--- title: Times and Seasons description: Issues of 1841 to 1842. 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: 3 number: 1 published: 1841-11-15 publisher: E. Robinson and D. C. Smith; later John Taylor publisher_place: Commerce and Nauvoo, Illinois language: en type: article reference: "“Kirtland Conference Minutes,” *Times and Seasons* 3, no. 1 (November 15, 1841): 587–591." printed_title: Kirtland Conference Minutes. source: url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1841-11-15_3_1 transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v3n01.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_1841-11-15_3_1 start_page: 587 end_page: 591 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_1841-11-15_3_1 publication_year: 1841 --- # Kirtland Conference Minutes Saturday, Oct. 2, 1841. Conference commenced pursuant to adjournment. Elder Almon Babbitt was unanimously chosen chairman and Elder W. W. Phelps, appointed clerk. The olemnities [solemnities] were opened with singing and prayer. Resolved unanimously that Elder Jeremiah Knight, Samuel Phelps, and Edwin Cadwell, be appointed a committee to examine candidates presented for ordination. The chairman then read the 2nd section of the 2nd part of the book of Doctrine and Covenants, explained the relative situation of Kirtland as connected with the gathering of the last days; and laid before the conference, for consideration, the most important items of business-to wit: to aid the poor-for without charity our professions were vain; our gatherings were vain; our teachings were vain, and our religion was vain; "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father, is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world," &c. &c. To be more careful in the selection of competent Elders to preach the gospel in cities and town of notoriety, that the cause may continue to triumph, though met by Demetriuses, Alaxanders [Alexanders], Simon Maguses, and many seven sons of Sceva. And to establish a press at Kirtland, the more effectually to promulgate the gospel; as it is already well known that the press can spread the principles of religion farther and faster, through the medium of mail, than the orator in the pulpit. Many other topics were alluded to, for instruction. Adjourned for one hour. Met according to adjournment, and opened with singing and prayer. Resolved that John Morton be appointed clerk of the church at Kirtland till next conference. Resolved that Almon Babbitt as chairman, and Lester Brooks as clerk, be appointed to sign licenses of the official members of the branch or stake of the church; and that W. W. Phelps be appointed recorder to record said licenses. Resolved that money be raised to purchase a horse and waggon [wagon] for the use of the bishop in gathering for, and distributing to the poor. Resolved that Elders Samuel Phelps, Hugh Cole, and John Gaylord, be appointed a committee to travel, in the adjacent branches, and collect alms for the poor. On the subject of the press at Kirtland-to promulgate the principles of pure religion, as well through the medium of the press, as the pulpit, and the more advantageously to aid our brethren of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in the great gathering of these last days; and the better to overcome error with truth, and evil with good; and to assist the saints to add to their faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity; and to help spread the everlasting gospel, as well as warn this world of woes and wars to come; to note passing events; to give more light upon the plan of salvation, and to bring the "strong reasons" to show that the second coming of Christ, to reign upon the earth, is near. Resolved unanimously, that Thomas Burdick, the bishop of Kirtland, and his counsellors [counselors], be, and they are are hereby constituted a company, to establish a press at this place, to be owned in shares of from ten to one hundred dollars, by the subscribers, and that the said subscribers are to receive annually, from said establishment, for the use of said press and type, such sums as shall be equal to the unpaid interest of the money actually paid and vested in said establishment.-And what ever is donated, is to be held in trust and managed by the said company, for the benefit of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And said company shall publish a religious periodical entitled THE "OLIVE LEAF," Resolved unanimously that the saints in this and the adjacent branches be solicited to lend their aid to carry the above resolution into effct [effect] without delay. The proceedings of the Elder's quorum was received and accepted, and instructions given to the committee on ordinations, after which the conference adjourned till tomorrow morning at 10. There was preaching in the evening. Sunday Oct. 3rd. Met pursuant to adjournment. Elder Babbitt deliverd [delivered] a discourse on the subject of the gathering to a very crowded house. Adjourned for one hour. Met and Elder Phelps delivered a discourse on "Dispise [Despise] not prophesyings." The bishop addressed the audience in behalf of the poor, and in aid of the printing establishment. Adjourned. Evening Session; opened with singing and prayer. Resolved that Elder Pattengell, be sent to set in order the branch of the church at Brooklin, that Elder J. Knapp be sent to set in order the branch of the church at Nelson, and the J. Knight be sent to set in order the branch of the Church at Andover. The committee on ordinations, reported one for the office of the high priesthood; one for the office of an elder, and one for the office of priest, viz. Samuel Phelps, J. Newman, and Daniel Carpenter. The representation of churches showed an increase of branches and members, but is omitted for the sake of brevity.