The high council in Missouri excommunicates Lyman E. Johnson.
Minute Book 2, April 12, 1838, 126–128, Joseph Smith Papers
The Council was opened by singing and prayer by President David W. Patten after which several charges were prefered, against Lyman E. Johnson which are as follows:
“To the Council of the Church of Christ of Latter day saints in Missouri.
I prefer the following charges before your honorable body against Lyman E. Johnson.
1st, For persecuting brethren by stiring up people to prosecute them, and urging on vexatious lawsuits against them and thereby bringing distress upon the inocent.
2nd For virtually denying the faith of the Church of Christ of Latter Day saints, by vindicating the cause of the enemies of this Church, who are dissenters from us, now in Kirtland, and speaking reproachfully of the Church and High Council, by saying their proceedings were illegal and that he never would acknowledge them to be legal, these assertions were without foundation and truth, also, treating the Church with contempt by absenting himself from meetings on the sabbath, by not observing his prayers in the season thereof and by not observing the word of wisdom.
3.rd For seeking to injure the character of Joseph Smith jr by reporting that he had a demand against him of One thousand dollars, when it was without foundation in truth
4th For laying voilent hands on our Brother Phineas Young, and by kicking and beating him, thereby throwing contempt on the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints in Missouri
5th And by saying that he would appeal the suit between him & Brother Phineas Young and take it out of the County, saying that he could not get justice done him, thereby speaking reproachfully of the authority of Caldwell County.
6th For telling a falshood.
7th For taking whiskey and making Weldon drink & then cheating him out of his property
. . .
After some few appropriate remarks, by the Councellors, it was decided by the President that Lyman E. Johnson be no longer considered a member of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, nor a member of the Quorum of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb and also be given over to the buffetings of Satan untill he learns to blaspheme no more against the authorities of God.