--- title: Times and Seasons description: Issues of 1840 to 1841. authors: - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints editors: - Ebenezer Robinson - Don Carlos Smith - Smith, Joseph, Jr. - Taylor, John collections: - periodicals tags: - newspaper - times-and-seasons - nauvoo - nineteenth-century periodical: Times and Seasons volume: 2 number: 11 published: 1841-04-01 publisher: E. Robinson and D. C. Smith; later John Taylor publisher_place: Commerce and Nauvoo, Illinois language: en type: article reference: "“Conference Minutes,” *Times and Seasons* 2, no. 11 (April 1, 1841): 371–374." printed_title: CONFERENCE MINUTES source: url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1841-04-01_2_11 transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v2n11.htm), with its page breaks; this Internet Archive scan is the reference copy (its OCR was used only as a witness for OCR repair) identifier: per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1841-04-01_2_11 start_page: 371 end_page: 374 curator_note: A Mormon newspaper published by the church in Nauvoo; included for historical study. Inclusion does not imply endorsement. rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1841 (Nauvoo, Illinois); published before 1931, so public domain in the United States source: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1841-04-01_2_11 publication_year: 1841 --- # Conference Minutes At a conference of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints held in Batavia, Gen, co. N. Y. Jan. 1841. There being present 11 elders, 4 priests, 2 teachers, 1 deacon, and about 50 members. Charles Thompson was unanimously chosen president, and L. E. Harington clerk. Elder Thompson gave an account of his travels and labors since last conference, the prospects were good. Elder LeBaron gave an account of his labors, the prospects were very encouraging. Elder E. W. Russel gave an account of some enquiries [inquiries] relating to where the people desired preaching, which appeared to be in every direction. Elder N. K. Knight gave an account of several places where the people desired preaching. Elder John Gleason gave an account (having lately visited Canada,) of the desire for preaching there, which was very extensive. Elder Thompson represented the branch of the church at Batavia-consisting of 26 members including 1 elder and 2 priests all in good standing except one. Elder Daniel Russel represented the branch at Akron, Erie co. consisting of 47 member, including 3 elders 2 priests 2 teachers, and 1 deacon, all in good standing.-Elder Calkins represented the members in Alabama, not organized into a branch, 11 in number including 2 elders 1 priest and 1 teacher all in good standing but one. Elder Gleason represented the branch in Sparta, consisting of 40 members all in good standing.-Elder McWithey represented the members in his vicinity (Benington) 14 in number, including 1 elder, not organized. It was motioned seconded and carried, that a branch be organized in Benington, also in Alabama. Motioned, seconded and carried, that Elder Calkins and Wineger should visit Brother Wheeler who has signified his wish to leave the church, motioned, seconded and carried, that Elder LeBaron visit Elder Stratton living in LeRoy and inquire into his standing. Motioned, seconded and carried, that licenses [certificates] be granted to Elders Calkins and Wineger, and also Teacher Whitney. The president then called upon all those whose circumstances would permit to spend all, or part of their time in preaching, to arise, whereupon ten arose, elders and priests. L. E. Harrington was then appointed to keep a list of the names of the whole church within the bounds of this conference, which is denominated the Genesee conference, voted that Elder Thompson read a book (in manuscript.) on the proof of the Book of Mormon written by himself. Adjourned until evening, met according to adjournment, and Elder Thompson proceeded and read about one half of his book, (there being near two hundred pages of it,) when it was motioned, seconded and carried unanimious [unanimous] that the book be published as soon as possible, Adjourned until 10 o'clock A. M. Met according to adjournment at the court house in the village [village] of Batavia, a large concourse of people being assembled, Elder C. Thompson delivered a discourse, on the institution, design, powers, and authority of the gospel priesthood; when after one half hours intermission, Elder Tyson delivered a discourse on the first principles of the gospel, and was followed by L. E. Harington on the same