History – The History of Zion's Camp
On the 3rd of July the High Priests of Zion
assembled in the yard of Colonel Arthur's where
Lyman Wight lived, in Clay County, and I pro-
ceeded to organize a High Council agreeable to
the revelation and pattern given at Kirtland,
for the purpose of settling important business
that might come before them, which could
not be settled by the Bishop and his council.
David Whitmer was elected President and William
W. Phelps and John Whitmer assistant presidents.
The following High Priests namely, Christian
Whitmer, Newel Knight, Lyman Wight, Calvin
Beebe, William E. McLellin, Solomon Hancock,
Thomas B. Marsh, Simeon Carter, Parley P. Pratt,
Orson Pratt, John Murdock and Levi Jackman
were appointed counsellors and the Council ad-
journed to Monday. Frederick G. Williams was
clerk of the meeting.
I authorized General Lyman Wight to give
a discharge to every man of the camp who
had proved himself faithful, certifying that
fact, and giving him leave to return home.
From this time I continued to give instructions
to the members of the High Council, Elders, those
