca. 1882. CHL. CR 100 102, box 1, vol. 1. Patriarchal Blessings, 1833–. CHL. CR 500 2. –14 Sept. 1840 56 Joseph Smith Sr. died on 14 September 1840. (Eliza R. Snow, “Elegy,” Times and Seasons, Oct. 1840, 1:190–191.) Comprehensive Works Cited Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
Hyrum Smith 9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co... View Full Bio	19 Jan. 1841 57 Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124]. –27 June 1844 58 Hyrum Smith died on 27 June 1844. (Richards, Journal, 27 June 1844; “Awful Assassination of Joseph and Hyrum Smith,” Times and Seasons, 1 July 1844, 5:560–561.) Comprehensive Works Cited Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2. Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Presidents of the Seventy

The following chart lists the individuals who presided over the Quorum of the Seventy. Seventy was an office in the Melchizedek Priesthood patterned after the seventy individuals referred to in the New Testament (Luke 10:1–17) who were given certain powers and authority. According to a JS revelation, they were to “act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the twelve . . . in building up the church and regulating all the affairs of the same, in all nations.” Unlike other ecclesiastical organizations, over which a president and two counselors presided, the Quorum of the Seventy was led by seven presidents.

Nauvoo Ecclesiastical Officers

The following charts identify members of the stake presidency and high council as well as bishops in Nauvoo. In 1834 the , Ohio, high council was organized and granted appellate authority over the disciplinary decisions made by other high councils and branches of the church. The high council of the church at Nauvoo also exercised this power, overturning on appeal multiple decisions that were first adjudicated by local branches outside of Nauvoo. Note that this chart does not capture temporary service on the high council due to deaths, resignations, transfers of position, or members being away from Nauvoo.

On 20 August 1842 the Nauvoo high council divided Nauvoo and the immediate surrounding area into thirteen ecclesiastical wards and districts; the council also appointed ten new bishops to join currently serving bishops , , and . , , and were not ordained with the other appointed bishops on 21 August 1842, though Carn was serving as a bishop in Nauvoo by December 1843. For a time, Isaac Higbee and possibly Newel K. Whitney served as bishops of more than one ward. In addition to the individuals named below, , Samuel Smith, and were appointed on 19 January 1841 to preside over the Nauvoo bishopric, though it is unclear if they ever functioned in that capacity.

Church Appointees

The following chart lists non-ecclesiastical church appointees. Members of the temple committee were appointed at a church conference on 3 October 1840. The committee hired laborers, oversaw the construction of the and the disbursement of supplies and pay to laborers, and gave receipts to those who made donations for building the temple. Trustees of the , who oversaw the construction of the , were appointed by revelation on 19 January 1841. A month later, governor signed a bill incorporating the Nauvoo House Association and authorizing its trustees to issue stock to the value of $150,000 to finance the venture. The temple recorder was first appointed in December 1841; his primary responsibility was to record donations made by church members for the construction of the Nauvoo temple.

Revelation, 6 Apr. 1830 [D&C 21].

JS died on 27 June 1844. (Richards, Journal, 27 June 1844; “Awful Assassination of Joseph and Hyrum Smith,” Times and Seasons, 1 July 1844, 5:560–561.)

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

The term “associate president” was applied by later historians to describe Hyrum Smith’s unusual office or role in the First Presidency, but it was not used during his lifetime. A revelation dated 19 January 1841 named Hyrum Smith church patriarch as well as “a prophet, seer, and a revelator” to the church. He was to “act in concert” with Joseph Smith, who would “show unto him the keys whereby he may ask and receive, and be crowned with the same blessing, and glory, and honor, and priesthood, and gifts of the priesthood, that once were put upon . . . Oliver Cowdery.” Cowdery had received the keys of the priesthood in connection with Joseph Smith, had been sustained as “Second Elder of the Church” on 6 April 1830, and had served in the church’s presidency from December 1834 to April 1838 under the titles “assistant president” and “assistant Councillor.”

Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124].

Hyrum Smith died on 27 June 1844. (Richards, Journal, 27 June 1844; “Awful Assassination of Joseph and Hyrum Smith,” Times and Seasons, 1 July 1844, 5:560–561.)

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Note, 8 Mar. 1832.

Upon the death of JS, the First Presidency was dissolved.

Minutes, 7 Nov. 1837.

Hyrum Smith was appointed church patriarch on 19 January 1841 and was replaced as a counselor in the First Presidency by William Law. (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124].)

Law replaced Hyrum Smith as a counselor in the First Presidency when Smith was called as church patriarch and associate president.

Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124].

Law, Record of Doings, 8 Jan. 1844, in Cook, William Law, 46; see also JS, Journal, 8 Jan. 1844.

