| May:
Joseph and Sidney present needs |
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As Joseph's scribe
in what is known as the Scriptory Book, George W. Robinson reports that
in early May, Joseph and Sidney attend the Far West high council meeting
and present their financial situation, |
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The
Far West Record dates the meeting May 13, the
Scriptory
The Scriptory Book—of Joseph Smith Jr—President of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latterday Saints In all the World. (Kept by Geo. W. Robinson, Church Recorder.) Titled "Journal, March-September, 1838" in The Joseph Smith Papers.
has May 12. |
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…spending, as they have, for eight years, their time
and tallents & property in the service of the Church, and are now
reduced as it were, to absolute begery. |
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Papers
Papers of Joseph Smith, Volume 2: Journal, 1832-1842, edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1992).
2:242. |
| 80-acre
grant |
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The council votes to grant each of
them 80 acres "adjacent to the City Corporation." |
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¶
Minutes of May 13, 1838 //
Papers
Papers of Joseph Smith, Volume 2: Journal, 1832-1842, edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1992).
2:242. |
| Salaries |
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George W. Harris, Elias Higbee, and Simeon Carter
are appointed to contract for Joseph's and Sidney's services: |
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| For
non-prophetic roles |
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Not for preaching or for receiving the word of God by revelation,
neither for instructing the saints in richteousness, but for services rendered
in the Printing establishment, in translating the words ancient records
&c. &c. |
|
Papers
Papers of Joseph Smith, Volume 2: Journal, 1832-1842, edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1992).
2:242. |
| Amount
unspecified |
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According to the Scriptory Book, the committee agrees "that
Prests Smith & Rigdon Should be entitled to, & receive for this
year [blank] as a just remuneration for their Services." |
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The minutes reports that the committee was authorized to direct
the bishop to pay " whatever sum they agree with them for." |
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¶
Minutes of May 13, 1838 |
| Or
$1,100 (rescinded) |
|
Fifty years later, Ebenezer Robinson, now a member of David
Whitmer's Church of Christ, recalls that salaries of $1,100 were agreed
upon by a vote of eleven to one, but when word got out, "the members
of the church, almost to a man, lifted their voices against it. The opposition
was so strong that at the next meeting of the council the resolution was
rescinded." (Neither the Scriptory nor the Far West Record mention
the controversy or recision.) |
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Items
"Items of Personal History of the Editor," Ebenezer Robinson in The Return (Davis City, Iowa: Church of Christ, 1889-1890).
1:115–121. |
| July
6: Hinkle house |
|
In early July the high council and bishop agree to purchase
and fix up George M. Hinkle's house in Far West for Joseph. (Hinkle had
moved or was moving to DeWitt.) |
|
Minutes
of July 6, 1838b |
| July
8: tithing |
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Two days later,
the law of tithing is revealed. Tithing is build the house of the Lord,
lay "the foundation of Zion and for the priesthood,"—and
pay the First Presidency's debts. |
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D&C
119:2 |
| July
26 grand council |
|
At the end of July the First Presidency,
high council, and bishop's council meet, ostensibly to discuss the disposition
of "publick properties in the hands of the Bishop," though the
real purpose of the meeting is to establish the prerogatives of the First
Presidency and address their financial requirements. |
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Minutes
of July 26, 1838 |
Expenses
Sell land |
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First, Joseph and Sidney are to be reimbursed
for all travel expenses. Second, they are authorized to sell their land
at a profit. If private sale of land is permitted in Far West, would it
be necessary to "agree" that Joseph and Sidney could "dispose"
of their property "to their advantage and support"? |
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In January the presidency
of the church in Zion had been rejected for selling their lands in Jackson
county. ¶
Minutes of January 26, 1838 |
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To be continued … |
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