-The remainder of the evening was occupied by Elder Brooks who gave a discourse on the restoration of the kingdom of Israel. (Acts 1,6) Resolves that these proceedings be published in the Times and Seasons. The spirit of God was in our midst; the greatest harmony prevailed, and a sincere love was manifested for the well being of Israel. Three were baptized. Adjourned till the 6th of April next at 10 o'clock A. M. ALMON BABBITT, Chairman. W. W. Phelps, Clerk. We give the above conference minutes an insertion, yet it will be seen by tho [the] following extract of a letter written by Pres't Hyrum Smith, to a member of the branch of the church, that the church in Kirtland have not acted according to the will of God, nor the council of the Church in this place. "All the saints that dwell in that land are commanded to come away, for this is, "Thus saith the Lord;' therefore pay out no monies [moneys] nor properties for houses, nor lands, in that country, for if you do, you will lose them; for the time shall come that you shall not possess them in peace; but shall be scourged with a sore scourge; yet your children may possess them; but not until many years shall pass away; and; as to the organization of that branch of the church, it is not according to the spirit and will of God; and as to the designs of the leading members of that branch relative to the printing press, and the ordaining of Elders, and sending out Elders to beg for the poor, are not according to the will of God; and in these things they shall not prosper, for they have neglected the House of the Lord, the Baptismal Font, in this place, wherein their dead may be redeemed, and the key of knowledge that unfolds the dispensation of the fullness of times may be turned, and the mysteries of God be unfolded, upon which their salvation and the salvation of the world, and the redemption of their dead depends, for "Thus saith the Lord," "there shall not be a General Assembly for a general conference assembled together until the House of the Lord shall be finished, and the Baptismal Font, and if we are not diligent the church shall be rejected, and their dead also," "Saith the Lord," therefore, dear Brother, any proceedings otherwise than to put forth their hands with their might to do this work, is not according to the will of God, and shall not prosper; therefore tarry, not in any place whatever, but come forth unto this place from all the world, until it is filled up, and polished, and sanctified according to my word, saith the Lord, come ye forth from the ends of the earth, that I may hide you from mine indignation that shall scourge the wicked, and then I will send forth and build up Kirtland, and it shall be polished and refined according to my work; therefore, your doings and your organizations, and designs in printing, or any of your councils, are not of me, saith the Lord even so, Amen HYRUM SMITH, Patriarch for the whole church. Springdale, Hamilton county, Ohio, September 4th 1841. Dear and much respected Brother, E. Robinson. By the direction of the Clerk of this Branch of the Church, I now sit down to draw off the minutes of our last Conference which was held on the 4th inst. at the house of Bro. Daniel Burch, in Springdale Township, Hamilton county. 10 o'clock A. M. The members of the Mill Creek Branch of the Church, met according to a previous arrangement, and Bro. H. Miller delivered a discourse on the promise that God made to Abraham. Adjourned till 3 o'clock P. M. Met pursuant to adjournment, when the Conference was organised [organized] as follows: Brother Andrew L. Lamoreaux was unanimously chosen to preside; Arthur Manfort and James Cublertson [Culbertson ?] were chosen Clerks. There were present, Bro. H. Miller and Bro. Leach, from Nauvoo, Bro. J. Bair and Bro. Julius Granard from Switzerland co., Indiana, Bro. J. Clark from the Cincinnati Branch, Bro. James Culbertson from the Licking Branch, Kentucky, and a number of brethren and sisters. After due consideration the following resolutions passed the Conference unanimously: Resolved 1st. That the Mill Creek Branch and the Mason Branch be united into one, called the Millcreek Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Resolved 2nd. That Dr. Henry Johnson be ordained to the office of an Elder. Br. A. L. Lamoreaux then read the account of the rise of the Church, from the Book