List of members of the Council of Fifty

In 1844, Joseph Smith, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, established the Council of Fifty, a Latter Day Saint organization, in order to symbolize and represent a future theocratic or theodemocratic "Kingdom of God" on the earth.[1] Following Smith's death, his successor, Brigham Young, as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), hoped to continue the Council of Fifty in order to create this Kingdom in preparation for the Millennium and the Second Coming of Jesus. The political Kingdom of God, organized around the Council of Fifty, was meant to be a force of peace and order in the midst of this chaos.

Following the death of Smith, some members of the council continued on as members of the Council of Fifty, under the leadership of Brigham Young and within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while some members left to join or form various other sects in the Latter Day Saint movement.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

This table includes individuals who joined the Council of Fifty prior to June 27, 1844, under the leadership of Joseph Smith, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (as named in 1844). However, all the included individuals are regarded as early leaders of the church by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now the Community of Christ) and other Latter Day Saint sects.

Members of the Council of Fifty of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Name Birth Death Admitted Released/Dropped Notes
 George J. Adams ca. 1811 May 11, 1880 Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 February 4, 1845 After Joseph Smith's death, Adams joined with James Strang and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite). He broke away from Strang and formed the Church of the Messiah, a sect that traveled to and settled in Palestine in the late 1850s.[2]
 Almon W. Babbitt October 9, 1812 September 7, 1856 Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 September 7, 1856 Babbitt was the first secretary and treasurer of the Territory of Utah. He was killed in a raid by Cheyenne Native Americans in Nebraska Territory while traveling on government business between Utah and Washington, D.C..[3][4]
Alexander Badlam November 28, 1809 Nov. 30 or Dec. 1, 1894 March 11, 1844 February 4, 1845 Readmitted to Council and attended its 1851 meetings. Dropped again in 1867–1868 period.
Samuel Bent 1778 1846 March 19, 1844 1846 Bent also served as a colonel in the Nauvoo Legion.[5]
 John M. Bernhisel June 23, 1799 September 28, 1881 March 11, 1844 September 28, 1881 Was a Delegate to U.S. House of Representatives from Utah twice, from March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1859 and March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863[6]
Edward Bonney August 26, 1807 February 4, 1864 Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 February 4, 1845 One of only three members of the Council who was not a member of the Latter Day Saint movement.[7][8] Known for his investigation of the "Banditti of the Prairie", which resulted in an investigation of the torture-murder of George Davenport.
Uriah Brown 1784 after 1850 March 19, 1844 February 4, 1845 One of only three members of the Council who was not a member of the Latter Day Saint movement.[7][8] After his expulsion from the Quorum, he returned to Utah in the 1850s and demonstrated an invention of "liquid fireworks" to the Council of fifty.[9]
 Reynolds Cahoon April 30, 1790 April 29, 1861 March 10, 1844 April 29, 1861 Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844
 William H. Clayton July 17, 1814 December 4, 1879 March 11, 1844 December 4, 1879 Attended provisional meeting on March 10, 1844 and appointed clerk. Officially reappointed Clerk of the Kingdom on March 13, 1844.
Joseph W. Coolidge 1814 April 18, 1844 After 1848
Alpheus Cutler February 29, 1784 June 10, 1864 March 11, 1844 Possibly 1848–1849 Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844
Marenus G. Eaton 1811 Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 February 4, 1845 One of only three members of the Council who was not a member of the Latter Day Saint movement.[7][8]
James Emmett February 22, 1803 December 28, 1852 March 13, 1844 February 4, 1845
Amos Fielding 1792 1875 March 11, 1844 1875 Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844
 Joseph Fielding March 26, 1797 December 19, 1863 Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 December 19, 1863
Jedediah M. Grant February 21, 1816 December 1, 1856 May 6, 1844 December 1, 1856
John P. Greene September 3, 1793 September 20, 1844 March 26, 1844 September 20, 1844
Peter Haws 1796 March 11, 1844 After November 13, 1846
David S. Hollister 1808 1858 April 18, 1844 Possibly December 25, 1846
Orson Hyde January 8, 1805 November 28, 1878 March 13, 1844 November 28, 1878
Samuel James 1806 March 19, 1844 February 4, 1845
Benjamin F. Johnson July 28, 1818 November 18, 1905 Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 November 18, 1905
Heber C. Kimball June 14, 1801 June 22, 1868 March 11, 1844 June 22, 1868 Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844
Cornelius P. Lott September 22, 1798 July 6, 1850 Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 July 6, 1850
Amasa M. Lyman March 30, 1813 February 4, 1877 Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 February 4, 1877 Possibly dropped after January 25, 1867; otherwise technically remained a member until death.
