# List of members of the Council of Fifty

In 1844, Joseph Smith, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, established the Council of Fifty, a Latter Day Saint organization, in order to symbolize and represent a future theocratic or theodemocratic "Kingdom of God" on the earth. Following Smith's death, his successor, Brigham Young, as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), hoped to continue the Council of Fifty in order to create this Kingdom in preparation for the Millennium and the Second Coming of Jesus. The political Kingdom of God, organized around the Council of Fifty, was meant to be a force of peace and order in the midst of this chaos.
Following the death of Smith, some members of the council continued on as members of the Council of Fifty, under the leadership of Brigham Young and within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while some members left to join or form various other sects in the Latter Day Saint movement.

## Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

This table includes individuals who joined the Council of Fifty prior to June 27, 1844, under the leadership of Joseph Smith, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (as named in 1844). However, all the included individuals are regarded as early leaders of the church by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now the Community of Christ) and other Latter Day Saint sects.
Members of the Council of Fifty of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints :
| Name | Birth | Death | Admitted | Released/Dropped | Notes |
| George J. Adams | ca. 1811 | May 11, 1880 | Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 | February 4, 1845 | After Joseph Smith's death, Adams joined with James Strang and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite). He broke away from Strang and formed the Church of the Messiah, a sect that traveled to and settled in Palestine in the late 1850s. |
| Almon W. Babbitt | October 9, 1812 | September 7, 1856 | Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 | September 7, 1856 | Babbitt was the first secretary and treasurer of the Territory of Utah. He was killed in a raid by Cheyenne Native Americans in Nebraska Territory while traveling on government business between Utah and Washington, D.C. |
| Alexander Badlam | November 28, 1809 | December 1, 1894 | March 11, 1844 | February 4, 1845 | Readmitted to Council and attended its 1851 meetings. Dropped again in 1867–1868 period. |
| Samuel Bent | July 19, 1778 | August 16, 1846 | March 19, 1844 | August 16, 1846 | Bent also served as a colonel in the Nauvoo Legion. |
| John M. Bernhisel | June 23, 1799 | September 28, 1881 | March 11, 1844 | September 28, 1881 | Was a Delegate to U.S. House of Representatives from Utah twice, from March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1859 and March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863 |
| Edward Bonney | August 26, 1807 | February 4, 1864 | Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 | February 4, 1845 | One of only three members of the Council who was not a member of the Latter Day Saint movement. Known for his investigation of the "Banditti of the Prairie", which resulted in an investigation of the torture-murder of George Davenport. |
| Uriah Brown | May 9, 1784 | March 22, 1853 | March 19, 1844 | February 4, 1845 | One of only three members of the Council who was not a member of the Latter Day Saint movement. After his expulsion from the Quorum, he returned to Utah in the 1850s and demonstrated an invention of "liquid fireworks" to the Council of fifty. |
| Reynolds Cahoon | April 30, 1790 | April 29, 1861 | March 10, 1844 | April 29, 1861 | Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844 |
| William H. Clayton | July 17, 1814 | December 4, 1879 | March 11, 1844 | December 4, 1879 | Attended provisional meeting on March 10, 1844, and appointed clerk. Officially reappointed Clerk of the Kingdom on March 13, 1844. |
| Joseph W. Coolidge | May 31, 1814 | January 13, 1871 | April 18, 1844 | After 1848 | |
| Alpheus Cutler | February 29, 1784 | June 10, 1864 | March 11, 1844 | Possibly 1848–1849 | Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844 |
| Marenus G. Eaton | March 15, 1808 | September 1861 | Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 | February 4, 1845 | One of only three members of the Council who was not a member of the Latter Day Saint movement. |
| James Emmett | February 22, 1803 | December 28, 1852 | March 13, 1844 | February 4, 1845 | |
| Amos Fielding | July 16, 1792 | August 5, 1875 | March 11, 1844 | August 5, 1875 | Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844 |
| Joseph Fielding | March 26, 1797 | December 19, 1863 | Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 | December 19, 1863 | |
| Jedediah M. Grant | February 21, 1816 | December 1, 1856 | May 6, 1844 | December 1, 1856 | |
| John P. Greene | September 3, 1793 | September 20, 1844 | March 26, 1844 | September 20, 1844 | |
| Peter Haws | February 17, 1795 | February 1, 1860 | March 11, 1844 | After November 13, 1846 | |
