This the Council considered to be a libel on the face of it. Elder M'Lellin says, "We do not wish to cast any reflections," when the highest insult and reflections are cast by it upon the Church, the Presidency, and those who are held in much higher estimation in the sight of God and this Church than themselves. The vote of the Council was: We hereby inform Elders M'Lellin and Hyde that we withdraw our fellowship from them until they return and make satisfaction face to face. We further inform the Twelve, that as far as we can learn from the churches through which we have traveled, you have set yourselves up as an independent council, subject to no authority of the Church, a kind of outlaws! This impression is wrong, and will, if persisted in, bring down the wrath and indignation of heaven upon your heads. The other ten are directed to proceed on and finish the conferences, and the two may act upon their own judgment whether to proceed or return. President Joseph Smith, Jun., read to the Council a letter from Elder William Smith, which was approved, and filled our hearts with joy. A letter was presented from Elder Thomas B. Marsh. The Council referred him to the commandment, which requires none to leave or bring his family without revelation or decision of the High Council. We discover an error in Elder Marsh's letter--he says, "to the able preaching of William E. M'Lellin and Parley P. Pratt." We conclude that if it had been he preaching of the Lord, as it should have been, He would have had the honor, and not these men. To close, we add that unless this epistle is heeded in all its parts, in its full force, those who rebel against it shall be dealt with by the Lord accordingly, for we ask this, being agreed as touching this thing. We wish you to understand that your duty requires you to seek first the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness; that is, attend to the first things first, and then all things will be added, and that complaint about your families will be less frequent. Don't preach yourselves crucified for your wives' sake, but remember that Christ was crucified, and you are sent out to be special witnesses of this thing. Men do not wish to hear these little things, for there is no salvation in them, but there is in the other.