 William Marks November 15, 1792 May 22, 1872 March 19, 1844 February 4, 1845
George Miller November 25, 1794 August 27, 1856 March 10, 1844 After December 26, 1846 Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844
John D. Parker 1799 1891 March 19, 1844 June 24, 1882 Released due to old age
 W. W. Phelps February 17, 1792 March 7, 1872 March 11, 1844 March 7, 1872 Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844
 Orson Pratt September 19, 1811 October 3, 1881 March 11, 1844 October 3, 1881 Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844
 Parley P. Pratt April 12, 1807 May 13, 1857 March 11, 1844 May 13, 1857 Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844
 Charles C. Rich August 21, 1809 November 17, 1883 Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 June 24, 1882 Released due to old age
 Levi Richards April 14, 1799 June 18, 1876 March 11, 1844 June 18, 1876
Willard Richards June 24, 1804 March 11, 1854 March 11, 1844 March 11, 1854 Attended provisional meeting on March 10, 1844 and appointed chairman. Released as provisional chairman and made recorder on March 13, 1844.
 Sidney Rigdon February 19, 1793 July 14, 1876 March 19, 1844 February 4, 1845
O. Porter Rockwell June 28, 1813 June 9, 1878 March 19, 1844 June 9, 1878
Elias Smith September 6, 1804 June 24, 1888 Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 June 24, 1888
George A. Smith June 26, 1817 September 1, 1875 March 11, 1844 September 1, 1875 Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844
 Hyrum Smith February 9, 1800 June 27, 1844 March 11, 1844 June 27, 1844 Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844
John Smith July 16, 1781 May 23, 1854 Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 May 23, 1854 Uncle to Joseph Smith Jr. Later Ordained Patriarch to the Church.
 Joseph Smith December 23, 1805 June 27, 1844 March 11, 1844 June 27, 1844 Attended provisional meeting on March 10, 1844. Appointed standing chairman March 13, 1844. Ordained and anointed Prophet, Priest, and King over Israel on Earth on April 11, 1844.
 William Smith March 13, 1811 November 13, 1893 April 25, 1844 After September 9, 1845
Erastus Snow November 9, 1818 May 27, 1888 March 11, 1844 May 27, 1888
Orson Spencer March 14, 1802 October 15, 1855 March 19, 1844 October 15, 1855
 John Taylor November 1, 1808 July 25, 1887 March 11, 1844 July 25, 1887 Attended provisional meeting on March 10, 1844. Elected standing chairman April 10, 1880. Anointed and ordained as King, Priest, and Ruler over Israel on Earth on February 4, 1885.[10]
Ezra Thayre October 14, 1791 Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 After April 22, 1845
Lorenzo D. Wasson 1819 1857 March 11, 1844 February 4, 1845 Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844
 Newel K. Whitney February 5, 1795 September 24, 1850 March 11, 1844 September 24, 1850 Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844
 Lyman Wight May 9, 1796 March 31, 1858 May 3, 1844 February 4, 1845 Was voted in April 18, 1844
 Wilford Woodruff March 1, 1807 September 2, 1898 March 13, 1844 September 2, 1898
Lucien Woodworth 1799 March 11, 1844 After 1848
David D. Yearsley 1808 1849 Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 1849
Brigham Young June 1, 1801 August 29, 1877 March 11, 1844 August 29, 1877 Attended provisional meeting on March 10, 1844. Appointed standing chairman February 4, 1845. Anointed and ordained King, Priest, and Ruler over Israel on Earth, probably in 1848–1849 period.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This table includes individuals were joined the Council of Fifty following after June 27, 1844 and under the leadership of Brigham Young, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Generally they are only regarded as early leaders of the church by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Members of the Council of Fifty of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint
Name Birth Death Admitted Released/Dropped Notes
 Ezra T. Benson February 22, 1811 September 3, 1869 December 25, 1846 September 3, 1869 Benson was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from July 16, 1846 to September 3, 1869.[11]
 William Budge May 1, 1828 March 1, 1919 April 10, 1880 March 1, 1919 Considered April 10, 1880. Was voted in June 24, 1882. A member of the Idaho Legislature.[12]
 Thomas Bullock December 23, 1816 February 10, 1885 December 25, 1846 June 24, 1882 Released due to old age. Reporter for the Council meetings from 1848. Was a clerk in the Church Historian's Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[13]
 Robert T. Burton October 25, 1821 November 11, 1907 January 25, 1867 November 11, 1907 A member of the presiding bishopric and a principal officers in the Nauvoo Legion during its Utah reconstitution (including the Utah War)[14] and led the territorial militia against the Morrisites during the 1862 Morrisite War.
