The President decided that it was not lawful to teach the Church that all disease is of the devil, but if there is anyone who has this faith, let him have it to himself; and if there are any who believe that roots and herbs administered to the sick, and all wholesome vegetables which God has ordained for the use of man--and if any say that such things applied to the sick, in order that they may receive health, and this medicine is applied by any member of the Church--if there are any among you that teach that these things are of Satan, such teaching is not of God. [Sidenote: Resolutions of Vindication.] On the 23rd of August, a council convened for the purpose of hearing the resolutions designed for the _Star_, which were to be drawn up by Elders Oliver Cowdery, Thomas Burdick, and Orson Hyde, on the subject of the difficulty existing between President Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sylvester Smith. Elder Reynolds Cahoon presided in consequence of the ill health of Bishop Whitney. The following preamble and resolutions were read and adopted, to wit:-- Whereas a report having come to this place [Kirtland] censuring the conduct of President Joseph Smith, Jun., relative to his proceedings {148} during his late journey to and from Missouri; and whereas said report was calculated to create an unfavorable influence as regards the moral character and honesty of our brother, it becomes necessary for us to investigate the matter, and report the same to our brethren abroad; Therefore,-- _Resolved_: That after hearing from the mouths of some that a suspicion rested upon their minds relative to the conduct of our President as regards his honesty and godly walk, we have investigated his whole proceedings by calling upon those who accompanied him to and from Missouri, and we are happy to have it in our power to say to our brethren abroad, one and all, that we satisfied with his conduct, having learned from the clearest evidence, that he has acted in every respect worthy his high and responsible station in this Church, and has prudently and cautiously preserved the good of this society at large, and is still worthy of our esteem and fellowship, and that those reports could have originated in the minds of none except such as either from a natural misunderstanding, or a natural jealousy, are easily led to conceive of evils where none exists.