subject. Adjourned until evening-met accordingly, and had a real penticost [Pentecost]. The gift of tongues, interpretation of tougues [tongues], the gift of prophecying [prophesying] the gift of healing, &c. was made manifest. This conference then adjourned to meet at Akron, Erie co. N. Y. on the last Saturday and Sabath [Sabbath] in April next. C. THOMPSON Prest. L. E. Harington Clerk. Minutes of a Conference held in Freedom, Adams county [county], Ill. Feb. 20th, 1840. Conference met pursuant to appointment, prayer by President Miller. H. W. Miller was called to the chair, and James Brown was chosen clerk. The conference took into consideration the propriety of doing something for the widows and orphans at Nauvoo, provided they are willing to come to this place. Whereupon it was resolved, that we build three houses, this Spring, on three lots set apart for that purpose, and as soon as they are finished invite three widows to occupy them, and we pledge ourselves to provide for them the common necessaries of life. The question was taken, shall we on the knowledge of any of our brethren having the intention of leaving the bounds of this stake in debt, with the design of defrauding their creditors, make the same known to their creditors; decided in the affirmitive [affirmative]. Question was taken, will we fellowship a brother that puts his property out of his hands with the intention of defrauding his creditors; decided in the negative. Question was taken will we fellowship a brother that takes into his possession the property of another brother, to assist him in defrauding his creditors; decided in the negative. Resolved, That this Conference proceed to ordain Elders, Priests, Teachers, and Deacons, whereupon the following brethren were recommended and ordained Elders Harace B. Owens, David Grant, John L. Hunsaker, and Alworthy F. Leach. Priests-Jesse Spurgen, Abraham Hunsaker, John Harvey, William Barton, Thomas Seater, Israel Alphin, William Potter. Teachers-James Rollins, Francis Lee; and George Carson, Andrew Cunningham were Deacons. Inquiry was made by the Conference how many Elders were willing to go from this Stake into the vineyard to preach the gospel, and eight volunteered. The church list was then read and there were 225 belonging to this Stake. Resolved, that the Conference adjourn till tomorrow at 10 o'clock, A. M. Conference met pursuant to adjournment. Meeting opened by prayer, after which there was an able address delivered by prest. Miller on the sub [subject] of the resurrection, to a large respectable audience. Conference adjourned for 30 minutes. Met pursuant to adjournment-several short addresses were delivered by different brethren, after which the sacrament was administered. Resolved, that the minutes of this Conference be published in the Times and Seasons. Resolved that this Conference adjourn to meet the first Sunday of June next, at 10 o'clock, A. M. H. W. MILLER, Prest. James [James] Brown Clerk. -> Dreadful Steamboat Disaster. From the N. O. Crescent City of the 24th, we cut the following:- The General Gaines brings the melancholy intelligence of the loss of the steamer Creole, with about one thousand bales of cotton, and it is apprehended the destruction of twenty human beings. When the Gen. Gaines came up with the Creole on Monday morning, at half past five o'clock, six miles below Red River Cut Off, the latter was on fire, and the utmost consternation prevailed. She had twice reached the shore on the Louisiana side, at which time numbers of the passengers leaped ashore, but it was impossible to round her to, and she each time drifted off before many of those on board could save themselves. The number of passengers on board was 65, nine of whom are known to have perished, and it is supposed that 14 or 15 more have shared the same fate. The early hour at which this accident occured [occurred], and the rapid progress of the flames, prevented the saving of baggages [baggage] or property of any description; and many of the passengers were scarce allowed to secure even clothing enough to serve the purposes of comfort. The heaviest consignment of cotton on board was one of 688 bales to J. B. Plauche & Co. There were also $5000 in specie belonging to the Exchange Bank of this city. The following is a list of those known to have perished: Calgohan, of Natchitoches. A child of Mr. Cuny of Alexandria. A child of Mr. Normand, of Cane River. A man name unknown. Two negro men and two children. A fire man. Mr. Calhoon, President of the Natchez Bank, and a step-daughter of Mr. Bynum, of North Carolina, are reported among the missing.