 John T. Caine January 8, 1829 September 20, 1911 April 8, 1881 September 20, 1911 A delegate to the United States House of Representatives from the Territory of Utah.[15]
 Abraham H. Cannon March 12, 1859 July 19, 1896 October 9, 1884 July 19, 1896 A member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from October 7, 1889 to July 19, 1896.[16]
 Angus M. Cannon May 17, 1834 June 7, 1915 April 10, 1880 June 7, 1915 Cannon was the appellant in the case of Cannon v. United States, which was decided by the United States Supreme Court[17] after Cannon was convicted under the Edmunds Act of unlawful cohabitation and sentenced to six months' imprisonment and a $900 fine.[18]
 George Q. Cannon January 11, 1827 April 12, 1901 January 23, 1867 April 12, 1901 Elected recorder January 23, 1867. George Q. Cannon was early member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and a member of First Presidency under four Presidents of the church.[19]
 John Q. Cannon April 19, 1857 January 14, 1931 October 9, 1884 January 14, 1931 Editor-in-chief of the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, Utah and Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric.
 Albert Carrington January 8, 1813 September 19, 1889 April 18 or 22, 1845 September 19, 1889 Reporter for Council meetings in 1848.
 Hiram B. Clawson November 7, 1826 1912 June 27, 1882 1912
Jeter Clinton 1813 1892 January 25, 1867 1892
William W. Cluff March 8, 1832 August 21, 1915 April 10, 1880 August 21, 1915
John Van Cott September 7, 1814 February 18, 1883 October 12, 1880 February 18, 1883
Lewis Dana 1805 1885 March 1, 1845 After 1848
Cyrus Daniels 1803 1846 March 11, 1845 1846
Jonathan Dunham 1800 1845 March 1, 1845 1845
Horace S. Eldredge February 6, 1816 September 6, 1888 December 9, 1848 September 6, 1888
John W. Farnham 1794 April 18 or 22, 1845
Lorin Farr July 25, 1820 January 12, 1909 October 12, 1880 January 12, 1909
Lucien R. Foster 1806 March 1, 1845 November 12, 1846
David Fullmer July 7, 1803 October 21, 1879 March 1, 1845 October 21, 1879
John S. Fullmer July 21, 1807 October 8, 1883 April 18 or 22, 1845 June 24, 1882 Released due to old age
George F. Gibbs November 23, 1846 March 10, 1924 June 24, 1882 March 10, 1924 Appointed reporter, but not member, on April 5, 1882.
