sources Extract
of an article in BYU Studies, Vol 20 N 1 4, págs.389-398
leaders of apostasy of the church in positions of great responsibility has always been a major concern. It is usually difficult to detect and understand the reasons that give rise to apostasy. The study of some of these cases may help to prevent dangers that may arise in our own lives.
The case study of Brother Thomas B. Marsh, the first president of the Council of the Twelve, shows us what can happen in the life of any leader. He turned away from the Church when he was in the assignment mentioned. We can see in this account of the events of his life the influences that led it to apostasy.
Marsh President met some of the episodes of the beverage before the organization of the Church. In 1829, the Spirit inspired him to leave the place of residence to New York where he heard rumors of the "Golden Bible" in the city of Palmyra. To go for information about the rumors, came to Palmyra and found Martin Harris in the press where the printing process was in the Book of Mormon. After obtaining a copy of the first sixteen pages Book, Martin Harris told him how to reach the home of Joseph Smith, father, where he was instructed by Oliver Cowdery concerning the events of the Restoration. Then he returned to Massachusetts rejoicing in what he had learned.
During the following months with Oliver Cowdery had contact by letter and when she realized the organization of the Church in April 1830 was prepared to change their Palmira residence, which he did in August. He was baptized by David Whitmer on September 3, 1830.
Thomas B. Marsh moved to Kirtland in the spring of 1831 he was ordained priest and soon after was sent on a mission to Missouri. Universally in the Church was known as "Brother Marsh." He distinguished himself as a leader and the other saints suffered during the persecutions in Missouri. In 1834 he was selected to participate in the ceremonial preparations for "the inauguration", and also to be present at the dedication of the Kirtland temple and attend the solemn assembly was made. He was appointed as a member of the Supreme Council in Clay County, Missouri on 7 July 1834.
In January 1835 Thomas Marsh and Edward Partridge began their journey back to Kirtland where they arrived on 24 April. During his absence from Kirtland, was named as a member of the First Council of the Twelve Apostles. He was ordained an apostle on 26 April. At a meeting on May 2 Quorum members were put in order according to their age and Thomas Marsh was appointed as chairman of the group, because it was the biggest in years. In the summer Thomas joined others of the quorum for a mission in the eastern states and the return assisted in the completion of the Kirtland Temple and participated in meetings that were held sacred before the dedication. On January 22, 1836 Thomas received a special anointing as president of their quorum.
After these activities, Thomas returned to Missouri where members of the Church suffered much persecution. Strong responsibilities assumed in the direction of the church helping the brothers WW Phelps and John Whitmer, who had been called as president of the Church in Missouri. There was conflict between the Supreme Council and the presidency. The position of him as an apostle not allowed to interfere in the work of the same. However, Thomas supported the high local council members in their actions against the president.
In 1837 those problems were resolved, but appeared again the following year which allowed Thomas Marsh exerted an influence that resulted in a struggle for power between the presidency in Missouri and the Council of Twelve.
Although disclosure in 1835 had indicated that the Quorum of the Twelve went to the First Presidency in the government of the Church, indeed the presidency in Missouri and two high councils maintained their supremacy in practice because they had been organized before the Quorum of the Twelve. Besides members of the Council of the Twelve had been held in continuous contact. Was there really a lack of clarity regarding the responsibility of the leadership groups which was resolved with a revelation received on 23 July 1837. (Section 112).
With mortification Thomas Marsh realized that Parley P. Pratt, another member of the quorum, was preparing to go to England to preach the gospel. Brother Marsh considered the establishment of the Church abroad was such that no member of the Quorum had to try independently of Quorum. He cited members of the Quorum of the Twelve at a meeting in Kirtland for the July 24, 1837. He and David Patten, the second in age at the Council of the Twelve, went to Kirtland from Missouri.
Meanwhile, the Prophet Joseph Smith had designated Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde, members of the Council of the Twelve, to go to England to preach the gospel. Can not be set when the Apostles Marsh and Patten realized this event but there are indications that they were upset and expressed it was destroyed the illusion of bringing together the Quorum. It seems that Thomas B. Marsh wanted to be the first to introduce the gospel abroad and was envious because others of the Council had passed by instructions of the prophet.
Thomas reconciled with the Prophet Joseph Smith and established close relations with him during that time. And immediately returned to Missouri was in conflict with Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, William W. Phelps and John Whitmer. Feeling the bitterness of spirit such as influential brothers could destroy the Church, Thomas sought a way to remove them from the herd. But it seems that their motives were not pure. Envious to gain more recognition and influence, he was indignant and excessive behavior, all in the name of the Prophet Joseph Smith. There is evidence that Oliver and his comrades felt bitter because the ends do not justify the means. In a few months his enemies were outside the Church, and David W. Thomas Patten was appointed president in Missouri.
control properties in Missouri gave an opportunity to enrich those who sell these to the saints, and Thomas was among those who controlled the property. Joseph Smith warned against greed. In his quest for power, Thomas suffered from fear and envy. Regarding their sensitivity to criticism, he raised questions about the actions of Joseph Smith. Years later said: I got involved in businesses that do not belong to me ...
