--- title: Times and Seasons description: Issues of 1842 to 1843. 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: 4 number: 19 published: 1843-08-15 publisher: E. Robinson and D. C. Smith; later John Taylor publisher_place: Commerce and Nauvoo, Illinois language: en type: article reference: "“General Conference Minutes,” *Times and Seasons* 4, no. 19 (August 15, 1843): 300–302." printed_title: GENERAL CONFERENCE MINUTES. source: url: https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_times-and-seasons_1843-08-15_4_19 transcription: Text from the Centerplace.org transcription (https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v4n19.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_1843-08-15_4_19 start_page: 300 end_page: 302 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 1843 (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_1843-08-15_4_19 publication_year: 1843 --- # General Conference Minutes At a general Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, agreeable to adjournment from January Conference, held at the house of sister Monroe, in the city of Utica, New Work, on Saturday the 29th day of July, 1843, commencing at 11 o'clock. A. M. Elder John J. Green was unanimously called to the chair, and elder E. P. Maginn was chosen secretary. The meeting opened with singing and prayer by elder Green. The president then in a very brief and appropriate manner, set forth the object of the conference, and of the great importance of conferences in general, being for the purpose of transacting business pertaining to the kingdom of God, and of assisting in rolling it forth in the earth-made a strong appeal to the saints to assist in its accomplishment will all their powers, both mental and physical; also the necessity of building the Temple and Nauvoo House. It was motioned and seconded that the secretary read the minutes of the last conference held in Utica. After the reading of the minutes by the secretary, it was Resolved that the elders be called upon to present their credentials to this conference. The secretary then arose and read an especial appointment that he had received from the first presidency [presidency], and the quorum of the twelve, signed by the president and secretary of the twelve, to take the charge and preside over the church in the city of Boston, Lowel and Peterboro. The secretary then read the credentials of elders John P. Green, James Emett, Alfred Dixon, James Gifford and John Cairns. Motioned and seconded that this conference accept the recommend and standing of elder Alfred Dixon as being good. Motioned and seconded that elder Alfred Dixon be appointed to go and labor in Saratoga county, New York, with permission to visit Maine. The president then spoke at considerable length upon the authority of high priests, and showed that they had not authority to enter into branches and preside over them, unless they had been apponted [appointed] for that purpose, or by request. Elder Cairns then arose and testified to the same subject, and was followed by elder E. P. Maginn, who illustrated the subject, and bore his testimony to the same. On motion, resolved that E. P. Maginn he appointed to preach Sunday a. m. in the City Hall, and in the evening at the Universalist church, on the necessity of revelation and its connection with the work of God in all ages; also that elder John Cairns preach Sunday p. m. in the City Hall. On motion, resolved that the conference adjourn, to meet at three o'clock, P. M. The conference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened by singing and prayer by elder Carns [Cairns]. Elder Green's recommends were read by the secretary, when elder Green arose and gave a brief and interesting account of his labors from the time he left Nauvoo. On motion, resolved that we accept the appointment and standing of elder E. P. Maginn. Carried unanimously. On motion, resolved that elder J. P. Green's recommend and standing be accepted. Carried unanimously. Motioned and seconded that elder James Emmett's recommend and standing be accepted.-Carried. Motioned and seconded that James Gifford's recommend and standing be accepted. Carried. Motioned and seconded that elder John Cairn's recommend and standing be accepted.-Carried. Motioned and seconded that Jacob Boyce's recommend and standing be accepted. Carried. Motioned and seconded that elder John W. Legar's license and standing be accepted. Carried. Motioned and seconded that elder Benjamin Stafford's licence [license] and standing be accepted.-Carried. Motioned and seconded that elder Miron Higby receive a licence [license] from this conference. Carried. Motioned and seconded that elder Palmer H. Steven's recommend and standing be accepted. Carried. Motioned and seconded that elder Justice Chase's license, recommend and standing be accepted. Carried. The president then called for the representations of the different branches. Elder Gifford represented the East Hamilton branch, consisting of fifty-five members, one elder, two priests and one teacher. Elder Higby represented the West Boonville branch consisting of thirty-three members, two elders, one priest, two teachers. Edward M. Fuller represented the Saratoga County branch, consisting of eighteen members, one priest, one teacher and one deacon. Elder A. Dixon represented six members in Saratoga county, not organized. Elder Boyce represented the branch of Utica, consisting of forty-seven members, four elders one priests, two teachers and one deacon. On motion, resolved that this conference adjourn to eight o'clock P. M.. Carried. Met pursuant to notice, and opened with prayer by elder Green. An interesting discourse was then delivered by elder Cairns, on the subject of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Motioned and seconded that brother Henry Leonard and Joseph Stow be ordained to the office of a priest, and brother Caleb Hall be ordained to the office of an