George D. Grant 1812 1876 September 9, 1845 1876
Heber J. Grant November 22, 1856 May 14, 1945 Jun. 27 or Oct. 10, 1882 May 14, 1945 Was voted in June 26, 1882
 Leonard W. Hardy December 31, 1805 July 31, 1884 June 27, 1882 July 31, 1884
Abram C. Hatch January 3, 1830 December 3, 1911 June 29, 1883 December 3, 1911
Joseph L. Heywood August 1, 1815 October 16, 1910 December 6, 1848 June 24, 1882 Released due to old age
 William H. Hooper December 25, 1813 December 30, 1882 October 10, 1867 December 30, 1882
Edward Hunter June 22, 1793 October 16, 1883 January 25, 1867 October 16, 1883 Was voted in January 23, 1867
 William Jennings September 13, 1823 January 15, 1886 April 10, 1880 January 15, 1886
Heber P. Kimball 1835 1885 April 5, 1867 1885 Was voted in January 23, 1867
Charles S. Kimball 1843 1925 January 25, 1867 1925 Was voted in January 23, 1867
 David P. Kimball August 23, 1839 November 21, 1883 January 25, 1867 November 21, 1883 Was voted in January 23, 1867
 Christopher Layton March 8, 1821 August 7, 1898 June 29, 1883 August 7, 1898
John D. Lee September 12, 1812 March 23, 1877 March 1, 1845 March 23, 1877 Acted as council clerk 1846 meetings.[9]
Feramorz Little 1820 1887 April 1880 1887
Francis M. Lyman January 12, 1840 November 18, 1916 April 10, 1880 November 18, 1916
Isaac Morley March 11, 1786 June 24, 1865 March 1, 1845 June 24, 1865 Was voted in March 1, 1845.
 John R. Murdock September 13, 1826 November 12, 1913 April 10, 1880 November 12, 1913 Considered April 10, 1880
 L. John Nuttall July 6, 1834 February 25, 1905 April 10, 1880 February 25, 1905 Elected clerk April 10, 1880
 John Pack May 20, 1809 April 4, 1885 March 1, 1845 After December 26, 1846 Released due to old age
John E. Page February 25, 1799 October 14, 1867 March 1, 1845 November 12, 1846
Charles W. Penrose February 4, 1832 May 16, 1925 June 26, 1882 May 16, 1925
Canute Peterson May 13, 1824 October 14, 1902 October 10, 1882 October 14, 1902 Was voted in June 27, 1882.
 Parley P. Pratt, Jr. 1837 1897 January 25, 1867 1897
William B. Preston November 24, 1830 August 2, 1908 April 10, 1880 August 2, 1908
George Reynolds January 1, 1842 August 9, 1909 April 8, 1881 August 9, 1909
Joseph C. Rich January 16, 1841 October 17, 1908 January 25, 1867 October 17, 1908
Franklin D. Richards April 2, 1821 December 9, 1899 March 17, 1849 December 9, 1899
Franklin S. Richards June 20, 1849 September 4, 1934 April 10, 1880 September 4, 1934
Heber J. Richards 1840 1919 January 23, 1867 1919
Phinehas H. Richards November 15, 1788 November 25, 1874 December 6, 1848 November 25, 1874
Albert P. Rockwood June 5, 1805 November 25, 1879 March 1, 1845 November 25, 1879
Shadrach Roundy January 1, 1789 July 4, 1872 March 1, 1845 July 4, 1872
John Sharp November 9, 1820 December 23, 1891 January 25, 1867 December 23, 1891
Charles Shumway 1806 1898 April 18 or 22, 1845 June 24, 1882 Released due to old age
 Lewis W. Shurtliff July 24, 1835 May 2, 1922 April 10, 1883 May 2, 1922
John H. Smith September 18, 1848 October 11, 1911 April 10, 1880 October 11, 1911 Grandson of (Uncle) John Smith. Made an Apostle in 1880.
 Joseph F. Smith November 13, 1838 November 19, 1918 Jan. 25 or Apr. 5, 1867 November 19, 1918 Was voted in January 23, 1867
 Silas S. Smith October 26, 1830 October 11, 1910 April 10, 1880 October 11, 1910
William R. Smith August 11, 1826 January 15, 1894 April 10, 1880 January 15, 1894
Abraham O. Smoot February 17, 1815 March 22, 1895 January 25, 1867 March 22, 1895
Lorenzo Snow April 3, 1814 October 10, 1901 March 10, 1849 October 10, 1901
Willard Snow 1811 1853 December 6, 1848 1853
Daniel Spencer July 20, 1794 December 8, 1868 March 18, 1845 December 8, 1868 Was voted in March 1, 1845
 Hosea Stout September 18, 1810 March 2, 1889 January 25, 1867 March 2, 1889
George J. Taylor 1834 1914 January 25, 1867 1914
John W. Taylor May 15, 1858 October 10, 1916 1884 October 10, 1916
William W. Taylor September 11, 1853 August 1, 1884 April 10, 1880 August 1, 1884 Elected assistant clerk on April 10, 1880.