| David S. Hollister | June 4, 1808 | October 1851 | April 18, 1844 | Possibly December 25, 1846 | |
| Orson Hyde | January 8, 1805 | November 28, 1878 | March 13, 1844 | November 28, 1878 | |
| Samuel James | January 18, 1806 | after 1880 | March 19, 1844 | February 4, 1845 | |
| Benjamin F. Johnson | July 28, 1818 | November 18, 1905 | Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 | November 18, 1905 | |
| Heber C. Kimball | June 14, 1801 | June 22, 1868 | March 11, 1844 | June 22, 1868 | Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844 |
| Cornelius P. Lott | September 22, 1798 | July 6, 1850 | Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 | July 6, 1850 | |
| Amasa M. Lyman | March 30, 1813 | February 4, 1877 | Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 | February 4, 1877 | Possibly dropped after January 25, 1867; otherwise technically remained a member until death. |
| William Marks | November 15, 1792 | May 22, 1872 | March 19, 1844 | February 4, 1845 | |
| George Miller | November 25, 1794 | August 27, 1856 | March 10, 1844 | After December 26, 1846 | Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844 |
| John D. Parker | November 22, 1799 | February 27, 1891 | March 19, 1844 | June 24, 1882 | Released due to old age |
| W. W. Phelps | February 17, 1792 | March 7, 1872 | March 11, 1844 | March 7, 1872 | Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844 |
| Orson Pratt | September 19, 1811 | October 3, 1881 | March 11, 1844 | October 3, 1881 | Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844 |
| Parley P. Pratt | April 12, 1807 | May 13, 1857 | March 11, 1844 | May 13, 1857 | Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844 |
| Charles C. Rich | August 21, 1809 | November 17, 1883 | Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 | June 24, 1882 | Released due to old age |
| Levi Richards | April 14, 1799 | June 18, 1876 | March 11, 1844 | June 18, 1876 | |
| Willard Richards | June 24, 1804 | March 11, 1854 | March 11, 1844 | March 11, 1854 | Attended provisional meeting on March 10, 1844, and appointed chairman. Released as provisional chairman and made recorder on March 13, 1844. |
| Sidney Rigdon | February 19, 1793 | July 14, 1876 | March 19, 1844 | February 4, 1845 | |
| O. Porter Rockwell | June 28, 1813 | June 9, 1878 | March 19, 1844 | June 9, 1878 | |
| Elias Smith | September 6, 1804 | June 24, 1888 | Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 | June 24, 1888 | |
| George A. Smith | June 26, 1817 | September 1, 1875 | March 11, 1844 | September 1, 1875 | Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844 |
| Hyrum Smith | February 9, 1800 | June 27, 1844 | March 11, 1844 | June 27, 1844 | Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844 |
| John Smith | July 16, 1781 | May 23, 1854 | Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 | May 23, 1854 | Uncle to Joseph Smith Jr. Later Ordained Patriarch to the Church. |
| Joseph Smith | December 23, 1805 | June 27, 1844 | March 11, 1844 | June 27, 1844 | Attended provisional meeting on March 10, 1844. Appointed standing chairman March 13, 1844. Ordained and anointed Prophet, Priest, and King over Israel on Earth on April 11, 1844. |
| William Smith | March 13, 1811 | November 13, 1893 | April 25, 1844 | After September 9, 1845 | |
| Erastus Snow | November 9, 1818 | May 27, 1888 | March 11, 1844 | May 27, 1888 | |
| Orson Spencer | March 14, 1802 | October 15, 1855 | March 19, 1844 | October 15, 1855 |
| John Taylor | November 1, 1808 | July 25, 1887 | March 11, 1844 | July 25, 1887 | Attended provisional meeting on March 10, 1844. Elected standing chairman April 10, 1880. Anointed and ordained as King, Priest, and Ruler over Israel on Earth on February 4, 1885. |
| Ezra Thayre | October 14, 1791 | September 6, 1862 | Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 | After April 22, 1845 | |
| Lorenzo D. Wasson | 1819 | July 28, 1857 | March 11, 1844 | February 4, 1845 | Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844 |
| Newel K. Whitney | February 5, 1795 | September 24, 1850 | March 11, 1844 | September 24, 1850 | Attended provisional meeting of March 10, 1844 |
| Lyman Wight | May 9, 1796 | March 31, 1858 | May 3, 1844 | February 4, 1845 | Was voted on April 18, 1844 |
| Wilford Woodruff | March 1, 1807 | September 2, 1898 | March 13, 1844 | September 2, 1898 | |
| Lucien Woodworth | April 3, 1799 | 1868 | March 11, 1844 | After 1848 | |
| David D. Yearsley | March 3, 1808 | October 11, 1849 | Between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11, 1844 | October 11, 1849 | |
| Brigham Young | June 1, 1801 | August 29, 1877 | March 11, 1844 | August 29, 1877 | Attended provisional meeting on March 10, 1844. Appointed standing chairman February 4, 1845. Anointed and ordained King, Priest, and Ruler over Israel on Earth, probably in 1848–1849 period. |

## The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This table includes individuals were joined the Council of Fifty following after June 27, 1844, and under the leadership of Brigham Young, president of the LDS Church. Generally they are only regarded as early leaders of the church by the LDS Church.