elder, Carried. Elder Boyce presented the case of elder Samuel Savery, who has been appointing meetings within the limits of this conference without reporting himself to the same, and is teaching doctrine repugnant to the church of Christ. Elder Green followed upon the same subject, and gave a number of important proceedings, sufficient to convince the conference of his insanity. Motioned and seconded that elder Samuel Savery be disfellowshipped by this conference. and that elder Boice [Boyce] be appointed to demand his license, and refer him to Nauvoo for trial. Motioned and seconded that elder John W. Legar be appointed to preside over the Utica branch. Carried unanimously. Motioned and seconded that brother George Goodwin be ordained a teacher, and brother Thomas Stafford be ordained a deacon; carried. On motion, resolved that elder Jacob Boyce receive a letter of commendation from the church, such as the secretary shall approve.-Signed by the president and secretary. Motioned and seconded that brother William Legar be appointed clerk of this branch; carried. On motion, resolved that elder E. P. Maginn be appointed to preach in the City Hall in the forenoon, and elder Cairns in the afternoon, that elder E. P. Maginn preach in the Universalist House in the evening. On motion, resolved that the minutes of this conference be accepted, and transmitted to Nauvoo, with a request that they be published in the Times and Seasons. Carried. During intermission on Sunday, elder E. P. Maginn baptised [baptized] three individuals. JOHN P. GREEN. President. E. P. MAGINN, Secretary. DEAR BROTHER:- It is one year and eight months since the sound of the fullness of the gospel was first heard in this place Up to this time, a deeprooted sectarian prejudice against us, remained upon the minds of the people: but through our faith and perseverance, and most of all, through the blessings of heaven, we were enabled to allay the prejudice against us, to a great extent, and to as we fondly hope, indellibly [indelibly] impress upon the minds of the honest-hearted, the sublime truths of the new covenant. Elder E. W. Pell labored in company with me several days. Elder Quartus S. Sparks remained several weeks, and returned to Long Island. I continued my labors here during the Fall months. I preached in Norwalk, New Canaan, Ridgefield, Danbury, and several other townships. On the 17th of the following December, I baptised [baptized] one person; two days after this, I baptised [baptized] two. During the following month, nine were baptised [baptized]; and thus the work of the Lord increased, insomuch [inasmuch] that in the following April, when we were organized into a branch, we numbered twenty-seven members. I will not detain you with a detailed account of the history of the branch; but suffice it to say, that the sick have been healed, and devils cast out in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Saints have been, and are rejoicing in the happy enjoyment of the gifts and blessing of the gospel of Christ. Many of our sectarian neighbors entertain towards us, feelings of the most hostile nature, while others certainly are our friends. Something about the time the branch was organized, I received a challenge to discuss the claims of the Book of Mormon to divine authenticity. We met pursuant to appointment, and discoursed one evening. We met the next evening; but alas, for the cause of the poor old Devil, (his cause could not stand.) My opponent's moderator, who by the bye, is a class leader, and member of the Legislature, did not appear. My opponent's friends persuaded him to abandon the contest; and we agreed, at their request, to adjourn until they could get La Roy Sunderland, or some other clergyman to take it up: and so their champion has not appeared yet. Of course the adjournment still continues, and no doubt will, until the resurrection of the unjust. Since then, I received a challenge from a certain doctor of the Methodist Episcopal church in order to discuss the merits of the articles of religion as contained in their discipline. We met in their synagogue, and took our position behind the shrine of their deity-and his half frantic votaries labored so hard to sustain the reputation of their own dear Baal, that they got such a fit of spiritual gout, that they have hardly got over it since. The whole number of members that have been baptised [baptized] into this branch, is sixty-five-four have been added by letter, six are expelled, some have removed to Nauvoo, and some to other places. The brethren here are very anxious to emigrate to Illinois; so you may expect to see all of us in Zion this Fall, that can possibly get there. To give you an idea of the unity of our faith, and consequent enjoyment, I will just say, that there is not a member of this branch but what keeps the word of wisdom, I am glad to find that the annual conference has sent several elders to Connecticut. The blue laws are no more in existence here; nevertheless, there are very many individuals who are blue enough, I can assure you. However, in my opinion, the honest people of this State are ripe for the gospel, although the gospel has been preached in this section of country for a year and a half: yet doors are opened on every side, and nearly all people are calling for preaching. Although at a the May Conference, held in New York city, four of our members were ordained to the office of elder, yet we cannot fill the openings that are made. May the Lord raise up laborers and send them forth, that the wheat may be speedily gathered into the Lord's garner, even Zion, that the chaff may be burned up by the brightness of his coming. WESLEY WANDELL. I enclose you $2,00 for one copy of the Times and Seasons. Direct it to Benjamin Benedict, New Canaan, Fairfield county, Connecticut. I hope to be able to send you more subscribers soon. I will use my best exertions to increase your subscription list. Yours in the new covenant.