The Council of Fifty and its Activities
Published on Sunday, August 2, 2020 at 10:00 PM
Note: Pamphlets are available at cheaper bundle prices. Bundle options are listed here.
$4.00 Digital Download, 44 page PDF:
Physical Copies: $7.00 + Shipping
Mormonism was radical and unique in believing in the principle of revelation. Revelation became controversial because from the beginning of Mormonism, Latter-day Saints believed that revelation was to govern them both in spiritual and economic matters.
LDS leaders near the end of Joseph Smith’s life not only looked to revelation to govern the saints spiritually and economically, but also to govern them politically. The Council of Fifty, or literal Kingdom of God, was the last organization Joseph Smith established before his death and was organized to fulfill that purpose.
Latter-day Saints at that time believed that governments established by man had failed in their duty to protect individual rights, and that the only perfect form of government that could do that would be a Theocracy. However, since this theocratic ideal was vastly different than traditional views of Theocracy, LDs leaders sometimes dubbed it a “Theodemocracy” where the voice of the people cooperated with instructions from God, and individual rights were not infringed upon.
But what were the missions and objectives of the Council of Fifty? What do the minutes and other sources tell us about the council’s authority and jurisdiction?
That becomes the purpose of this issue of One Eternal Round, to explore what the main projects and focus of the Council of Fifty was during Joseph Smith’s lifetime, from the Council of Fifty minutes and other sources.
This issue of One Eternal Round can be discussed over at the One Eternal Round Facebook Group!