--- 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: 14 published: 1841-05-15 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. 14 (May 15, 1841): 412–413." printed_title: Conference Minutes. source: url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1841-05-15_2_14 transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v2n14.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_1841-05-15_2_14 start_page: 412 end_page: 413 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_1841-05-15_2_14 publication_year: 1841 --- # Conference Minutes Minutes of a general Conference held in Philadelphia, April 6th, 1841. The conference was called to order by Elder B. Winchester; Pres't Hyrum Smith was unanimously called to the chair, and B. Winchester chosen secretary. The conference was then opened with prayer by the president. The president then made known, in part, the business of the day, which was as follows; that this branch of the church should be more extensively organized, with necessary officers; viz: a presiding elder, and two counsellors [counselors], to be ordained to the office of the high priesthood, to preside over the spiritual affairs of the church in this place: also, that a bishop and his counsellors [counselors] be ordained, to take charge of the financial affair of the church, and transact such business as the law directs. The church was then called upon to make choice of men to fill these several stations. On motion, Elder B. Winchester was chosen and ordained to preside in this branch of the church, Edson Whipple and Wm. Wharton were chosen and ordained to act as assistant counsellors [counselors]. On motion, Jacob Syfrett was chosen and ordained bishop. Jesse Price and -Nickolson were chosen and ordained to act as the bishop's counsellors [counselors]. Liberty was then given for elders residing at a distance, to represent the various branches of the church. Elder Lucian R. Foster represented the New York (city) branch to consist of 135 members, including 2 high priests, 9 elders, 3 priests, 2 teachers, and 2 deacons in good standing. He also stated that the work of God was in a prosperous condition in that city, and the vicinity, and gave a general invitation for the travelling [traveling] elders to come to their assistance. Elder L. D. Barnes represented the Chester County (Pa.) branch to consist of 150 members, firm in the faith of the everlasting gospel, and rejoicing in a hope of a glorious resurrection, and reign with Christ. He also stated, that the lately ordained elders of that branch had been faithful in the discharge of their duty. Elder E. Snow represented the Monmouth County (N. Y.) branch to consist of 102 members, including 5 elders, 2 priests, and 1 teacher, to be in good standing. He also represented the Toms River branch (N. Y.) to consist of 24 members in good standing and enjoying the spirit of God. Elder R. Crawford represented the Lancaster County (Pa.) branches, viz: The New Holland branch to consist of 34 members including 1 Elder, 2 Priests and 1 Teacher. The Georgetown branch to consist of 32 members, including 2 Elders, 2 Priests, 1 Teacher & 1 Deacon, firm in the faith, observing to keep the commandments of the Lord, given to his people of the last days. The Octarara branch to consist, to the best of his knowledge, of 21 members, including 1 Elder, 1 Priest, 1 Teacher and 1 Deacon; all in good standing, with one or two exceptions. Elder J. Newton represented the Burlington (N. Y.) branch to consist of 11 members, including 1 Elder and 1 Priest; all in good standing, enjoying the spirit of God. Elder L. R. Foster stated that 11 or 12 had lately been baptised [baptized] at a place called Stoney-Brook (Long Island, N. York.) Elder J. G. Divine represented the following branches, to wit: The branch at New Rochell, Westchester County, (N. Y.) to consist of 9 members, including 1 Priest, firm in the faith. The branch at Brooklyn (city) to consist of 15 members, including 1 Priest, firm in the faith. The Hempstead branch (Long Island) consisting of 33 members, 1 Elder, 1 Teacher and 1 Deacon. The Newark, branch (N. J.) consisting of 10 members, in good standing. The Greenville branch, Monmouth county (N. Y.) consisting of 10 members, 1 Elder, 1 Priest, and 1 Teacher, (built up by Elder T. Curtis.) The Shrewsbery [N. J.] branch, consisting of 15 members and 1 Priest in good standing. The branch at Stark River, consisting of 6 members and 1 Deacon in good standing. He also stated that he had lately baptized two on Staten Island (N. Y.) Elder Wm. A Moore stated that he had lately baptized 9 in Centreville, New Castle county, (Del.) and that there is a foundation for a still greater work; that even now others are ready for baptism. On motion, Conference adjourned. At 2 1-2 o'clock P. M., Conference re-assembled. Elder B. Winchester represented this branch (at Philadelphia) to consist of 214 members, including 13 Elders, in good standing. The Chairman then read a resolution of recent date, in which the first Presidency of the Church, and others are commanded to make a solemn proclamation to the Kings of the earth. Also, a commandment for the building of a house of worship at Nauvoo. He also gave some beneficial instctions [instructions] relative to the saints gathering at Nauvoo, at present, instead of any other stake of Zion. And also, some instructions with regard to the use of wine, for the sacrament, bought of our enemies. On motion, Conference adjourned. At 7 1-2 in the evening, Conference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened by singing and prayer. The congregation was then called upon to bring forward their donation money for the building of the Lord's House at Nauvoo, and put it into the hands of the Chairman, and have their names recorded. Elder E. Snow made a few appropriate remarks upon the importance and necessity for the saints to contribute liberally for the above work. The Chairman then gave additional instructions with regard to the duty of the presiding officers. On motion, Conference adjourned. April 7th, at 10 1-2 A. M., Conference re-assembled, and was opened by singing and prayer. On motion, Edward Hunter, and Samuel Forges were ordained to the office of Elders. Much instruction was given during the day. On motion, Conference adjourned for three months. Hyrum Smith, Chairman, B. Winchester, Secretary. N. B. There will be a Conference held in this city (Philadelphia) on the 6th of July next. B. Winchester.