Minutes of a conference held in Zarahemla, Iowa, August A. D. 1841

At a conference of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held in Zarahemla, Iowa, commencing on Saturday August 7th, 1841, Pres't John Smith being unanimously Chosen Chairman, and George W. Gee, appointed Clerk:

The solemnities began with singing and prayer, after which, Elder George A. Smith delivered a short address upon the melancholy news, (which had just reached us,) of the death of our much esteemed brother Elder Don C. Smith, Editor of the Times and Seasons. Elder John Taylor followed with a very able address upon the subject of the dispensation of the fullness of times, and exhorted the saints to heed the constituted authorities of the church.

Adjourned for one hour:

Met pursuant to adjournment and opened by singing and prayer-the chairman explained the business of the conference relative to its right of choosing its own officers from head to foot. President John Smith was then presented to the conference and unanimously acknowledged President of the stake in Iowa. Prest. Smith nominated for his counsellors [counselors] elders David Pettigrew and M. C. Nickerson, who were unanimously elected.

The members of the High Council were each presented and accepted by the conference, there being but nine, whereupon the elders John Killian, Rufus Fisher, and John Lowery, were unanimously elected to fill the Quorum of the High Council. Bishop Elias Smith was then presented and unanimously accepted by the conference, as Bishop of this stake; and Joseph B. Noble and Joseph Mecham jr. as bishop's counsellors [counselors]. Elder Lewis Zabriskie was presented and accepted by the conference, as Prest. of the Quorum of elders. Elder Zabriskie nominated Charles Patten for counsellor [counselor], in place of John Killian chosen High Counsellor [Counselor], who was unanimously elected-Elder Zabriskie then nominated Lewis S. Dalrymale for his other counsellor [counselor], in place of Jonathan Allen rejected, (in consequence of his living at a remote distance, and was not expecting to move on,) who was unanimously elected.

Adjourned till Monday 9th inst. at 10 o'clock A. M. in consequence of the funeral of Br. D. C. Smith of Nauvoo.

Met pursuant to adjournment, and opened by singing and prayer. George W. Gee was nominated and elected Church Recorder. Elder John Taylor then read a revelation to the conference, giving instruction to the saints in Iowa, and spoke at some length upon the subject, and was followed by the chairman and Elders E. Smith and W. Snow.

Adjourned for one hour.

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

Representation of Churches.

The Prest. and Counsellors [Counselors] of the Church in Iowa were represented as being in good standing-the chairman represented the High Council in good standing. The Bishop and Counsellors [Counselors] were represented in good standing, the Bishop represented the Lesser Priesthood containing 9 priests, 13 teachers, and 4 deacons, nearly all in good standing.-Elder Zabriskie represented the quorum of elders containing 20 members generally in good standing, Elder W. Snow represented the church at Zarahemla consisting of 326 members generally in good standing. Br. Forrister represented the branch at Siloam consisting of 67 members all but one in good standing; Bishop Smith represented the church at Nashville about 80 members generally in good standing. Geo. W. Gee represented the church at Ambrosia consisting of 109 members generally in good standing.-Bishop Smith represented the branch at the Mecham settlement consisting of about

65 members generally in good standing. Elder George W. Gee represented the branch in Keokuk Township consisting of about 13 members in good standing. Elder Stow represeted [represented] the church at Augusta consisting of 50 members all in good standing but one or two. Elder John Lowery represented a branch in Van Burn Township consisting of 11 members in good standing. Elder W. Baldwin represented the church on Chequest Creek in Van Buren county consisting of about 30 members generally in good standing. Total 750 members.

The conference by a unanimous vote resolved to uphold by the prayer of faith, Pres't. Joseph Smith, and to heed his counsel as a servant of God; a large number present agreed to move in and assist in building up Zarahemla.

Elder Taylor then made some very appropiate [appropriate] remarks upon the duty of the saints and admonished them very feelingly to obey all the commandments of God.

Resolved, That this church will not fellowship any person or persons who are in the habit of drinking ardent spirits, or keeping tipling [tippling] shops, and we will use our best endeavors to suppress it. Elders G. A. Smith and John Taylor spoke at some length upon the necessity of the saints contributing for the building of the Temple at Nauvoo, and for the support of the poor; the conference voted that they would contribute one tenth of their produce for the building of the Temple at Nauvoo.

Adjourned until 10 o'clock 15th inst.

Met pursuant to adjournment, opened by singing and prayer, minutes read-after which the names of those were taken who were willing to contribute for the building of the Temple, and give in [it] to Bishop Miller. Elder B. Young then made some very appropiate [appropriate] remarks upon the importance of the saints acting nobly, honorably, and uprightly, that they may be prepared to fill important and responsible stations.

Adjourned for one hour.

Met pursuant to adjournment, and opened by singing and prayer, a contribution was taken for the relief of the poor. A man by the name of Ellsworth was disfellowhshiped for not complying with the order of the meeting and insulting the chairman. Quite a number joined the church by letter. Elder B. Young then delived [delivered] a very able address adapted to the occasion, conference then adjourned.

John Smith, Chairman,

George W. Gee, Clerk.

Burslem, Staffordshire}

Eng. June 29th, 1841}

Dear Brethren,

Feeling it is cheering, to the saints, and especially to you, to hear of the spread of truth throughout the land, I now communicate to you some information of the progress of the work of the Lord in this part of the vineyard.

On Sunday, the 27th of June, the Staffordshire Conferance [Conference] met according to adjournment, at Burslem in the Assembley [Assembly] Room, there being present two high priest, 11 elders, 17 priests 10 teachers, 5 deacons. The meeting was called to order by Elder J. Johnson, at one half past 10 o'clock; Elder A. Cordon chosen President, Elders O. Shaw, and T. J. Filcher Clerks. Meeting opened by prayer by the president; 13 branches of the church were represented consisting of 481 members, 18 elders, 46 priests, 21 teachers, 10 deacons; there was then ordained 1 elder 6 priests 2 teachers. The meeting adjourned untill [until] one half past two o'clock. Met persuent [pursuant] to adjournment.

The conference then proceeded to withdraw fellowship from 2 officers and 4 members for unchristian like conduct. Suitable instructions were then given, by Elders A. Cordon, J. P. Smith, and W. Bradbury. The conference adjourned for three months and dissolved by prayer.

Alfred Cordon Pres't,

O. Shaw,}

T. J. Filcher,} Clerks