[Hemidakota]

From Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History by Donald Q. Cannon, Richard O. Cowan, Arnold K. Garr

COUNCIL OF FIFTY.

On 7 April 1842 Joseph Smith received a revelation titled "The Kingdom of God and His Laws With the Keys and Power Thereof, and Judgement in the Hands of His Servants, Ahman Christ" (Quinn, 166-67), which called for the organization of a special council. This council, popularly known as the Council of Fifty because of its approximate number of members, was formally organized by Joseph Smith on 11 March 1844. Latter-day Saints believed that the gospel was restored, at least in part, to prepare the world for the second coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Council of Fifty, according to one historian, was designed "to bring about the political transformation of the world, just as the church was intended to change the world religiously" (Hansen, 11). Another historian wrote that "the primary role of the Council of Fifty was to symbolize the otherworldly world order that would be established during the millennial reign of Christ on earth" (Quinn, 163).

The Council of Fifty played a role in preparing some Latter-day Saint males to function as a sort of legislature in the Kingdom of God (Ehat, 260-61). A few non-Mormons were also invited to participate in the Council, symbolizing the millennial condition of members and nonmembers working together in harmony as Christ ruled as King of Kings.

Following the organization of the council, Joseph Smith told them that he had received its constitution by direct revelation. The Prophet was told, "Ye are my Constitution and I am your God and ye are my spokesmen" (quoted in Ehat, 259). In other words, God, through his prophet, would direct the Council of Fifty by means of revelation.

Several rules of procedure were adopted at a meeting held on 18 April 1844. For example, the president of the Church served as standing chairman of the council, and except for the chair, the members sat according to age. Decisions of the council had to be unanimous, and "no member [was] to be absent . . . unless sick or on Council business" (quoted in Ehat, 261).

Joseph Smith frequently taught council members the meaning of the Constitution of the United States and how it could be applied "to the Latter-day saints in the world and during the millennium" (Quinn, 164). Members of the council were also involved in Joseph Smith's presidential campaign, helped to direct affairs in Nauvoo, and assisted in planning the move west.

Following the murder of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young presided over the Council of Fifty and used it as the Saints moved west and settled in the Great Basin. John Taylor revitalized the Fifty, and they met annually during his administration so members could receive instruction regarding political matters (Quinn, 173). Since that time the Council of Fifty has not played an active role in Latter-day Saint history.

SOURCES

Clark, James R. "The Kingdom of God, the Council of Fifty, and the Star of Deseret." Utah Historical Quarterly 26 (April 1958): 130-48.

Ehat, Andrew F. "'It Seems Like Heaven Began on Earth': Joseph Smith and the Constitution of the Kingdom of God." BYU Studies 20 (Spring 1980): 253-79.

Hansen, Klaus J. Quest for Empire. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1967.

Quinn, D. Michael. "The Council of Fifty and Its Members, 1844 to 1945." BYU Studies 20 (Winter 1980): 163-97.

KENNETH W. GODFREY