Cook, Lyndon W. William Law: Biographical Essay, Nauvoo Diary, Correspondence, Interview. Orem, UT: Grandin Book, 1994.

For a discussion of Lyman’s temporary positions in the Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency in the 1840s, see JSP, J2:255n354.

JSP, J2 / Hedges, Andrew H., Alex D. Smith, and Richard Lloyd Anderson, eds. Journals, Volume 2: December 1841–April 1843. Vol. 2 of the Journals series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman. Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011.

JS, Journal, 4 Feb. 1843; see also Woodruff, Journal, [20] Jan. 1843.

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Upon the death of JS, the First Presidency was dissolved.

Bennett was appointed assistant president until Sidney Rigdon’s health improved.

“Minutes of the General Conference,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1841, 2:387.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

On 15 June 1842, church leaders published a notice saying they had chosen to “withdraw the hand of fellowship from General John C. Bennett” effective 11 May 1842. (“Notice,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1842, 3:830.)

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Brigham Young was ordained an apostle and chosen as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve on 14 February 1835 and sustained as president of the Quorum of the Twelve on 14 April 1840. (Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Record, 14 Feb. 1835; Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 14–15 Feb. 1835; Brigham Young, Preston, England, to “the Saints,” 17 Apr. 1840, Times and Seasons, June 1840, 1:119.)

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Record, 14 Feb. 1835; Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 14–15 Feb. 1835.

At a church conference held on 27 December 1847 in Iowa, Brigham Young was chosen and sustained as president of the Church. (General Church Minutes, 27 Dec. 1847.)

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Record, 14 Feb. 1835; Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 14–15 Feb. 1835.

At a church conference held on 27 December 1847 in Iowa, Heber C. Kimball was chosen and sustained as a counselor to Brigham Young. (General Church Minutes, 27 Dec. 1847.)

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Record, 14 Feb. 1835; Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 14–15 Feb. 1835.

General Church Minutes, 4 May 1839.

JS, Journal, 27 June 1839; Woodruff, Journal, 27 June 1839.

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Hyde died on 28 November 1878. (“Death of Elder Orson Hyde,” Deseret News, 4 Dec. 1878, 696.)

Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Record, 14 Feb. 1835; Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 14–15 Feb. 1835.

Pratt died on 13 May 1857. (Pratt, “Murder of Parley P. Pratt,” 225–256.)

Pratt, Steven. “Eleanor McLean and the Murder of Parley P. Pratt.” BYU Studies 15 (Winter 1975): 225–256.

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Record, 14 Feb. 1835; Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 14–15 Feb. 1835.

General Church Minutes, 4 May 1839.

Woodruff, Journal, 25 May 1839.

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

“Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1845, 6:1008.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Record, 14 Feb. 1835; Minutes, Discourse, and Blessings, 14–15 Feb. 1835.

Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 64; Woodruff, Journal, 10 Aug.–18 Sept. 1842.

Historian’s Office. Brigham Young History Drafts, 1856–1858. CHL. CR 100 475, box 1, fd. 5.

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 66–67; JS, Journal, 20 Jan. 1843.

Historian’s Office. Brigham Young History Drafts, 1856–1858. CHL. CR 100 475, box 1, fd. 5.

Pratt died on 3 October 1881. (“Death of Apostle Orson Pratt,” Deseret News, 5 Oct. 1881, 8.)

Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

Minute Book 2, 19 Dec. 1838; see also Revelation, 8 July 1838–A.

Brigham Young and Others, Nauvoo, IL, to “the Saints of God,” 9 Feb. 1846, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

Minute Book 2, 19 Dec. 1838; see also Revelation, 8 July 1838–A.

Taylor was sustained as president of the Church on 10 October 1880. (“Fifth Day. Sunday October 10th, 1880,” Deseret Evening News, 11 Oct. 1880, 2.)

Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

General Church Minutes, 26 Apr. 1839; see also Revelation, 8 July 1838–A.

Woodruff was sustained as president of the Church on 7 April 1889. (Woodruff, Journal, 7 Apr. 1889.)

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

General Church Minutes, 26 Apr. 1839.

George A. Smith was sustained as a counselor to Brigham Young on 7 October 1868. (“Thirty-Eighth Semi-Annual Conference,” Deseret News, 14 Oct. 1868, 2.)

Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

Brigham Young and Others, Nauvoo, IL, to “the Saints of God,” 9 Feb. 1846, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL; see also Revelation, 8 July 1838–A; Minute Book 2, 19 Dec. 1838.

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

At a church conference held on 27 December 1847 in Iowa, Willard Richards was chosen and sustained as a counselor to Brigham Young. (General Church Minutes, 27 Dec. 1847.)

