Conference Minutes

Minutes of a conference of the elders of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held at Alexander, Genesee co. N. Y., on the 27-8 of August A. D. 1842.

The conference met according to previous adjournment and organized by calling Elder R. L. Young to the chair and C. R. Clark clerk; after which a hymn was then sung and the throne of Grace addressed by Elder Pelatiah Brown.

On motion said conference was adjourned to 1 o'clock P. M. Conference met according to adjournment, a hymn being sung and prayer by the president, conference proceeded to business.

Motioned and carried that the clerk take the names of all the official members present, which are as follows: high priest, Ezra Thayer: of the Seventy, Charles Thompson, Harmon H. Hill, Joel McWhithey: Elders, Geo. Thompson, Hiram Thompson, C. R. Clark, S. W. Disbrow, Nathan Hatch, - Taylor, Benjamin Waldron, Thomas Pearson, Pelatiah Brown, Geo. Brown, Rowland Cobb, Nathan Bradley, R. L. Young, R. D. Sprague: Priests, Miron Alger, John L. Bartholf, Alviras Webster, Daniel Adams: Teachers, Silas Alger, Joseph Shamp, Joseph Shadbolt, Linus Whiting, James E. Herrington: Deacons Samuel Mott, Isaiah Call.

Representation of the several branches belonging to said conference.

Alexander branch represented by Samuel Mott, consists of 24 members, 2 elders, 1 deacon.

Batavia branch represented by S. W. Disbrow, consists of 22 members, 2 elders, 1 priest, 1 teacher.

Acron branch represented by James E. Herrington, consists of 9 members, 1 elder, 1 priest.

Charlotte Centre branch represented by Thomas Pearson, consists of 16 members, 3 elders.

Attica branch represented by Alviras Webster, consists of 13 members, 1 priest, 1 teacher.

Castile branch represented by Benjamin Waldron, consists of 5 members, 2 elders, 1 teacher. Also 4 members, living near by.

Bennington branch represented by Joel McWhithey, consists of 24 members, 2 elders, 1 deacon.

Sparta branch represented by R. L. Young, consists of 13 members, 2 elders, 1 deacon; 2 moved away since last conference.

Loon Lake branch represented by R. L. Young, consists of 6 members, 2 elders.

Howard and Bath branches represented by R. L. Young, consist of 25 members, 1 priest, 1 teacher.

In Burns are 2 members and 1 elder.

In Grove are 5 members and 1 teacher.

In Granger are 2 members and 1 elder.

Conference then adjourned to Br. Geo. Thompson's at early candle light.

Opened agreeable to adjournment: after singing and prayer, conference proceeded to business.

Moved and carried that no elder or priest belonging to any of the branches under the jurisdiction of this conference, go beyond the jurisdiction of his branch to preach and build up the church without a recommend from said conference; and that no officer shall hereafter be ordained to any of the above branches except for the express purpose of presiding over or in said branch without the voice of the conference.

Motioned and carried that Richard D. Sprague and Rowland Cobb have a recommend to build up the church in the regions round about.

Motioned and carried that Hiram Thompson, Silas S. Davis and R. L. Young retain their recommends received last conference.

Moved and carried that we acknowledge Elder Charles Thompson in authority to travel in all the branches in this conference, teaching them the order of the kingdom, organizing and regulating the officers of the same, and to preside over them while with them, and to gather up the scattered members and officers and attach them to some branch or organize them by themselves.

Moved and carried that S. W. Disbrow retain his former appointment as to receiving donations for the building of the Temple at Nauvoo, and that he forward the said donations to the Trustee in Trust, when he shall have convenient opportunity and receive receipts which he shall present at the next conference.

Conference then adjourned to meet on the 28th at the meeting house at Alexander Centre at 9 o'clock A. M.

Met agreeable to adjournment. A hymn sung and prayer made by Elder Charles Thompson, followed by a discourse delivered by Elder Pelatiah Brown on the resurrection. A discourse was delivered in the afternoon by Elder Charles Thompson on the subject of faith.

Conference adjourned to meet Elder Geo. Thompson's at early candle light.

Met according to adjournment, a hymn sung and the throne of Grace addressed by the president.

Motioned and carried that we give our vote of thanks by letter to the Rev. Mr. Bunker, minister of the Universalist church of Alexander, and the members of the same for their kindness in granting to this conference the use of their house of worship and candid attention during the conference: also his kind invitation in inviting us to attend his meetings, which will be accepted when convenient.

Moved and carried that Miron Alger, priest, have a recommend to go forth to preach and to build up according to his office.

Moved and carried that Hiram Thompson be the clerk in this conference until otherwise directed by the same, to receive, record and keep a memorandum of all the essential business done in said conference.

Motioned and carried that the president and clerk transcribe these minutes after their true meaning, and forward them to the editor of the "Times and Seasons" requesting them to be printed.

R. L. YOUNG, Pres.

CALVIN R. CLARK, Clerk.