Conference Minutes

Minutes of a Conference of Elders and members, of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, held in the city of Philadelphia, Saturday, October 17 th, 1840.

According to a previous appointment, the Conference convened at the Latter Day Saints Hall, on Third street above Willow, at 10 o' clock in the morning.

Thirteen Elders and five Priests being present, and a large concourse of Saints in Philadelphia, and from branches in the surrounding country being assembled. Elder O. Hyde of the quorum of the twelve being present, was unanimously chosen President, and L. Barnes, appointed Clerk of the Conference.

The Conference was opened with singing by the congregation, and reading a portion of the word of God, and prayer by the president.

After a very interesting and appropriate address to the Conference by President O. Hyde, upon the necessity of those holding the Priesthood being faithful in their calling; the Elders were called upon to represent the different branches of the church.

Elder L. Barnes represented the church in Philadelphia in a prosperous condition and numbering, including 3 Elders and 2 Priests, 250.

Elder George J. Adams represented the church in New York-in a flourishing condition. He stated that 3 places for regular preaching were now established in that city, and their prospects were never better before, nor as good, as at the present time; and that according to the best of his knowledge the church in New York, including 10 Elders, now numbers over 200 members.

Elder Adams also represented the church in Brooklyn, L. I. in a flourishing condition, consisting of 19 members, including 1 priest, 1 teacher, and 1 deacon. Also the church in Hempstead, L. I. in the care of Elder Lane, consisting of 50 members.

Elder Adams also, represented 3 other small branches of the church in Monmouth co. N. J. under the care of Elder J. G. Divine. One in Shrewsbury, containing 16 members. One at Keysport and Granville, numbering 13; including 1 deacon: and the other

at Shirk river of 6 members, including 1 deacon, (35 in all.) The last 2 branches named, having been built up since April last by Elder Divine. He stated that 7 had lately been baptized in the city of Newark, N. J; and gave a very glowing and cheering description of the spread of the work of God in the regions round about New York. He stated that he had preached to 5,000 persons at one time in the city of Newark, N. J., who listened with attention and apparent admiration and surprise to the everlasting gospel-and to use his own words, "the work of God was flourishing gloriously--the Macedonian cry was general; not to come over to Macedonia, but to come over to Brooklyn-and over on Long Island-come over to Elizabethtown-and to Newark, and to Jersey city, and let us hear the fulness (fullness) of the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed."

Whole number represented by Elder Adams, 311.

Conference adjourned for one hour and a half.

2 o' clock P. M. Conference again assembled.

Elder E. Malen represented the Brandywine church in Chester co. Pa., in a flourishing condition numbering 135 in good standing, including 4 Elders, 3 Priests, 1 teacher, and 1 deacon.

Elder A. Wilson represented the church on Cream Ridge N. J., and stated that according to the best of his knowledge it consisted of about 100 members in good fellowship, inclusive of 1 Elder, 1 priest, and 1 teacher.

President O. Hyde represented a branch of the church at Thomas River, N. J., of 16 members including 1 Elder and 1 priest.

Total number of members represented in the different branches--896; including 24 Elders, 11 priests, 6 teachers, and 5 deacons.

The subject of more perfectly organizing the church in Philadelphia was then presented before the Conference, and after some consideration, brother John Robinson (a priest,) was unanimously chosen for a presiding Elder, Edson Whipple for a priest, A. Cutts and Wm. H. Miles teachers, and J. Price and S. M. Reeve deacons, and James Nicholson was appointed Clerk of the church in the city of Philadelphia. President O. Hyde and L. Barnes then proceded [proceeded] to the ordination of those chosen.

Conference adjourned until 7 o' clock P. M. 8

7 o' clock P. M. Conference met pursuant to adjournment.

Brother James Whitesides (a priest) from the Brandywine church, and W. J. Appleby Esq. of N. J. were presented for ordination to the office of Elders, both being recommended were unanimously accepted.

President O. Hyde then delivered a very instructive charge to the young Elders, respecting their manner of teaching; J. Landis, J. Syphret, Wm. Small, and C. Hopkins, were then unanimously chosen to the office of Elders, to travel and proclaim the everlasting gospel. G. Chamberlain was chosen to be a priest, after which they were ordained by the spirit of prophesy and the laying on of hands, by President O. Hyde and L. Barnes.

The Conference then closed by singing and prayer.

On Sabbath morning the 18th a large and respectable congregation assembled to hear the word preached; and were addressed by Elder G. J. Adams, of New York: who delivered a very interesting discourse on the subject of the Book of Mormon: proving it to be true beyond the power of successful contradiction.

In the afternoon and evening the Latter Day Saints Hall, again was crowded with intelligent and attentive hearers. President O. Hyde preached with his usual energy, simplicity and eloquence; many were pricked in their hearts, and on Monday six came forward and obeyed the everlasting gospel. ORSON HYDE, pres't .

Lorenzo Barnes Cl'k

P. S. At a meeting of the Saints, held in Philadelphia, Thursday evening

Oct. 22nd. Resolved, that a Conference be held in the Brandywine church, Chester co., Pa., Jan. 2nd 1841.-And also, that our next general Conference be held in Philadelphia, April 6th, 1841.