Record of the Council of Fifty or Kingdom of God— 1844—

This Council was organized on the strength of the contents of two letters from the brethren in the Pine Country which president Joseph Smith received by the hands of George Miller and Alexander Badlam on Sunday the 10th. day of March A. D. 1844. The letters read as follows:—\

Black River Falls. February 15th. 1844 To the First Presidency and the quorum of the Twelve of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Dear Brethren, Through the goodness and mercy of God the Eternal Father, and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are permitted to write and send by a special messenger, a concise account of our lumbering opperations, together with the apparent prospects of the introduction & spread of the Gospel among the Chippewa & Menomanee Indians, and also the projects of our hearts in regard to future opperations in spreading the Gospel South in all the extent of America and the consequences growing out of the same, all of which we beg leave to submit to your consideration, that we may have your concurrence or such views as shall be in accordance with the mind & will of the Lord and govern ourselves in accordance thereto. . . . we have it in our minds to go to the table lands of Texas to a point we may find to be the most eligible, there locate, and let it be a place of gathering for all the South (they being incumbered with that unfortunate race of beings the negroes) and for us to employ our time and talents in gathering together means to build according to the commandments of our God, and spread the Gospel to the nations according to the will of our heavenly father. We therefore our beloved brethren send our worthy brother [John] Young, with a few of our thoughts on paper, that you may take the subject matter under consideration and return us such instructions as may be according to the mind and will of the Lord our God. . . . Select Committee to write expression of the views of the branch of the Church at Black River Falls. Lyman Wyght George Miller Phineas R. Bird Pierce Hawley John Young

Black River Falls Wisconsin Territory Febry 15th. 1844 To Joseph Smith President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and to the Twelve Apostles, Greeting Believing a concert of action in all things in this Church to be highly important, we deem it necessary under existing circumstances to make you acquainted with our views and feelings, temporal and spiritual prospects as they now exist. . . . we were visited by three different tribes of Lamanites upon the most friendly terms, receiving us as their councillors both temporal and spiritual. The names of those tribes Menomonees, Chippewa and Winnebagoes, they informed us that all the land above the falls belongs to the Menomonee tribe, and that the Agents & the Governor, the general Agent in the North West of all the Indian affairs, had agreed with them to remove all the lumbermen from Black River, Chippewa and Lemanware rivers by their request, but after a lengthy conversation with them they felt to treat us as their friends and not their enemies— . . . We calculate the present prospect for lumber betwixt this and the last of July next, will be from 8 to 12 hundred thousand feet, which we deem will be all sufficient to finish the two houses, which will accomplish the mission on which we started to this country. We therefore as a branch and a member of the body of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints chose the following committee (namely) Lyman Wight, George Miller, Pierce Hawley, Phineas Bird and John Young to correspond with your Revr. council, giving you our views concerning matters and things and requesting your council on the same— This committee views it inexpedient is to purchase standing timber on so rapid and unnavigable a stream for the purposes of making lumber to gain wealth. The Lamanites owning this land, notwithstanding their great anxiety to receive the Gospel and the book of Mormon have a strong desire, if councilled by us so to do, to go South West where game is more plenty as their only resource here for a living, is the pittiful annuities and proceeds from their pine timber, which timber is the only inducement to the Government to purchase their lands. . . . We your servants, therefore will wait patiently the result of your Council and submit ourselves to the same with all cheerfulness, our only object being to advance the cause and Kingdom of God, stand ready to take hold whenever your wise council may consider it to be of the most advantage. This committee view with deep regret the many different teachings this church has received concerning the distribution of their property, such as raising funds for the printing of tracts, evidences of the Book of Mormon, and pamphlets of various descriptions, which we consider has not advanced the cause in the least degree, but has tended directly to sap the foundation of building the houses, We therefore believe that no person embracing the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, should give any part or parcel of their property without a direct council written or oral from the first Presidency of the Church. . . . Select Committee to write expression of the views of the branch of the Church at Black River Falls. Lyman Wyght George Miller Phineas R. Bird Pierce Hawley John Young

These letters were presented to president Joseph as before stated in the afternoon of Sunday the 10th. March 1844. Some conversation was had on the subject & a meeting appointed in the evening to be held over the store at early candle light. The Twelve were notified to be present.

At early candle light the brethren met according to appointment. President Joseph Smith called Er W. Richards to the chair. The chairman then called Er Wm Clayton to be clerk of the meeting After being organized the chairman called upon the clerk to read the two letters from the pine country which was done. The brethren then began each to express his views of the subject set forth in the letter. It was encouraging to witness the union of feeling which prevailed on the subject and it was plain that although separated a long distance from each other yet the same feelings had run through the minds of the brethren here as was contained in the letters. Prest. Joseph said he wanted all the brethren to speak their minds on this subject and to say what was in their hearts whether good or bad. He did not want to be forever surrounded by a set of “dough heads” and if they did not rise up and shake themselves and exercise themselves in discussing these important matters he should consider them nothing better than “dough heads”. He gave some good advise which seemed to have due effect. The meeting was prolonged being occupied by several of the brethren speaking their views untill a late hour when upon motion the meeting adjourned untill tomorow at 9 o clock A.M.