A Record of the Proceedings of the Lesser Priesthood in the Territory of Iowa

Historical Introduction

These minutes, kept during the summer of 1841, reveal a bit more about how the Church functioned in Iowa. The reason for the abrupt end in August 1841 is unclear, but many of the individuals who appear in these minutes also appear in the minutes of the Nashville branch, below. The contents of these minutes mostly include lists of men and their position in the priesthood, records of visits to different members and settlements in Iowa, and discussions of what their callings entail.

Document Transcript

[p. 2]

A record of the proceedings of the Lesser Priesthood in the Territory of Iowa

A meeting of the members of the Lesser Priesthood was held in the city of Zarahemla the 15^th day of May 1841 for the purpose of organizing agreeable to the Laws of the Church. The meeting was opened by prayer by Bishop Elias Smith, who stated the object of the meeting and called for the names of The priests Teachers & deacons in the different branches of the Church in the County of Lee and enquired whether they were in good standing in the Church or not

The following were present and were accepted

Joshua Mecham⁶ who was not present but was reported as being in good standing was unanimously elected to the office of President of the Quorum of Priests and Pliny Fisher President of the Quorum of Teachers. The Bishop then addressed the Quorums on the duties of the Presidents of the several Quorums of the Lesser Priesthood and of the Priests and Teachers, followed by president John Smith who gave them much instruction. The members of the Lesser [p. 3] Priesthood present then expressed their determination to keep the commandments of the Lord and to magnify their office and calling. Adjourned to the first saturday in june next at one oclock P.M. to meet in Zarahemla.

Closed by prayer by father Fisher

June 5^th Met pursuant to adjournment - - - Opened by prayer by Counsellor Joseph B. Noble. Some instructions were then given and Joshua Mecham was ordained to the office of president of the quorum of Priests and Pliny Fisher to the office of president of the quorum of Teachers, agreeable to their appointment

Luman Gibbs⁷ and Daniel Bullard⁸ Priests were then received into the quorum of Priests by vote of the quorum and Lewis Abbott⁹ and Josiah Sumner¹⁰ Teachers were also received into the Teachers quorum . . . Benjamin Ellsworth¹¹ and David Manlord [?] Deacons were by vote of the quorum also excepted.

Closed by prayer by President [Joshua] Mecham

Adjourned sine die

July 17^th Met at the home of Father Fisher in Zarahemla agreeable to previous notice. Opened by prayer by Counsellor Joseph Mecham jr. John H. Goff & Barnabas Adams¹² Priests, and John Wheeler¹³ & Samuel McBride¹⁴ Teachers were received into their respective quorums. The priests and Teachers made a report of their labours in part in visiting the members of the Church. They reported that several elders and other officers in the Church did not keep the word of wisdom nor pray in their families and also many of the members. They were instructed to continue to discharge the duties of their calling and office agreeable to the Laws of the Lord given unto us and [p. 4] with diligence and faithfulness continue to root iniquity out of the church and see that the members did their duty by the Bishop and others who were present among whom were President John Smith and elder Willard Snow. As there were none of the members of the quorums present from the Siloam branch of the church in this county and no report from that branch President Joshua Mecham and Teacher John Wheeler were appointed to visit that branch and President Pliny Fisher and Priest John H Goff to visit the members in Zarahemla and make report at the next meeting of the Lesser Priesthood to be held in Zarahemla the first saturday the 7^th of August next at one P.M.

Adjourned and closed by prayer by Bishop Smith

Met on Saturday 7^th August in the morning before the commencement of the conference of the Church in Iowa held on that day. Opened by prayer by the bishop. William Eaton a Teacher then presented his recommendation and license and was received into the quorum. After some instructions were given to the members of the quorum the meeting adjourned

Sine Die

At the conference held on this 7^th of August, Sidney Tanner¹⁵ Teacher and John Rogers Deacon were received into their respective quorums