Kirtland Ohio Stake (LDS)

Kirtland Ohio Stake, 1st Stake organized of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This stake was organized in Kirtland, Ohio on 17 Feb 1834. The minutes of this meeting are recorded in the Church Revelations as Doctrine & Covenants Section 102. This stake was discontinued 25 May 1841, and then subsequently reorganized as the 12th stake in the state of Ohio on 16 Oct 1983.

Introduction
Minutes of the organization of the first high council of the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 17, 1834. The original minutes were recorded by Elders Oliver Cowdery and  Orson Hyde. The Prophet revised the minutes the following day, and the next day the corrected minutes were unanimously accepted by the high council as “a form and constitution of the high council” of the Church. Verses 30 through 32, having to do with the Council of the Twelve Apostles, were added in 1835 under Joseph Smith’s direction when this section was prepared for publication in the Doctrine and Covenants.

1–8, A high council is appointed to settle important difficulties that arise in the Church; 9–18, Procedures are given for hearing cases; 19–23, The president of the council renders the decision; 24–34, Appellate procedure is set forth.

Stake Leadership
3 Joseph Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams were acknowledged presidents by the voice of the council; and Joseph Smith, Sen., John Smith, Joseph Coe, John Johnson, Martin Harris, John S. Carter, Jared Carter, Oliver Cowdery, Samuel H. Smith, Orson Hyde, Sylvester Smith, and Luke Johnson, high priests, were chosen to be a standing council for the church, by the unanimous voice of the council. The above-named councilors were then asked whether they accepted their appointments, and whether they would act in that office according to the law of heaven, to which they all answered that they accepted their appointments, and would fill their offices according to the grace of God bestowed upon them. The number composing the council, who voted in the name and for the church in appointing the above-named councilors were forty-three, as follows: nine high priests, seventeen elders, four priests, and thirteen members. (Verses 3-5 of Meeting Minutes)

Council Presidency

 * Joseph Smith (1805-1844) - President and Prophet of the Church
 * Sidney Rigdon -
 * Frederick G Williams

High Council
12 Members :


 * 1) Joseph Smith (1771-1840) - father of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and later 1st Patriarch of the Church
 * 2) John Smith (1781-1854) - uncle to the Prophet Joseph Smith, later served as presiding patriarch of the church under Brigham Young.
 * 3) Joseph Coe,
 * 4) John Johnson,
 * 5) Martin Harris,
 * 6) John S. Carter,
 * 7) Jared Carter,
 * 8) Oliver Cowdery,
 * 9) Samuel H. Smith,
 * 10) Orson Hyde,
 * 11) Sylvester Smith, and
 * 12) Luke Johnson