Farmington, Jan. 10, 1885

A. M. Musser:

Your note is before me, and I answer with pleasure.

Now, concerning the matter about which you ask information. I don’t know of any member of that High Council living except myself. Leonard Sobey may still be living. He apostatized on the strength of the revelation.

The High Council of Nauvoo was called together by the prophet Joseph Smith to know whether they would accept the revelation on celestial marriage or not.

The Presidency of the Stake, Wm. Marks, Father Coles, and the late apostle Charles C. Rich, were there present. The following are the names of the High Council that were present, in their order: Samuel Bent, William Huntington, Alpheus Cutler, Thomas Grover, Lewis D. Wilson, David Fullmer, Aaron Johnson, Newel Knight, Leonard Sobey, Isaac Allred, Henry G. Sherwood, and I think Samuel Smith.

Brother Hyrum Smith was called upon to read the revelation. He did so, and after the reading said: “You, you that believe this revelation and go forth and obey the same shall be saved, and you that reject it shall be damned.”

We saw this prediction verified in less than one week. Of the Presidency of the Stake, Wm. Marks and Father Coles rejected the revelation; of the Council that were present, Leonard Sobey rejected it. From that time forward there was a very strong division in the high council. These three men greatly diminished in spirit day after day, so that there was a great difference in the line of their conduct, which was perceivable to every member that kept the faith. From that time forward we often received instructions from the Prophet as to what was the will of the Lord and how to proceed.

After this, the Prophet’s life was constantly in danger. Being one of his life guard, I watched his interest and safety up to the time of his death.

Wm. Marks died in Illinois; C. C. Rich died in Paris, Bear Lake County, Idaho, in full faith; Samuel Bent died in Garden Grove, Iowa, in full faith; Wm. Huntington died in Pisgah, Iowa, in full faith; Alpheus Cutler apostatized, and died in Iowa; Lewis D. Wilson died in Ogden in full faith; David Fullmer died in Salt Lake City in full faith; Aaron Johnson died in Springville in full faith; Newel Knight died at Ponca, Nebraska; Leonard Sobey went with Sidney Rigdon from Nauvoo; Isaac Allred died at Sanpete in full faith; Henry G. Sherwood came here with the pioneers and died in San Bernardino, California, out of the Church, I understand. Samuel Smith died at Nauvoo in full faith.

Signed: Thomas Grover

(He dictated this letter ten days before he died.)