of Covenants, and spoke to some length on the order and authority of the same. Bro. H. Miller then rose and acquiesced in the remarks made by Bro. A. L. Lamoreaux, and then proceeded to lay the business of his mission before the Conference, which was done in an able manner; after which, Conference adjourned till seven o'clock P. M. Met persuant [pursuant] to adjournment. Opened by singing, and prayer by Bro. Leach. The official members present spoke and gave testimony to the truth of the work; after which the following branches were represented: Bro. A. L. Lamoreaux represented the Mill Creek Branch, consisting of about 30 members, including 1 Elder, 2 Priests and 3 Teachers, all in good standing. Bro Josiah Clark represented the Cincinnati Branch, consisting of 41 members, including 4 Elders, 1 Priest, 1 Teacher, and 1 Deacon, all in good standing. Bro. James Culberson [Culbertson ?] represented the Licking Branch, in Kentucky, consisting of 9 members, including 3 Elders, all in good standing. Bro. John Bair represented the Switzerland county Branch, Indiana, consisting of 23 members in good standing; after which, Bro. Johnson was ordained to the office of an Elder. The remainder of the evening was spent in singing and prayer; speaking in tongues, and the interpretation; also the gift of healing was manifested; much of the spirit was enjoyed. Conference adjourned till 10 o'clock A. M. Sunday. Met according to adjournment. Opened by singing, and prayer by Bro. A. L. Lamoreaux, Bro. Leach preached on the principles of the gospel, to a large audience. Bro. Bair followed and spoke on the same subject or continued it. Adjourned for one hour. Met at 2 o'clock P. M. Meeting commenced by singing and prayer; after which, Bro. A. L. Lamoreaux spoke on the second coming of Christ. Adjourned till 7 o'clock P. M. Met according to adjournment. Bro. Miller preached on the gathering of Israel to a large congregation. Conference then adjoarned [adjourned]. The Brethren from the different Branches expressed a great want of preaching. The doors for preaching are opening daily, as the harvest is truly great; my prayer to God is the He may send forth more laborers into the vineyard. Since the conference I have baptised [baptized] 4; Bro. John Bair has baptised [baptized] 8 in Switzerland county, Ia; he also gives the account of a great door being opened there for preaching. Yours truly, A. L. LAMOREAUX. Vinal Haven, South Fox Island, Waldo co., Main [Maine], Sep. 25th 1841. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints met according to appointment, on this day at 2 o'clock P. M., on the premises of Elder Oliver Brown, in conference. After singing, and prayer by A. Dixon, proceeded to organise [organize] the conference. Elder A. Dixon was unanimously chosen to preside, and C. C. Pendleton was chosen clerk. Accusation was brought against Elder Oliver Brown, for improper conversation at town meeting, but in consequence of absence of some individuals, farther proceedings was defered [deferred] until some future time. The several Elders then present told their determinations to promulgate the gospel of Christ, according to the sacred scriptures and abilities that God should give unto them, and abide the covenants and commandments, given to this church through our beloved Brother Joseph Smith. Elder Otis Shaw was appointed clerk of the Branch of the Church on Vinal Haven, (Fox Island.) After some appropriate remarks by A. Dixon, conference adjourned till to-morrow [tomorrow] morning at 10 o'clock. Sunday morning, conference met persuant [pursuant] to adjournment. Meeting commenced by the members present singing a hymn, after which the first chapter of Micah was read, and prayer by Elder Otis Shaw. The conference was then addressed on the subject of the Priesthood, by Elder A. Dixon, (which was truly instructive,) from 1st Peter 2nd Chap. and 5th verse, after which, conference adjourned one hour. Two o'clock, P. M., Conference met persuant [pursuant] to adjournment. Meeting commenced by reading the 7th Chapter of Hebrews by A. Dixon, and introductory prayer by C. C. Pendleton, after which a discourse was delivered by Elder A. Dixon on a Literal Judgment. The Branch of the Church of Christ on Vinal Haven was then represented by Elder Otis Shaw, consisting of 5 Elders, 1 Teacher, 1 Deacon, 96 members, including 4 on the Isle of Hant. The Branch of the Church on the Main Land in the counties of Waldo and Lincoln, represented by Elder Levi Gray, consisting of 3 Elders, 1 Priest, 1 Teacher, and 40 members. Three members were then presented for ordination and accepted, viz: Thomas Brown, Priest; Thomas Garret, Teacher; Joseph Colymore, Deacon, who were accordingly ordained. Minutes of the conference were then read and accepted by the conference. A vote was then passed to transmit a copy of said proceedings to the Church at Nauvoo. The sacrament was then administered, and the conference adjourned to meet in Hope, Waldo county, Maine, on the twenty fifth of December next, at 10 o'clock A. M. ALFRED DIXON, President. C. C. PENDLETON, Clerk.