 George Teasdale December 8, 1831 June 9, 1907 Jun. 27 or Oct. 10, 1882 June 9, 1907 Was voted in June 26, 1882
 Moses Thatcher February 2, 1842 August 21, 1909 April 10, 1880 August 21, 1909
Theodore Turley April 10, 1801 August 12, 1871 March 1, 1845 August 12, 1871
Daniel H. Wells October 27, 1814 March 24, 1891 December 6, 1848 March 24, 1891
Junius F. Wells June 1, 1854 April 15, 1930 April 10, 1880 April 15, 1930
John R. Winder December 11, 1821 March 10, 1910 April 8, 1881 March 10, 1910
Brigham Young, Jr. December 18, 1836 April 11, 1903 January 23, 1867 April 11, 1903
John M. Young May 27, 1791 April 27, 1870 February 9, 1849 1870 Brother of Brigham Young
 John W. Young October 1, 1844 February 12, 1924 October 5, 1867 February 12, 1924
Joseph Young April 7, 1797 July 16, 1881 March 1, 1845 July 16, 1881
Joseph A. Young October 14, 1834 August 5, 1875 January 23, 1867 August 5, 1875
Phineas H. Young February 16, 1799 October 10, 1879 April 15, 1845 October 10, 1879 "Fellowship" in the council was challenged on August 22, 1851, but reconciled with the council on that date
 Seymour B. Young October 3, 1837 December 15, 1924 October 9, 1884 December 15, 1924

Notes
  1. Quinn 1980, p. 165
  2. Peter Amann, "Prophet in Zion: The Saga of George J. Adams", New England Quarterly, vol. 37, no. 4 (1964) pp. 477–500
  3. "Utah War Chronology" Archived 2008-07-05 at the Wayback Machine, utahwar.org, accessed 2008-12-17.
  4. Biography Archived 2012-06-10 at the Wayback Machine at Joseph Smith Papers Project website
  5. Andrew Jenson. Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia. Vo. 1, p. 307-308.
  6. Fox, Ronald (2011-10-09), "Little-known John Bernhisel did much for Utah", Deseret News
  7. Quinn, D. Michael (1980), "The Council of Fifty and Its Members, 1844 to 1945", BYU Studies, 20 (2): 15
  8. Givens, George W. (2002). 500 Little Known Facts in Mormon History. 1. Cedar Fort. p. 113. ISBN 1555176518. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  9. Rogers 2014, p. 243
  10. Rogers 2014, p. 352
  11. "Ezra T. Benson Family Web Site".
  12. Andrew Jenson. LDS Biographical Encyclopedia. Vol. 4, p. 511–12.
  13. Bullock worked in the Church Historian's Office, but was not an official "Assistant Church Historian". The first "Assistant Church Historian" was Wilford Woodruff called in 1856, after Bullock left in 1854. See Arrington, Leonard J. (Summer 1968). "The Search for Truth and Meaning in Mormon History". Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. 3 (2): 56–66. Archived from the original on 2011-06-14.
  14. Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: Robert T. Burton
  15. [ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress: 1774- Present, Caine, John Thomas, (1829–1911)
  16. Jenson, Andrew (1901). Latter-day Saint biographical encyclopedia: A compilation of biographical sketches of prominent men and women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 1. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Andrew Jenson History Company (Printed by The Deseret News). pp. 3356 167–168. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  17. 116 U.S. 55 (1885)
  18. "The Anti-Polygamy Law; Ex-Delegate Cannon's Sentence Affirmed. The Supreme Court Upholds the Decisions of the Territorial Judges; Opinions in Other Cases", New York Times, 1885-12-15.
  19. Jenson, Andrew (1901). Latter-day Saint biographical encyclopedia: A compilation of biographical sketches of prominent men and women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 1. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Andrew Jenson History Company (Printed by The Deseret News Press). pp. 42–43. Retrieved September 10, 2013.

References
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