Following are the minutes of a council held at John Taylor’s home in New York City:
At a council held at the house of Elder John Taylor, Brooklyn, N.Y., Jan. 7, 1857, the following of the 12 being present. Parley P. Pratt, John Taylor, Geo. A. Smith and Erastus Snow, the following resolutions were passed, resolved,
That we concentrate our energies this year in forming settlements on or near the Platte river, on the route of our emigration, according to the instructions of Pres. Young, and that we do not send any through but what are able to accomplish their journey without aid from Utah.
Resolved, that the “Mormon” be continued, and that we all unite our influence in sustaining it, and that Elder John Taylor have the privilege of sending Elder Wm. I. Appleby or any other agent to any of the churches of the United States, add calling upon individuals and Churches for subscriptions and donations, and to use such means for that purpose as may be considered practical.
Resolved, that under existing circumstances we deem it inexpedient to revive the “Luminary.”
Parley P. Pratt
John Taylor
Geo. A. Smith
Erastus Snow
[The Mormon, Jan. 17, 1857]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jan. 7, 1857, 2]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]