Minutes, 7–11 Apr. 1841.

General Church Minutes, 3 Dec. 1848; Brigham Young, Manuscript History, 3 Dec. 1848, 85, CHL.

Young, Brigham. Manuscript History, 1844–1879. Vols. 13–69. Historian’s Office History of the Church, 1839–ca. 1882, CHL. CR 100 102.

For a discussion of Lyman’s temporary positions in the Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency in the 1840s, see JSP, J2:255n354.

Historian’s Office, JS History, draft notes, 20 Jan. 1843; Amasa Lyman, Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, to Wilford Woodruff, 23 Aug. 1866, Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, ca. 1858–1880, CHL.

Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Draft Notes, ca. 1839–1856. CHL. CR 100 92.

Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

Woodruff, Journal, [20] Jan. 1843.

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

“October Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1844, 5:693.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Woodruff, Journal, 6 Oct. 1867.

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

JS History, 1834–1836, 20; Patriarchal Blessings, 1:8–9.

JS History, 1834–1836 / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1834–1836. In Joseph Smith et al., History, 1838–1856, vol. A-1, back of book (earliest numbering), 9–20, 46–187. Historian's Office, History of the Church, 1839–ca. 1882. CHL. CR 100 102, box 1, vol. 1.

Patriarchal Blessings, 1833–. CHL. CR 500 2.

Joseph Smith Sr. died on 14 September 1840. (Eliza R. Snow, “Elegy,” Times and Seasons, Oct. 1840, 1:190–191.)

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124].

Hyrum Smith died on 27 June 1844. (Richards, Journal, 27 June 1844; “Awful Assassination of Joseph and Hyrum Smith,” Times and Seasons, 1 July 1844, 5:560–561.)

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Young, History of the Organization of the Seventies, 1–2.

Young, Joseph, Sr. History of the Organization of the Seventies: Names of First and Second Quorums. Items in Relation to the First Presidency of the Seventies. Also, a Brief Glance at Enoch and His City. Embellished with a Likeness of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and a View of the Kirtland Temple. Salt Lake City: Deseret News Steam Printing Establishment, 1878.

“Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1845, 6:1009.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Record of Seventies, bk. A, 6 Apr. 1837, 18.

Record of Seventies / First Council of the Seventy. “Book of Records,” 1837–1843. Bk. A. In First Council of the Seventy, Records, 1837–1885. CHL. CR 3 51, box 1, fd. 1.

“October Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1844, 5:693.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Record of Seventies, bk. A, 6 Apr. 1837, 18.

Record of Seventies / First Council of the Seventy. “Book of Records,” 1837–1843. Bk. A. In First Council of the Seventy, Records, 1837–1885. CHL. CR 3 51, box 1, fd. 1.

“Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1845, 6:1009.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Record of Seventies, bk. A, 6 Apr. 1837, 18.

Record of Seventies / First Council of the Seventy. “Book of Records,” 1837–1843. Bk. A. In First Council of the Seventy, Records, 1837–1885. CHL. CR 3 51, box 1, fd. 1.

“October Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1844, 5:693.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Young, History of the Organization of the Seventies, 1–2; see also Minutes, 3 Sept. 1837; Record of Seventies, bk. A, 23.

Record of Seventies / First Council of the Seventy. “Book of Records,” 1837–1843. Bk. A. In First Council of the Seventy, Records, 1837–1885. CHL. CR 3 51, box 1, fd. 1.

“Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1845, 6:1009.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Record of Seventies, bk. A, 6 Feb. 1838, 41.

Record of Seventies / First Council of the Seventy. “Book of Records,” 1837–1843. Bk. A. In First Council of the Seventy, Records, 1837–1885. CHL. CR 3 51, box 1, fd. 1.

“Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1845, 6:1009.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Record of Seventies, bk. A, 6 Mar. 1838, 44.

Record of Seventies / First Council of the Seventy. “Book of Records,” 1837–1843. Bk. A. In First Council of the Seventy, Records, 1837–1885. CHL. CR 3 51, box 1, fd. 1.

“Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1845, 6:1009.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

“Proceedings of the General Conference,” Times and Seasons, Dec. 1839, 1:30.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 10 Sept. 1844; “October Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1844, 5:692–693.

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 30 Mar. 1841.

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 23 Sept. 1843.

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 30 Mar. 1841.

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 10 Oct. 1845; see also “Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1845, 6:1009.

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

“Proceedings of the General Conference,” Times and Seasons, Dec. 1839, 1:30.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

“A Circular of the High Council,” Times and Seasons, 20 Jan. 1846, 6:1096.