In August 1838 an incident occurred that was an important factor in the apostasy of Thomas B. Marsh. His wife Elizabeth was unjustly accused of taking the cream of the milking of a cow that was shared with another sister daily. Although the case was tried by several disciplinary councils all judgments were against Marsh's sister. As a final effort, Bishop Edward Partridge ,"... begged her to fix things and give him time to do them, "but Sister Marsh stubbornly maintained his innocence. When Joseph Smith clearly said to the sister who had lied on the disciplinary board and would be suspended, Brother Marsh was furious and refused to hear more. Brother George A. Smith, an apostle and historian details the facts as follows:
"The case was appealed from the master to the bishop, carrying out a normal disciplinary council. Marsh President considered that the bishop had done justice to him or his wife, because the decision was that she had been unfairly with the cream of milk and had violated their commitment. Immediately Marsh appealed to Pres High Council who made an investigation of the problem with patience and with great seriousness. The Pres Marsh was anxious to maintain the firm attitude of his wife, and as he was the President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles and a great man in Israel, made a desperate defense, but eventually the Supreme Council upheld the decision of the Bishop.
The Pres Marsh, not feeling satisfied, appealed to the First Presidency of the Church. Joseph Smith and his counselors had to judge the case and approved the decision of the Supreme Council. This small matter, as can be understood, caused a considerable storm and then Thomas B. Marsh said he would hold the attitude of his wife if he had to go to hell for it. "
As you can imagine, the issue of milk so humbled Brother Thomas B. Marsh could not face his peers. His great desire to achieve the admiration of the Saints, and especially the Prophet was in bitterness. Many years later in Salt Lake, Thomas confessed that his zeal had started to become a malignant envy:
"I felt jealous of the Prophet, then I lose control and I did not notice anything that was correct, and I spent all my time looking for the bad ... I was blind and thought he saw a beam in the eye of the Prophet, but it was only a speck, and my own eye the beam ... I was angry and wanted everyone else feel anger. I talked to the brothers Brigham and Heber, and wanted them to be angry like me I saw that they were not and this made me more angry .... Brother Brigham with a cautious look, said, " ) you the leader of the Church, Brother Thomas?" I replied, "no." "Then," he said, " ) Why not leave this up here ..?"
President Marsh left the Church, sought revenge against their leaders and spent many years in absentia. Not lost interest in Church continued to be reported because of what was happening there. After the death of his wife headed west to return to the Church, made peace with the leaders and was forgiven and accepted into the Church. He went to Utah where he remarried and lived several years with the Saints. He wrote a letter to the authorities when he was requesting permission to return to the Church.
May 5, 1857 Florence, Douglas Co., Territorio de Nebraska
Heber C. Kimball
Estimado Señor:
Se dará cuenta por la dirección, en donde estoy. Hace tres años murió mi esposa y salí Missouri starting to realize my situation may wonder, perhaps) because I have stayed so long or because I took so long to wake up and be right, because that's, I've been in the dark at least 18 years.
I left Grundy Co., Missouri in early January and went looking toward Zion. I traveled, with most walking, having a determination to go to Salt Lake, being God my socorro.Deseaba once arrived, prostrate at the feet of the apostles and beg their forgiveness and ask for input the House of the Lord into the Church of Latter Day Saints and tell them that I have sinned against heaven and in your eyes I have become unworthy of the trust, or having a place the family of Heaven. But let me be your servant, that he should not perish, because I know in my Father's house there is plenty of bread and I perish with hunger.
I came here with great courage and went well for a short time. While spend more time here and watch your progress since I left them, but increases my confidence and my faith is stronger and clearer things get to me. Discover more clearly do not deserve no place among you in the church, even as the lesser of the members, but I can not live without reconciled with the Twelve (Apostles) and members who've hurt. Oh Brothers, once Hermanos! ) How I can leave this world without his forgiveness? ) I can receive? ) I can receive? Something inside me tells me, please hurry and let me know by writing "yes" and then with joy I'll be happy. I met with George W. Harris (husband of Lucinda with whom Sister. Marsh had the problem) and we have reconciled, and when this was accomplished, I was so excited I was forced to say in my heart, this is an evidence that God loves me despite my rebellion and sin. I know what I did. They gave me a mission and I have not met and now I fear it is too late because it has been done by another, I see you did not need the Lord and He has not lost anything by leaving me, but ) What I'm I? Wealth, riches, bigger than the value of this world or the many other planets like this I could give. But oh brothers .. .) Can you give me a word of comfort? ) I can be saved in the kingdom of God? ) I can find peace between you? ( O if I could enjoy her smiles and laughter of my brothers and the Lord, be prepared to leave this world or stay in this great peace. The Lord has taken into account and although I was very stubborn, He has protected me. I have visited with punishment, with visions and dreams. Brothers, O worthy of the name if brothers! but ) How call them? They are very dear to me. I love you more than any group of mortals in this world. Have been diligent in doing the work that has been entrusted, while I, miserable me!, I lost time from churches seeking to nourish my soul prostitutes where there was no bread of life. I love you and I hate myself. I hope here in Florence anxious to receive a letter to his old and now worthless but sincere friend. Thomas B. Marsh
Heber C. Kimball
Salt Lake City
PS My Love to all the saints and the rich blessings of the fullness of the everlasting gospel are and rest upon you now and forever. Amen.
TBM
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