Minutes of a conference, held in Kirtland, Ohio, May 22nd 1841

At A general conference of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held in Kirtland, Ohio, commencing on Saturday May 22, 1841, Elder Almon Babbit, being unanimously chosen Chairman and W. W. Phelps, appointed Clerk.-The solemnities began with singing and prayer. The chairman explained the business of the conference relative to a re-organization, and resigned his office of president of this stake, that the conference might exercise its full right, and choose its own officers from head to foot.

Adjourned one hour.

Met pursuant to adjournment, and opened with singing and prayer.

Appointed a committee of three viz: Thomas Burdick, Zebidee Coltrin and Hiram Winters, to examine candidates for ordination.

The chairman read the several acts incorporating the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints in Kirtland, together with a code of bye-laws [by-laws], which were accepted and adopted unanimously.

Elder Babbitt was then nominated for the president or presiding elder of the stake in Kirtland; but he declined, yet, after some discussion, was unanimously elected. Elder Babbit nominated for his counsellors [counselors] Elders Lester Brooks and Zebidee Coltrin, who were unanimously elected.

Thomas Burdick was nominated and unanimously elected Bishop of Kirtland. He nominated Elders Hiram Winters and Reuben McBride for counsellors [counselors], who were unanimously elected. The president's counsellors [counselors], bishop and his counsellors [counselors] were then ordained to their several offices.

The High Priest quorum, Hiram Kellogg, president, and John Knapp and Joseph Pine, as counsellors [counselors], were unanimously accepted by the conference.-The members of the quorum, consisting of six, were also unanimously accepted, save Martin Harris who had one vote against him.

The Elders' quorum., Amos Babcock, president, and Otis Hobart, and Thomas Green as counsellors [counselors], were unanimously accepted: The members, forty three in number, were unanimously accepted also; save the following exceptions, viz: Lehasa Hollister was rejected but finally accepted,

Robert Greenhalgh, Phineas Young, Justice Blood, (to be visited) Ira Bond, David Holman, Andrew Hartsman Darias Phillips, and Solon Bragg, were rejected.

Adjourned till 10 o'clock, A. M. tomorrow morning.

Sunday May 23. Met pursuant to adjournment. Opened with singing and prayer.

Elder Babbitt delivered a discourse on baptism for the dead, from 1 Peter 4:6, to a very large audience, setting forth that doctrine as compatible with the mercy of God, and grand council of heaven.

After an hour's intermission, Elder W. W. Phelps continued the same subject from 1 Corinthians 15:22, bringing scripture upon scripture to prove the consistency of this doctrine, as among the economy of God and power of salvation.

Elder Brooks and Adams bore testimony to the truth of what had been advanced as self-evident and self important to let the prisoners go free: after which the sacrament was administered. Adjourned till 8 o'clock to-morrow A. M.

Monday, May, 24, Met pursuant to adjournment. Opened with singing and prayer. Minutes read.

The committee on ordinations reported two candidates for the high priesthood; three for the office of elder; one for priest and one for teacher.

After finishing the business of the elders quorum, it was resolved unanimously, that, as W. W. Phelps had been received into standing and fellowship, by the church at Nauvoo, Ill., he be also received into the same standing and fellowship, according to his "anointing" by the church at Kirtland, and that he receive a letter of commendation from this conference, as he is about to visit the churches east.

Nehemiah Greenhalgh as president, and James Crumpton and John Craig, as counsellors [counselors] were elected to preside in the lesser priesthood, and ordained. Resolved that the bishop organize the remaining two quorums of teachers and deacons hereafter.