“On the 24th of April 1832 brother Joseph Smith visited us at Independence and on the 26th called a general council of the church. Business of much importance was transacted, among which was the public acknowledgement by the church of Joseph’s true position as President of the High Priesthood. He had been ordained to that position in the previous January and now the right hand of fellowship was given to him by the church in the person of its bishop. The spirit and power of God was manifested in our midst, and those who had difficulties settled them so that the blessings of the gospel flowed without restraint. The brethren were full of good instructions and we felt ourselves renewed in spirit. Brother Joseph did not forget his old friends of the Colesville branch, and he came the twelve miles to visit us. We welcomed him heartily and were greatly rejoiced to see his face once more to shake him by the hand for we felt that a dear friend had come among us. We remembered the tribulations and persecutions he had suffered in establishing the gospel among us, but now we were met together where we could give a full and free flow to our feelings, and our hearts went forth in gratitude and praise to our Heavenly Father for all his mercies. He remained with us two days, and returned on the thirtieth to Independence where he again sat in Council with the brethren. Arrangements were made for printing the book of Doctrines and Commandments and the Hymn book, also for establishing a store by which the Saints could be supplied with whatever they needed through the channels of the church. It was also arranged that the Saints in Ohio should be supplied with stores in a similar manner. This gave great satisfaction to the brethren generally. On the sixth of May, brothers Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Newel R. Whitney left for Kirtland, may the protective care of the Almighty shield them from the dangers surrounding them and preserve them from their enemies. In June the first number of the Evening and Morning Star was published by Bro. Phelps. The paper was hailed with joy by the Saints as it contains much useful information concerning church history. Thus, in this short space of time the church has stepped forward in the front ranks of civilization and led the vanguard among the hardy pioneers of the West. This is the first paper published in Western Missouri.”