Members of the Council of Fifty of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints :
| Name | Birth | Death | Admitted | Released/Dropped | Notes |
| Ezra T. Benson | February 22, 1811 | September 3, 1869 | December 25, 1846 | September 3, 1869 | Benson was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from July 16, 1846, to September 3, 1869. |
| William Budge | May 1, 1828 | March 18, 1919 | April 10, 1880 | March 18, 1919 | Considered April 10, 1880. Was voted on June 24, 1882. A member of the Idaho Legislature. |
| Thomas Bullock | December 23, 1816 | February 10, 1885 | December 25, 1846 | June 24, 1882 | Released due to old age. Reporter for the Council meetings from 1848. Was a clerk in the Church Historian's Office of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. |
| Robert T. Burton | October 25, 1821 | November 11, 1907 | January 25, 1867 | November 11, 1907 | A member of the presiding bishopric and a principal officers in the Nauvoo Legion during its Utah reconstitution (including the Utah War) and led the territorial militia against the Morrisites during the 1862 Morrisite War. |
| John Thomas Caine | January 8, 1829 | September 20, 1911 | April 8, 1881 | September 20, 1911 | A delegate to the United States House of Representatives from the Territory of Utah. |
| Abraham H. Cannon | March 12, 1859 | July 19, 1896 | October 9, 1884 | July 19, 1896 | A member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from October 7, 1889, to July 19, 1896. |
| Angus M. Cannon | May 17, 1834 | June 7, 1915 | April 10, 1880 | June 7, 1915 | Cannon was the appellant in the case of Cannon v. United States, which was decided by the United States Supreme Court after Cannon was convicted under the Edmunds Act of unlawful cohabitation and sentenced to six months' imprisonment and a $900 fine. |
| George Q. Cannon | January 11, 1827 | April 12, 1901 | January 23, 1867 | April 12, 1901 | Elected recorder January 23, 1867. George Q. Cannon was early member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and a member of First Presidency under four Presidents of the church. |
| John Q. Cannon | April 19, 1857 | January 14, 1931 | October 9, 1884 | January 14, 1931 | Editor-in-chief of the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, Utah and Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. |
| Albert Carrington | January 8, 1813 | September 19, 1889 | April 18 or 22, 1845 | September 19, 1889 | Reporter for Council meetings in 1848. |
| Hiram B. Clawson | November 7, 1826 | March 29, 1912 | June 27, 1882 | March 29, 1912 | |
| Jeter Clinton | February 17, 1813 | May 10, 1892 | January 25, 1867 | May 10, 1892 | |
| William W. Cluff | March 8, 1832 | August 21, 1915 | April 10, 1880 | August 21, 1915 | |
| John Van Cott | September 7, 1814 | February 18, 1883 | October 12, 1880 | February 18, 1883 | |
| Lewis Dana | January 1, 1805 | June 8, 1885 | March 1, 1845 | After 1848 | |
| Cyrus Daniels | September 12, 1803 | 1846 | March 11, 1845 | 1846 | |
| Jonathan Dunham | January 14, 1800 | July 28, 1845 | March 1, 1845 | July 28, 1845 | |
| Horace S. Eldredge | February 6, 1816 | September 6, 1888 | December 9, 1848 | September 6, 1888 | |
| John W. Farnham | December 5, 1794 | August 16, 1846 | April 18 or 22, 1845 | August 16, 1846 | |
| Lorin Farr | July 25, 1820 | January 12, 1909 | October 12, 1880 | January 12, 1909 | |
