Conference Proceedings

Minutes of a conference held at Kirtland, on the Sixth day of April, A. D. 1843; in the Lord's House.

Lyman Wight of the quorum of the Twelve, received the appointment to preside in this conference; whereupon, he arose and informed the brethren that Alexander Badlam would remain a standing clerk for him in all the conferences attended by us; keeping a full account of all matters of importance transacted during our mission and until our return to the city of Nauvoo; yet it would be necessary to appoint another to sit with him at this time. Thomas Kerr accepted this appointment, all of which appointments were unanimous.

Prayer was offered by President Brooks, and the attention of the congregation solicited by the president of the conference, who proceeded to make known the object of the same, and also read from the book of Doctrine and Covenants concerning the calling of the Twelve; saying they were called to be special witnesses in all the world, of the name of Christ, and although many have been the operations of aspiring men to destroy their influence and character, as also that of Joseph Smith, yet they have never been able to effect their purpose, although some may triumph in a supposed victory over the head of their benefactors; even those from whom they have received the little intelligence they possess concerning the things of God, they treat with contempt and ingratitude, by taking the same knowledge to combat the one who brought it forth; yet God will do as he always has done, sustain the man of his own choosing, while those who on the other hand exalt themselves, must surely be abased. Some have talked of fallen prophets. Show me a man of this description and you show me a character of whom the Bible gives no account. I challenge the world to produce the history of a fallen prophet of God. Some may inquire, will God speak through sinful man? If not I doubt very much whether he has spoken through man in ages past, or that he ever will to any that now dwell on the earth. But some may say, who can believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the Most High? I will ask, who would have believed a few months since, while he in a company with others, were surrounded by an infuriated mob, placed under the sentence of death, surrounded by a strong guard, with rifles cocked, and guns with bayonets; waiting only the command of his most bitter enemies to shed his blood, that he at this moment should be found standing in the midst of a more numerous host of real friends than any other man on earth; who would have supposed a few years since that one whom all the world proclaimed to be a fool, should rise from obscurity and become the wonder of the nations of the earth: who would have even dared to believe it possible for him to triumph over more than thirty different law suits, planted by the most ingenious of his enemies, and raise his triumphant brow above the pelting waves of slang and persecution, and hurl their anathamas [anathemas] back with ten fold vigor; sweeping their flimsy charges to the winds; leaving the instigators to feel the smart of their own imprudence: who would have believed for a moment, that a youth in the midst of veteran heads, whom age had silvered o'er, whose days and years had been devoted to the most profound studies of the age, would stand as an instructor to them, while thousands upon thousands arise with one consent, declaring the things of which he testifies to be the eternal truths of heaven. I ask again who would have believed that all the learning of the age in which we live, the influence of every religious denomination, the power of every press, the calumny of every apostate, with all their power combined, has never been sufficient to impede the progress of the modern prophet. I ask where is the man who could have believed all this; and answer, none but those who are taught of God. I therefore ask who shall speak against him? who shall speak against the man of God? But some will ask, how may we

know whether revelations be of God or not?-I know of only two ways to prove them. The first, to lay hold upon them by obedience; the second, by waiting until the time specified for them to be fulfilled, shall arrive. The manner in which I have been made acquainted with the revelations in times past is the former, but should any of my hearers be more inclined to skepticism than myself, I should not feel myself authorised [authorized] to deprive them of the privilege of waiting to witness the fulfillment of the prophesies of the servants of God before they perform those things which are required at their hands; yet if men have ever been able to obtain salvation by taking a course like this, I have yet that thing to learn; for the experience of twelve years past, in being sent from place to place, and under the most embarrassing circumstances, has taught me a lesson on this point that could be known in no other way. It would have been impossible for me to have known that I could go to the State of Missouri by way of Detroit, Michigan, building up churches by the way, according to a revelation given June 1831, not having in my possession means to defray the expenses of a journey which would be attended by the most forbidding appearances on every hand, had I remained at home, in order to first ascertain the truth of this prediction which had been placed upon my head. If I had refused to obey this commandment, how could I stand before you as I do this day, and say, all has been fulfilled, even to the very letter, which was spoken concerning myself? or how should I even know the revelation to be of God, without witnessing his approbation? In every move which I have made to comply with this requirement, or otherwise, I have contented myself in waiting for this knowledge when God shall send forth judgment unto victory according to this revelation. I hold it as my right and privilege to know for myself who is the prophet of God, and am then bound to receive the words of God at his mouth, and shall do so, regardless of the opinions or suppositions of men.

