 The purpose of the council was to discuss possible discipline for Sidney Rigdon, who was a counselor to Joseph Smith in the First Presidency prior to Smith's death in June 1844.Since Smith's death, Rigdon had claimed the right to lead the church and be its "guardian" until a new First Presidency could be organized.The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, led by Brigham Young, had also been claiming the right to lead the Latter Day Saints.