DC 99 1b This high council was appointed by revelation for the purpose of settling important difficulties, which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop's council, to the satisfaction of the parties.
2a Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams, were acknowledged presidents by the voice of the council; and Joseph Smith, Sr., 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.
2b 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;
2c to which they all answered, that they accepted their appointments, and would fill their offices according to the grace of God bestowed upon them.
3 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.
4a Voted: that the high council can not have power to act without seven of the above-named councilors, or their regularly appointed successors, are present.
4b These seven shall have power to appoint other high priests, whom they may consider worthy and capable, to act in the place of absent councilors.
5a Voted: that whenever any vacancy shall occur by the death, removal from office for transgression, or removal from the bounds of this church government, of any of the above-named councilors,
5b it shall be filled by the nomination of the president or presidents, and sanctioned by the voice of a general council of high priests, convened for that purpose, to act in the name of the church.
6a The president of the church, who is also the president of the council, is appointed by revelation, and acknowledged, in his administration, by the voice of the church;
6b and it is according to the dignity of his office, that he should preside over the high council of the church; and it is his privilege to be assisted by two other presidents, appointed after the same manner that he himself was appointed;