For a man to say, if I knew, I would obey, I will ask, how shall a man know, if he is not willing to obey? and what evidence has a man that he is himself willing to obey, unless he shall do the things that are right? or how shall he know that the things which he does are right, if he can receive no commandment of God? If he does not believe it possible to be instructed of God in the way of his duty, then away with the foolish doctrine, that a person must remain in ignorance, while very means of obtaining knowledge has been given the human family that the benevolence and boundless mercy of God could provide.

I find many of the elders who are pouncing away at the sectarians for their unbelief, and yet if I tell them I have seen a broken arm healed, they are ready to ask if I might not be mistaken? Oh! where is faith? or I might ask, where is common sense? Many will say the ancient prophets and apostles were men of greater faith than those at the present time. I am ready to meet all men on the same principle, with the Bible in one hand, the Book of Mormon in the other, and the Book of Covenants before me. Give me, as Moses had, 2,300,000 men, and see if the waters are not divided.-Give me the united band of Saints, like those in the days of the apostles, and see if the lame do not leap: for when the time arrives that men are willing to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, then will the sick be healed, and the lame will leap:-but while the poor are crying for bread, how shall the servants of God be able to have the same faith that once came among men in consequence of their having been willing to impart of their substance to relieve the distressed. How long shall thy voice, O Lord, be heard from the heavens "Build unto my name an house?" How long, O Lord, shall the voice of the widow cry on the earth, "feed me, for I am hungry?" How long shall the wicked say "show me a sign, that I may believe!" while they themselves are unwilling to impart of the smallest portion of their earthly treasures, and save their fellow men from the jaws of death, by the use of those things which have already been put within our power; for be assured, it is the height of presumption to ask at the hand of God to perform for us a thing which we can do ourselves.

It should be remembered, also, that all men will receive those things for their reward which they esteem of the greatest importance and value. And should we grasp the riches of the world, in hopes of obtaining eternal life, we miss the prize: or strive to be put in possession of a knowledge of the truth, and after receiving the satisfaction required should suffer worldly interests to swerve us from our purpose, we do no better. A man will ever cling to that he loves the most. I find many who seem very anxious to know what will become of their property. I cannot tell them; but one thing I am sure-either the Lord or the Devil will have the disposal of it. But do not blame me. Do not meet me in the streets of Nauvoo, and call me a hypocrite, because I have told you these things in so plain a manner, you cannot misunderstand: for I tell you again and again, if you

love your property more than God, hold on to it-enjoy it as long as possible in those places that you find the most pleasantly situated to your own minds; and never charge the servants of God with the crime of leading you away from your pleasant homes, contrary to your own wishes.