| Lucian R. Foster | November 12, 1806 | March 19, 1876 | March 1, 1845 | November 12, 1846 | |
| David Fullmer | July 7, 1803 | October 21, 1879 | March 1, 1845 | October 21, 1879 | |
| John S. Fullmer | July 21, 1807 | October 8, 1883 | April 18 or 22, 1845 | June 24, 1882 | Released due to old age |
| George F. Gibbs | November 23, 1846 | March 10, 1924 | June 24, 1882 | March 10, 1924 | Appointed reporter, but not member, on April 5, 1882. |
| George D. Grant | September 10, 1812 | September 20, 1876 | September 9, 1845 | September 20, 1876 | |
| Heber J. Grant | November 22, 1856 | May 14, 1945 | Jun. 27 or Oct. 10, 1882 | May 14, 1945 | Was voted on June 26, 1882 |
| Leonard W. Hardy | December 31, 1805 | July 31, 1884 | June 27, 1882 | July 31, 1884 | |
| Abram C. Hatch | January 3, 1830 | December 3, 1911 | June 29, 1883 | December 3, 1911 | |
| Joseph L. Heywood | August 1, 1815 | October 16, 1910 | December 6, 1848 | June 24, 1882 | Released due to old age |
| William H. Hooper | December 25, 1813 | December 30, 1882 | October 10, 1867 | December 30, 1882 | |
| Edward Hunter | June 22, 1793 | October 16, 1883 | January 25, 1867 | October 16, 1883 | Was voted on January 23, 1867 |
| William Jennings | September 13, 1823 | January 15, 1886 | April 10, 1880 | January 15, 1886 | |
| Heber P. Kimball | June 1, 1835 | February 8, 1885 | April 5, 1867 | February 8, 1885 | Was voted on January 23, 1867 |
| Charles S. Kimball | January 2, 1843 | December 2, 1925 | January 25, 1867 | December 2, 1925 | Was voted on January 23, 1867 |
| David P. Kimball | August 23, 1839 | November 21, 1883 | January 25, 1867 | November 21, 1883 | Was voted on January 23, 1867 |
| Christopher Layton | March 8, 1821 | August 7, 1898 | June 29, 1883 | August 7, 1898 | |
| John D. Lee | September 12, 1812 | March 23, 1877 | March 1, 1845 | March 23, 1877 | Acted as council clerk 1846 meetings. |
| Feramorz Little | June 14, 1820 | August 14, 1887 | April 1880 | August 14, 1887 | |
| Francis M. Lyman | January 12, 1840 | November 18, 1916 | April 10, 1880 | November 18, 1916 | |
| Isaac Morley | March 11, 1786 | June 24, 1865 | March 1, 1845 | June 24, 1865 | Was voted on March 1, 1845. |
| John R. Murdock | September 13, 1826 | November 12, 1913 | April 10, 1880 | November 12, 1913 | Considered April 10, 1880 |
| L. John Nuttall | July 6, 1834 | February 23, 1905 | April 10, 1880 | February 23, 1905 | Elected clerk April 10, 1880 |
| John Pack | May 20, 1809 | April 4, 1885 | March 1, 1845 | After December 26, 1846 | Released due to old age |
| John E. Page | February 25, 1799 | October 14, 1867 | March 1, 1845 | November 12, 1846 | |
| Charles W. Penrose | February 4, 1832 | May 16, 1925 | June 26, 1882 | May 16, 1925 | |
| Canute Peterson | May 13, 1824 | October 14, 1902 | October 10, 1882 | October 14, 1902 | Was voted on June 27, 1882. |
| Parley P. Pratt, Jr. | March 25, 1837 | August 25, 1897 | January 25, 1867 | August 25, 1897 | |
| William B. Preston | November 24, 1830 | August 2, 1908 | April 10, 1880 | August 2, 1908 | |
| George Reynolds | January 1, 1842 | August 9, 1909 | April 8, 1881 | August 9, 1909 | |
| Joseph C. Rich | January 16, 1841 | October 17, 1908 | January 25, 1867 | October 17, 1908 | |
| Franklin D. Richards | April 2, 1821 | December 9, 1899 | March 17, 1849 | December 9, 1899 | |
