What the Council of 50 Can Teach Us About Ward Council

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In this episode we speak with Matthew Grow, Director of Publications at the LDS Church History Library. Brother Grow graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in History before completing a Masters and Ph.D in American History at the University of Notre Dame. Currently serving as an elders quorum president in his Salt Lake City-area ward, Brother Grow’s responsibilities at the Church History Library include supervising the publications of historical church documents, the Joseph Smith Papers project, the history section of LDS.org and other documents. He is a descendant of Parley P. Pratt and co-authored the biography, Parley P. Pratt: The Apostle Paul of Mormonism.

(10:20) Leadership Traits of Parley P. Pratt for leaders today:

Bold in his beliefs
Tireless in service but balanced in service in the gospel and time with his family

(13:20) Introduction to the Council of Fifty (Administrative Records, Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844-January 1846 published as part of the Joseph Smith Papers)
(21:20) Principles by which Joseph Smith oversaw a council:

Councils are where revelation should come
It is the duty of every member of a council is to speak candidly – all are expected to participate
Agree to disagree long enough to think through, debate and deliberate through an issue
Take our councils seriously – returning and reporting at subsequent meetings
Go through the process, do our part to work to find a solution and then expect the revelation to come

(33:15) Resources to assist leaders in helping individuals with historical concerns:

Don’t dismiss the question – take the question/questioner seriously (
Can’t testify the question away
Leadership portal on LDS.org – synopses of gospel topic essays available
As a leader, know the gospel topic essays ourselves
History section of LDS.org – Pioneers in Every Land
History section of LDS.org – Revelations in Context (also available in print)

(42:00) Which leadership principles do we sometimes overlook?

Church history in its totality is more faith affirming than faith troubling
Receiving revelation takes work, no matter what our calling is. It is a misconception to some to think that when you reach a certain level of leadership that revelation comes easier or in a different manner