125 years ago today - Saturday, Sep 20, 1890

[John Henry Smith] Kanab

The High Council met at 8 a.m. The following decision was made.

Decision

In the matter of the Bishopric of the Kanab Ward against the Presidency of the Kanab Stake of Zion.

In the first Count we find the rules of the ward in regard to public dances should not have been applied to private parties; but the Presidency of the Stake should have given instructions for the correction of this matter to the Bishopric of the Ward.

The second Count pertains to an incorporate[d] water company whose business policy should be dictated by the stockholders, and while we do not approve of ecclesiastical interference in such matters, if any influence is used it should be for the promotion of union.

... The fourth Count relates to the removal of the Kanab Bishopric by the Presidency of the Stake without a hearing before the High Council.

In this matter we find that it was a strained construction which enabled the Presidency to consider the letter of the Bishopric as a resignation, and their release was hasty and unwarranted....

The conference convened in the stake academy building at 10 a.m. ... Francis M. Lyman took up the ballance of the time explaining to the people their condition and calling for repentance from certain brethren who had made some very harsh remarks about the bishop.

... The High Council and Priesthood of the Stake met at 7 p.m. the brethren nominated a number of men from whom the apostles selected by the aid of those present the bishop and Council. Bishop L. C. Mariger having resigned in the morning at the High Council meeting this action was found necessary. Joel H. Johnson was chosen for Bishop, Alfred Young for first Councillor and Asa W. Judd for second Councillor. All were unanimously sustained.

[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]