Some complain that I am not smooth enough. If you wish to have smooth things, you must not place me to preside; for I shall say whatever the Lord puts in my heart: for that which pleases Him, that shall I speak.-The reason I did not teach you any more last fall concerning the gathering, is that the time had not then come. I wish also to give to all a portion in due season. The season has now arrived that you should be instructed more perfectly. I then told you not to leave this place until you were instructed by revelation; but you knew not that I had the revelation with me: but you may depend on hearing it before I leave. And I have no doubt you are all well satisfied concerning the object that lies before us, which is to devise means to effect a removal of the church from this place to the city of Nauvoo. I shall, therefore, call on all, to know who are willing to go, and are desirous so to do; that we may know what farther arrangements to make for that purpose. Some have had fears that they would go in haste or by flight. Brethren here need have no fears on this point respecting the past, but as it regards the future. One of you might break this commandment as well in a year from this time by going in haste or by flight, as to do it this day. If being expeditious is breaking the commandment, to be driven by a mob would cause a man to break the commandment, for he surely would be under the necessity of moving quite sprightly. Therefore, if any one is afraid of breaking this law by going in haste, I would advise them to go while they have a chance to go in peace, unless they think by stoping [stopping] a few years longer they can be better prepared: but my opinion is, they will be altogether better prepared to stay where they are after that length of time. I wish those who say they are not able, would be honest, and say they are not willing, until they can have enough to make them popular when they get among the brethren. Oh! what a set of disciples! Who would not be a Mormon, if we could all get rich? Yet some will step up and say, I am going to build up Zion. But where are your widows? Oh! we have left them behind; I suppose the angels will attend them! But I shall inform you that the servants of God will do it themselves: for as I have said, so say I again. It is presumptuous to require the Lord to do a thing we are not willing to do ourselves. Let me inform you that no man can ever be admitted into the kingdom of heaven who loves his earthly treasure more than he loves the cause of the poor and the needy, the widow and the fatherless, and the commandments of Jesus Christ: for it is vain for men to flatter themselves with a hope of salvation while bidding defiance to the most sacred ties which have and always will bind the Saints to each other in the bonds of charity stronger than the bonds of death; for "he that seeth his brother stand in need," &c., how dwelleth the love of God in him?

If I speak to plain on these points, you must call on some one who understands your wishes better than myself; for I have made no enquiry [inquiry] concerning the things which would be most pleasing to you. Neither shall I; but shall endeavor to fulfil [fulfill] the commandment given to me, that I should CONTINUE to labor for Zion. I therefore pursue the same course which I have the twelve years that are past, and have no position to change my course until the Lord shall tell me what to do. My object is, and has been ever since our first settling in Jackson county Missouri, to devise means for our present and eternal good; even as men who have lived in past ages, who were called and inspired of God: and with me it is a matter of the highest importance and concern, to prepare a place of residence for this tabernacle-a habitation of safety in a time to come-by obeying the commandment which now lies before us, and gather to the place which has been appointed of God. A motion was then made by Alexander Badlam and seconded by Orange L. Wight, that all who are present who are of the same mind with the President of this conference, and are perfectly willing and determined to comply with this commandment and do all they can for the promotion of so good an object, will manifest the same by standing on their feet; whereupon a unanimous vote was taken to that effect.

The idea was then suggested that a vote be taken in order to ascertain who had teams, and who had not. It was found that twenty persons had no teams. It was recommended by elder Wight, that such means be taken as will be the most conducive to the general good of the church, the interest of one man being the interest of the whole body, and whether the church go up either by land or by water, there should be a concert of effort. It was unanimously agreed upon that such a course be pursued as had been recommended at the close of the first day of conference. Four persons were appointed to baptize during the same, viz: John Young, Alexander Badlam, Reuben McBride

and Orange L. Wight. The services of the day were then closed by singing and prayer.

APRIL 7TH.

At the opening of the services of this day, a privilege was given for the introduction of any business the brethren might wish to present.-No business being presented, elder Wight proceeded again to instruct the church, touching the subject of christianity, or what it requires to constitute a christian; observing:

There is but one class of christians that will be saved; and those not inconsequence [inconsequent] of having connected themselves with any religious sect or denomination whatever. Neither is any thing acceptable as a religion in the sight of God, which in the least point falls short of that system which he has himself instituted for the express purpose of saving mankind: consequently we have no more to do than to make ourselves acquainted with His mind and will concerning us, and then that we fail not to obey all His precepts, which if we do not, we have no assurance of eternal life, however great our professions or pretensions may be. It is a common saying among men "we do not believe such and such doctrines," as their salvation and that also of their fellow men was suspended alone on their peculiar notions of right and wrong, entirely independent of the sayings of inspired men, or even the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Nothing can be more ridiculous or disgusting to a man of intelligence, than to hear an individual who professes no inspiration at all, attempting to make plain those things which they vainly suppose inspired. Men have failed to do, notwithstanding they have been favored by the voice of God and the ministrations of holy messengers, whose office and business embrace the important mission of communicating knowledge to the vast family of man. How, then, if the inspired have failed to set before the world the plan of redemption, can the uninspired lead the human family into the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven? or will he not be rather an instrument to involve the minds of all who are willing to be led by one who makes no higher pretensions than to teach according to the dictates of his own limited conceptions into a most unsettled and equivocating condition? To that individual who supposes and explanation of the word of God is necessary, I would here say-what a great pity! what a vast mistake, that no uninspired man was called for when the ancient apostles and prophets received the word of God, to tell them what it meant!! Again: if the word of God is not to be understood as it is given (as the meaning is all we need,) we must come to the conclusion that the Bible is of no particular importance in this case. But I would ask, why would it not have been as easy for inspired men to have conveyed those ideas which they have communicated to the world, as they desired them to be understood, in the same number of letters that would be required in its present form; and thus save the world from a most intolerable inconvenience, and a burthen [burden] too grievous to be borne [born], if it be in fact that the Bible cannot be understood without a commentator. But for myself, I deem it very improper and unnecessary for men who are sent out to preach, to engage in so low and unrighteous a calling as to attempt to give interpretations on those points which inspired men have failed to do, unless they are endowed with as much at least, if not more of the spirit of revelation than those whose testimony may be found in the Bible, or any sacred scripture. I, therefore, recommend to all who would wish to become successful in the ministry, to content themselves by preaching such things as are plain and easy to be understood. Nothing is more certain than that a man will come to shame and disgrace who attempts to interfere in matters which have not been entrusted to his charge Neither is it the duty of young and inexperienced elders to preside over grey [gray] heads, fathers and mothers, or to knock pipes from their mouths; or in their great zeal kick over their tea-pots. A man would not be considered wise who, on leading his horse to water, and on finding him unwilling to drink, would begin to apply the lash, in order to compel him.-Neither should a servant of God be found usurping power, or attempting to enforce, by compulsory means, any principle, although good, at a time or in a place where the circumstances do not admit, or necessity require.

It should never be forgotten that, to abase our fellow men by insulting remarks, or trample upon the tender feelings of the aged and infirm, is far, very far beneath the dignity of any person, much more a Saint of the Most High. Let every elder, therefore, observe a course of meekness and simplicity before all men, teaching nothing but those things which are easy to understand. And while men are crying "delusion," challenge them to the test; and while the name of Joseph Smith is mentioned a thousand times, the President of our Nation is only mentioned once, we have full proof that the attention of the whole world is beginning to be aroused: and I am fully in the belief that he is of more value than a thousand of his persecutors-and as the work of the last dispensation is more glorious than any former one, so shall his name be known before all others

and held in honor before all men; but more especially in the estimation of the wise and good.

After taking measures for the removal of the church in this place, to the city of Nauvoo, the ordaining of elders, the confirming of members, blessing of children, the importance of building the houses, both Nauvoo House and Temple, the gathering of the Saints explained to the entire satisfaction of the congregation, and in short, every item for the good of this people, was set forth in meekness and power.

During the conference, about one hundred were baptised [baptized].

LYMAN WIGHT, President.

ALEXANDER BADLAM, }

THOMAS KERE, }Clerks.

To the Editor of the Times and Seasons:

DEAR SIR,-If you can find room in your paper for the annexed minutes of conference, you will confer a favor on many.

Yours in the bonds of the gospel,

L. D. FOSTER, Clerk.