Page "Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite)" Paragraph 7

According to Cutler, the misdeed that brought about the rejection of Joseph Smith's church was its failure to complete the Nauvoo temple within the " sufficient time " mentioned in Doctrine and Covenants 124: 31-32 ; Joseph Smith's church had accordingly ceased to exist as a legitimate entity.

This did not mean that Smith's restored priesthood had been withdrawn from the earth, said Cutler, for he viewed the church and the priesthood as two separate things.

While the former had been rejected, said he, the latter had not, and now remained solely with him as the seventh and final member of a furtive " Quorum of Seven " appointed by Joseph Smith to carry on his authority independently of the rejected church.

All previous members of this quorum had died or apostatized, said Cutler ; hence, he and he alone possessed power to " reorganize " Smith's church.