| Franklin S. Richards | June 20, 1849 | September 4, 1934 | April 10, 1880 | September 4, 1934 | |
| Heber J. Richards | October 11, 1840 | May 12, 1919 | January 23, 1867 | May 12, 1919 | |
| Phinehas H. Richards | November 15, 1788 | November 25, 1874 | December 6, 1848 | November 25, 1874 | |
| Albert P. Rockwood | June 5, 1805 | November 25, 1879 | March 1, 1845 | November 25, 1879 | |
| Shadrach Roundy | January 1, 1789 | July 4, 1872 | March 1, 1845 | July 4, 1872 | |
| John Sharp | November 9, 1820 | December 23, 1891 | January 25, 1867 | December 23, 1891 | |
| Charles Shumway | August 1, 1806 | May 21, 1898 | April 18 or 22, 1845 | June 24, 1882 | Released due to old age |
| Lewis W. Shurtliff | July 24, 1835 | May 2, 1922 | April 10, 1883 | May 2, 1922 | |
| John Henry Smith | September 18, 1848 | October 13, 1911 | April 10, 1880 | October 13, 1911 | Grandson of (Uncle) John Smith. Made an Apostle in 1880. |
| Joseph F. Smith | November 13, 1838 | November 19, 1918 | Jan. 25 or Apr. 5, 1867 | November 19, 1918 | Was voted on January 23, 1867 |
| Silas S. Smith | October 26, 1830 | October 11, 1910 | April 10, 1880 | October 11, 1910 | |
| William R. Smith | August 11, 1826 | January 15, 1894 | April 10, 1880 | January 15, 1894 | |
| Abraham O. Smoot | February 17, 1815 | March 22, 1895 | January 25, 1867 | March 22, 1895 | |
| Lorenzo Snow | April 3, 1814 | October 10, 1901 | March 10, 1849 | October 10, 1901 | |
| Willard Snow | May 6, 1811 | August 21, 1853 | December 6, 1848 | August 21, 1853 | |
| Daniel Spencer | July 20, 1794 | December 8, 1868 | March 18, 1845 | December 8, 1868 | Was voted on March 1, 1845 |
| Hosea Stout | September 18, 1810 | March 2, 1889 | January 25, 1867 | March 2, 1889 | |
| George J. Taylor | January 31, 1834 | December 15, 1914 | January 25, 1867 | December 15, 1914 | |
| John W. Taylor | May 15, 1858 | October 10, 1916 | 1884 | October 10, 1916 | |
| William W. Taylor | September 11, 1853 | August 1, 1884 | April 10, 1880 | August 1, 1884 | Elected assistant clerk on April 10, 1880. |
| George Teasdale | December 8, 1831 | June 9, 1907 | Jun. 27 or Oct. 10, 1882 | June 9, 1907 | Was voted on June 26, 1882 |
| Moses Thatcher | February 2, 1842 | August 21, 1909 | April 10, 1880 | August 21, 1909 | |
| Theodore Turley | April 10, 1801 | August 18, 1871 | March 1, 1845 | June 12, 1870 | |
| Daniel H. Wells | October 27, 1814 | March 24, 1891 | December 6, 1848 | March 24, 1891 | |
| Junius F. Wells | June 1, 1854 | April 15, 1930 | April 10, 1880 | April 15, 1930 | |
| John R. Winder | December 11, 1821 | March 27, 1910 | April 8, 1881 | March 27, 1910 | |
| Brigham Young, Jr. | December 18, 1836 | April 11, 1903 | January 23, 1867 | April 11, 1903 | |
| John M. Young | May 27, 1791 | April 27, 1870 | February 9, 1849 | April 27, 1870 | Brother of Brigham Young |
| John W. Young | October 1, 1844 | February 12, 1924 | October 5, 1867 | February 12, 1924 | |
| Joseph Young | April 7, 1797 | July 16, 1881 | March 1, 1845 | July 16, 1881 | |
| Joseph A. Young | October 14, 1834 | August 5, 1875 | January 23, 1867 | August 5, 1875 | |
| Phineas H. Young | February 16, 1799 | October 10, 1879 | April 15, 1845 | October 10, 1879 | "Fellowship" in the council was challenged on August 22, 1851, but reconciled with the council on that date |
| Seymour B. Young | October 3, 1837 | December 15, 1924 | October 9, 1884 | December 15, 1924 | |