Twelve high priests organized into a standing high council at Kirtland, Ohio, establishing the first stake of the Church. The three members of the First Presidency served as the council's presidency. The high council was called for the "purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishops council to the satisfaction of the parties." The minutes allow for the formation of ad-hoc high councils in areas where there are no standing high councils organized. (Fred Collier, ed., Kirtland Council Minute Book, 23-29; cf. D&C 102.)
Joseph Smith organized the Kirtland High and "said he would show the of councils in ancient days...as shown vision. Jerusalem was the seat of the Council in ancient days. The apostle, was president of the Council...and the keys of the Kingdom of God on the [and] was appointed to this office by voice of the Savior and acknowledged in by the voice of the Church. He had two men as Counsellors with him, and in the Peter was absent, his counsellors could business, or either one of them. The could also transact business Joseph Smith served as of the High Council. (Kirtland Minute Book, p. 14, Church Archives).
[Source: Lisle G Brown, compiler, "Organizational Chronology of The Church of Christ, and The Church of the Latter Day Saints, 1829 - 1836" and "A Chronology of the Development of Apostolic Succession of the First Presidency, 1831-1848"]
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